Review: Unboxing the Magic5 Triathlon Gear – A Game-Changer for Swimmers and Triathletes

As a triathlon coach, I’m always on the lookout for the latest training tools that can help my athletes improve their swimming, which is often the most daunting leg of a triathlon.

When I received a parcel from Magic5 with their custom-made goggles, snorkel, paddles, kickboard, and triathlon swimming session cards, I was excited to dive in and see how these products could help enhance both the training experience and performance for swimmers and triathletes alike.

Here's my detailed review of the Magic5 gear and how it stacks up for those looking to improve their swim.

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What’s in the Parcel

Let’s start by understanding what was in the parcel that Magic5 sent me:

1 x custom fit TheMagic5 limited edition white, purple gold goggles

1 x Magic5 centre snorkel

1 x set of Magic5 finger paddles

1 x Magic5 kickboard

1 x set of 52 swimming session cards: TheMagic5 Card Game (Triathlete Edition)

Here’s the unboxing (or parcel opening!) video:

TheMagic5 goggles, kicboard, finger paddles, centre snorkel and card game unboxing video.

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Magic5 Custom-Goggles: Tailored for Comfort and Performance

The highlight of the parcel was undoubtedly the Magic5 custom-made goggles. These goggles are crafted through the Magic5 App, which allows you to create a 3D scan of your face to design a pair of goggles that fit you perfectly.

I reviewed the Magic5 goggles for Trinewbies a while back and I’m pleased to report that the process is the same, but the App is quicker and easier to use. The new App makes the experience slicker. This time I ordered the limited edition white, purple gold version. These are great for indoor swimming and lower light outdoor conditions. I previously order the Black Magic mirror silver which is the darkest tinted swim goggle and the preferred colour of US Olympian Ben Kanute. It is made for outdoor swimming and was a good choice for sea swimming in southern Spain.

TheMagic5 customization process eliminates the one-size-fits-all approach, ensuring no more leaks or uncomfortable pressure marks around the eyes – a common issue for many swimmers.

For triathletes, the importance of a comfortable and leak-free goggle cannot be overstated.

During open-water swims, the last thing you want is to be distracted by fogging, discomfort, or water creeping in. With the Magic5 goggles, I experienced a snug fit that stayed secure throughout long training sessions. The lenses are clear, anti-fog, and provide excellent visibility, even in murky waters.

As a coach, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-fitting goggle can significantly reduce distractions and help swimmers focus on their technique.

Price: €75-85 / $80-90 / £65-75 on TheMagic5 website.

TheMagic5 limited edition white, purple gold goggles - ideal for pool swimming and low light open water conditions.

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Magic5 Centre Snorkel: Mastering Technique Without Worrying About Breathing

Next up, the Magic5 snorkel is an absolute game-changer for technique-focused swimmers.

It’s designed to allow you to focus purely on your stroke mechanics without worrying about turning your head to breathe.

The snorkel is lightweight, comfortable, and stays in place when performing drills and when swimming freestyle/front crawl. It encourages you to maintain a streamlined position, which is essential for conserving energy during long distances. You can observe your hand entry, catch and pull as you swim and perfect your technique to improve your swim efficiency.

By using the snorkel regularly, my athletes have seen improvements in their stroke efficiency, as it allows them to practice their technique with fewer interruptions (taking a breath), resulting in better performance over time.

It has a number of unique features:

• A unique rotatable design which allows you to easily breathe at the wall without awkward adjustments. This feature was developed in collaboration with Kasia Wasick, a 3x Olympian.
• It has a comfortable mouthpiece made of soft, silicone which ensures comfort during long training sessions, letting you focus on your swim without discomfort.
• It has an optimized airflow thanks to the precision-engineered tube and promotes smooth, uninterrupted breathing, enhancing airflow so you can concentrate entirely on your stroke technique.
• The hydrodynamic shape creates a streamlined structure which minimizes drag and provides excellent stability, keeping the snorkel securely in place even during  tough training sessions.

TheMagic5 Centre Snorkel for Swimming

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Why use a Centre Snorkel?

