Getting Fit the TRI way in The Mountain Sun: TYR Transition Bag Review

One thing on my Christmas List this year was a tri or transition bag. I had been using a very old backpack for triathlons during transition and just getting to transition to carry my gear.

Here is a link to the bag on the TYR website. It retails for $66.00
TYR Transition Bag
My review in summary:

Although I have not used the bag for a race yet, I give it a very high rating and am very happy with the bag to date. The main features I love about this bag:

SIZE
COMPARTMENTS -Internal and External
WATER-PROOF BAG
QUALITY AND VALUE
COMFORT

SIZE

The bag is larger that I thought it would be based on a first glance on the website. It seems to have ample space for everything I will need to take with me to a race, including running shoes, bike shoes, swim cap, goggles, phone, keys, wetsuit, extra clothes, water bottles, towel and enough space for any extra clothes or nutrition.

COMPARTMENTS AND WATER-PROOF BAG

The best thing about this bag is the large number of compartments, both inside the bag and on the outside of the bag. As you can see from the pictures below, on the outside of the bag are great pockets with velcro closures for a phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses or other smaller items.

Also external is netting, meant for a helmet. If you have a larger helmet or an aero helmet, it may not fit in this designated space but it could also be attached on the outside with the clip attached to the bag.

The other great part is the waterproof bag that is detachable. It attaches to the inside of the bag and can be removed. I use this for my swimsuit, goggles and cap when I go to the gym. It's nice to not get the rest of the bag wet!

The bag zippers all the way down on both sides of the bag; unlike a backpack that usually only zips 1/2 way down each side, this bag zips all the way down both sides for easy insertion and removal of your gear.

At the very bottom of the bag is a separate, zippered compartment that was made for wetsuit storage. I haven't used this compartment yet but look forward to the day when I have a wetsuit to put in there!

Inside the bag are individual netted compartments, suitable for storing bike shoes, running shoes, dry swimming gear, paddles or clothes, nutrition and toiletries. My swim fins also fit within the main section of the bag. This bag has more than enough storage space for everything.

QUALITY AND VALUE

Keeping in mind I've only had the bag for a month, it does seem like a high quality bag. It really is more than I was expecting at this price-point. Some of the other transition bags on the market retail for upwards of $100.00. At my level, I'm just not ready to spend that kind of money on a bag and I'm glad I didn't -there is no need to! I can't think of anything this bag is missing -it has everything I need and the material of the bag is nice, thick, and doesn't look or feel cheap at all. It will be interesting to see how it wears over time and if it holds up to constant use and abuse.

COMFORT

As you can see in the picture, the bag has nice, thick backpack straps, a chest buckle and waist buckle too. It also has a nice, sturdy handle at the top of the bag. I have been using the bag nearly everyday when I go to the gym to swim, spin or run on the treadmill. It works great! It is nice to finally have a bag that divides out my gear and I don't have to go digging around in one main compartment to find everything. It is a little large for the gym, a bit bulky but it still fits in the 1/2 size lockers without any problems. I also put the bag on while riding my bike since there is usually a need to ride the bike to transition with gear. The comfort level was great -no issues or rubbing. The straps are fully adjustable so slipping shouldn't be a problem either.