Swimming, biking and running all provide a workout in themselves, but put them together and you've got a triathlon. Participating in three separate sports one after another requires certain clothing that makes participating in a triathlon easier and more comfortable. Triathlon clothing can be found at sporting goods stores or online triathlon retailers.
Wetsuits
Wetsuits are an important part of your triathlon wardrobe if you are doing open-water swimming. According to all3sports.com, wetsuits help provide buoyancy, helping to make you faster in the water; warmth, which is important in cold waters; flexibility, allowing your arms and legs to move freely; and hydrodynamics, cutting down on drag. There are full wetsuits, with long sleeves and pant legs, and there are sleeveless wetsuits with half-legs. Wetsuits vary in their thickness and their cuts, so it is important to try on a variety of suits to see which is most comfortable for you and your needs.
Tri Kits
A tri kit is typically triathlon shorts and a triathlon top; these can be sold as a kit together, or sold separately. There is also something called a trisuit, which is a one-piece outfit consisting of a top and shorts that you can wear for the entire triathlon. Many people wear this when wetsuits are not necessary; others prefer separate tops and shorts. Triathlon shorts are made out of a Lycra-type material that you can swim in that will not retain water and slow you down. These shorts also have padding for the bike portion of the triathlon, although the padding in tri shorts is less than that of traditional bike shorts. The padding in tri shorts is also specially made so it will not absorb water during the swim. A tri top is generally a sleeveless shirt made of the same material.
Shoes
Typically, serious triathletes use different shoes for the biking and the running parts of the triathlon. Bike shoes are usually used with clipless pedals on bikes. REI.com states that clipless bike shoes help provide better energy transfer and reduce fatigue. They tend to have a stiffer sole as well, providing support to the feet to prevent cramping and to protect your feet. For the running section of a triathlon, regular running shoes are suitable, or you can wear triathlon-specific race shoes. These shoes tend to be lighter and geared toward racing and are not as supportive as regular running shoes. Some models have special one-pull lacing systems to cut down on time in the transition area.
Accessories
Some triathletes find it helpful to wear sunglasses or a visor that they put on at the first or second transition, as energy is expended when you squint your eyes to keep out the sun. Compression socks or calf sleeves are also an option. Compression socks help increase blood circulation in the legs, and are said to reduce fatigue and provide muscle and tendon support, says Trisports.com. They are also good for recovery post-triathlon.
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