Whether you’re heading into T1 on race morning, or just gearing up for another midweek double training day with that pesky thing called ‘work’ sandwiched in between. Triathlon training and racing invariably involves carting around a whole lot of kit. Which means having a decent backpack can be a gamechanger. We’re bringing you our pick of the best triathlon transition bags and backpacks. Giving you all the space, storage and stinky kit separators you need to get you through race season.
What is a triathlon transition bag?
A transition bag is a type of duffel bag or backpack specifically designed for carrying around all the various bits of swim, bike and run gear you need to take on a triathlon.
But unlike a regular backpack, which usually just has one main compartment and maybe a couple of smaller zip pockets if you’re lucky. A transition bag will have multiple compartments and dividers to make it easy to keep your kit separate, organised and easy to find. This can include a separate section for storing muddy/sweaty run and bike shoes so they don’t wreck your other kit. A drybag for your wetsuit so it doesn’t make every other thing in your bag soaking wet after a swim. Plus smaller compartments for things like your GPS watch, bike computer and nutrition.
Some of the best transition bags also come with removable dividers for the main compartment, so you can use the bag in a triathlon transition to separate out your bike and run gear – making it easy to grab what you need during T1 and T2.
Do I actually need a transition bag?
Like many things in triathlon, a dedicated triathlon transition bag is a nice to have – not a must have. But that being said, it can make life a lot easier. If you’re balancing a busy work life with training, having a neat way to transport and organise your kit will make it that much easier to get your training ticked off before and after work.
A transition bag can also make it way easier to pack for a race if you’re travelling someplace away from home. Especially if you’re flying; a carry-on sized bag designed to keep all your essential gear safe, sound and neatly organised is a bit of a no brainer. It’s stressful enough waiting to see if your bike made it onto the plane, without having to worry about your race kit going missing in checked baggage!
On race morning, being able to separate out all your kit, easily double check you’ve packed everything you need (without having to completely unpack your bag!) and find everything without too much rooting around when you’re rushing to get your transition zone set up – can take a surprising amount of stress out of things.
So the bottom line is, no – you don’t need a transition bag. But, it can make your triathlon life a lot easier!
Top-rated triathlon transition bags
The emotional baggage that made you want to take up this sport in the first place is yours to sort out. But when it comes to getting your triathlon baggage locked and loaded – we’ve got you covered! Here’s our pick of the best triathlon transition bags out there right now that will see you through training, travelling and race day.
TRI-FIT 3T triathlon transition bag
| All the compartments you could need to get organised | Two waterproof, ventilated compartments for storing your wetsuit and other wet/muddy kit. |
| Easily switch between backpack, duffle or shoulder bag set up | Full zip opening so it can double as a transition box |
| Small internal and external zip pockets for smaller essentials | Removable divider / 16-section organiser |
| Padded 16″ laptop compartment – ideal for travel and commuting | Travel-friendly size (40L, 55 x 30 x 25cm) |
| Durable 600D reversed ripstop fabric | RRP: £120 GBP / ~€138 EUR / ~$162 USD |
TRI-FIT’s new 3T triathlon transition bag manages to tick almost every box. We got our hands on one pre-launch and took it for a race day test drive while also testing out the new VORTEX tri suit and calf sleeves. The 3T transition bag is big enough to fit all your race kit, but not so big that the receptionist at your local pool will think you’re trying to covertly move into the changing rooms full-time. You can easily convert it from a back pack into a duffle bag or a shoulder bag. And what’s really nice is that you can unclip the backpack straps and tuck them into a dedicated little pocket so they’re not in the way when you’ve got it in duffle mode.
This transition bag has a couple of smaller zipped compartments on the outside. Ideal for the things you need to keep handy on the move. The addition of a padded laptop compartment makes this a great bag for daily use if you’re commuting or for travelling abroad to race. Inside you’ve got separate zipped mesh sections and a removable divider to keep things organised. Plus two separate dry bag compartments (one large and one smaller zipped one) to store your wetsuit or and wet/muddy kit and shoes. This bag also unzips fully like a duffle bag, so you can use it as a transition box on race day if the race organiser allows bags/boxes in transition.
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Orca transition back pack
| 50 litre capacity | Flat base – stays upright, ideal for changing kit on the go |
| Separate helmet section | Wetsuit compartment |
| RRP: £99 / $133 | 50 x 35 x 21cm |
The Orca transition backpack is more suited for everyday use and travel than doubling up as a transition box on race day as it doesn’t unzip fully like a duffle bag. What we do like is that it’s got a flat base so it’ll stand up on it’s own, which makes it easier to get things in and out without it tumbling over. The separate helmet compartment has decent padding. And you’ve got several other zipped sections to keep clean kit and sweaty/wet/muddy gear separate.
Zone3 Transition Backpack
| Three-compartment design | Waterproof compartment for your wetsuit |
| Zipped mesh pockets and removable PVC wallets for valuables | External drinks bottle holders |
| Travel-friendly: 53cm x 22cm x 34.5cm, 40L capacity | RRP: £89 / ~$120 USD |
This transition backpack from Zone3 is separated out into three different compartments, making it super easy to keep gear separate and easy to find. The bottom compartment has a waterproof lining which is useful for transporting your wetsuit post-swim. The middle section is designed to keep the smaller items safe and sound. And then the main cavity has space for all your other kit, shoes and helmet. We also like that it has outer pockets for water bottles. You are restricted to wearing this as a backpack though, and it’s a little boxy/bulky-looking for every day use (i.e. commuting). The main compartment isn’t really big enough to double up as a transition box, either. But for travelling to races and getting your gear to the pool every day – this is a great option.
KitBrix
| Use alone or zip together with other bags in the range | Heavy-duty, wipe-clean material |
| Individual bag has a shoulder strap, can be converted to a backpack when zipped together with other KitBrix bags. | External webbed pockets |
| Waterproof internal pouches | Hard-wearing base |
| 39 x 24 x 24cm, 20L capacity | RRP: £99.90/$134 per bag |
KitBrix is ideal if you really want to keep your kit separate. The unique system means you can zip multiple bags from the range to use as one large bag when you need to, and use each bag individually when you don’t. Which means you can colour code for swim, bike and run gear for a stress-free race morning. Plus, you’ve got no chance of soggy swim gear getting your fresh run kit wet when you use the bags in training. The bags themselves are made from a wipe-clean, tarpaulin type material and have both internal and external zipped compartments and pockets to make it easy to find smaller items.
The only drawback is these bags are pretty pricey, so you’re looking at close to £300 if you want to get three and zip them together. That would also make for quite a large rucksack set up. So this is perhaps more of a race day bag than an every day commuting bag or one to take as carry on.
2XU transition backpack
| Slimline design ideal for everyday use and commuting | Laptop compartment |
| External helmet attachment | Waterproof pouch for wet kit |
| Zipped organiser pockets | Waterbottle holders |
| 34L capacity | RRP £100 / $134 |
The 2XU Transition Backpack has a relatively slimline design, so it’s ideal for everyday use and commuting with your kit. Like the TRI-FIT bag, you’ve got a padded laptop compartment. And zipped organiser sections in the top compartment make it easy to get to the smaller essentials without having to root around in the main section of the bag. This backpack comes with a waterproof pouch for wet swim gear. And while you’ll probably struggle to fit your bike helmet inside the bag if you’ve got other kit with you. It does have attachments on the outside, so you can clip your helmet securely to your bag.
Check out our triathlon gear section for more buying guides and in-depth reviews.
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