Triathlete Buyer's Guide: Transition Zone

Oakley Miss Conduct Sunglasses $140

A pair of sunglasses helps relieve some of the stress your eyes endure from wind and sun, especially on the bike. The Oakley Miss Conduct glasses are an option for women who want to look stylish while biking and running in their shades. Oakleywomen.com

Scape SPF 50+ Sunblock $13.99

Created by a scientist who worked for Johnson & Johnson for 13 years developing skincare products, Scape lives up to its hype as the best sunscreen on the market. Tested by Triathlete’s staff in several races, we found that our faces and bodies stayed free from burns. Even our noses stayed protected. The sunscreen also smells pleasant and is easy to rub into the skin. Best of all, it allows the skin to breathe, making it especially useful in humid climates. Scapelabs.com

FuelBelt Custom Fit Revenge 2-Bottle $43.95

There are many reasons to store a nutrition belt in T2: You want to drink the beverage you consume during workouts, but it’s not your race’s sponsor drink; you prefer to drink from bottles instead of paper cups; you like the peace of mind that comes with having fluids on you during the sometimes long distances between aid stations. The adjustable belt, comfy padding, light weight and easy access bottle design make the FuelBelt Revenge 2-Bottle the go-to belt for a mid- distance run. Fuelbelt.com

Specialized Airtool Pro Floor Pump $80

It’s always a comforting thought to have a pump in the transition zone. It calls to you saying, “Everything will be OK.” The Specialized Airtool Pro floor pump is a durable option for racers. It has a tight seal, pumps a lot of air with each stroke, and remains firmly in place while you’re filling your tire. Specialized.com

Fuel Belt Aero Fuelbox $14.95

The Aero Fuelbox sits behind your stem, allowing you to store several gels for your bike leg and stay aerodynamic in the process. Depending on what type of bike you ride, you may have trouble mounting the Fuelbox, so it’s best to test the item out at a retail store before you purchase it. But if the Fuelbox fits, it’s a very useful buy. Fuelbelt.com

Brightly Colored Towel

We’ve all done it before: We finish the swim, we’re discombobulated, we’re wondering what we’ve just swallowed and we can’t find our bike. There are several ways to prevent this situation, but one of the easiest ones is to buy a big, fluorescent towel that you can spot from far away. T1 becomes a whole lot friendlier when you’ve got a big towel guiding your way. And they’re cheap.