Triathlon retail serves a highly engaged, technically knowledgeable customer base. Triathletes invest significantly in equipment and prioritise performance marginal gains — wetsuit buoyancy, aero position, run shoe weight. The sport spans sprint through Ironman distances, each placing different demands on equipment. Migrating to Shopify suits triathlon retail well, though technical specifications and multi-discipline product breadth require careful organisation.

Product categories

Triathlon wetsuits: Open water swimming in racing and training. Buoyancy zones, flexibility, thickness.
Trisuits and swimskins: One-piece race suits worn swim-to-run. Aero, draft-legal, ITU-compliant.
Bikes: TT/triathlon bikes, road bikes used for triathlon. Geometry, groupset, aero features.
Bike accessories: Aero bars, race wheels, power meters, bike computers, hydration systems.
Run shoes: Triathlon-specific (elastic laces, heel tab), road racing shoes. Drop, stack, weight.
Transitions: Transition bags, race belts, elastic laces, helmet, goggles.
Race nutrition: Gels, bars, chews, electrolytes, concentrate mixes. Per-serving macros.
Training equipment: Pull buoys, paddles, kick boards, turbo trainers, running accessories.

Triathlon wetsuit specifications

product.metafields.tri.wetsuit_type = "Racing / Training / Open water"
product.metafields.tri.neoprene_thickness = "5/3mm"          // chest/arms (thicker = more buoyancy, less flexibility)
product.metafields.tri.buoyancy_zones = "Chest / Hips / Legs"
product.metafields.tri.flexibility_rating = "High / Medium"
product.metafields.tri.water_temp_min_c = "14"               // ITU minimum water temp for wetsuit use
product.metafields.tri.itu_legal = "true"                    // suits must not exceed 5mm max thickness
product.metafields.tri.entry_system = "Back zip / Chest zip"
product.metafields.tri.forearm_panels = "Smooth / Catch panels"

ITU wetsuit rules

Triathlon wetsuits used in ITU/World Triathlon and British Triathlon sanctioned events must comply with rules:

Maximum neoprene thickness: 5mm (any part of the suit)
Age groups: wetsuits mandatory below 14°C water temperature; optional 14–21.9°C; prohibited above 22°C
Elite races: slightly different temperature thresholds
Note ITU compliance on product pages — "race legal" is a key purchase criterion for competitive athletes

Trisuit specifications

product.metafields.tri.suit_type = "Trisuit / Swimskin / Two-piece"
product.metafields.tri.pad_thickness = "Unpadded / Light / Medium"  // minimal pad for cycling comfort
product.metafields.tri.itu_approved = "true"                 // draft-legal races require ITU approved suit
product.metafields.tri.aero_fabric = "true"
product.metafields.tri.uv_protection = "UPF 50+"
product.metafields.tri.swim_dry_time = "Fast"                // how quickly fabric dries in run phase
product.metafields.tri.back_pocket = "true"                  // for run gels

Race nutrition: per-serving data

product.metafields.nutrition.serving_size_g = "40"
product.metafields.nutrition.calories_per_serving = "160"
product.metafields.nutrition.carbs_g = "38"
product.metafields.nutrition.sugars_g = "24"
product.metafields.nutrition.sodium_mg = "200"
product.metafields.nutrition.caffeine_mg = "75"              // for caffeine gels
product.metafields.nutrition.allergens = "Contains soya. May contain wheat."
product.metafields.nutrition.flavour = "Vanilla / Citrus / Berry"
product.metafields.nutrition.format = "Gel / Bar / Chew / Powder"

Race nutrition: UK labelling requirements

Sports nutrition products sold in the UK are regulated as food products under UK retained EU food law:

Mandatory nutrition labelling: energy (kJ and kcal), fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein, salt — per 100g and per portion
Allergens: must be declared and emphasised (bold) in ingredients list — EU/UK regulation
Health claims: only EFSA-approved health claims may be made (e.g. "Electrolytes contribute to normal muscle function")
Performance claims: specific performance claims (e.g. "improves endurance") require EFSA approval — most generic claims are not approved

Bike and aero equipment

Triathlon bikes and aero equipment are high-value items often researched extensively before purchase:

Frame specifications: material (carbon, aluminium), geometry (stack/reach), groupset, brakes (disc/rim)
Aero bars: width, drop, pad configuration, UCI legal (for draft-legal races)
Power meters: compatibility (crank arm, spider, pedal, hub) — critical purchase decision
Bike computers: head unit compatibility with power meters, heart rate monitors, GPS accuracy

Post-migration checklist for triathlon stores

Wetsuits: thickness, water temp range, and ITU compliance as metafields; temperature rule guide on product pages
Trisuits: pad thickness, ITU approved status, and dry time as metafields
Nutrition: full nutrition information per serving as metafields; allergens noted
Nutrition health claims: reviewed for EFSA compliance
Bike accessories: compatibility notes (power meter type, head unit compatibility)
Sizing: wetsuit and trisuit brand-specific size charts — height, weight, and chest measurements

Migrating a triathlon store from WooCommerce to Shopify (2026)