Triathlon - What's your bag...

for transitioning? What should I be looking for? It seems like these are all sold over the internet rather than bike shops, where you can take advantage of expertise. Price range seems to be $50 to $150, and that's quite a range, with no real explanation of why anyone would want to spend more. I'm new to triathlons, and starting out with the half-iron in Florida this May. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I just use a big, cheap duffle bag. I guess a bag with a bunch of compartments for dirty shoes, wet vs dry stuff and food would be good, but the big cheap duffle works just fine for me. I throw in a few plastic garbage bags for the wet/dirty stuff and all is good.

I just use a big, cheap duffle bag.

+1

Add a hand towel if you want to lay things out in a certain way.

I just use a big, cheap duffle bag.

Yup. Though I've one that has a U-shaped zippered lid so that you can open it up really wide - rather than just an end-to-end zipper. Better for yanking aero helmets out.

I use a big cheap knapsack so I can wear it on my back walking from parking to transition and back. The "transition" bag is for those who are gear-conscious I think :) Though I have seen them with separate pockets for your stinky shoes, and a protective end pocket for the helmet, grocery bags seem to work for me. And I can throw those out - no cleaning required. Bonus!

I use a cheap large messenger bag. :) BF.net member/mod Kemmer had a bunch avaliable in the For Sale section and i find that it works pretty dang well.

I use the Saucony Transition bag, the only reason I have it is that it was a present. You shouldnt really have stuff in bags anyways. Just transport it in whatever, and have it layed out in the open for faster transitions.

I use a big cheap knapsack so I can wear it on my back walking from parking to transition and back. The "transition" bag is for those who are gear-conscious I think :) Though I have seen them with separate pockets for your stinky shoes, and a protective end pocket for the helmet, grocery bags seem to work for me. And I can throw those out - no cleaning required. Bonus!

The posh Apple Store bags are perfect for shoes - there's one size (for various medium sized accessories and iPods and things) that is ideal. I've got one with shoes in and one with various tyres.

But I often use grocery bags too.

And I always put gels in something plastic. Nothing worse than opening up a bag to find a gel got smashed and got goo everywhere.

Great tips from everyone. Many thanks. I think I'll stick with the same bag I use for working out. Nothing glamorous, just big, holds lots of stuff, and I already know where it all is.

One person did make a good point about the bag being only for carrying to and from ... transition areas tend to be very cramped so make sure your bag isn't so big that it takes up too much of your limited space. You need to be able to tuck up against the rack, out of the way. Enjoy!
-- Joolie

One person did make a good point about the bag being only for carrying to and from ... transition areas tend to be very cramped so make sure your bag isn't so big that it takes up too much of your limited space. You need to be able to tuck up against the rack, out of the way. Enjoy!
-- Joolie

yeah no doubt and i like a big opening so afterward, when i am tired, i can just cram everything in and not have to think about it :)

I use just a big, cheap Adidas duffel. The only time I have ever gone into it during a race transition was when there was a huge downpour during the bike leg and I decided to grab a dry pair of socks before heading out on the run... the storms reappeared after mile 3 (olympic), so it really did not help :( ;)

I have one of the new Rocket Bags. If all the labeled compartments are full, you know you haven't left anything behind. I also use the laptop compartment for travelling on the plane.

I use a plastic fruit crate which I turn over and use as a seat during transitions.

sorry guys but i am a tri newb (my first one is this saturday... SOOOO excited). BUt i am just confused on the role of the transition bag: is it just to throw in your wetsuit and have dry clothes waiting? Is the transition area always in the same spot so you transition from swim -- > bike where you transition from bike --> swim?

That to me is the only way it makes sense to have a bag ... (outside of having one bag to lug all your crap to and from the car).

i would use either a soccer backpack or soccer duffle, they always have a shoe pocket and are usually very big. I also use my table tennis duffle and backpack, they have a god amount of compartments that work to keep transition stuff organized also.