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General Triathlon

Derek S.
Derek S. Sendmail

Swim goggles that won't break the bank and get the job done?

asked about 3 years ago | Report

I've just recently began working out in the pool and have had major issues with my existing goggles. They tend to let a little water in every so often. In an attempt to prevent the leakage, I tighten them and it's like wripping bandaids off of my eyes at the end of my swim to get the goggles off.

Any positive experiences with low-to-mid price goggles to share? Your insight is greatly appreciated.

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15 answers

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  • Chio
    Chio Sendmail

    I dunno what kind you're using, but they might not be fitting your eye sockets properly. Does your pair have an adjustable nose piece you can fiddle with?

    Growing up, I used Swedish goggles. They're cheap, don't have any padding and you can easily adjust the rubber nose piece / string. I now have a few pairs of Speedo Vanquishers. They run about $10-15, are padded and come with several nose pieces. The silicone straps on the Vanquishers last a lot longer than the Swedes.

    Good luck!

    answered about 3 years ago |Report

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  • Devin B.
    Devin B. Sendmail

    I have a big nose, so most goggles don't give me enough room across the bridge of my nose. Also, I bought cheapo goggles and they fogged up. I'd happily pay $30 for a pair that fit properly and had good anti-fog. I notice some of the tri goggles are almost the size of a small diving mask. I have to wonder if that would be good for me.

    answered about 3 years ago |Report

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  • Gordon T.
    Gordon T. Sendmail

    I just started swimming recently, so I just went to Wal-Mart and tried some on. The only ones that fit me were the women's goggles, so (don't laugh) I bought those. No kidding. They seem to work, but they do fog up a bit. I am going to start a "Masters Swimming" class next week, so I will talk to the coach and others there to find out if I need new goggles. For now my cheap pair is fine for me. Also, I have the big baggy swim trunks and not the cool stream lined ones, but I still swim pretty fast for a begginer.

    answered about 3 years ago |edited about 3 years ago |Report

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  • Brodie B.
    Brodie B. Sendmail

    I use Nike Remora and haven't had troubles with them for years but all faces are different. Found Remoras at REI when I needed a new pair. Also, you live in Madison so you can go over to Endurance House they have a ton you can "try on".

    Fogging? You gotta get on the pool deck and make out with your goggles like you're in high school again. Then dunk them in the water and you're all good.

    answered about 3 years ago |Report

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  • David N.
    David N. Sendmail

    I've had good luck with cheap goggles. Just a matter of finding a pair that seals reasonably well. Go to a store that will allow you try them on before buying (most will). Press them to your eyes without using the strap. If the suction holds them in place for more than a second, they're probably fine. Also, look for a little bottle of the anti-fog stuff. A drop of that in each side of the goggles before every swim worked great for me. Or, I guess you could try making first base with your goggles, like Brodie suggested.

    I found that squinching my eyes or opening them really wide while swimming would cause a small leak. While raising my head to sight I would occasionally open my eyes a little wider (lifting my eyebrows) which would cause a leak to start. Maybe I'm just weird.

    answered about 3 years ago |Report

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  • Jim W.
    Jim W. Sendmail

    We've been happy with our Blue Seventy goggles, had them a couple seasons now.

    answered about 3 years ago |Report

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  • Francis D.
    Francis D. Sendmail

    TYR Socket Rockets 2.0 They are essentially an updated version of the classic swedish goggle and are much more comfortable than Swedes. They come in every tint imaginable and cost between $6 and $12 depending on the tint. http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/1149.htm Also, you won't look like a tri-geek wearing a diving mask while you swim laps.

    answered about 3 years ago |Report

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  • Rod K.
    Rod K. Sendmail

    I must be Nethanderal Man, because I have the hardest time finding googles that fit my head. Right now I am using some TYR that are a little bigger than socket rockets that fit pretty well but they still leak a little sometimes when I turn my head to take a breath. I have come very close a couple of times to going "tri-geek" as Francis calls it and wear my Aqua-sphere mask but considering my swimming is already bad enough I didn't want to bring any more attention to myself.

    answered about 3 years ago |Report

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  • Mannie V.
    Mannie V. Sendmail

    Sweedish Goggles... I've used them my whole swimming career (: They are super cheap (I've never spent over $10 for them), but as metioned, they don't have any padding. They may take some getting used to. You assemble them yourself, so you can make a custom fit (:

    answered about 3 years ago |Report

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  • Ryan M.
    Ryan M. Sendmail

    Goggle brand and model are a very personal decision. It is very dependent on comfort and fit. In general though, I highly recommend Speedo Sprints. They are no-nonsense goggles that fit most eye sockets with nice comfort. They're cheap too.

    Speedo Sprint Goggles
    http://tinyurl.com/dxknv6

    I used these as my racing goggles all through high school and college.

    When fitting goggles, try placing them on your eyes without the strap. Apply pressure to the goggles to form a suction on your eyes. If the goggles stay stuck on your eyes without having to apply the strap, you've got a good fit.

    answered almost 3 years ago |edited almost 3 years ago |Report

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  • Joey L.
    Joey L. Sendmail

    TYR you can get really good ones for less than 20 bucks - tried and true and this is coming from a swimmer.

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

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  • Brandi
    Brandi Sendmail

    Speedo Sprints are great, inexpensive goggles, I used these for many years in competitive swimming. However, I just purchased a pair of Speedo Vanquishers, and I LOVE THEM. They are much more comfortable than Swedish goggles, yet have a better fit and suction than the Sprints (they don't leak as much). They come with three different nose pieces to swap out to fit your face, and the two straps hold a better fit on your head as well. These cost me about $20 - well worth it.

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

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  • Dennie Y.
    Dennie Y. Sendmail

    Free Anti-Fog = spit or buff with toothpaste

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

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  • Julia E.
    Julia E. Sendmail

    I second the TYR Socket Rocket recommendation. It's all I swim in - never break, easy to replace the straps. LOVE THEM!

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

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  • Peter D.
    Peter D. Sendmail

    I second the Swedish goggles. They seal the best of any type of goggles and are cheap enough to replace for every race that you do.

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

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