Using a centre snorkel enables you to focus on your kick and positioning in the water. It helps to improve the balance of your stroke and will familiarise you with a neutral head position. You can watch your hand entry, catch and pull as you swim and correct your technique as you go to perfect your stroke efficiency.

When you remove your snorkel try to focus on where your body and head position was when you had the snorkel on and replicate it in your normal freestyle/front crawl stroke.

Incorporate the snorkel during the early part of your workout, using it for drills to help focus on your form. You can also use it during your warm-up to get "in tune" with your technique, and even include it in part of your main set if necessary. It can also be helpful during your cool-down.

However, be mindful not to overuse it, so you don’t become too reliant on it.

You need to be able to breath efficiently (to both sides ideally) so practicing breathing technique is essential.

Note: If you suffer from ashma or other breathing or chast condition swimming snorkels may not be for you.

Price: €40 / $40 / £32 on TheMagic5 website.

TheMagic5 centre snorkel with innovative rotable design

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TheMagic5 Card Game (Triathlete Edition): Structured Training, Simplified

The Magic5 triathlon session cards were an unexpected but incredibly useful addition to the parcel.

This set of 52 cards provide a wide variety of swim workouts, tailored specifically for triathletes. They are perfect for those who may struggle with planning structured swim sessions or simply need new ideas to spice up their routine. Each card has detailed instructions on the set, the purpose, and how it targets specific areas of swimming, whether it’s endurance, speed, or technique.

The cards were created with some famous professional triathletes including Jan Frodeno, Daniel Bækkegård, Ben Kanute, Marc Dubrick, Laura Siddall, Lauren Brandon, Stephanie Clutterbuck and Erika Ackerlund

For both beginners and seasoned triathletes, these cards provide a roadmap to more effective training, making it easier to get the most out of every swim. They are particularly useful for coaches like myself, as they offer a variety of workouts that can be adapted for different levels and goals, making planning sessions much quicker and more efficient.

They are robust and waterproof so you can take them to the pool, but this does make them slippery. When I first took them out of the pack they went everywhere!

So, my advice would be to select the session (or maybe two) you want to do before you get to the pool and put them in your MAGIC5 googles case.

Price: €35 / $30 / £24 on TheMagic5 website.

To get a feel for what the cards look like you down load some FREE samples here.

TheMagic5 Card Game Triathlete Edition - swimming session cards

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TheMagic5's Precision Finger Paddles: Enhancing Stroke Power and Strength

The Magic5 precision finger paddles are specially designed to focus on improving stroke technique. By covering only the fingers, they encourage swimmers to maintain a high elbow during the catch and support the development of a proper pull pattern throughout the stroke.

• The finger paddles give you improved water sensitivity. The contoured design mimics the natural curve of your hand, allowing you to experience the water more effectively and make intuitive adjustments to your stroke mechanics.
• Finger paddles can give you enhanced strength and power. You can build arm strength and refine your pull technique, helping you glide through the water with greater speed and efficiency.
• The finger paddles feel like they are built to last. Swim kit tends to be tossed into kit bags so need to be robust and these are made from high-quality materials so should survive many years of daily use.

Using paddles regularly helps you focus on your catch and pull, two critical aspects of the stroke that directly impact speed and efficiency.

In terms of triathlon training, paddles are especially useful for athletes looking to build upper body strength for the swim leg. They help enhance the muscle groups used during swimming, promoting more powerful strokes and reducing drag.

For swimmers and triathletes training for longer events, using paddles also aids in increasing endurance by forcing you to engage your muscles more intensely.

I prefer small finger paddles rather than the large hand paddles as they are less likely to cause shoulders injuries as they have less surface area. If you are not used to swimming paddles the larger surface area paddles put a lot of pressure on your shoulder rotator cuff and can cause tears or muscle strain.

Price: €25 / $25 / £20 on TheMagic5 website.

TheMagic5 Finger Paddles

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TheMagic5 Kickboard: Improving Core Strength and Kicking Efficiency

The Magic5 kickboard is another fantastic training tool. This kickboard’s design is optimized to help you focus on their kicking technique while maintaining proper body position.

