Recommendations for googles and lens colors for open water swim

Oppss, I've been googling alot lately...I meant goggles! Thanks. Steve

I like sturdier goggles with mirrored lenses for open water swims. There are a number of different brands with a strong rubber seal which is more likely to stay in place with some bouncing around. The mirrored lenses help to cut glare and look towards the sun. Try several different fits to see which seal is best for you. Good luck

I'm hesitant to be specific since I'm returning from a 2-week participation ban by the Discussion Forum Webmaster for "unsolicited advertisements" re:Crabcakes inquiry about currents outside Aquatic Park but I concur with Ron's recommendation regarding goggles. Gary

Aqua-sphere give good peripheral vision and make it easier to quickly spot bouys/landmarks. They make mirrored, amber ( for fog) and clear.

One more thing I participated in the Sharkfest Alcatraz swim on the 10th. The skies were a bit foggy, but the sun did occasionally shine thru. I breath on the left, and was glad to be wearing mirrored lensed googles as the sun was a white circle in the sky,..in fact when I was exhaling underwater, an image of the sun was "burned" ( not really, but I think you know what I mean)into my retna and made for an interesting snap-shot of the sun with the bottom of the bay as a background.

I used to rely exclusively on Aquasphere XP dark tint goggles. They've stopped making the darkest ones but the blue tinted are good too. I like them in all conditions because they are great at glare reduction. I also find they're great in terms of the impact on your face. I was starting to get what the doctor told me was going to be permanent water retention in my eyelids because of regular goggles. These spread out the impact, and give great visibility. I look like an idiot in them but I've gotten over that. I actually wear a clear pair for regular practices and several of my teammates have switched over to them as well. Good luck! Sydne

Serick, Thanks for starting this thread! I'm facing a five mile open water swim, and I too need to see what would work best for my purposes. I lost a pair of aqua tinted goggles last year b/c it was overcast, and the goggles made things too dark, so I pushed them on top of my head and swam w/out them (it was a mile swim so I figured how bad could it be). But after a while, they worked loose and floated off (hey if anyone sees them, please feel free to keep them, ha!). I was considering bringing a couple pairs w/ me--a tinted pair and a clear pair (for overcast conditions), then deciding. But ideally I'd love to get something that can work in different condtions. Amber seems like a good choice, although I've never tried them before. Thanks for the suggestions, folks--please keep them coming!

Gary Thank you so much for your words or encouragement in the past regarding the Alcatraz Swim. I watched your DVD and was GREATLY encouraged and helped. The worse part of the swim was the night before,..once I hit the water,..I was home,...I was a part of the Bay,..the view of SF was spectacular,..I could not see the top of the Golden Gate,..only a tower,..it was pretty sweet. I took you advise and stopped part way thru,...could you hear me HOWLING!!! As I entered Aquatic Park,..folks were lined up on the sea wall roaring,..what a rush. If any of you want the thrill of a life time come to San Francisco and cast all of your fears into the Bay.

One good thing about swimming is that our gear is somewhat cheap compared to other sports. Best advice is what goes for you, try and try again, you can take all recomendations but you will be the judge. Hey thats why Ebays there. To get rid of what does not work. I like the Barracuda Standards. any color I prefer blue or smoke for sunny days in open water. Sorry to hear about Garys suspension.. congrats on your 500th Alcatraz swim Gary. I remember when Jack LaLane swam across SF bay from Alcatraz with handcuffs and everyone thought that was a impossible feat with the bay full of sharks! Back then that was a feat that someone could actually swim that far! Of course everyone smoked several packs of cigs a day and drank three martini lunches then too.. Just kidding ..not everybody...I rode round Alcatraz in 1962 on a navy day cruise just before it closed , on a US navy destroyer as a 8 year old kid and it was a forbidding place. That was because you could always see it out there in the bay from all the bridges and it was the scary "Alcatraz" where all the worst "convicts" were at. I can remember all the warning bouys and signs to this day to stay away or be shot.