Best Goggles???

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:43:10 GMT

I love my speedo vanquisher +. They are a bit dark for indoor swimming but they'd be perfect for outside swimming since they are tinted.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:43:57 GMT

i was in a sport store recently and had a chance to try on a pair of Aqua Sphere goggles... when i got home and looked them up i was unprepared for all the choices... but i'm pretty sure they were the: Aqua Sphere Seal XP Mask i gave them the fit test, pressing them on and letting go. with just a minimal amount of pressure they stuck to my face so much that i had difficulty getting them off... which is to say it was pretty much a perfect fit for me. i really like the combination of fit, view, and low profile. i will definitely be getting a pair of these to try out. i doubt i'd use them in pool competitions... but for practice i think they'd be great. seems like they'd be really good for distance swimmers (OW, tri's, etc.) at the aqua sphere web i noticed they have optically corrected versions too (the 'Eagle')... www.aquasphereswim.com/.../eagle_optics.html www.shopatron.com/.../688.0.28416.31908.0.0.0 as i've seen on every thread regarding goggle choices, it is a very personal choice. go with what fits you best... in terms of both wearing comfort and budget.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:09:44 GMT

I bumped up this thread to give my 2 cents. I have a bunch of Swedish goggles, 1 Speedo Aquablade(which is a Swedish goggle with soft seal eye cups), 1 Aqua Sphere Kaiman and just bought two TYR Rocket Sockets(also like Swedish goggles with soft cups). My Rating: - Speedo Aquablade: I've had this pair for about 10 years and they still don't leak, are comfortable and you have a perfect view. Rating: 10/10 - Swedish Goggles: Last forever, are cheap, perfect view, never leak but can get uncomfortable. Rating: 9/10 - Aqua Sphere Kaiman: They have a good view, are semi-comfortable, leak after a certain time and are damn ugly. Rating: 6/10 - TYR Rocket Sockets: You would assume they are like Speedo's Aquablade but 1 of the 2 Socket Rockets I bought leaked from day 1, they immediately get and stayed foggy(even spit doesn't help), the side view is blurry/out of focus and the pool lights reflect from the sides which makes your view really tough. Rating: 3/10 The Goggle Oscar goes to: www.nessswimwear.co.uk/.../p_41.html

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Sat, 09 May 2009 08:07:04 GMT

I use Vanquishers. Sounds so cheesy. I have two pairs- one with a black tint, and the other is clear. I rarely wear the clear ones, usually only when I've misplaced my black ones.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:43:50 GMT

I tried the Speedo Airseal goggles and do not like them. They are comfortable, but they trap water because the seal has a lip that intrudes into the goggle itself. I have generally trained with Vanquishers because they are all around good - although I wish they had a light blue. I swim in the mornings outdoors and it starts dark although I finish the workout after the sun comes out. I race with Speedo Speed Sockets. They are for me the best racing goggles. They fit close to the face, are almost impossible to knock off, and seal well. But they are not comfortable for long periods of time. I am now training with Nike Swim Swift Fusion goggles. They surprised me with how good they are. They have a fairly stiff seal, but are comfortable, and do not leak. I like how the strap attaches the goggle. Vision is excellent.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:49:28 GMT

I forgot. Swimming is a cheap sport. It really is .. If you dont consider the pool fees. Equipment costs?.. Forget it.. Try raquettball, tennis, lots of sports. Thats good news for us swimmers. we can try all kinds of toys and really its still a cheap way to get and stay in shape.. Hey if your not happy with you new toy..goggle what not .. give it away to somebody in the pool . we can all be happy!