As we all know, a strong kick is essential for triathletes looking to conserve energy during the swim leg and maintain a streamlined posture. Kicking just enough to maintain a good efficient stroke and body rotation but not too much that it makes your legs fatigued and less effective on the bike leg.

The kickboard is ergonomically designed, so it provides great support without causing strain on your body. During training you can use it to improve your flutter kick, build core strength, and work on the timing of your kick relative to your stroke.

For triathletes, this is invaluable, as a strong, efficient kick not only helps with propulsion but also prevents fatigue in the legs during the latter stages of a race.

This kickboard is designed with a streamlined shape that provides optimal buoyancy and stability, helping you focus on your kick drills while maintaining better body alignment in the water. The ergonomic hand cut-outs ensure a comfortable, secure grip even during tough training sessions, so you can stay focused on your technique. Made from durable, high-quality materials, TheMagic5 Kickboard is built to withstand the rigors of daily training and being thrown in your kit bag time after time.

I do think they missed a trick with this product and they could have combined the kickboard and pull buoy together in one product like the one from Zoggs. You can read more about my top picks for pull buoys here.

Price: €30 / $25 / £20 on TheMagic5 website.

https://themagic5.eu/products/kickboard

TheMagic5 Kickboard for working on your swimming kit

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Final Thoughts: A Must-Have for Triathletes and Swimmers

Overall, I’m extremely impressed with the Magic5 gear. These products are well-designed, thoughtful, made of durable materials and highly functional for swimmers and triathletes looking to enhance their training.

From the custom-fit goggles to the targeted training tools like the snorkel, paddles, card game and kickboard, everything included in the parcel provides a significant benefit when it comes to improving stroke technique, strength, and endurance.

I particularly liked the swimming card game which features swim workouts from professional triathletes. These are great to ensure every swim session counts and would make a great present for the triathlete in your life.

For triathletes especially, investing in equipment that directly contributes to better swimming performance can make a huge difference on race day.

Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned competitor, the Magic5 gear provides a simple yet highly effective way to step up your swim training.

If you are looking to enhance your swimming efficiency, reduce distractions, and work smarter in the pool, this gear is certainly worth considering.

Karen Parnell is a Level 3 British Triathlon and IRONMAN Certified Coach, 8020 Endurance Certified Coach, WOWSA Level 3 open water swimming coach and NASM Personal Trainer and Sports Technology Writer. 

Karen is currently studying for an MSc in Sports Performance Coaching at the University of Stirling.

Need a training plan? I have plans on TrainingPeaks and FinalSurge:

TrainingPeaks

FinalSurge

I also coach a very small number of athletes one to one for all triathlon and multi-sport distances, open water swimming events and running races, email me for details and availability. Karen.parnell@chilitri.com

TheMagic5 Triathlon Swimming Kit and Goggles – FAQ

1. What makes Magic5 goggles different from other swim goggles?

Magic5 goggles are custom-made using their innovative app, which scans your face and creates a 3D model to ensure a perfect fit. Unlike standard goggles, which can be uncomfortable or leak, Magic5’s custom design eliminates those issues. The result is a pair of goggles that fit snugly, stay leak-free, and feel comfortable even during long swim sessions. The lenses are anti-fog and provide excellent clarity, so you can swim with confidence in any condition.

2. How do I order custom Magic5 goggles?

To order your custom goggles, simply download the Magic5 app, which will guide you through the process of creating a 3D scan of your face. The app provides clear instructions to help you position your phone properly for the scan, ensuring accuracy. Once your scan is complete, the app will generate your custom goggles based on the measurements, which you can then order and have shipped to your doorstep.

3. Are the Magic5 goggles suitable for open-water swimming?

Yes! Magic5 goggles are designed with open-water swimming in mind. Their snug, custom fit ensures they stay secure even during choppy conditions, and the anti-fog lenses provide optimal visibility, so you can focus on your stroke and sighting. Whether you’re training for a triathlon or simply enjoying a lake swim, these goggles will help you perform at your best.

Chose a pair like Black Magic mirror silver which is the darkest tinted swim goggle if you are swimming in bright open water conditions.

