Gear I use

Home » Gear I use

This is the kit I train, race, recover and sleep with. I bought most of it; some was sent for review and stayed because it earned its place. Each product name links to where I would buy it today, and [review] links to my review where there is one. Some links pay the site a commission at no cost to you. The page is updated as kit comes and goes, and the gear my partner uses has its own section at the end.

Testing is a separate matter. Dozens of watches, straps and bands pass across my wrists each year, and the only one that is always there is a Polar Verity Sense on my upper arm as the reference sensor. The testing methodology page covers that side.

Watches and sensors

• Garmin Forerunner 970 [review]: my race watch for triathlon and duathlon, with the training-load and race-pacing tools I rely on week to week. Running a sports tech blog effectively requires me to use a Garmin, but I’d choose it regardless of its flaws.
• Apple Watch Ultra 4 [review]: my everyday smartwatch, which lets me leave my phone at home on rides and still take calls. It’s very handy but a bit chunky for me; the extra day of battery over the AW12 makes only a modest difference.
• WHOOP MG [review]: worn on the biceps in the WHOOP bicep sleeve, where its heart rate matches a chest strap, and its recovery score tells me when to back off. My link adds the discount.
• Polar H10: the chest strap I use for a waking HRV reading before I decide what the day’s session will be.
• Stryd [review]: the footpod that gives me accurate treadmill pace and running power on hills. I run with Stryd 4 and have a Stryd 5 I keep meaning to swap in. My link adds any current discount.
• Tymewear VitalPro [review]: an HR and breathing strap that shows me my ventilatory zones, which I use to pace endurance rides of an hour or more.
• hDrop [review]: measures how much sweat and sodium I lose, which matters indoors and in summer. Discount applied through my link.
• Train.Red [review]: the muscle oxygen sensor I reach for when I want to work hard in the gym. Discount applied through my link.
• Fourth Frontier Zone [review]: an ECG strap I wear in occasional hard sessions to check how my heart is coping under load. Code 5KRUNNER takes 10% off. US readers get the Frontier X3 [review] instead.

Running

• Nike Vaporfly 3 [review] and Nike Alphafly Next% 2 [review]: my race shoes. Neither is the latest version, and both still do the job.
• adidas Adizero Adios Pro [review]: my daily trainer, now close to worn out.
• Injinji toe socks and Ultimate toe protectors: between them, they have ended blisters and black toenails on long runs.
• Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves and 2XU tights: what I wear when the calves need looking after.
• WHOOP-lined gym shorts for running and the gym, a Flipbelt for the rare run with a phone, and whatever sunglasses are on hand under my Strava cap.
• NPE Runn: makes my basic treadmill send accurate speed and distance to my watch and to Zwift. Code the5krunner.
• Garmin Index S2 [review]: weight and trend lines land in Garmin Connect without me doing anything.
• An unbranded foam roller, which gets used more than any gadget on this page.

Cycling

Bikes

• Cervelo R5 for the hills, Cervelo S5 for fast flat riding and Cervelo P5 for time trials, some triathlons, and fun.
• Shimano Di2 across all three bikes [review], a mix of Dura-Ace and Ultegra, all still 11-speed, with Shimano RC-903 shoes [review].
• Favero Assioma PRO RS2 [review]: power pedals that move between the three bikes in minutes and read the same on each.
• Hunt 82 Aerodynamicist [review] wheels for non-windy days and Hunt 36 UD [review] for the hills.
• Tyres: Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, Aero 111 [review] on the front for races, and Pirelli P Zero Race SL-R [review] and P Zero Race TT [review] when I want the fastest options.
• Tubes: Vittoria latex for everyday riding, and TPU for racing when I can, from Schwalbe Aerothan [review], Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube [review]. All three also make tiny spares.
• Selle saddles on the road bikes and an ISM Adamo on the P5, a bento box on the P5, a Specialized saddlebag, AirTags hidden on each bike [guide] and an unbranded lock.

Head units, safety and lights

• Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 [review] on most rides and Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 [review] on the others. Both set up in minutes and stay out of the way. Wahoo ELEMNTs are simly more usable than Garmin Edge.
• Garmin Varia RTL515 on one bike and Wahoo TRACKR Radar [review] on the other. Both warn me of cars approaching from behind, and they perform almost identically.
• Ravemen PR1400 [review] for riding after dark, and Ravemen FR300 and FR160 [review] under the head unit as daytime running lights.
• Cycplus Cube [review]: a 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. Code THE5KRUNNER takes 5% off.

Clothing

• Assos bibs and jerseys are my preferred apparel for most riding, including the WHOOP x Assos bibs [review] with a pocket for the sensor.
• Tri Fit EVO: the suit I race in and wear for fast road rides. Zone3 Aeroforce-X II [review] is as quick but it is black and not traffic friendly, so it stays for races only.
• Specialized S-Works Evade 3 [review] for road riding and Rudy Project Wing [review] for time trials and going fast.
• Sungod Vulcan glasses, Velotoze overshoes when seconds matter, and G8 insoles [review] in the cycling shoes. I avoid riding in the rain.

