What to Wear for a Winter or Early-Season Duathlon

For a cold or early-season duathlon, wear your trisuit with a technical base layer underneath, and add arm warmers or leg warmers you can put on or take off at transition. A windbreaker covers the ride if the wind is up. The aim is to start the first run slightly cool, because you warm up fast once you move.

How cold is too cold for a trisuit alone?

Below roughly 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, a trisuit on its own leaves you cold on the bike, where wind chill bites hardest. Between about 8 and 16 degrees, leg warmers and arm warmers are the usual fix. Colder than that, add a base layer and a windbreaker. These are starting points, not rules; your own tolerance and the wind matter.

What goes under the trisuit?

A long-sleeve or short-sleeve technical base layer is the most useful addition. It moves sweat away from the skin during the first run and keeps you from chilling on the bike. Pick a close, flat fit so it does not bunch under the trisuit. See whether you need one in do you need a cycling base layer, then browse base layers.

Do you take warmers off at transition?

Often yes, but only if you plan for it. Arm warmers slide on and off more easily than leg warmers, and legs usually warm up fast once you run. Practise the transition so you are not fighting fabric with cold hands. Compare options in arm warmers versus leg warmers, and see the arm and leg warmers collection.

What do you wear on the bike leg when it is windy?

A packable windbreaker over the trisuit cuts wind chill on the bike, and can be removed for the second run if you are warm. Wind makes the bike leg feel several degrees colder than the number on the forecast. Read more in what to wear cycling in wind, then see windbreakers.

How should you set up transition in the cold?

Lay out the kit in the order you will use it, put warm layers where you can reach them quickly and keep your shoes and any extra layers dry. The transition kit checklist covers the full layout. For warm-weather races, see what to wear for a duathlon, and for cold rides generally, what to wear for spring cycling.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wear a normal cycling jersey over a trisuit?

You can, but it adds bulk and flaps on the run. A base layer under the trisuit and a windbreaker you can remove is usually cleaner.

What should you wear on your hands and feet?

Cold extremities slow you down more than a cold torso. Wear running gloves and warm socks suited to the conditions, and if you ever feel persistent numbness or pain, stop and speak to a doctor.

Build your cold-weather duathlon kit: the DTR arm and leg warmer range is at /collections/cycling-warmers-arm-leg.

DTR — performance cycling and triathlon apparel, designed and developed in Ukraine.