The Best Gifts for Triathletes in 2023

Is a transition mat going to make or break a triathlete’s performance? Probably not. Will it make the race a bit more comfortable? Sure! This mat from Kona provides a non-slip, dry surface for changing out of a wetsuit, then rolls up small for easy packing. As an added bonus, its bright color options are easy to spot among a sea of towels in the transition area.

A travel towel is always a great item for a triathlete to pack along, and this microfiber towel from Youphoria is a solid option. It’s available in a range of sizes from hand to full body, dries fast, and is highly portable.

Like all microfiber towels it’s only moderately absorbent, but it will more than suffice for a quick post-swim dry-off or to sop up some sweat.

Fast-drying, with extra-wide armholes to prevent chafing and an extra-long zipper to make it easier to put on and take off, this tri-suit from Synergy hits on all the key points.

As an added bonus, it features silicone leg grippers to keep the legs from riding up, as well as a modesty panel at the crotch to provide a bit of…modesty. While it does have a zipping pocket at the back, it can be difficult to reach, especially on the go.

Whenever you’re discussing the best helmets for road cycle racing, the Giro Aerohead will inevitably enter the conversation. Thanks to its outstanding aerodynamics it helps riders cut through the wind, but the reason I’m singling it out is thanks to the outstanding protection afforded by its MIPS rotational impact liner.

Other helmets might be a bit lighter, while others still may have better visor optics (though the Aerohead visor’s magnetic attachment is nice), but I’ve seen enough smashups on race day to know that safety takes priority.

There are a ton of adequate massage guns on the market, but I’m recommending the TheraGun Mini because triathletes can toss it in their bag and pack it along for race day. That way you have it on hand if a cramp strikes.

The Mini has three speed settings and provides firm, steady repetition. It also comes with three different massage heads so you can choose how wide or targeted you want its strike to be.

People love this thing. Pretty much the only criticism you can level at it is that the price certainly isn’t cheap.

For truly dedicated triathletes, data is essential to analyzing and improving performance. With Form’s smart goggles, wearers benefit from practical swimming considerations like a comfortable, leakproof fit and anti-fogging, but they also receive an array of data in real-time pertaining to factors like time, distance, stroke rate, pace, and more.

They come with a one-year subscription that includes over 1,500 workouts and 30 training plans which are instructed live via the in-goggle display.

You can’t enter the race without a number, and this race number belt from RJ-Sport not only holds a triathlete’s number bib securely in place, but its soft elastic makes it comfortable enough that it won’t hinder performance. As an added bonus, it’s equipped with six loops for holding energy gel or bars. It won’t work with waists under 26 inches, but it adjusts and stretches to fit up to 70 inches.

When it comes to choosing cycling shoes specifically for a triathlon, two considerations surpass all else: easy transitioning—meaning that the shoes will come off fast when it's time to switch to running shoes—and minimalized weight.

These shoes from Triseven nail both factors, delivering fast removal and clocking in at a feather-light 285 grams. They’re breathable yet adjust well to provide a firm fit, and work with all the most popular pedal systems. Their unisex fit makes them highly versatile, but that can make it tricky to choose the right size.

If weather or circumstance prevents cycling outdoors, a cycling trainer allows dedicated riders to use their bike indoors. Frequently these trainers can be so jerky and rattly, however, that the experience is rather tedious, and those who live in apartment buildings end up angering their neighbors with vibration.

The Garmin Tacx Neo T2 Smart Trainer eliminates all of that. Its incredibly smooth flywheel feels like real outdoor riding, and reduced vibration means that you won’t bother anyone. Connect to the included app to track performance, and the Tacx training subscription allows you to follow immersive training videos on TV. While it’s definitely one of the pricier indoor trainers, it’s also definitely among the best.

A solid transition bag—the hub where a triathlete stores and switches through all their gear—is a must on race day. Zoot’s Ultra Tri Bag proves why thanks to its smart, durable design.