Indoor training

• Wahoo KICKR Bike Pro [review]: tilts on climbs, shifts like my road bikes and needs no bike swapping. A Wahoo KICKR MOVE [review] takes a real bike when I want one.
• A PRO Sirin Performance saddle [review] on the KICKR Bike, the same one my partner rides. Wahoo KICKR Headwind plus a cheap Screwfix fan, a Wahoo trainer mat, and a sweat guard I still need to buy.
• Zwift and MyWhoosh, on two Apple TV 4K [review] boxes with Google Wifi keeping the connection steady.
• A Concept2 rower for the days the legs need a rest, with the rest of my strength work done at the gym.

Swimming

• Zone3 Vanquish [review]: a high-end wetsuit that still swims as well as the day I reviewed it.
• Vasa Trainer [review]: a swim bench that keeps my stroke strong when I cannot get to the pool, and pairs with TrainerDay over Bluetooth.
• Zoggs Predator Flex goggles, TYR paddles and TYR trunks for the pool, and a Speedo pull buoy.
• A Speedo tow float for open water and Speedo earplugs, which mean fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness.
• Body Glide stops the wetsuit rubbing my neck.
• I don’t swim in cold water, so there is no neoprene cap or winter kit here.

Fuel and supplements

• Maurten gels and 320 drink mix for racing and long rides, and the Maurten Bicarb System [review] before short, hard races.
• Beet-It Sport nitrate shots [science] in the days before a race.
• Bulk creatine and Bulk electrolytes, plus vitamin D, omega-3 and magnesium from whichever brand is on offer.
• CurraNZ [review] blackcurrant extract, which has trial evidence behind it for 5k times.
• Cellucor C4 before hard sessions, illy coffee most mornings and Pro Plus caffeine tablets when coffee is impractical.

Recovery

• Kineon MOVE+ [review]: red light therapy for niggles, with a PRUNGO FluxGo [review] as the backup.
• PowerDot muscle stimulator for the evenings after a hard day.
• Omron upper-arm cuff: the blood pressure reference I check every wrist-based reading against.
• HRV4Training is my primary recovery measure, a seated one-minute reading each morning with the Polar H10. The WHOOP and Garmin numbers come second.
• A sauna at the gym, and no ice bath.

Sleep and charging

• Eight Sleep Pod [review]: three years on Pod 3 and Pod 4 have added 10 to 20 minutes of deep sleep a night and ended the 4 am overheating. A Pod 6 is on its way. Code THE5KRUNNER applies the discount.
• Nomad bedside charger: charges my iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 4 overnight. I also wear Nomad straps and the WsC bands [review].
• Garmin 90-degree charging adapter and charging puck: small, and the reason I never travel without them.

Gear my partner uses

• Polar Loop 2 [review]: a screenless band with no subscription that tracks her days and nights without getting in the way.
• Oura Ring 5 [review]: her recovery tracker of choice, which gives her the sleep and readiness picture the band does not.
• Eight Sleep, on the cool side of the same Pod.
• Lumen [review]: she now uses the breath analyser I reviewed to see whether she is burning carbs or fat each morning. Discount applied through my link.
• Huawei FreeClip 2 [review]: open-ear earbuds that fit small ears, unlike most sports earbuds.
• Kineon MOVE+ and PowerDot, shared with me.
• Garmin Index S2 scale, shared with me.
• Ale Pragma bib tights and PRO Sirin Performance saddle [review]: the combination that made indoor riding comfortable for her.
• Dryrobe Advance: mine in name, but not in practice.

Quick answers

Which watch does tfk use?
Garmin Forerunner 970 for training and racing, and Apple Watch Ultra 4 as an everyday smartwatch. WHOOP MG is worn on the biceps alongside them.

Which bikes does tfk ride?
Cervelo R5 for climbing, Cervelo S5 for fast flat riding and Cervelo P5 for time trials and triathlon, all with 11-speed Shimano Di2 and Favero Assioma PRO RS2 power pedals.

Which smart trainer does tfk use?
Wahoo KICKR Bike Pro, which tilts on climbs and needs no bike swapping, with a KICKR MOVE for sessions on a real bike. Both run Zwift and MyWhoosh through Apple TV 4K.

Which bike computer does tfk use?
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3 on most rides and ELEMNT BOLT 3 on the others, each paired with a Garmin Varia or Wahoo TRACKR rear radar.

Which wheels does tfk race on?
Hunt 82 Aerodynamicist for races and Hunt 36 UD for everyday riding, with Continental GP5000 and Aero 111 tyres.

Does tfk use Eight Sleep?
Yes, for more than three years on Pod 3 and Pod 4, with a Pod 6 on the way. Temperature control is the reason, and code THE5KRUNNER applies the discount.

