My goggles have been very good for nearly a year. But after I cleaned it the other day using mild soap water, and lightly scratched off the dirt on the silicone frame, it no longer sucks. I wonder if my cleaning somehow made it leak? I wish I didn't clean it--but I wouldn't think goggles should be so easily damaged by light cleaning. :( Is 1 year a reasonable lifespan for goggles?
ever since I made the switch to swedish goggles, or any of the other brands that are just hard plastic with a rubber band, they last a lifetime. it was the rubber that would get old and dry and eventually snap.
I have over 10 pairs of lenses, but until recently never found a replacement band. now I have 5 replacement silicone bands.
but since I cut the string and little blue tube off of all of them, my next problem will be finding a rubber band to replace the nose piece on all of them. good thing for me the malmsten goggles are less than $10 over here.
I've had my Swedes for 13 years and have only replaced the rubber bands with plain ol' sewing elastic. The elastic eventually wears out, but it is easy to replace. However, I have some Speedo Socket Rockets that work great, but really need to be cleaned. Since reading of your experience, I don't think I will even bother and just stick to my Swedes.
Oh yeah, I'm looking into getting one of those Bungee straps for my goggles. I've heard of them on here, but a guy at the pool had a pair and they look really promising. Seems like it would last longer than sewing elastic.
I (ahem) am one who sticks my fingers in to defog the lenses so I'm lucky to get 4 months out of mine. I never clean them. I just let them dry out in between. And I have 1 pair that is just for competition that I keep my fingers out of.
I put bungee straps on my swedes and use the strap they come with to replace the nose bridge when it snaps once a year. I have never thrown away a pair of swedes, they are indestructible.
I have never thrown away a pair of swedes, they are indestructible.
although my nose piece has never snapped on me, the straps can wear out with repeated use (or being left in a car and subject to extreme hot/cold). the only reason i have ever had to replace swedes is because i lose them (happens from time to time, but hey, not like they break the bank account to replace).
I clean my goggles with soap and water after every swim. They're still going strong after about two years.
Very important to at least rinse the chlorine off, as that's what degrades the plastic.
The pair of sweeds I have right now I've had for 10 years, same nose piece (string and tube). Switched to a bungee about 5-6 years ago and I have the same one of those as well. Never even clean them either, just throw them in the swim bag whenever i get back to the lockers :) They work great, and there's nothing to wear out on em.
I (ahem) am one who sticks my fingers in to defog the lenses so I'm lucky to get 4 months out of mine. I never clean them. I just let them dry out in between. And I have 1 pair that is just for competition that I keep my fingers out of.
I learned this lesson some time ago. Instead of my fingers, I use my tongue. I pull my goggles down from my eyes to my mouth to clean them before sets. That seems to help improve longevity. Do not use your fingers, at least that's my advice.
My swedes (Tyr socket rockets) get about 6 months with this approach. I just bought a new pair of non-swedes, so I will see how long they last. I am willing to invest $1/month for my goggles.
I also see others writing that they have had their goggles for years, like 10 years. My question to them is, how clean are they?
My pet peeve is when my goggles fog up or my view is not clear, like a smudged windshield. I like a clean field of view, so I upgrage to new goggles often. I also try and protect them when they are in my gear bag, so I put them in cases, because if I don't, they get scratched and end up degrading the clear vision.
I clean my goggles with soap and water after every swim. They're still going strong after about two years.
Very important to at least rinse the chlorine off, as that's what degrades the plastic.
Ever since I began doing this -- U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums - View Single Post - To prevent your goggles from fogging up do you.... --with my training goggles, I've noticed a remarkable improvement. This method completely rehabbed a pair that I couldn't keep fogless and I've noticed no deterioration. I keep separate meet goggles from training goggles, so my meet goggles last forever. Pre-soapy-soaking, my goggles would last around a year; I think the two pairs I have rotating for workouts now will last much longer.
