swimming goggles - Triathlon

skipp

02/10/2003 at 11:13

I used to do a lot of swimming as a kid and would like to get back into it. Problem is that now I wear contacts so need a good pair of swimming goggles, only every time I get some, they never seem to work properly and water gets in. Anyone know where i can go where the staff actually know what they are talking about, and can help me find a pair that fit my face properly.

02/10/2003 at 11:16

I think it's just trial and error skipp.

Everyone's face/head shape is different, so you need to try them on until you get a good seal.

Have you tried those with prescription lenses?

skipp

02/10/2003 at 11:18

No I haven't Juliejoo, are they really expensive? I wouldn't even know where to go to get some, do you use them?

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

02/10/2003 at 11:24

they're cheap.... not the best design often.. try vision express or similar.. they have standard 0.5increment lenses.

always try goggles in the shop... see if they're comfy round ur eyes... and that you can get a bit of suction even on dry skin...
says me who's only ever owned 3 pairs of goggles. :)

moosey

02/10/2003 at 11:26

skipp, i wear contacts and have no probs with goggles.

basically, i find if i go to a sports shop, put the eye bits on, but not the strap over your head, and just feel for comfort. When you wear them the strap should be tight enough (but not cut the circulation off to your face) to hold a good seal, but as Jj says, it is to some extent trial and error. I get on well with most speedo styles, and always buy a pair with adjustable noe bit, although other people find the all in one moulded silicone ones best.

Prescription goggles are expensive, and if you're as blind as i am then you a) can't see the changing rooms when you take them off after your session, and b) can't take them off to do kick drills etc.

moosey

02/10/2003 at 11:26

(maybe i found prescrip goggs expensive due to slight astigmatism

02/10/2003 at 11:29

i don't skipp, but know people who do.

Quick phone call to mate says some pretty strong ones from a high street optician (Optika) cost £30.

02/10/2003 at 11:29

no astigmatism

skipp

02/10/2003 at 11:31

Thanks Moosey, although I am preety blind as well. I have tried a couple of pairs of speedo ones and although they feel comfortable enough when trying them on, water always seems to seep through around the bottom, and i don't think i have the strap too loose, so i always end up taking them off. I would like to go somewhere where the staff actually swim themselves and can help me, but wherever i have asked, the goggles are always packaged so you are unable to try them on.

skipp

02/10/2003 at 11:32

That amazes me JJ, maybe i shall give that a go. How can optical stores charge that for swimming goggles, when they manage to charge me £150 for lenses only, without even the frames. My eyes are that bad compared to other peoples and i have no astigmatism!

moosey

02/10/2003 at 12:07

maybe you could save money by wearing goggles instead of lenses?

skipp, see if lifeguards at your pool will let you experiment with goggles left behind in lost property, i'm sure they will if you explain that you are trying to find a good fit.

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

02/10/2003 at 12:41

they're cheap cos they're standard lenses to the nearest 0.5 of a thingy.

don't wear glasses or anything but i stole my wife's prescription and got her some :)

LizzyB

02/10/2003 at 15:18

I've always had the leaky goggle thing, even with really expensive goggles, but hubby has just bought some Speedo goggles which came with a choice of nose pieces - you just play around with them until you find the one that fits best. As a result, his goggles let no water in at all.

He doesn't wear lenses though, so they're wasted on him :(

Nessie

02/10/2003 at 15:26

I wear contact lenses, but as they are the daily disposable ones, a little chlorine doesn't matter, because they're getting chicked away anyway. I do take my specs in my kitbag to the pool, in case the lenses feel irritated afterwards, but I've never had to use them.

I've never lost a lens, even swimming without goggles (although I do tend to do the screwed up eye thing with no goggles).

I have adidas goggles now, and they have been pretty good so far.

skipp

02/10/2003 at 15:33

Thanks Lizzy, Im gonna get a pair of those.

skipp

02/10/2003 at 15:37

Nessie, mine are dailys as well, but i always manage to lose one in the pool, and have to find my way home with only one eye. Where did you get the adidas ones from? Do you fins them better then speedo ones?

james horan

02/10/2003 at 15:52

Have you tried the "large" goggles that seal onto your face rather than around the eye socket - look a bit like a divers mask.

Not as sexy or streamlined as normal goggles but seem to do the trick.

See www.triuk.com

Little fat Welshman

02/10/2003 at 16:24

This might sound a little cock-eyed (excuse pun) but often the leaking is a result of having them on too tight. You mention above that your goggles are not "too loose" - perhaps conversely they might be too tight.
I wear contact lenses I understand exactly where you are coming from - and the above is how I over come the irritation of leaking. I tend to lose goggles at a rate of a pair every 3 months or so and I find Speedo the best.

03/10/2003 at 08:44

I have tried almost every style and shape of regular goggles and just can't find ones I can wear contacts with without some water getting in. I know use one of the larger style ones like mini diving masks - absolutely no leakage. You should really give them a go. Try the Tri UK web-site. Adidas also do a version of it that is available in a lot of the mainstream "sports" shops

Nessie

03/10/2003 at 11:45

Skip, I got the Adidad ones from *gasp* JJB. The model is (for reasons best know to Adidas) "Missionary", and they are black with dark tinted lenses. I've had them for ages and rarely leak (i.e. only when I've put them on in a hurry).

I find Speedo ones leave me with Panda eyes, probably because I seem to have to put them on really tight to get them to seal. The Adidas feel much more comfortable.