All-in-one skinsuit, tri-bars, wetsuit, number belt, elastic laces ... just some of the gear you may – or may not – need for a triathlon

When I did my first triathlon last year, there were many things that took me by surprise – how scary it is when someone swims over you in open water, for example, and how difficult it is to get out of a wetsuit when you're in a hurry. But what really amazed me was quite how much kit everybody else had schlepped with them.

I thought I had come well-prepared for the 400m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run. I had reluctantly bought the wetsuit that is mandatory in many open-water swims. I had remembered my bike, bike shoes and trainers and even had two towels. But when I turned up at the lake on the morning of the event, it became apparent that I had totally underestimated what constitutes normal preparation in the tri-world.

Everyone else was carrying their stuff in huge plastic crates, ready to place by their bikes in the first transition. I, meanwhile, was swinging a Sainsbury's carrier bag containing everything I believed I needed. No fancy all-in-one tri-suit for me, guv – after the swim I had a vest and leggings to change into for the ride and run. And surely I could just use safety pins to attach my race number without the help an overpriced piece of elastic (£5.50 for the tri-belt, madam)?

I persisted in this low-fi approach across three triathlons last summer, but, after a number of embarrassing experiences in transition – which not only cost me precious minutes but also my dignity – I have started to rethink the gear I need for this year's events.

Am I a sucker for contemplating spending £79.00 on an unforgiving bit of Lycra that will make it impossible for me to go to the loo, even if it will mean that I can hop straight on my bike after the swim? It would certainly save my blushes – during the Goole triathlon in East Yorkshire last August, I made such a hash out of changing out of my wetsuit and into capri pants that I drew a crowd. What was worse was that my boyfriend's dad captured all four agonising minutes of my ordeal on his new camcorder, which he played on the family's gigantic TV when we got home.

The other day I got a tantalising email from the online sports shop Wiggle promising 12% off everything – including the triathlon section. Within 10 minutes I found myself at the checkout with £150 worth of kit in my basket, wondering if I should go back and get a fancy attachment for my handlebars to make me more aerodynamic. I had already convinced myself that I could shave seconds off my time by putting plastic laces in my shoes.

I was just about to type in my credit card details when I came to my senses. I do not want to join the kit cult of triathletes which dictates that you more or less have to be in the top tax bracket to keep up. Don't believe me? Back in 2006, the UK's 40,000 triathletes spent £13m on kit.

The reason I like swimming, running and cycling is that you don't need expensive gear to do it. Am I wrong?