Triathlon Christmas Wish List 2014

Stuck for present ideas for the triathlete that has everything?! Or simply want to treat yourself to something nice?! 
Here is a list of ideas including the latest triathlon gadgets, some old classics and some things you may not have thought of! 
I've split the list into 'Main Presents' and 'Stocking Fillers' - purely based off of the prices. Pictures and links are on the left if you want to treat someone!
Have a great 2014 Christmas and I hope Santa brings you everything you need for the 2015 triathlon season!

Main Presents

Garmin 920XT

The very latest GPS watch from Garmin. It features GPS for cycling, running, pool swimming and open water. It is the first watch of its kind to have a colour screen, offering great live stats and graphs on screen as you swim, bike, run. Ideal for the triathlete that loves numbers and data (all of them?!). Available in 2 choices of colours. Check out HERE for a more in depth review from DC Rainmaker.

Price from: £419.99

Suunto Ambit3

Similar to the 920XT this is Suunto's most up to date GPS watch. It doesn't have the colour screen that the 920XT has, but it has an excellent Heart Rate Monitor that works in the water as you are swimming. This is great to ensure you are swimming at the correct intensities. It offers all the other things you'd expect from a watch of this price range including GPS, live stats for pace, distance and time. Plus it looks much smarter than most other GPS watches!

Price from: £267.00

Finis Tempo Trainer

A great training tool for the swimming pool! The tempo trainer is a 'wetronome' that makes an audible beep in your cap as you swim. This can be used for a number of reasons. You can use it to time your stroke rate, great if you need to speed up or slow down your strokes  per minute. You can also set it to beep per length, so you could ensure you are pacing your intervals of time trials perfectly in the pool - often something people struggle with!

Price from: £31.50

SWIMMING CORDS

These are perfect for when you can't quite make it to the pool, or if you want to supplement your swimming training with some strength work. This kit comes with various resistances, a set of handles, a door stop attachment and a little bag to keep it all inside. Check out our article HERE on 'Land Training for Swimming' for some ideas on how you could be using these in your training sessions.

Price from: £13.47

TRX Suspension Training Kit

If you want to improve strength, core and balance then suspension fitness is perfect. You can do it in your home or outside and every exercise you do on a gym machine can be replicated using one simple piece of kit. I regularly use it with clients to work on core and strength. Cheaper versions are available, but if you are going to be hanging face down a few inches from the floor I'd opt for the well known brands! They are TRX and Rip60.

Price from: £198.99

The Complete book of triathlon training

A great book by Mark Kleanthous. It covers lots you would like to know about triathlon in a simple and easy to understand format. There will be useful tips for complete beginners and experienced athletes alike. I have lost count of how many Ironman races Mark has done... but if you ask him I am sure he will tell you!!! 

Price from: £14.39

Yurbuds In-Ear Headphones

These have revolutionised headphones. Made specifically for athletes, they are completely sweat resistant. This means  they should never fall out when running. They are comfortable and light weight and available in many different colours. Anyone who has tried running with earphones that fall out will know how annoying it can be...! Fix it forever with these!

Price from: £22.50

Tacx Blue Motion Turbo Trainer

When the dark nights, cold weather, sleet, fog, ice and snow come along... this is exactly what you need! Attaching your current bike to a turbo trainer allows you to train safely and warmly (maybe too warmly!) inside your home or garage. Come spring time it will become clear who worked hard over the winter on a turbo and who didn't! You can also join in with our free session HERE

Price from: £119.95

Stocking Fillers

Elastic Laces

Elastic laces are great for speeding up transition between bike and run. They can also be really useful for long run training, as your feet will swell up in size the longer you run, elastic laces will give much more comfort. Available in lots of colours so no excuses for them not match your trainers and triathlon kit. We recommend green and black obviously

Price from: £5.50

Race Number Belt

Simple but essential bit of kit for triathlon. Have your number attached and ready for when you get out the swim. There are lots of different versions of race belts, if you are doing long distances make sure you look for one which can hold a few gels too.

Price from: £6.89

Goggle Anti-fog

Its 2014... why we still don't have goggles that don't steam up is beyond me! However there is hope... anti-fog! Most goggles are great for a few months, then the fog comes! While this is sometimes great for ignoring the rancid lake you are swimming in, ideally we want to be able to see where we are going. This will prolong the life of your goggles and stop you swimming 5km on your next Ironman race.

Price from: £7.11

VeloChampion 'Gooj' Multi Tool

The 'GOOJ' tool has got everything you will need to help you get going again. This compact, well designed Maxgear tool combines quality materials with maximum features including a chain breaker. Buying your partner this could save you from a 50km drive to pick them up when they have a mechanical. So think of it as a present for yourself!


Price from: £12.99