Goggle Recommendations
 

I've only done one sprint distance but I was very disappointed in the cheap foam seal speedo type. I'm signed up for and olympic distance and would like to hear what everybody else is wearing and why.

I had a very difficult time finding goggles that fit without leaking or squeezing my eyes out. Now I wear the Aqua Sphere mask. It looks almost like a dive mask, but it doesn't cover your nose. I've worn it in 2 sprint tris so far. I haven't had to readjust it and it didn't get kicked off in the start melee. I admit, it does look dorky, but it works. I think it runs about $25 US. I found it in one of the cheapo sporting goods stores locally, but Trizone and a number of other sites carry them, too.

IMO aquasphere makes the best goggles out there. I was blown away when I bought my first pair of aquasphere a few years ago. I like the "Kaiman" model. I never ever have seal problems, they are super comfy and have great range of vision. I think they are about $25.

I wear Speedo goggles, but they have rubber seal and work great. I think a paid 12-13 bucks.

Foam seals suck; look for a curled rubber seal. Right now I am using the speedo vanquisher plus and like it because the nose bridge is very adjustable. I paid like 25cnd.

I wear a pair of $10 TYR goggles with rubber (or is it silicone?) seals. Goggle recommendations can be a problem because what works well for someone may not work well for someone else. It's really all based on the shape of your eye sockets.

After struggling for some time with finding the right goggles, here are a few things I have learned:

1. There is no relationship between the price of goggles and how well they work. I went through several pairs of Barracuda goggles but couldn't get them to stop leaking. I wanted to believe that they were better because I paid so much for them. I thought it was the way I had them adjusted, but I was wrong. Though they are probably very good for some swimmers, they're not good for me.

2. The way a sample pair feels on your face in the store has very little relationship to how leak-proof they will be in the water.

3. Saliva is the best anti-fog treatment for your goggles. Better yet, it's free.

Here's what I did to find the perfect pair of goggles. I bought 3 different pairs of cheap goggles and tried all of them out. Once I found one I liked, I went back and bought 2 pairs of the same goggles, just in case they stopped making them later. Trial and error is the best test. Hope this helps.

No-foam "swedish" goggles for me. Wouldn't wear anything else. And they're dirt cheap. But they're not for everyone...

Here they are http://www.trisports.com/swedishgoggle.html

(NOT an endorsement for this site - I've never used it...)

I've done a lot of swimming with a lot of different goggles, and the swedish type are the only way to go if you don't like leaking. I'm currently using the TYR Socket Rocket 2 now and love it. I can easily bang out 1000 yards without any leaking, fogging, or adjusting.

Although the swedish type worked for you, they won't work for everyone, as H2OChick said. Certainly didn't work for me. After seeing Janet Evans sport these goggles years ago, I bought myself a pair. They leaked badly. I bought myself a different pair. They leaked also, but if I tightened them enough, it worked. The only problem was, if I used them for more than 5 minutes, my eyes felt like this:
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3...feldman6zh.jpg

I haven't bought another pair since.

I laughed so hard I think I woke up the baby!

Thanks for the tips.

Another vote for Aqua Sphere...I wear contacts and traditional goggles always made me feel like my lenses were about to pop out.

H20Chick made fun of me for my goggle choice last year :)

another vote aquasphere. I picked up the "Kaiman" last fall closeout for $12. I would pay 25 for them though.

Any other contact wearers out there? What is best goggle for contacts. Mine tend to get very dry when I am around alot of water (as in the pool or shower). I have been wearing some foam speedo goggles but never with my contacts. During a race I want to be able to wear my contacts and not worry about my eyes drying out during the run. Thanks.

What about prescription swim goggles? I have a friend that use them and he said they are fairly inexpensive. He then uses his prescription sunglasses for the rest of the race.

http://www.aquagoggles.com/index.asp

I went with the majority and picked up a pair of Kaiman at the local pool store. They were only $14. I liked the way they stayed sealed to my face without the strap. That was a good indication. Thanks for all the tips everyone.

I wear contacts. And you already know what kind of goggles I use! :) Incidentally, I also play water polo in my contacts (no goggles, obviously). In about 15 years I've only lost 2 contacts, I think (not like I'm playing that much anymore, however... ) If you open your eyes in the water, they kind of suck on there. I often have trouble with dryness afterward, but a little saline and some patience and it all works out.

Aqua Sphere goggles (not the mask). I've tried about 3-4 other types of goggles and all leaked within 5 seconds. I also tried the Aqua Sphere mask, but it leaked after about 20 minutes and just felt too wierd. I like the goggles enough that I have two extra pairs, one in an unopened pack.