As a triathlete, you will need to wear swim goggles to have a clear vision underwater and to protect your eyes from irritants. I have tested several models, but no one guarantees comfort and a clearer view when swimming than the Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swim Goggles. It is one of the best goggles for triathletes that offers a friendly fit strap system and UV protection from the sun.
Swim goggles are essential for every triathlete, no matter which water body you are training. No wonder authorities insist that every swimmer should have at least one of the best swimming goggles for outdoor swimming.
Although the swim goggles are only one of the numerous equipment for a triathlon, it can determine your laps’ outcome. So, every triathlete must strive to have the best one on the market to enable better freestyling and breaststrokes when swimming.
I have drawn up a list of the best swim goggles in the market. Also, I provided buyers guide to help you make an informed buy. Here’s a review of the best goggles for triathletes.
Best Anti-UV Swim Goggles – Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swim Goggles
Enhance your vision and performance with Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swim Goggles, designed with an expanded plexisol lens for clear vision. It features an adjustable quick-fit buckle and a comfortable silicone strap for a classic fit. To also enhance the fitness further, the Aqua sphere added a stabilizing nose bridge as part of an advanced fit technology.
With this goggle, you can see as wide as 180-degrees from your vantage point thanks to the goggle’s outstanding curved lens. The design offers the best possible visibility, vision scope, and top-notch hydrodynamics.
Furthermore, the Aqua sphere designed this goggle with optimum comfort and functionality by providing UV and anti-fog features. They come with maximum Ultraviolet ray protection (Alpha and Beta). Also, they are scratch-resistant and does not allow the creation of fog on the glasses.
What’s more, the goggle has enhanced color that screens out horizontal sun rays and removes its glare from water surfaces. This polarizing feature makes it one of the best goggles for outdoor swimming.
Drawbacks
This Aqua sphere goggles review won’t be complete if I don’t mention its downsides. The most annoying thing about this goggle is the distorted vision I experienced due to the polarized glass. Then, the silicone was too tight and irritating to the skin around my eye when I tried adjusting it. And lastly, I felt some leakages when I moved the nose bridge a little bit up.
Best Swim Goggles for Adult and Teenagers: Aegend Swim Goggles
The Aegend Swim Goggles is a fantastic pair of goggles that every triathlete should add to their gears. It promises features that will rival even the best Aqua Sphere goggles. For one, the design of the Aegend Swim Goggles feels comfortable on the skin underwater. It boasts of a flexible silicone frame and nosepiece that keeps your eye skin free from bruises. Moreover, it can fit any facial form without water seeping through the edges.
As a triathlete, you will need a swim goggle that allows you to have a clear view underwater. For this reason, the Aegend swim goggles have coated lenses that keep fog and sunlight from blocking your vision. Since they are also polycarbonate, they can withstand irritants like saltwater or chlorine.
Overall, if you are a beginner cyclist that has gotten the best road bike for a triathlon, you can add the Aegend swim goggles to your gear for optimum performance when swimming.
Drawbacks
The bevels at the edge of the lens tend to create interference. Due to this design flaw, the goggles can affect your peripheral vision and your performance when swimming.
Another downside is that it does not suit people with much hair or big heads. If you fall within this category of swimmers, you will have to settle for other goggles.
Best Unisex Swim Goggles – Speedo Unisex Adult Swim Goggles
You will enjoy 25% more peripheral vision with Speedo Unisex Adult Swim Goggles. Also, no worries about unclear vision due to fogging as its excellent anti-fog coating help prevent the condensation around the glass. It also features a two-tone double head strap with an ergonomic adjustable clip for a comfortable fit on everyone.
The Speedo Swim goggles come with four interchangeable nose pieces to erase the discomfort of a small nose bridge. Also, it hinders the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays from causing eye irritations. And then, the mirrored lens removes the sun’s glare that hits the water surface to improve vision further.
What’s more, you can also boost your confidence in competition with speedo goggles’ snug and sleek precision fit. The gasket clamps in the eye socket, enhancing the vision of all corners of the water as you strike against the tide.
Drawbacks
The nose bridge is not as durable as it breaks down after a few swims. After swapping out a few nose pieces, I have concluded that they dig into your nose, and it hurts. They offer limited vision underwater since its lenses are not curved but mirrored.
Best Goggles for Professional Swimmers: TYR Sport Special Ops 2.0 Polarized Swimming Goggle
Unlike most swimming goggles on the market, the TYR Sport Special Ops 2.0 is designed for professional swimmers, making it ideal a choice for triathletes. It features a pair of factory coated lenses. Since the coating includes Anti-fog treatment, it keeps your sight clear during swims.
When it comes to comfort, these TYR goggles are one of the best triathlon goggles available. It has a Durable silicone gasket that keeps moisture out while fitting your face’s shape.