4. Can I use Magic5 goggles for both training and racing?

Absolutely! Magic5 goggles are versatile and can be used for both training and race day. Their comfort, leak-proof fit, and excellent visibility make them perfect for the long hours of training in the pool or open water, and they’ll perform just as well during a race. The custom design and fit ensure that you won't have to worry about your goggles during competition, leaving you free to focus on your swim.

5. What is the Magic5 snorkel, and how can it help my swim?

The Magic5 snorkel is designed to help swimmers focus solely on their stroke mechanics without having to worry about turning their head to breathe. This is especially useful for triathletes, as it promotes proper technique while encouraging a streamlined body position. By using the snorkel, you can isolate your stroke and focus on improving your catch, pull, and body alignment, which will translate to better swim efficiency and speed in races.

The snorkel has a unique rotatable feature which lets you effortlessly take a breath at the wall without any awkward adjustments (this feature has been developed with Kasia Wasick 3x Olympian).

Note they can only be used in training and not in races to don’t get reliant on them and practice bi-lateral breathing needed for race conditions.

6. Can I use the Magic5 snorkel during open-water swims?

The Magic5 snorkel is designed primarily for pool training, where you can safely practice your stroke mechanics and build technique without the interruption of breathing. While it’s not recommended for open-water swims due to potential safety concerns (like water movement and visibility), it's an excellent tool for improving your form during controlled training sessions in the pool.

7. What is TheMagic5 Card Game (Triathlete Edition), and how can they help me train?

The Magic5 Card Game (Triathlete Edition) is a set of 52 triathlon focussed structured swimming session cards. Each card outlines a set workout with clear instructions on its purpose and how it helps you improve different aspects of swimming (endurance, speed, or technique). They are perfect for anyone looking for inspiration or a solid plan to follow during training sessions. Some of the structured swimming sessions are written by professional triathletes like Ben Canute. As a coach, I use these cards to vary workouts and keep training engaging while ensuring athletes target key swim skills.

The cards are robust, and splash proof so can be taken to the swimming pool and used there.

8. How do the Magic5 finger paddles help improve my swim?

Finger paddles are specifically designed to place emphasis on the swimmer's stroke technique. By covering just the fingers, they encourage swimmers to maintain a high elbow catch and promote a proper pull pattern throughout the stroke.

- Enhanced Water Feel: With a contoured shape designed to mimic the natural curve of your hand, feel the water like never before and adjust your stroke mechanics intuitively.

- Boost Your Power: Increase your arm strength and pull technique, enabling you to glide through the water with increased speed and efficiency.

- Durable and Long-Lasting: Made with premium materials built to endure the rigors of regular training.
Step up your training, and strengthen your pull with our finger paddles.

9. What is the purpose of the Magic5 kickboard, and how do I use it?

The Magic5 kickboard helps you focus on your kicking technique while maintaining a proper body position in the water. It’s an essential tool for strengthening your core and improving your flutter kick, which plays a vital role in swim efficiency. By using the kickboard, you can isolate your legs from the rest of your stroke, allowing you to work on your kicking form, increase leg strength, and conserve energy for the race. The Magic5 kickboard is contoured for your arms and has hand cut-outs to maintain a firm hold even during tough training sessions.

10. Can I use the Magic5 paddles and kickboard in open water?

The paddles and kickboard are primarily designed for pool training. They help you focus on technique and strength in a controlled environment. While they aren’t typically used in open-water swimming, incorporating them into your pool workouts will build strength and muscle memory that will benefit your open-water performance.

11. How do I care for my Magic5 gear?

To ensure your Magic5 gear lasts and performs at its best, it’s important to care for it properly. After each swim, rinse your goggles, snorkel, paddles, and kickboard with fresh water to remove chlorine or saltwater. Store them in a dry, cool place, and avoid leaving them in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Regular cleaning and proper storage will help extend the life of your gear.

12. Is the Magic5 gear suitable for beginners?

Yes! Magic5 gear is suitable for swimmers of all levels, from beginners to advanced triathletes. The custom goggles offer a comfortable fit that reduces distractions and increases confidence, while the snorkel, paddles, and kickboard are all excellent tools for improving technique and building strength. Whether you're just starting out or preparing for a race, Magic5's gear will support your training goals.