TRI TIME

The best top-to-toe kit for your first triathlon

- Charlie Allenby

By simultaneously training for the three most popular cardiovascular pursuits - swimming, running and cycling - dipping your toe into the world of triathlon will test your physical and mental strength in entirely new ways. To succeed, though, you will need to invest in the right kit. There are three essential items: a wetsuit, bike and pair of running shoes.

But like any sport, triathlon has a seemingly never-ending list of specialist options - all designed, ultimately, to make you faster, whether that's improving your aerodynamics while racing, or helping you to shave time off transitions between the three different legs.

From watches to rucksacks, Men's Fitness put some of the latest gear to the test...

Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar

£549.99 / garmin.com

A triathlon watch might not seem like an essential - an event's tracker is going to be able to tell you your finishing time, after all - but it is incredibly handy both during and in the build-up to race day. The Forerunner 955 Solar by Garmin comes with an eye-watering price tag, but it easily earns its place on your wrist. It can guide and track every workout session in the build-up to an event; its built-in heart rate monitor allows you to keep an eye on efforts mid-race (and ensure you didn't go off too hard); and its Garmin Connect smartphone app is great for post-race analysis, and seeing where you can shave seconds off next time.

Outside of training and competing, the Forerunner 955 functions similarly to any other high-end smartwatch including the ability to make contactless payments via Garmin Pay.

DHB Aeron Lab Short Sleeve Tri Suit 

£200 / wiggle.co.uk