Advice pls - contact lenses vs optical goggles

Former Member
Former Member
So which should I wear for my OW swim? Thought I'd do contacts as that way I'll find my way to the start more easily before I put on my goggles. Then I was talking to someone yesterday who pointed out that you will get swum over at the start, so I'm now worried about my goggles getting knocked off and thus losing my contacts, and hence having no hope of seeing where I'm going. Answers on a postcard please....on second thoughts - let me try a poll... Ok poll seems to have gone.....just answers on a postcard then......
Parents
  • I've tried both ways and never had a problem either way. One thing I don't like about the contact lens strategy, though, is that I generally get some water in my goggles and then that gets into the lenses. I've been told by my optometrist that that's a good way to get some nasty bacteria in your eyes. So, you'll want to get your contact lenses out as soon as possible after your swim. If that's a problem, then go for the optical goggles. Also, you might think about what you're used to. I've started wearing optical goggles in practice, so that's what I'm going to use for my next open water swim (Alcatraz). If you're used to swimming with contacts, though, perhaps you'd be more comfortable that way.
Reply
  • I've tried both ways and never had a problem either way. One thing I don't like about the contact lens strategy, though, is that I generally get some water in my goggles and then that gets into the lenses. I've been told by my optometrist that that's a good way to get some nasty bacteria in your eyes. So, you'll want to get your contact lenses out as soon as possible after your swim. If that's a problem, then go for the optical goggles. Also, you might think about what you're used to. I've started wearing optical goggles in practice, so that's what I'm going to use for my next open water swim (Alcatraz). If you're used to swimming with contacts, though, perhaps you'd be more comfortable that way.
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