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:43:42 GMT

LOL I see Buds response about the Barracuda goggles. I love mine and worn them about 20 years now. replacement foam kits are cheap and keep them going, no red marks just comfortable . As I have said before there a love them or hate them goggle. the price of the Cudas has been about the same for the past few years now..32-35 dollars I see all the "cheap goggles " going way up in price now there up to 14-16 dollars. The "cudas" do need pampering and proper adjustment they often need to be tightened way up till they seat then there good. Bottom line is that goggles are a personal choice and everybody has a fav. There no one goggle that everybody likes. The Tri crowd has a prefrence today toward the Aquasphere "Seal mask type goggle. I have tried them and there OK.. Thats it Ok , they still leak a bit and cut my face up with the edges. The only goggle I really think works for most people is the Speedo Hydrospex. They do fit well but they leave me with the circle thing about the eyes. I can wear them though in a pinch and they are indestructable unlike the Barracudas with the soft foam seal.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:28:46 GMT

I like to get mine at Kiefer Swim http://www.kiefer.com/ Their brand goggles are well priced and good quality... and consistent. However... They just changed their lineup and dropped the ones I usually buy, so I did some experimenting. Here are two I've tested... (but not off a starting block, yet...) Kiefer Tempest Goggle - $5.95 WOW! My only complaint for these is I wish they came in a darker tint! These are super comfortable, and easy to adjust. The interchangeable nose bridge (3 sizes) is easy to change, but fits securely in the goggle (for now anyway, these are really new, not a lot of miles on them). The head strap has a clever push button mechanism that makes adjustments very easy and secure (for now). The optical quality of this goggle is excellent! Everything looks properly proportioned, so your eyes stay relaxed. The peripheral vision quality of these goggles is very good too, which is really important to me since I do a lot of swimming and kicking on my back and need to see the lane line (especially when sharing a lane). They don't look like the peripheral vision would be good, but they work great for me! These have a very streamlined fit... I'm betting they will work great off a starting block. Kiefer Raptor Goggle - $6.95 These fit me OK, and were quite comfortable, but you cannot adjust the nose bridge. The head strap is a bit of a bear to adjust, but I bet it does not slip at all once you get it right. I did not like the optical quality of these... I felt like I was looking through a warped tunnel (but I could see enough of the lane rope on backstroke that they were OK). These will do as a backup, but that is about it. also... I frequently wear my soft contact lenses when I swim... but when I don't (like in race, off the block)... Kiefer Optical Goggle - $18.95 If you need corrected vision, these are great. They are the same style as the ones they dropped, very comfortable, easy to adjust, and long lasting. They have been carrying these for a long time. Order instructions are easy. You can even get repair parts. In closing... The 'Aqua Sphere' goggles at Kiefer look pretty tempting... anyone had any luck with these? Years ago (late 80's) I bought a $70 pair of "Barracuda's".. they were HORRIBLE! Leaked badly, fell apart... just junk! Have never paid more than $15 for 'plain' goggles since then (not more than $20 counting the corrected vision ones above). You may have to shop around to find a good fit (the comment about goggles being very personal is spot-on), but typically you can get a decent goggle for under $10. ....

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:26:49 GMT

I am all about the cheap swedes for practice. I cycle 4 pair (colors depending on mood) and when they get a little hazy I throw a new set together. It's like opening a new piece of gum. When i swim open water I use Clubswim antifog/mirrored. Very comfy and they never fog. And at $5 a pair I don't feel bad if I lose them in transistion or in the water.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:08:10 GMT

Speedo Air Seal XR, great fit, great peripherial vision, medium-low profile great for long workouts, maybe it's also good for racing but the speed socket have a tighter fit, lower profile, all what do you looking for for a racing goggle.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:06:47 GMT

I like the vanquishers for comfort and in practice. When you do distance and only stop on the walls every so often comfort counts. I had some of the Tyr's and liked them but the seals deformed from sitting in my equipment bag. I have a new pair of Vanquishers that are red tint/metallic waiting on me for my OW swim in SC at the end of the month.

RE: Best Goggles???

osterber — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:37:43 GMT

I still prefer the Speedo Ultravision goggles. No longer in production. I have a stash of several that I picked up from a Canadian reseller a couple years ago. -Rick

RE: Best Goggles???

pwolf66 — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:16:30 GMT

Speedo Vanquisher for racing. I've found that the rose lenses give me the greatest clarity in the water.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:35:52 GMT

TYR socket rocket metallized. I have had this pair for 2 weeks now, and they are starting to fog - sigh. I like the fit of the TYR's versus the Swedes.

