Aquasphere seems to have cornered the market on the big goofy masks and tris flocks like lemurs to them. I've seen a few folks here and there race in them at meets, but no one fast. They certainly have the reputation of being comfortable. I just don't see how you can train or race in them.
What, like these things? I guess I haven't seen anyone wear those in our workouts! Compared to those, mine are tiny.
I currently wear metallic TYR Torrents. However, it looks like TYR is not making them anymore. It's probably a good thing, the gaskets get warped and yellow pretty quickly. I just bought a pair of the Speedo Vanquishers (the mirror/red ones)... they feel really comfy.
I wore Sweedes thru HS and college... and I cannot wear them anymore, they leak constantly and bust off on my starts. I really miss only having to pay $4 for goggles... and Sweedes seem to last FOREVER compared to what I'm using now.
Used to wear Swedes until I got tired of not being able to see (I don't wear contacts). Tried a bunch of prescription goggles before settling on Speedo vanquisher prescription goggles.
If I ever get contacts, though, I'd go back to Swedes.
I've always used Swedes, training and racing. They're indestructible, surprisingly comfortable (once you're used to them), and have excellent vision. As long as the straps are moderately tight and the nose-piece is correctly fitted, they never leak - even off starts. I like the mirrored version for outdoor backstroke. I replace them only when the eye pieces get so scratched that I can't read the pace clock.
The only setting where I wouldn't recommend Swedes is in open water events with mass starts. It's pretty easy to get kicked in the face, and if you're wearing Swedes that's an eye injury waiting to happen. For OW mass starts I use the Blueseventy Hydra Vision, but anything with a gasket will provide some protection.
I tried all sorts of goggles when I got somewhat serious with swimming, but none seemed to fit just right and they all leaked.
I've been wearing TYR Racetech for around 14 years and won't wear anything else unless I absolutely have to. They have multiple colors, and a Metalized/mirrored version, especially handy for outdoor swimming here in the AZ sun. I think the normal goggles are around $8-9, and the mirrored $15-16. They generally last me at least 3-4 months, although I've had some for more than 6. That is with swimming 4-6 days a week.
I'm sure there's probably something better that's come out since, but I'm just too lazy to go through all the agony of trying out goggles again.
Or are there bigger goggles than Barracudas out there?? Do people race in masks??
Aquasphere seems to have cornered the market on the big goofy masks and tris flocks like lemurs to them. I've seen a few folks here and there race in them at meets, but no one fast. They certainly have the reputation of being comfortable. I just don't see how you can train or race in them.
Speedo Vanquishers for both the pool and openwater. I preferred the mirrored versions generally but use the non-mirrored amber versions in dark pools or for early morning openwater swims in low light conditions. Tried Tyr Socket Rockets when I first started swimming. They were comfortable but had trouble with them going off the blocks. Tried various models from Speedo, Barracuda, and Aquasphere but never looked back after trying the Vanquishers.
I've never quite understood why Tri folks wear BIGGER goggles, masks, etc. For one, they look goofy as hell. Second, they are huge and do nothing but add resistance in the water. I mean you only need so much vision, perifrial or other. If you need to see THAT much, why not put a clear glass sphere on your head and look like a deep sea diver?! :D
I guess I'm with the tri folks in wearing big, goofy goggles... I wear Barracudas because they are comfortable on my face and because my eyelashes don't hit the front of the goggles (which is annoying as hell!). And I can get them with prescription lenses. Or are there bigger goggles than Barracudas out there?? Do people race in masks??
