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Triathlon Gear to Keep You Cool This Summer
Written by
Greg Kaplan
Don't sweat finding the best training gear for summer. We tested the latest options—from some of the most recognizable brands—and found our new favorite summer-weight training and racing apparel.
Castelli San Remo Free Tri Suit
$199
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The Castelli San Remo Free Tri Suit "was like a second skin," according to our tester. This one-piece tri suit top and bottom are bonded on the sides and back. A full-zip front allowed for excellent temperature regulation on the run. Two small pocket sit right in front of the hip bones, and two massively deep pockets on the back are excellent low-drag storage spaces. The fabric on the top is so sheer, it's nearly transparent and seemed to dry before we even escaped T1.
Best For: full-gas, short-course racing
Notable Features: drag-free storage options, quick drying
Best For: full-gas, short-course racing
Notable Features: drag-free storage options, quick drying
Castelli Womens Free Tri Short and Free Singlet
Short $99; Singlet $99
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The Castelli Womens Free Tri Short ($99) features a compressive fit, was quick to dry and a had a chamois that was perfect when going full-gas on the bike before becoming unnoticeable on the run. But what's really cool about this top is that it connects to the matching shorts to create a one-piece suit. A small duo-lock panel on each side of the back waist mates with similar panels on the matching singlet to create a seamless outfit.
The matching Castelli Womens Tri Singlet ($99), is excellent for training and racing on hot summer days. The stretchy mesh back panels provided excellent cooling and breathability. When zipped, the fit was snug—so size up if you don't like things too tight.
Best For: fast training, racing
Notable Features: separate top and bottom snap together to create a one-piece
The matching Castelli Womens Tri Singlet ($99), is excellent for training and racing on hot summer days. The stretchy mesh back panels provided excellent cooling and breathability. When zipped, the fit was snug—so size up if you don't like things too tight.
Best For: fast training, racing
Notable Features: separate top and bottom snap together to create a one-piece
Lululemon Men's Surge Lined Short
$68
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Until our wear tester ran in the Lululemon Surge Mens Short, he'd only ever run in compressive tri bottoms. These loose-fitting run shorts have a built-in liner that kept things in place—even when sprinting. The waistband cinched just enough to keep these shorts at a comfortable height without binding or tugging. With the comfort and support offered by this Lululemon running wear, our tester became a run-short convert.
Best For: warm to hot training runs
Notable Features: built in liner for comfort and great fit
Best For: warm to hot training runs
Notable Features: built in liner for comfort and great fit
Lululemon Women's Fast and Free ⅞ Tight II
$128
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The Lululemon Women's Fast and Free ⅞ Tight II features a super comfy, high-rise waistband that sits right above the hips and has so many hidden pockets we didn't even try to fill them all. Two more deep pockets—one on each thigh—offer additional space and add style to these already fun-to-wear summer-weight tights. They kept our wear tester cool, dry and protected from the summer sun, and they're just so flattering, our she kept reaching for them run after run.
Best For: moderate to hot training runs
Notable Features: multiple pockets and flattering fit
Best For: moderate to hot training runs
Notable Features: multiple pockets and flattering fit
Pearl Izumi Pro Escape Short and Select Pursuit Jersey
Short $150; Jersey $70
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The Pearl Izumi Pro Escape Short with its smooth, brushed fabric and all-day-riding chamois made us want to do laundry more frequently just so we could wear it more often. Plus, the waist is high enough that we never worried about gaping below our cycling top. The affordable Pearl Izumi select Pursuit Jersey felt light, and breathable and dried quickly from both sweat and rain as well.
Best For: high-mileage rides
Notable Features: shorts with ample chamois and strapless no-sag fit; affordable, lightweight jersey
Best For: high-mileage rides
Notable Features: shorts with ample chamois and strapless no-sag fit; affordable, lightweight jersey
Pearl Izumi Womens PRO Escape Short and Pearl Izumi Womens PRO Pursuit Speed Jersey
Jersey $150; Short $150
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The classic form-fit cut of the Pearl Izumi W Pro Pursuit Speed Jersey felt like a race-day top we could wear any day. The snug, elongated sleeves and ventilated shoulder gussets were plenty breathable, and the mesh arm and shoulder panels, with ventilated armpits, did a notable job of heat dissipation. Voluminous pockets stayed closed—and aero—thanks to a secure elastic strip at the top.
The strapless Pearl Izumi Women's PRO Escape Short really exceeded our expectations for comfort: The interior felt silky against our skin while the chamois was so smooth and perfectly sized. The soft, brushed exterior panels weren't slippery on the saddle, and the legs ended with a minimal gripper to keep them in place. Topped with a yoga waistband that's light, low-cut and sat at a naturally comfortable height, our tester suggested that cycling in these shorts was like wearing nothing at all.
Best For: all around, summer cycling
Notable Features: sleek, form-fitting jersey; shorts with a barely-there feel
The strapless Pearl Izumi Women's PRO Escape Short really exceeded our expectations for comfort: The interior felt silky against our skin while the chamois was so smooth and perfectly sized. The soft, brushed exterior panels weren't slippery on the saddle, and the legs ended with a minimal gripper to keep them in place. Topped with a yoga waistband that's light, low-cut and sat at a naturally comfortable height, our tester suggested that cycling in these shorts was like wearing nothing at all.
Best For: all around, summer cycling
Notable Features: sleek, form-fitting jersey; shorts with a barely-there feel
Nike Tailwind Sunglasses
$145
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The Nike Tailwind sunglasses were everything we ever needed our of shades—and more. The design is so lightweight you almost forget you're wearing them after a bit, and the rubber construction on the arms and bridge of the nose not only helped hold everything in place but created more ventilation for hot and sweaty summer days pounding the pavement. We especially loved the no-frame design, allowing for a wider field of view and exceptionally clear vision of the road ahead.