With plenty of storage space and dedicated pockets for everything, including a helmet and wetsuit, it does a great job of keeping everything organized while separating the dry from the wet. Comfortable on the back and shoulders and durably crafted, this bag will be a welcome inclusion for years of racing.

Bike boxes tend to get a lot of complaints leveled against them, largely because they’re typically used to check a bike onto a plane, and anything involving airports, flying, and checked luggage is destined to draw ire. Air travel issues aside, the RoundTrip Transition Case from Thule is the best bike box out there.

Super protective and relatively straightforward to pack, it’s an unrivaled option for keeping your bike safe while in transit. It also boasts integrated wheels for easier mobility and a built-in repair stand, the latter of which is completely unique. The case is very heavy and pretty bulky to store, but if protection is the priority, it will absolutely deliver.

The Garmin Venu 3 is a great gift for triathletes as it can support all aspects of the sport, assisting with training, collecting performance data, and helping with sleep management.

I was already a huge fan of the Venu 2, and the latest generation has taken notable steps forward by improving the fitness and sleep tracking accuracy, adding a bevy of new functions pertaining to training, recovery, and sleep, and improving the design in a number of practical ways. And beyond sports, it’s a great smartwatch in itself, providing plenty of applications and communication tools. There’s even a flashlight!

The Endorphin Speed 3 from Saucony is an outstanding pair of running shoes by pretty much every consideration. They consistently receive high praise for their outstanding cushioning and neutral yet stable support, and I personally think they’re among the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever run in.

Designed to add an extra spring to your step, they’re great for both training and race day. Some wearers do report that their pillowy cushioning takes some getting used to, but the vast majority think they’re just as comfortable as I do.

As any experienced triathlete will tell you, when you’re running for long periods with clothing and gear rubbing against your skin, things can get pretty chafed and uncomfortable. This anti-chafe balm from Body Glide helps prevent chafing, and it does so without leaving the wearer coated in greasy oil. It’s resistant to sweat and rain, and there are no nasty chemicals in the ingredients.

A quality tri-suit is essential not only for competing, but for staying relatively comfortable throughout the race. Santic’s tri-suit for women is a great option thanks to the fact that both its material and butt pad are fast-drying, which is very handy when you’re going directly from the water to a bike.

It also has extra-wide arm holes, which helps to reduce chafing. A long cord attached to the zipper makes it easier to dress, and there’s a pocket on the left leg for energy gels, keys, or phone.

As any fitness enthusiast knows, few things impact your training and performance as much as what you eat. The Endurance Training and Diet Cookbook is packed with great information about how and what to eat specifically for endurance competitions like triathlons.

It details the best nutrition and foods to consume while training, then before, during, and after a race, and can generally help any triathlete up their game through proper eating habits. While the recipes it contains are only decent, the nutritional information it offers is invaluable.

A solid set of swimming goggles are an essential part of a triathlete’s kit, and Speedo pretty much sets the standard in that realm. With its Vanqisher 2.0 line, the brand has increased peripheral vision by 25 percent while improving its anti-fogging capabilities. Super comfortable and watertight, they feature interchangeable nose pieces so you can find your best fit—though a few reviewers do have issues swapping them out. That aside, these are all-around great goggles.

For races that demand swimming in colder water, a wetsuit with full body coverage and greater warmth is key. The Volt wetsuit line from XTERRA goes the next step by providing not only warmth and comfort, but improved performance.

It accomplishes this by decreasing drag in the water while improving the wearer’s buoyancy—both of which translate into easier, faster swimming. This is a good wetsuit for competitors of any experience level, though more experienced racers may want to step up to Xterra’s advanced Vortex line.

Energy gels are a tried and true go-to for a bit of extra fuel on the go, providing a dose of vitamins and nutrients to help a triathlete keep up their pace over the course of a race.

I’m a fan of Honey Stinger’s wide-ranging sport snacks in general, and that includes its energy gels. With this variety pack you can give the gift of ten gel packs spanning two flavors, which should last through somewhere between 3 and 10 competitions.