I have the Saucony “Team Bag”. It’s the only tri-specific bag I’ve ever owned, and it does everything I need it to. I can’t say I’ve ever used the “tarp” feature, but I do like the backpack straps.
After the event I like my big Rubbermaid bin.
Plastic bags - bad idea.
Saw a guy take a face-plant riding down Lynch Hill to the Wildflower transition area on race morning. The bag slipped a little in his hand while riding, got caught in his spokes, and he went down HARD, face first, while descending at speed. He did get to ride in an ambulance, though.
Much safer with a backpack. Be sure to watch out for the yaa-hoos around you.
Rudy Project has nice bags - includes a shoe pocket, water bottle holders, mesh pocket for wet stuff, etc. Plus they seem to be constructed well and look like they will last a while.
Joel
Just to be different… I use a Speedo swim backpack that is HUGE. Holds everything.
dave
Saw a guy take a face-plant riding down Lynch Hill to the Wildflower transition area on race morning. The bag slipped a little in his hand while riding, got caught in his spokes, and he went down HARD, face first, while descending at speed.
Ouch. I saw a dude riding around (sans helmet, even) with his wetsuit draped over his aero bars. The sleeve was swaying with the motion, and getting dangerously close to his front wheel. What a dumbass…
My wife gave me the Jandd bag, even though I had my eye on the De Soto. She asked some triathlon friends what to get for my birthday and this was their number one choice. I have to agree, it has been great. Holds everything I need, can park miles from the start and cruise over to the transition area with comfort. Even get a little warm up in with the bag on my back. I do wish the wetsuit pocket was just a bit bigger. I also like having the mesh strap for the helmet, keeps it from swinging around when your casually handling the bag on foot. Before I used smaller workout bags and even with two, it was never enough volume and I could never find anything quickly.
For the week long IM trip: Epic Trans It bag from Performance Bike, over 4,000 ci of space, holds floor pump, water bottles, and has a net pocket for wet stuff. $35 if you catch it at the low end. Well made.
Also, LL Bean’s largest school-type backpak, holds everything I need for a 1/2 IM (3,000+ ci) including wetsuit and size 13’s. Excellent construction and warranty. About $65 including monogram.
Bought the wife a Jandd tri bag and she likes it a lot, in fact I do to. I have a De Soto which I would not buy if it was up to me (got it as a gift) Its not balanced properly, have to be extremely careful when packing otherwise its not comfortable to carry as back pack. And not enough pockets and separate compartments. Seems extremely overpriced for what it offers.
I have one of the original Triathlonbag’s and after 3+ years I wouldn’t trade it for a new one. Holds TONS of stuff and is easily carried. I like the fold-out aspect as well.
Just a really good product.
G
I have the Zoot bag and like it, but it is very large and I use it more for ttraveling to races. I mostly use my climbing pack, the Blakc Diamond Supergenious. It doesn’t have a lot of fancy pockets, but it has just the right amount of room and is pretty darn indestructible.
I just got the Akona transition bag for my birthday. I haven’t ridden with it on my back yet, but it seems very well designed, and the construction is SOLID. It has a shoe pocket, and an expandable waterproof compartment for wetsuits and other post-race nasties. Also a nice fuzzy sunglasses pocket, and an exterior compartment for keys and wallet. And it was fairly economical, around $50 I think. The only problem…it looks like they stopped offering it this year. They are mainly a scuba gear company, and I don’t see the tri bag anywhere on their website.
So I guess it’s a collector’s item too!
I got the Jandd based on tom’s review on BSM, my knowledge of other Jandd products, and the low price compared to the other Tri bags such as Zoot and triathlonags.com.
The bag is a nice size and holds everything that I need but not so large that I throw the kitchen sink in for a local sprint. I did buy some small stuff sacks to keep things organized inside and agree with others that the outside pockets could be a little larger.
Andrew
I’ve been using the T2 and like it just fine. Have not tried the others.
www.all3sports.com carries the Akona transition bag on sale now for $42.45.Akona BioSpeed Transition Pack .
I, personally own the Zoot bag but it is way too big. Gets in the way in your transition area. It also has way too many zippered compartments. I always forget where I put certain things in it, i.e. Bodyglide, goggles, etc. Nice bag for traveling with all your gear but not ideal for transition areas with limited space. A friend of mine has the TYR transition bag and I like what I’ve seen of this so far.
Mountainsmith daypack lumbar pack. Get the biggest one they make, fits everything. Only thing I don’t like is no seperate compartment for a wet wetsuit.
For me, the best bag out there is actually a surfer backpack by O’Neill. It has a seperate wet compartment along with a wetsuit bag, and has loads of room. I can fit ALL my gear (helmet, wetsuit(s), shoes, towel, etc) with room to spare in the several compartments. Check out your local surf shops, or browse around online. I found mine (Psycho?) for about $40. Looks like the current model is the PsychoFreak.
My old rugby kit bag, resplendent with my rugby club’s logo emblazoned on the side and back
It’s huge, and can fit all my gear (including my wetsuit, running and cycling shoes, helmet, towels, nutrition, two water bottles, an aero bottle, and various and sundry other tri gear). Large end pockets, and zip-off side pocket for the little stuff. Fits nicely across my aero bars, too, on the way to the transition area.
I like the looks of the Jandd bag, will probably buy that next. The Jandd backpack I have is excellent - good design and extremely well made.
Actually using an old running club bag, two end pockets and a big main compartment. Use the carry handles as shoulder straps for toting it around, works fine.
I have to vote for Zoot. Yes, it’s big, but it has room for everything, and I’ve been told that the 2004 version is smaller than the 2003. I have 2 friends who also have this bag and we all rave about it. I’d rather have too much room than not enough, and I like that everything is contained inside the bag - you don’t really have to strap on anything outside, except maybe the bike pump. It’s really well designed - the pockets and everything just make so much sense. I’d buy it again.
== niki