Free tool
Race-Day Kit Builder
Pick your race, your experience, your budget and the season. Get a complete gear list, from shoes and watch to fuel and (for triathlon) wetsuit, helmet and trainer, with one line on why each item is in your kit.
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How the kit builder picks your gear
Race distance decides the categories. A 5K needs shoes, a watch and little else. A marathon adds a fueling plan and something to carry it with. A triathlon adds a wetsuit or swim gear, a helmet, a bike setup, a trainer and a tri suit. A century swaps the swim for tires, a flat kit and a bike computer.
Your experience changes what is required. First-timers get a cushioned trainer and a basic watch, with expensive extras marked optional. Returning racers move up a tier. If you are chasing a PR the builder adds the performance items, such as a plated race shoe, a chest-strap heart rate monitor, race tires and power pedals.
Every product is one we already cover. Dig into the picks behind the list in the best running shoes, best triathlon watches, best TT bikes, best cycling gloves, best running jackets and fastest rolling tires guides, and plan the fueling with the race nutrition calculator.
Buy links open one size and color of a listing. Choose your size, fit or the women's version on Amazon before you order. Price bands are rounded from current listings and change often, so check each price. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Starting picks that fit almost any race
- Brooks Ghost 16 Neutral Running Shoe
Everyday trainer for first races
- Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch
GPS watch that handles running, riding and triathlon
- Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap
Chest-strap heart rate for zone work
- GU Energy Original Energy Gels, 24 Count
Energy gels for half marathons and up
- Body Glide Original Anti Chafe Balm
Anti-chafe for every distance
- CamelBak Podium Chill Insulated Water Bottle 24oz
Bottles for bike legs and centuries
Frequently asked questions
What gear do I need for a first marathon?+
A pair of cushioned running shoes, a GPS watch, moisture-wicking clothes for the weather, a race number belt, energy gels or a drink mix you have practiced with, electrolytes, and anti-chafe balm. The kit builder lists each item for your budget and the season, and it tells you which expensive items can wait until you have a race behind you.
What do I need for my first triathlon?+
For a sprint you need a swimsuit or tri suit, goggles, a certified helmet, a bike in working order with a spare tube and pump, running shoes and a race belt. A wetsuit matters when the water is cool, and clip-on aerobars, a trainer and a TT bike are all optional. Pick Sprint triathlon and First race and the builder marks what is optional.
How much should I budget for race-day gear?+
It depends on the race. A 5K needs shoes and a few basics, while a 70.3 or full Ironman needs swim, bike and run gear plus fueling. The builder tailors each list to Value, Balanced or All-in spending and shows the total as a band, such as Under $1,500, because prices change often.
What is the difference between a 70.3 and a full Ironman kit?+
The gear is nearly identical; the difference is volume and durability. A full Ironman is roughly twice as long, so the builder adds more fuel, a second carb source, salt, a transition bag and a more comfortable bike setup. A 70.3 gets the same core kit with a smaller fueling plan.
What do I need for a gravel century?+
Wider tubeless tires and sealant, a helmet, padded shorts, gloves, a bike computer, bottles, fuel, chamois cream and a basic flat-repair kit. The gravel century option swaps the road-bike spare tubes for tire sealant and wider tires.
Do I need a heart rate monitor or power meter for my first race?+
No. A GPS watch with wrist heart rate is plenty for a first race. A chest strap steadies heart-rate data for zone work and a power meter pedal helps pace a bike PR, so the builder only lists them as required when you pick Chasing a PR.
Should I buy running shoes for race day or train in them?+
Train in your race shoes for at least a few weeks before the event so they are broken in. A carbon-plated racer is a PR tool, not a first-race necessity, which is why the builder keeps a cushioned trainer in the list for first races and moves to a faster shoe only when you are chasing a PR.
How do I adjust the kit for hot or cold weather?+
Choose Warm or Cold in the season selector. Warm lists add sunglasses, sunscreen, a lightweight top and electrolytes, while cold lists add a jacket, thermal tights, gloves and, for cycling, shoe covers and a rain layer.