TrainingPeaks Staff Picks: Must-Have Training Tools & Gear for 2025

Kate Hector, Digital Marketing Specialist

Sport/expertise: Xterra

Recommendation: USWE Outlander Pro 2L Hydration Pack

This is the only hydration pack I’ve used for mountain biking that doesn’t drive me nuts. It stays securely on my back and doesn’t slosh around, even on technical terrain. The compact design holds up to two liters of water and includes a small interior compartment for an emergency CO2 canister or multitool. The mesh straps and backing, combined with the white color, keep it cool and prevent the dreaded sweaty back.

Matti Rowe, Education Specialist

Sport/expertise: XC skiing

Recommendation: Madshus Podium Booties

XC skiing involves a lot of cursing under your breath as you put clothing on and off in cramped (like a car) or cold (like outside your car) places. 

I don’t mind cold hands, faces, or even internal organs. What does make me flip out is when my feet get cold—I can’t stand it. 

This is where podium booties come in. They’ve been around for years, and I’ve always thought they were ugly and stupid. Then I tried them.

Now I realize they’re ugly but certainly not stupid. Whether you’re trying to get your XC ski boots on or off, I always have these things close by to quickly hide my foot in before my feet get cold and I snap, ruining the entire day.

Gabe Gutierrez, Account Executive

Sport/expertise: Road cycling

Recommendation: Foam roller

I use my foam roller more than any other training tool! As a cyclist, my overworked quads often tense up and tilt my hips forward. Foam rolling helps me loosen my hips, relax my quads, and ease the tension in my quads and lower back. It also promotes myofascial release, reduces soreness and inflammation, and speeds up recovery. Plus, it feels amazing! Foam rolling works great as a pre-activation tool too, boosting blood flow to the muscles before a ride or gym session.

Hannah Bibbo, Content Strategist

Sport/expertise: Resident nutrition expert (also a marathoner and cyclist)

Recommendation: SiS Beta Fuel Nootropics Gel and UCAN Edge Energy Gel (my favorite is strawberry banana)

My biggest nutrition recommendation for endurance athletes is to pack items you actually enjoy eating, because when you’re miles into your workout, you don’t want to feel like you’re forcing yourself to eat. For me, those are typically things that have a ‘real food’ taste or feel to them.

The Strawberry Banana UCAN Energy Gel tastes like a smooth fruit smoothie that can be refreshing mid-workout, and while the SiS Beta Fuel Nootropics Gel doesn’t taste or feel like real food, I look forward to the boost of energy the 200mg of caffeine provides. 

When it comes to cycling, it’s easier to actually consume real food, and Bobo’s PB&J Oat Snack is my go-to bar. It reminds me of Uncrustables, just with a lower fat content and higher carb content, making it easier to digest during hard efforts.

Paul Hartner, Social Media Strategist

Sport/expertise: Backcountry Skiing

Recommendation: Intuition Tour Wrap Dual Density Ski Boot Liners

I struggled with different boots and liners for two years after breaking my favorite touring boots, growing frustrated with boot adjustments and dreading skiing for more than a couple of hours. As a last resort, I bought these boot liners, and now I’m confident I could ski in any boot as long as I use these liners. Unlike most traditional liners, they don’t have a tongue, which makes long approaches much easier and allows for such natural flex that I can’t believe it’s not the standard design.

Lydia Camarda, Product Marketing Manager

Sport/expertise: MTB/bikepacking

Recommendation: The Orb

I never travel without this mobility tool. It gives you a more focused pressure than a foam roller, and it has more volume than a lacrosse ball, so you can get deeper into problem areas. I got it to loosen up my hips, but I’ve found it works for almost every muscle group.

Josh Lawton, Content Strategist

Sport/expertise: Trail/ultra running

Recommendation: Leki Ultratrail FX.ONE poles for year-round training and Kahtoola Footwear Traction for winter training

If you are a trail runner tackling steep terrain, get a good set of poles. I love Leki’s quick-release harness system, I relied on them heavily during a trip through the Italian Dolomites on challenging grades. Be sure your pack or belt can stash your poles on shallow terrain to free your hands for eating, drinking, or all-out running to the finish.

And to keep running those miles despite snow and ice, MICROspikes or EXOspikes are a must-have. They fit over nearly any running shoe and will last several seasons. I’m using the same pair of MICROspikes that I bought four years ago despite abusing them in variable conditions where I’m running on rocks, mud, snow and ice. If you won’t be running in packed powder or snow deeper than a couple of inches, the EXOspikes are a great all-arounder.

(Tip: The increased purchase through your stride will be noticeable in your hamstrings and calves. Be thoughtful about doing speed work with spikes to avoid potential soreness or injury.)

Alex Diltz, Customer Success Representative

Sport/expertise: Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Stretch Practitioner, running coach and marathoner

Recommendation: Resistance bands & routine massages

One of the most common issues I see with runners (myself included) is the failure to activate the key muscles needed for the body to function as a cohesive unit. Adding some simple banded exercises into your daily routine can be a game changer in that regard.

Some of my favorite banded exercises include monster walks, side steps, and standing hip extensions. However, I highly recommend consulting with a certified personal trainer or healthcare professional to determine the exercises that are best for you.

Also, I highly recommend incorporating regular massages into your routine 😉. Massages improve your blood circulation, support lymphatic drainage, and can help break up adhesions or nodules that develop from intense exercise.

Sierra de Grasse, Customer Success Representative

Sport/expertise: Hybrid Athlete

Recommendation: Venom Go by Hyperice and Ice Barrel Cold Plunge

Recovery is everything when you compete in Hyrox, ultramarathons, and half Ironmans. The Venom Go by Hyperice is a key part of my recovery routine—the combination of heat and vibration feels GREAT on tired muscles. I really like using it on my lower back, which often feels strained after heavy training days.

Pairing it with the Ice Barrel Cold Plunge takes my recovery to the next level. Definitely recommend for all athletes.

Matt Mauney, Content Director

Recommendation: Ultimate Direction Race Vest 6.0

Sport/expertise: Road running/hiking

I didn’t start running with a vest for training or road races until I moved to Colorado in 2021. With unpredictable weather and drastic elevation changes, this vest became a game-changer, allowing me to easily shed or add layers and store nutrition for half and full marathons. It’s lightweight, breathable, and thoughtfully designed. The included water bottles are easy to access and barely noticeable, even when full. I also use it for trail runs, and I’m confident it works well for races up to 50K. I’ve even used it as a backup daypack for moderate hikes.

Bryan Mooney, Customer Success Representative

Recommendation: Garmin Tacx Neo 2 Smart Trainer

Sport/expertise: Triathlon

As someone who does quite a bit of indoor cycling during the winter months, this indoor trainer allows me to execute all of my sessions without issue. From accurate power readings to an easy connection with TrainingPeaks Virtual, I can always depend on my Tacx Neo 2 trainer.

Dirk Friel, Co-founder and Chief Evangelist

Recommendation: TrainingPeaks Premium!!! (obviously!)

Sport/expertise: Gravel/skimo/running

As a masters racer, I’m sort of a chameleon. I race gravel and mountain bikes in the summer, run in the fall, race skimo (ski mountaineering) from December through February, and tackle long ski touring adventures in March and April.

I track all of my sports in TrainingPeaks Premium. I love being able to monitor my overall fitness and fatigue on a single chart that includes all sport types, but also having access to individual charts that track sport-specific training.

Some of my personal favorite Premium features are Peak Performances, TrainingPeaks Virtual, and being able to add future travel plans so my coach and I can plan ahead.