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A triathlon is an arduous race that takes you from the water to your bike to your feet. With so many working parts at play, you’re going to want to be comfortable through all of this. Choosing a well-fitting, durable pair of triathlon bottoms is very important if you want to focus on your sport, not your shorts. After testing lots of pairs, we’ve narrowed it down to these top pics for men and women, judging on comfort, style, and durability. Men’s Top Pick: Synergy Men’s Tri Shorts While Synergy may only be about 20 years old as a company,...

SwimRun is a swimming-running race that allows participants to adventure across land and sea. Generally, the races traverse a series of islands -- running over one and swimming to the next. In Sweden, the birthplace of SwimRun, the most famous race series (which includes the world championship of sorts) is called ÖtillÖ, which means "island-to-island." Because you travel from one island and finish on another, you must carry all your gear with you the whole time. That means running in your wetsuit and swimming in your sneakers. Since that can be kind of challenging, you're also allowed to use any...

Training with a Pull Buoy: Friend or Foe? The pull buoy is one of the standard pieces of equipment at the end of every swimmer’s lane. But when does it go from training aid to training crutch? Here is why you might want to rethink using a pull buoy today at practice. “Can I do this set with my pull buoy?” If you’ve heard these words before then you have trained with the Specialist. Or maybe you are the Specialist. You know, the swimmer who can pull faster than they can swim. The appeal of the pull buoy is strong and...

When you have the chance to swim in open water, the goal is to transfer your pool skills and fitness to the race venue. Swim training at the local pond or beach improves race times, increases confidence, and brings a change of pace to the monotony of endless laps in the pool.   Safety First In the “wild” environment of the open water, always take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with your surroundings: Are there any obstacles to the entry or exit? What is the water temperature? Will you need a wetsuit?  What are the currents, riptides, waves, chop,...

Your wetsuit will be one of your most expensive pieces of triathlon gear, so choosing the right wetsuit is a very important decision. Sizing and fit can be the difference between the suit that works and the one that doesn't, regardless of the style of the suit. Tri wetsuits are known for their precise neoprene width that vary on different areas of the wetsuit. Thicker areas are for easy buoyancy while thinner areas are for flexibility. Keep in mind that the most expensive option isn’t always the best for you, while you definitely will be getting what you pay for...