Which wetsuit does tfk swim in?
Zone3 Vanquish, a high-end triathlon wetsuit reviewed on this site in 2019 and still in use.

Which recovery trackers are in the household?
tfk wears WHOOP MG on the biceps and his partner wears Oura Ring 5 and Polar Loop 2. Kineon MOVE+ red light therapy and a PowerDot are shared.

Is any of this kit sponsored?
No. Some items were sent for review and some links pay the site a commission. Nothing on the page is paid placement, and anything that stopped earning its place has been removed.

Explore the full resource library

This site covers endurance sport technology across a range of dedicated reference sections. Each one collects the most relevant articles, tests, and analysis on its topic in one place.

Buyer guides

• Best sports watch: tested recommendations by sport and athlete type (triathlon, running, marathon, cycling, hiking, and women)
• Best Garmin watch: Forerunner versus Fenix by series, sport, and budget
• Best wearables: fitness trackers, recovery trackers, heart rate monitors, running power meters, and female athlete tech
• Best cycling products: computers, smart trainers, power meters, and cycling heart rate monitors

Brand and product guides

• Amazfit: the full Amazfit range from Balance to Cheetah to T-Rex, accuracy tests, HYROX partnership, and Zepp Health analysis
• Apple Watch: athlete-first coverage of Apple Watch across running, cycling, and triathlon
• COROS: watches, features, and firmware across the full COROS range
• Garmin: the company, the platform and the full range, and the starting point for choosing across every Garmin product line
• Garmin Edge: bike computers from entry-level navigation to flagship endurance and mountain biking
• Garmin Fenix: every model, feature, and firmware development for Garmin's flagship outdoor watch
• Garmin Fenix 8 Series: which variant to buy, upgrade advice, accuracy data, and the full Fenix 8 review and firmware coverage
• Garmin Forerunner: the full Forerunner line covered from entry level to triathlon flagship
• Garmin Instinct: rugged GPS watches for endurance and adventure athletes
• Garmin Features Explained: how Garmin's metrics work, from Training Load and Body Battery to Race Predictor and HRV Status
• Google Fitbit: Fitbit Edge, Fitbit Air, Google Health, Pixel Watch and the Wear OS platform
• Polar: watches, sensors, Polar Flow and training science across the full Polar range
• Runna: coach-written running plans that adapt as you train
• Suunto: Race, Vertical, Run and the SuuntoPlus ecosystem
• Strava: features, privacy, segments, and how Strava fits into a serious training setup
• Ride with GPS: route planning, navigation and how it works alongside Strava
• Wahoo: KICKR trainers, ELEMNT bike computers, and the Wahoo ecosystem
• WHOOP: strain, recovery, sleep and the full WHOOP ecosystem

Specifications database

• Full Specifications Database: detailed spec sheets, battery life, sensor lists and generation-on-generation comparisons for current Garmin, COROS, Amazfit, Samsung, Google Fitbit, Huawei, Polar, Suunto, Wahoo and Apple Watch models

Glossary

• Sports Technology Glossary: non-branded terminology across running, cycling, swimming, triathlon, hiking, strength training, HYROX, sensors, ecosystems, and brands

Sport and topic guides

• Running Watches: how to choose by discipline (road racing, trail, track, beginner, and multisport)
• Triathlon and Multisport Technology: watches, sensors, and race-day tools for swimmers, cyclists, and runners
• HYROX: training science, race analysis, and technology for the functional fitness race format
• parkrun: technology, training, and performance for the weekly 5K
• Hiking Technology: navigation, safety, and trail tech for walkers and hikers
• Heart Rate Monitoring: optical sensors, chest straps, accuracy comparisons, and how to set training zones
• Optical Sensors (PPG): the 40 things a wrist optical sensor could measure, from heart rate to glucose, ranked by evidence
• GPS Accuracy: how satellite systems perform across brands, terrains, and conditions
• Sports Watch Battery Life: battery claims, real-world tests, and how to manage battery life across Garmin, Apple, Amazfit and COROS
• Recovery Trackers: WHOOP, Oura, and the science of readiness scoring
• Muscle Oxygen Sensors: SmO2 and NIRS explained, Train Red and Moxy compared, and the category from BSX and Humon to Garmin and WHOOP
• Female Athlete Tech: wearables, physiology, and performance for female endurance athletes, covering cycle-synced training, RED-S, HR accuracy, and VO2max
• Sports Science: peer-reviewed research on HRV, VO2max, lactate threshold, running power, wearable accuracy, and supplementation
• Testing Methodology: how this site tests GPS accuracy, heart rate, battery life, and other performance claims

Content series

• Release Radar: confirmed launches, leaks, and rumours across Garmin, Apple, COROS, Polar, Suunto, and Wahoo
• Deep Dive Feature Files: weekly firmware feature updates across all brands (bug fixes excluded)
• Fix Files: weekly firmware bug fix tracking across all brands