my goggles are evil

Former Member
Former Member
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:
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Barracuda (sp?) goggles. I think their headquarters is in Oregon. They do have a website. The goggles are a tad expensive but after a few wearings to get them to fit your face (and ONLY your face)--they are virtually leakproof. website is: www.barracudasusa.com I don't work for the company. Just a happy wearer for about 10 years.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    There is no one answer, because everyone's face is different. For me, I have deep eye sockets and a high bridge on my nose. A non-adjustable nose piece does not work for me. It takes time, and several different attempts at different goggle designs, to find the one that works best for you. I won't even tell you what works for me because likely the factors that matter to me will not matter to you. I wish there were a way to have access to a dozen different designs and try each for several hundred yards. (Or even for several days.) In my opinion that's really the only way to find what works. And I apologize for giving you a non-answer.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Rubber gaskets feel uncomfortable to me so I prefer foam. These are the goggles that I have loved for awhile now. I swim indoors and I know I look like a dork with my mirrored goggles. Of course I'm oblivious. ;) www.speedousa.com/.../
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    For my last goggles, I spent an hour or so at the store, pressing each pair to my face for feel/fit. Is there a rule, similar to swim suits, that you wear it, it is yours? Seems like you should be able to try the goggles and if they don't work, take them back so long as you haven't damaged them.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Thanks for all your goggle input! I remember seeing a few of the brands you mentioned. It would be so cool if the store could let you try goggles before you buy them, i.e. take 'em to the pool for a few laps :cool:
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Swedish vote here. For me they are great becuase they are cheap and after the first couple times using them my face is happy. It sometimes takes a few practices for an affinity to build.
  • Nor Cal swim shop in Walnut Creek lets you try them on. I guess that's only helpful if you live around here... I remember the "Compys". I loved those, and then I think HIND bought them. Those are great for gasket goggles, but I've got to go with my cheap Montebarra Swedish goggles- $3.50. They were uncomfortable for about at day or two, but then I really liked them. The new NIKE goggles are great too. Very comfortable gasket.
  • Former Member
    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.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Originally posted by msgrupp Barracuda (sp?) goggles. I think their headquarters is in Oregon. They do have a website. The goggles are a tad expensive but after a few wearings to get them to fit your face (and ONLY your face)--they are virtually leakproof. website is: www.barracudasusa.com I don't work for the company. Just a happy wearer for about 10 years. I love my Barracudas as well.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    The Swedish goggles are like a torture devise if your bone structure has little padding. :eek: I found they have to pulled tight to stop any water from getting in. I like the Nike Remoras for comfort as well as cost. They don't leak, never fog, and they cost only 11 dollars. Well they do fog...after about three months.
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