Any swimmers here with goggle recommendations?

[mankini]

I am going to start swimming at the local ymca pool. I want to protect my eyes and a good pair of goggles that do not leak is what I am after. I know face anatomy plays a big role in leakage but some goggles are just prone to leaking.

I am thinking competition grade will be money well spent. Have there been any great advances in swimming goggles or materials used that I should be aware of? I remember using goggles with glued on foam around the eye cups that always leaded like crazy.

Within reason I don't care about cost, quality will usually drive the cost.

So how about it swimmers, what brands/models of swimming goggles should I be looking at?

[Howard Newell]

Aqua Sphere Kaiman goggles are very nice. I had a pair that I used everyday for the past three years until the chlorine made them inflexible and prone to leaking, but they were extremely comfortable and had good suction.

Don't think that you have to spend big bucks to get good goggles. I've seen a lot of people use Swedish goggles which cost all of $4, but anything that's comfortable and doesn't leak shouldn't cost more than $15 and should last you quite a while.

[liege]

My first response was to say "Goggle" it. I couldn't help myself. We've always bought the Speedo three-packs at Costco. They keep the water out of the eyes, come in cool colors, and when they eventually break, they're cheap to replace.

[Sullybob]

I have always had great results with Barracuda goggles. One thing that I really like about them is that you can custom fit the goggles to your face.

[Torcams]

I have swum competitively and for fitness for 20 years. I would not recommend "competition" goggles for recreational swimming.

Competition goggles are meant to reduce drag and are worn only for short periods. For recreational/fitness swimming you want goggles that will be comfortable. This means they will need to be foam lined. Speedo and TYR make nice goggles. You should be able to find some at a local sports store and try them on your face for fit.

One final note - get clear goggles if you will be swimming in an indoor pool and tinted goggles if outdoor.

[arghblech]

I recommend "swedish goggles" http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/1147.htm. Cheap and easy. Best goggles I ever used FULL STOP.

I swan competition for many years and these rule. I disagree that they are uncomfortable over long stretches of time. I was swimming 5 hours a day and they were still great.

Tip: If they pop off or roll on you when you dive in you can try scrunching your face a bit (like you smell something foul). See if that keeps them in place.

WARNING: Do not play water polo in these! You'll really hurt your eye socket when you take that skip shot in the face.

[ouch]

I have always had great results with Barracuda goggles. One thing that I really like about them is that you can custom fit the goggles to your face.

+1 on Barracudas.

[mankini]

Aqua Sphere Kaiman goggles are very nice. I had a pair that I used everyday for the past three years until the chlorine made them inflexible and prone to leaking, but they were extremely comfortable and had good suction.


The Kaimans look great.



...

WARNING: Do not play water polo in these! You'll really hurt your eye socket when you take that skip shot in the face.

Words of wisdom spoken from experience I assume!

[ace8104]

I currently have the Kaimans but my favs are the TYR Technoflex. Both are good for pools and open water, but like one person said clear for indoors and tinted for outside.

[Ernie]

I use Speedos. I don't know the exact model, but they're around $15 at the sports stores. They are comfortable, don't leak, and for a certain amount of time even offer fog protection. After two or three months (depending on use), the fog protection disappears and a new pair is in order. Still, at $15, I can afford to replace them.

[Howard Newell]

I use Speedos. I don't know the exact model, but they're around $15 at the sports stores. They are comfortable, don't leak, and for a certain amount of time even offer fog protection. After two or three months (depending on use), the fog protection disappears and a new pair is in order. Still, at $15, I can afford to replace them.

You really don't need to replace the goggles if the fog protection wears off. You can either use spit or a small bottle of anti-fogging liquid that costs less than the goggles.

[mankini]

I stopped by the local sporting goods store today to look at goggles. They stocked speedo, aqua shpere and tyr. The stock was pretty darn good with all the top models.

By far the best feeling softest goggles were the aqua spheres. I liked the look of the kaimans however they just had the ladies version which was a tad small on my face.

I am going to try and find them local before placing an order online.

[Sullybob]

I stopped by the local sporting goods store today to look at goggles. They stocked speedo, aqua shpere and tyr. The stock was pretty darn good with all the top models.

By far the best feeling softest goggles were the aqua spheres. I liked the look of the kaimans however they just had the ladies version which was a tad small on my face.

I am going to try and find them local before placing an order online.

Try and find some Barracudas locally to try on. You can customize them to your face. Also they dont rely on suction or pressure to keep water out so they don't hurt your face.

[arghblech]

Words of wisdom spoken from experience I assume!

Wasn't my eye socket but I warned him against it! I told that my skip shot was nasty!

[neilxvx]

I recommend "swedish goggles" http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/1147.htm. Cheap and easy. Best goggles I ever used FULL STOP.

I swan competition for many years and these rule. I disagree that they are uncomfortable over long stretches of time. I was swimming 5 hours a day and they were still great.

Tip: If they pop off or roll on you when you dive in you can try scrunching your face a bit (like you smell something foul). See if that keeps them in place.

WARNING: Do not play water polo in these! You'll really hurt your eye socket when you take that skip shot in the face.


+1000

I was a swimmer for 8 years and used swedes all 8 of them. They're cheap, and they work great. I have about 10 pairs still.

Edit: There is a method and technique to wearing swedes. They come in a package of all the materials, disassembled. You basically get to assemble the goggles however you like. When you're done, and before you put them on to use, you have to twist the goggles. This tightens the bridge, and acts as kind of a vacuum to suck them into your eye sockets. You will have to play around with them to learn what fits you best. Swedes are kind of the Safety Razor of the goggle world. They take more time and care, but they are worth it if you don't mind it.

[hifigeezer]

+1 on Barracudas.

+1 on +1.

I read about a back doctor who switched to using a snorkel to get away from all the twisting involved in crawl stroke. I have done the same and have fewer strains.