RE: Best Goggles???

waves101 — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:33:29 GMT

View Sniper - seem to last the longest, too. Only downside is they do not offer clear lens.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:50:32 GMT

............ Whatever suits YOU. Test in shop: will they stick to your face if you just press them a little (without the strap around your head, just semi-vacuum suction)? Then they'll probably not leak. One word of advice: When you (eventually) find a brand and model that you like, buy a dozen or so (if not more). If you don't and buy only a pair, the Manufacturer will immediately discontinue production (of that specific model) and you'll have to beg on eBay to (maybe) find one or two.

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:52:06 GMT

Clear speedo sprint. Been wearing for the past 20 years. I've played around with others now and then but always come back to these.

RE: Best Goggles???

Bobinator — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:12:25 GMT

For OW I like Tyr Nest-Pro Nano's with mirrored lenses. For indoor swimming/racing I love Tyr T-Femme Petite's; pink is my favorite because I love looking at the world through rose colored glasses!

RE: Best Goggles???

WPSWIMS — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:09:13 GMT

Speedo Vanquishers. I can get them to match closely to my nearsighted prescription...good enough to see the pace clock, the workout on the board, the wall, and my lane mates in front of me! I can also go off the block with no problem. They are available in clear or tinted. I buy two pairs, one with -3 diopter and the other with a -5. You can take them apart and form two pairs of "prescription" goggles for $15 each!

RE: Best Goggles???

tjrpatt — Mon, 04 May 2009 08:17:01 GMT

The Speedo Hydrospex work for me in competition. Plus, I have big eyes so it is impossible for me to wear those Swedish googles. The Mirrored Hyrdospex are great for outdoor use. I am also testing out a TYR pair that are good for big eyed people. I haven't had the urge to test them out in a race because the few times I dove off the block with them, the straps shifted a little. I don't like to do the straps under the cap thing. I wear the hyrdospex in Open Water as well.

RE: Best Goggles???

SharksMasters — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:02:22 GMT

Just curious what people think the best competition goggles are? Also should you wear different goggles for open water swimming? Thanks for your advice!:) As stated earlier, this is a highly individual choice due to the different shapes of faces and eye-ridges. I like Tusa's View goggles for both pool and open water. I use clear ones when swimming indoors or low light conditions and tinted when outdoors or bright conditions. For open water swims, I always use a NEW pair, since even a small amount of wear or scratching of the lens bothers me in open water (visibility can be an issue and I want the most clarity possible).

RE: Best Goggles???

Former Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:53:47 GMT

If you happened to be without goggles in open water, would you swim with eyes closed or open underwater? While I have not been in your situation, where I have needed to swim without goggles, I have spent many days playing in the surf during my lifetime and I do open my eyes. I think it hurts less than chlorine. To answer your question, I would open my eyes. On another note, I swam my first practice with new TYR socket rockets metallized and I am impressed. They did not fog up at all. I have been using the standard, clear, socket rocket, and they fog up. Maybe it is new goggles, who knows. I prefer socket rockets over the swedes because there is rubber socket lining which is comfortable.

RE: Best Goggles???

Karen Duggan — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:59:24 GMT

Montebarra Swedish goggles. Took me two practices to get used to, years ago. Love 'em. Stay nice and snug, and at $4.95 I don't care if I lose them! Mirrored ones are more expensive at $12.95 I think.

RE: Best Goggles???

srcoyote — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:40:47 GMT

Goggles are highly individualized. Used to use the arena youth goggles, but I am now exclusively a Swedish wearer in pools and in open water. The others are right. After the week adjustment period, I don't want to wear anything else.

RE: Best Goggles???

funkyfish — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:46:38 GMT

I feel bad now. Just found out that the goggles I like/wear (speedo sprint) are "recreational." They just seem to stay on my face the best. :banana: