Time for new goggles? We’ve got you covered!
The first thing when picking out a new pair of swim goggles is to try them on, so the best thing to do is to head to your nearest Playtri store and try on goggles from different brands and models. The goal in this step of the process is comfort and fit - every athlete will prefer a slightly different shape and positioning. When you try on each pair, consider the following:
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How do the goggles feel? Can you imagine wearing them for a long period of time? The longer you wear an uncomfortable pair of goggles, the more uncomfortable they become. So make sure they are comfortable!
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Do the goggles suction to you face without the straps? If they don’t suction, then they can easily leak or fall off. Make sure there are no gaps in the gasket where the goggle touch your face.
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Do you prefer goggles that fit into your eye socket or go around your eye socket? Some goggles that fit into your eye socket do not have rubber gaskets to create suction. If this is the case, try them on with the strap.
Outside comfort and fit, there are a few other things to consider, such as drag profile, lens type, and smart goggles.
For competitive swimming, such as in triathlon, it is important to think about the drag profile of the goggle while you are swimming. Ideally, your perfectly comfortable and fitted goggles would have a slim profile. This slim profile reduces drag in the water, but also keeps them close to your face when you dive in, jump in, or flip turn in the water.
Smart goggles are amazing tools for swimming. Smart goggles from FORM or Finis that give you a heads up display of swim metrics are great for training and racing. Having used these goggles for much of my recent Ironman training, I highly recommend them as long as they are comfortable and fit properly.
Also, the type of lens you use is dependent upon the environment you are swimming in and unique needs of your eyes. Here are a few common lens types and the environment they are good for.
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Clear & light colored lenses — these are best for indoor or early morning outdoor swims when the sun isn’t as bright. Clear lenses let in the most light, while orange lenses will enhance visibility by making everything appear brighter. These do not work well in bright conditions.
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Metallic lenses — metallic or mirrored lenses are best suited for outdoor swimming. If you do open water swimming in bright conditions with sun glare on the water, then these are a good choice. Likewise, these are excellent for outdoor pool swims during the sunny hours, especially if you do backstroke during your swim workout.
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Dark lenses — these lenses are very versatile. Black or blue lenses are good options here. Although they don’t block the sun as well as metallic lenses, they are fine for cloudy days and indoor pools that are well lit.
Lastly, once you find a pair of goggles that fit your face, are comfortable, and address your needs, buy multiple pairs. It is always good to have at least 2-3 pair of goggles in your swim and race bag so you have back ups just in case your favorite pair breaks.
To see what goggles we currently carry at Playtri, follow this link: https://playtristore.com/collections/swim-1?pf_t_swim_type=Swim+Type_Goggles. And if you have any questions about anything in this article or are interested in learning about different coaching options, please reach out to me at jim.rowe@playtri.com. Happy training and racing this year!
Jim Rowe is a Playtri Level 4 Coach and the Playtri Coach Education Lead, a USAT LI Certified Coach, an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and an Ironman and 70.3 World Championship Qualifier who works with adult athletes of all abilities from beginners to IRONMAN World Championship qualifiers. Learn more about Jim at www.playtri.com/jim-rowe.