swim goggles or mask?

[chrisesposito]

I was fiddling with a new toy last night (a Finis SwimP3 waterproof MP3 player) and was moving it from the goggles it came with to the Aquasphere Seal mask I use. My wife the ex-swim coach began to give me a good-natured hard time about how real swimmers don't use masks. When I replied that in order to get goggles not to leak I had to make them uncomfortably tight she said that I should simply suck it up and embrace the pain (she's ex-military and from a family of triathletes, which colors her attitudes on gratuitous suffering :) ).

So what do you all use and why? goggles or mask?

[not2fast]

I bought a SEAL Mask in 2001. It was the best purchase I ever made. It never leaks, never fogs up. And has a much wider field of view than any swim goggle I have ever used.

It lasted until this past March. I went out and bought another one, and use it every day.

I did notice they make one which is slightly smaller, more sleak. I might consider getting that model for doing a race.

After wearing the SEAL mask, I cant imagine going back to those stinking goggles!!

(But I am sure I will get plenty of laughs from others at a trithlon. Thats ok, I am used to it. I ride my bike in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Cyclists wont acknowledge me when we pass. My T-shirt doesnt even match my frame!!)

[The_Mickstar]

open water / mass start: Seal Mask

pool swim: goggles

[cjbruin]

I use a Seal Mask...H20Chick laughed at me for it...but it's the only one I've used that doesn't make me feel like my contacts are going to pop out of my eyes.

[roadie gal]

I switched over to the Seal Mask last year when I finally got fed up with adjusting and emptying water out of my goggles. I love them. No leak, no fuss.

Last year I saw very few of them at races. This year I saw a whole lot more. It looks to me like a lot of people are ignoring the "dorky look" factor and are using them.

[H2OChick]

Yes, we swimmers will think you look like a dork, but who cares? You really have to go with what works for you and the rest be damned. That's my attitude about the wetsuits, too. It might not be MY choice, but hey, do your own thing and do it with conviction.

[blue steal]

I've used every type of goggle made. I have maybe 20 pairs. When the seal mask came along several years ago, I gave that one a try. Great visibility while in the ocean and pool. Doesn't fog up or leak. Best of all it doesn't put pressure under my eyes, giving that headache that goggles gave me. I have two pair now, one tinted and the chromatic one for really bright days.

[dogpound]

open water / mass start: Seal Mask

pool swim: goggles


agreed.
Esp in Ironman. If I'm gonna be out there so long in a full contact swim, I want something I can really see out of and won't get kicked off my face.

[ktuominen]

I tried the mask bit last year and didn't find any better than a pair of good fitting goggles. The best I've found so far for long swims >1 hour are the foam lined Barracudas. They fit the bones around your eyes, not the sockets. I can keep them comfortably loose, they don't leak and even after a 5 miles swim, I had no goggle marks. Plus, they're sexier than the mask. For shorter swims, I've found the Speedo Vanquisher model goggle to be a nice fit. Usually, if you're having to tighten your goggles too much it's because the nose piece is incorrectly sized. Goggles usually come with 3 sized nose pieces, find the one that fits you best and you shouldn't have to crank down the straps.

[H2OChick]

OMG, I can't believe you called the Barracudas sexy...

Oh, wait, I see... you said sexIER than the mask. It's all relative... phew!

(Seriously, though - wear what works)

I will likely never wear anything besides Swedish for the rest of my life. For the nose piece, I just cut off a bit of the rubber strap, trim it to a point, and use that as my nosepiece. Fully adjustable and a wee bit stretchy. I also use a cord lock on the straps instead of tying a knot. That way it's all fully adjustable. And still costs less than $5!

[barleyrocket]

+1 for swedes, and wear what you want. I've also tried a pair of AquaSphere Kaimens that work very well for a lot of people. If the goggle leaks then it's not the right one for you. No offense but some people have funny shaped eye sockets I guess and it makes it more difficult. But if you want to look like a swimmer...gotta have a pair of swedes (plus they're like $4/pair. I have about 8 different colors/pairs for different moods and lighting.

In the end just wear what works. if you're thinking about the maks/goggles in the race you've got the wrong pair on.

[Jstyle]

Can some one post a link to get a SEAL mask I am curious about that...

[chrisesposito]

Can some one post a link to get a SEAL mask I am curious about that...

http://www.aquasphereswim.com/products/seal_clear_transblue.html

Any swim shop ought to have them. Here's a link to trisports.com if you want a place online: http://www.trisports.com/aqsealmascle.html

[caloso]

This thread reminds me that I bought one for my wife but she never used it. For all I know it's still in the package. I'm going to have to try it out since I've never found a pair of goggles I've liked. Tolerated, perhaps, but never liked.

As far as the "real swimmer" comment, remember that we're triathletes! They all consider us geeks! Fly that freak flag, my tri brothers and sisters!

[psycofish]

has anyone ever ordered and tried the prescription goggles?

[not2fast]

The aqua seal mask was on sale at PERFORMANCE last week for 19.99, but today I see it is back up to 27 or 29.

Keep an eye on it, they will run a sale on them again soon.

[Jstyle]

Dammit I just made a huge order from TriSports crap I could have saved on shipping...

[dotnate]

I think just go with what works. Start with the cheapoes and move on up to the others. I feel that I am one that consatnly re-evaluates equipment choices. But oddly enough, I have not had a problem in the goggle area. I have been using a pair of modestly priced tinted Speedo goggles for the longest time and recently added a pair of TYR clear goggles for training (that I got as a freebee handout and has been in the closet for a year). Thus, I use the tinted for races/open water and the clear for the indoor pool. I don't feel that I need any type of mask for mass start. I have only done a dozen or so tri's, but a few have been some of the largest in the US. So...again...start cheap...and work up to find something that works. And one other point....sometimes with goggles, when I think I am getting some water in them, it is not that they are not tight enough. It is that they are too tight.

[norsehabanero]

i agree it does work well with contacts(mask)

[enginerd]

has anyone ever ordered and tried the prescription goggles?

I use a pair of prescription Barracudas. I have a very high prescription and the standard Rx inserts don't go high enough so I had to order a custom pair. They work great for me, although the Barracudas make me look like frogman.

[TarmacRider]

I wear the Aquasphere's. My wife got a good laugh the first time she saw me in them. I didn't really care and I don't really care what I look like when I'm swimming.

I hated the gogles I had and every pair I've ever had. The Aquasphere's are the only things I've found that are comfortable.