Triathletes can be a finicky bunch to buy gifts for. Triathlon is a sport of habits, and many triathletes have developed detailed habits that they don’t veer from. Even getting them the wrong flavor of Gatorade can disappoint them. What’s worse, triathlon gear can vary in price extremely. How do you know your triathlete wants their next bike to be of the $3,000 variety, or is way past the point of entry-level tri shorts?
The good news is that triathletes are gear junkies! That means that there are plenty of options that can be gift-wrapped and given to your favorite triathlete during a holiday or their birthday.
If you have a triathlete on your gift list, there are a few things you can get them that would be universally appreciated and not violate any crazy habits or rituals they have in place. Furthermore, they are gifts that even an avid triathlete with a closet full of gear can always use. Follow this list, and you will be a big winner with your triathlon gift.
For the Beginner
A beginner triathlete probably needs a bit of everything, and if they are setting out to do their first race this summer, there is a good chance they are starting with a pretty bare stable of gear. If 
they’ve hinted at what they want, you could always step up and buy them something like an entry-level tri wetsuit that they could use for years.
Short of that, a great gift for a beginner triathlete is an instructional video or book to help them gain the right technique from the start. We recommend the Total Immersion Open Water Swim DVD (with a discount if you use our code TWSTI), which will teach them the fundamentals of swimming in a lake and give them more confidence and better form in the water. Couple that with a beginner-oriented tri book like Your First Triathlon Guide, and you’ll have your newbie on the track to a successful first race.
Another, very practical stocking-stuffer is getting your triathlete some new tire tubes or CO2 cartridges. These are items nearly every cyclist carries with them on rides in case of a flat. Just be sure you know what kind of bike tires they use, because there are some that do not require tubes.
Another item we really like, for anyone who cyclists in or near traffic, is an LED safety bike light. Mounted on the front and/or back of the bike, these lightweight, bright, flashing lights are showing to improve visibility to passing cars significantly. What could be a better gift for your loved one than safety?
For the Intermediate
The intermediate triathlete has probably done a few triathlons, and is indicating that they enjoy the sport and may make it a more serious hobby. You can help them by giving them something that most triathletes don’t immediately buy for themselves, a triathlon transition bag. This is the bag that triathletes use on race day and is made specifically for the gear you use during a race. A good race bag, for example, will have a place for the bike helmet and a waterproof area for a wet wetsuit. We Recommend going with a high-end bag that will last for years, our favorite being the Blueseventy Helix bag. It comes highly rated by serious triathletes and is manufactured by a maker who produces quality products. We have one and use it for much more than triathlon. It converts from a backpack to a duffle with ease, so while it is perfect for race day, it is just a great all around bag to have ready for anything.
For someone who is aspiring to get to the next level and plans to train hard, precision is key. A good triathlon watch will help track times, distances, speeds, and even heart rates on training runs and rides. A couple of them even are safe to take in the pool. You will need to spend a few bucks, but a multisport or trip watch can be a great gift for triathletes who take their training seriously.
Perhaps you are leery of buying apparel for your triathlete — you don’t want to worry about getting the right sizing or fit. One thing that many triathletes could use but relatively few have is an indoor bike trainer (a.k.a. spinner). These trainers allow a cyclist to do their cycling indoors during winter or inclement weather. We even like to use ours at busy rush hour times when we know that riding on the road could be a bit more dangerous than normal. A good trainer does not take up much space when in storage, and can easily be pulled out for a workout and then put back away. They cost anywhere from $75 to $600 or more, but we think you can get a very good quality one for the $150 to $250 range.
For the Expert
Buying a gift for an expert triathlete is a little like buying a guitar for a rock star. Most advanced triathletes are also gear junkies, and enjoy shopping for major gear themselves. Still, there are some things that avid triathletes cycle through, and can always use more than one of as backups. The ability to add some “gear depth” to their closet will always be welcomed. Good cycling or running tights are one option, especially for those in colder climates. Any triathlete, however, needs plenty of bike gear to get them through the season. So… We Recommend that for the expert triathlete who may have everything, they can always another pair of triathlon shorts or high quality bike shorts. The DeSoto Tri Short is a favorite of longer-distance triathletes from a growing brand known for quality. Avid triathletes sometimes prefer to train in their tri suits, wearing them out a few times per summer, so they may benefit from more than one set.
Since they may also have days where they focus on long bike rides, the Garneau Fit Sensor shorts can make those rides more comfortable. These shorts are known for simple design and great durability, with a very comfortable waist band and leg grips. Bike shorts are also something that every serious cyclist needs several of, so if they already have a set or two, they will still love your gift.
If you need something that will impress your triathlete, consider a Powermeter (see our complete buying guide to powermeters here). We like Garmin’s New Powermeter for the cyclist who has everything. It is a pedal-based meter, which is the easiest to install of all of the options. Casually ask them if they have ever heard of a powermeter. If they say anything other than “yeah, I have one on my bike!” you might be on to a winner. A powermeter is a cycling device used by serious, competitive cyclists. It allows the rider to measure their power output, which can be a more precise way of gauging effort than simply measuring RPMs or speed. The catch: powermeters are expensive.
If you have the budget, though, a power meter can be a gamechanger in your training. Garmin’s Vector is pedal-mounted, which is different than most crank-mounted meters. One great feature of the pedal-mounted Vector is that you can measure the effort from each foot individually, providing a good sense of if your stroke is balanced or not. Best of all, the pedal-mounted devices are small and light – one of the more subtle powermeters we have ever seen. Like we said, it is not cheap, so probably a better gift for serious triathletes who tend to spend more than $2,000 on their bike. Price is not trivial (they run around $600) but if you want to really impress your triathlete, this is a great gift.
Another great option is to help your cyclist get into the world of smart bike trainers and apps. You can basically take a fully-interactive spin class, or ride a famous road or course, from the comfort of your own home. “All you need” is a smart trainer or smart indoor cycle, along with an app that can serve up the rides in a way that is integrated with your actual bike. Pretty cool stuff, but gain, not cheap.
If you still are uncomfortable choosing a product, consider a gift certificate from your local triathlon or bike shop. Your triathlete will enjoy some time just roaming around and learning about what crazy equipment they can buy for their next season or race. Find the right gift for your triathlete using this guide, and you’ll help feed their hobby with something they can truly use.
Triathlete Stocking Stuffer
There are two great stocking stuffers for any triathlete. First, every triathlete goes through swim goggles. Get them a great all-around pair, such as the Aquasphere Kaiman, and they will be sure to use them either in their regular swim sessions or as a backup to have in the gym bag. Second, every triathlete we know goes through a few pairs of speed laces each year. You can’t go wrong by spending $10 on a pair for your favorite.
