Well, they are.
I've been swimming pretty regularly now for nearly two months. I can swim freestyle pretty good, but I still get tired easily. For the first time, I asked someone if I could share a lap lane with them. I wore out my previously brand-new swimming suit, and have to buy another. My swimcap is still hanging in there. People have told me that I smell like chlorine. And I found out that earplugs are a great way to prevent ear infections. I now have a blue Nalgene bottle that guards my lap lane when I am swimming. And I've learned how to dive off the board (stand backwards on the very edge of the board, then lean over backwards, hands over head, knees straight, and just plop into the water). Also learned that I have a slight dermatological reaction to chlorine, so I have to put itch-stuff on my arms after I'm done swimming.
The above is my swimmy progress report.
Everything is great except for MY EVIL GOGGLES.
They are nice goggles. They have silicon gaskets and a one-piece nosebridge thing. I think they cost $7 at the time. I bought them when I was a swimming newbie and was like "Oh look, GOGGLES". But they absolutely suck at keeping water out of my eyes for any length of time. Every two laps or so, or after every dive, I have to take my goggles off, try to get the water out of my eyes, and readjust.
I want to buy new goggles, but I don't know what ones to get. The guy at the store gave me funny looks when I was trying to break into a goggle case to try them on. Trying them on (the stick 'em to your face suction test) in the store doesn't seem useful.
I think my goggle problem lies within the gasket, which appears to be failing in its job of sticking to my face. In your experience, do molded (silicon) gaskets work better (keep water out and stick to your face) than foam gaskets? And does an adjustable nose-piece help goggles fit better? My face is sorta broad.
What goggles do you use?
Need gogglehelp :confused:
Parents
Former Member
I noticed in your email something that may be important - the one-piece design. I have a small nose bridge and goggles without an adjustable nose piece just don't work for me. For a long time I was using the Speedo 'sprint' goggles, and tightening the nose piece, but I'd have to cut off part of it with an x-acto blade because it would dig into my nose. Recently, I've found great goggles - the Speedo Vanquisher for Women. TYR makes similar ones (Remora II??) They're designed for women, so the eye pieces are smaller, and come with several pop-in nose pieces, so you can find just the right size for your face, but not have to worry about the tail ends stabbing you in the nose. Plus, they have great visibility. They have silicone gaskets, which I like better than neoprene. Sometimes the trick is to make sure the gaskets are dry and your face is dry (having a chamois-type towel at the end of your lane helps).
When I was competing as a kid, I always wanted Barracuda goggles (all the *cool* kids had them); but they were expensive. When I finally could afford a pair of my own, I found that the round shape didn't work well in my eye sockets.
Hope this helps.
Kae
PS Always buy extra goggle straps, or a second pair of ones that work for you.
Reply
Former Member
I noticed in your email something that may be important - the one-piece design. I have a small nose bridge and goggles without an adjustable nose piece just don't work for me. For a long time I was using the Speedo 'sprint' goggles, and tightening the nose piece, but I'd have to cut off part of it with an x-acto blade because it would dig into my nose. Recently, I've found great goggles - the Speedo Vanquisher for Women. TYR makes similar ones (Remora II??) They're designed for women, so the eye pieces are smaller, and come with several pop-in nose pieces, so you can find just the right size for your face, but not have to worry about the tail ends stabbing you in the nose. Plus, they have great visibility. They have silicone gaskets, which I like better than neoprene. Sometimes the trick is to make sure the gaskets are dry and your face is dry (having a chamois-type towel at the end of your lane helps).
When I was competing as a kid, I always wanted Barracuda goggles (all the *cool* kids had them); but they were expensive. When I finally could afford a pair of my own, I found that the round shape didn't work well in my eye sockets.
Hope this helps.
Kae
PS Always buy extra goggle straps, or a second pair of ones that work for you.
