Ask A Gear Guru: What Are The Best Father’s Day Gifts for A Triathlete?
The tri season is back, and it's time to outfit dad with some of the coolest multisport gadgets out there.
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Father’s Day is coming up, and this year, chances are better that the special dad in your life will actually get out the door to race again. Of course racing this year will come with a few extra little hurdles (who doesn’t like hurdles in the middle of a triathlon?!), so we’ve combed the Gear Guru’s stockpile of cool gadgets to find some unique race-adjacent tri goodies that’ll help make those first-day-back-to-school multisport jitters disappear.
Best Father’s Day Gift for A Triathlete Over $200
Zoot Ultra Tri Aero Full Zip Race Suit
$325, zootsports.com
Yes, this is decidedly the luxe Father’s Day present for a very special dad who’s getting back into the swing of racing again—but you can’t really put a price on fatherhood, can you? Since you can put a price on a race suit, this is the suit that pulls out all of the stops when it comes to racing in the heat. Not only does it have multiple panels of cooling and aerodynamic fabrics to help you shed heat and slice through the air faster, but it’s got incredible details like a slim-profile chamois and four well-hidden storage pockets. The coolest detail, literally, is the three ice pockets that are thoughtfully placed around the abdomen and upper back for loading at aid stations. Need to know a little more about the suit before you shell out the big Father’s Day bucks? Check out the extended review here.
Best Father’s Day Gifts for A Triathlete Over $100
Rinsekit Plus
$185, rinsekit.com
While you could make dad a $35 DIY portable shower this year, he’ll probably really love this pressurized portable shower kit from RinseKit. The 2-gallon tank gives you about 1-2 minutes of spray, depending on the nozzle selected and fills with your garden hose. With a convenient handle and non slip bottom, this is a great tool to throw in the car for after an open-water swim or post race. The newest version of the Rinsekit also comes with a hand pump so you can fill it with water from a non-pressurized source (like a pool or body of water) and still get a solid stream.
Best Father’s Day Gifts for A Triathlete Under $100
Asics Runners Face Cover
$60, asics.com
Though we’re quickly heading into a more massless situation, most races are still requiring them when you’re not actually competing. With that in mind, the top-rated choice from our 2021 mask buyer’s guide was this premium face covering from Asics. Boasting excellent adjustable cinches for a perfect fit and a very lightweight, breathable, and still-protective fabric, this won high marks from testers in every area except one: If the father in your life has a ponytail, you might want to look elsewhere. But if he doesn’t, this is one of the best training/racing masks out there.
Vision Metron Front Hydration System
$83, visiontechusa.com
Since it’s likely been a while since dad raced, there’s a good chance his old race-day hydration system is either gone, broken, or disgusting beyond repair, so it’s probably time for a new one and an upgrade to something better and faster. This top-rated hydration system from our 2021 spring buyer’s guide got big marks for its 700mL capacity and detachable bento box for nutrition storage. Testers also loved the maze-like water filling spout that prevented sloshing as you fill on the go. And best yet, the easy mounting situation will ensure that this gift doesn’t become a frustrating chore when it’s time to install.
Magic5 Custom Goggles
$65, themagic5.com
What dad doesn’t like custom things? But here’s a tip: Skip the monogrammed braided leather bracelet and instead get him a pair of custom goggles from Magic 5—the same goggles worn by three-time Ironman world champion Jan Frodeno. Using a super cool face-scanning app that’s pretty much as dystopian as it sounds, the U.S.-based company will make custom sockets to fit your dad’s face and send the new goggles out in a few weeks. Not only will they fit perfectly, but because they’re custom made, dad can wear them on a looser setting than normal, preventing the dreaded raccoon eyes, post-swim. One more tip: Skip the surprise present and don’t try to do the face scan while he’s asleep—otherwise he’ll always have to hold that sleepyhead face shape while he’s swimming.
Best Father’s Day Gifts for A Triathlete Under $50
Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide with Chug Cap
$40, kleankanteen.com
Like we said before, the rules have slightly changed when it comes to training and racing in 2021. Not only do you want a water bottle that’ll keep your beverages hot or cold, but you also want something with a cover—like this clever “chug cap” that protects the drinking nozzle from unwanted airborne invaders. This sleek-looking model from Kleen Canteen made our “Best Water Bottle List” earlier in the year because of its 18/8 food-grade stainless steel and wide range of accessories like the TKWide Insulated Wide Loop Cap or TKWide Café Cap. This is a good choice because everyone knows dads love to upgrade their things.