Drawbacks
Although it is one of the best Tyr goggles on the market, it has some downsides that might make you consider other options. For one, the strap on goggles comes from cheap plastic, and it feels tight against your head. As for the nose bridge, it is too broad and non-adjustable.
Apart from the above issues, the polarized lenses in this Tyr goggles review cannot withstand regular cleaning. Within a few months, the coating comes off. Above all, they are too dark for indoor swimming practice.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best Goggles for Triathletes
Before shopping for a swimming goggle, there are some essential things to consider. Here are some of them:
Type (Open Water Goggles or Pool Goggles)
One difference between open water goggles and pool goggles is that while the former is bigger, the latter perfectly fits the eye. However, the size of the open water eye guard is to enhance visibility underwater. That’s why they come with a maximum vision design that aids a winder vision.
They also have wider and curved lenses attached to rubber gaskets for clear sight on incoming elements.
Ultra-Violet Protection
Although this feature is a no brainer for best swim goggles, it wouldn’t hurt to double-check. It doesn’t matter if you’re training for a race or just having the time of your life on open water, UV guard is essential for you. It protects your eye and underwater vision from sun ray that pierces through the surface of the water.
Type of Lens
Triathletes prefer wide and curved lenses as it enables them to see everything or corner that surrounds them. Nevertheless, some of them still choose a lens that provides a limited line of sight to help them concentrate on their lane.
Also, the material of the lens is as important as its scope of vision. High-quality plastic and polycarbonate are the two most suitable materials used for swim goggles. Plastic lenses are also great since they are scratch-resistant and lightweight, but they don’t protect you from UV rays.
On the other hand, polycarbonate lenses offer much better vision and protection. Not only are they durable and lighter, but they also come in many pleasant shades.
Type of Frame
As with the lens, swim goggles also have different types of frames. However, the popular ones include Swedish glasses, swimming masks, and classic gasket goggles.
Among the three, the well-known one is the classic gasket goggles. Its oval-shaped eye guard offers suction due to the silicone material on its edges. But try to keep this silicone material clean as it could cause irritations in the eyes. Also, ensure that anyone you pick sticks to your face to avoid losing them underwater.
However, the Swedish goggles are suitable for competitions. Although they don’t provide the suction of gasket goggles, they attach well to the eye socket due to their unique design. This design makes it grip the orbital bone, often causing discomfort for the swimmers.
Nonetheless, they are the best for triathlon because they create lesser drag underwater. So, while you train with gasket goggle, you are in an advantageous position with the Swedish frame in any race.
The third type of frame is the swimming mask. Most triathletes avoid this goggle because it’s too large for training and causes too much drag in the water, making it unfit for competition. However, it’s a go-to eye goggle for recreational swimmers and children as its design allows an expanded vision.
Finally, whichever type of frame you prefer, always be willing to try out other varieties. After all, you never know what will give you the perfect fit, although you shouldn’t sacrifice your comfort for anything. If you feel good wearing a goggle, then you’re sure to have a good swim.
Color of the Lens
The color of the lens plays a significant role in making you feel comfortable. Popular lens colors include tinted, polarized, mirrored, clear, and prescription.
However, clear lenses are the standard options for swimming. Since they are colorless, you get more light and see clearly. This feature makes them suitable for only indoor swimming.
For open water, polarized swim goggles work perfectly. They feature a coating that reduces the glare that can make you feel uncomfortable. Because of this quality, the best glasses for outdoor swimming use polarized lenses.
Straps
Swim goggles come with different types of straps. For instance, you can get a model that uses a single strap or split straps. If you are looking for the best goggles for triathletes, go for one that feels comfortable on your face.
You can try the models with split straps for divided pressure. If you want one that will sit perfectly on your face, double strapped goggles will do nicely. To enjoy more comfort and durability, make sure your preferred goggles have adjustable straps.
Anti-Fog Coating
Fog is another issue that disturbs professional swimmers. This problem occurs from cold water and your skin. But with premium anti-fog coating, you can deal with this problem.
Companies prevent the buildup of condensation by covering the lenses with anti-fog coating. It is advisable not to touch or wipe this material as any contact could damage the lens’s clarity.
So, go for a model that has a fog-resistant layer. If you can’t find one, get an anti-fog spray and apply it to the lenses. You can test the quality of the anti-fog coating in a cold water shower or pool.
Final Words on the Best Goggles for Triathletes
Whether for practice, competition, or recreation underwater, getting the best swim goggles are essential for triathletes to have a good swim. They protect your eye from UV and water irritants. They also give a clearer underwater vision.
You can pick one from the top four best goggles for triathletes mentioned above since they guarantee a classic fit and comfort. If you are confused about which one to choose, I recommend the Aqua Sphere Kayenne swim goggles. This goggle offers great features for optimum comfort, classic fit to your face, and best possible visibility underwater.
