Make sure you have the best visibility when in the water with a set of tried-and-tested swim goggles. Your goggles are your portal on the world when you swim, so much as you wouldn’t skimp on sunglasses for riding and running, don’t skimp on your goggles. Technology has moved on loads in recent years, so there’s no need to settle for leaky, ill-fitting or foggy goggles.
Swim goggles can often be a bit of an afterthought for triathletes. Firstly, think about your face shape and which kind of goggles you find comfortable. A set of goggles that fit you well should suction to your face without needing to use the head strap at all (that is there for added security), so when shopping around, try and attach the goggles to your face without the strap and see if you can achieve a good seal!
Updated information about the tester of these swim goggles and updated the header image to a selection of our fully original imagery, taken by the tester herself.
Here the black and silver mirrored option is pretty simple, but there are other white/purple or white/amber options available online which feel a bit more modern. Into the water and these fit as you would expect a classic pair of pool goggles to fit. Close to the socket with a good seal (which I can vouch for after a clumsy dive start in a race in these!), low profile gaskets and a dual strap with single clip.
Swimming goggles can often be a bit of an afterthought for triathletes. Popular swim brands include Zoggs, Aquasphere, Maru and Speedo. Getting the right pair of goggles can boost your confidence and drastically improve your swim.
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How to Choose Swimming Goggles?
We took the time to test and rate six different goggles with an exhaustive eight-point system and teased out details about fit, comfort, clarity, warranty, return policies, and more. Frankly, you can’t go wrong with any of these choices. It’s just a matter of choosing which attributes are most important to you.
Lead tester Pam LeBlanc brings more than 40 years of swimming experience to this guide. Although she has spent hours logging miles in a chlorinated lap pool, she loves wild swimming in rivers, oceans, and ponds. She has competed in sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. Her main quest has always been to find goggles that she doesn’t notice.
Key Considerations When Buying Swim Goggles
So what matters when it comes to buying triathlon goggles? It’s also important to note that there might not be one particular swim goggle for the many things you do as a triathlete.
There are three main goggle lens styles: clear, mirrored, and polarized. Clear lenses are optimal for swimming indoors while mirrored lenses are designed to reflect light and are optimal for bright outdoor conditions. Other colored lenses are available, and they aren’t just for show. An orange lens, for example, can offer more contrast. Smoke lenses, or darkened clear lenses (think sunglasses) are ideal for bright indoor pools but not dimly lit areas.
The most critical feature of any pair of swim goggles is the eye gasket. Eye gaskets play a critical role by helping them mold to your face so water stays out and you stay comfy. It may take some time to find the goggles and eye gaskets that conform best to your unique face shape. If you can’t find off-the-rack goggles that work for you, consider spending the money to make custom-fit Magic 5 goggles based on scans you take with your smartphone.
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Next, think about how big you want your lenses to be, as this will have a bearing on visibility, as well as the type of lens tint you are looking for (more on this later on). The next feature to look at is the type of strap. Think too about how easily you would like your goggles to be to adjust as well.
Here are some general guidelines:
- Hydrodynamics? If you’re chasing hundredths of seconds and trying to hit the Olympic qualifier in the 100m free, yes, you need a “fast” goggle. But don’t forget in tri, we have to sight to finish a race, and this is about the least hydrodynamic thing you could do.
- Have a backup. Once you find the right fit, buy another pair of the same goggle. Ideally, the second pair would be darkly tinted if the first pair is light or colored, but either way, there is nothing more debilitating on race morning than a goggle issue or the wrong color lens. I always have at least two pairs for different conditions on race morning, and I’m always glad I do. And it’s not just me.
- Clarity is key. Trust me, you need to be able to see clearly for that split second you lift your head up to sight. Or, you might need to be able to see another swimmer barreling toward you out of the corner of your eye.
Pool vs. Open Water Goggles
What’s the difference between pool and open-water goggles? Pool goggles differ from open-water goggles in that they’re traditionally smaller, less mask-like and offer less peripheral vision. This means stronger swimmers can scout out their opposition and less experienced swimmers and those sharing public lanes can swim with more confidence thanks to wider, curved lenses.
Pool swimming goggles are often more simple in terms of the technology. The tint on your pool goggles will usually be one that’s appropriate for bright indoor lighting. They may be clear or have a light grey or blue tint.
Open-water goggles differ from pool goggles in that they are usually larger to improve the field of visibility in open water. We also like photochromatic lenses, which change colour (much like the same lenses in sunglasses) in bright sunlight.
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Top Swim Goggles for Men: A Detailed Look
In recent years, some major advances have been made in goggles too. TheMagic5 are offering goggles that are made-to-measure based on a scan of your face via an app. Then there’s FORM developing training goggles with a digital screen in one lens to guide you through training sessions and give you feedback on your swimming.
Here’s a review of some of the best swim goggles available today:
- TheMagic5: The uniqueness of TheMagic5 stems from its made-to-measure approach and with a wide range of tints available, there is a pair to suit every type of swimming venue, which is why they’re awarded our ‘best overall’ accolade from all the goggles tested. The app can then send this info to the lab, where your goggles will be made exactly to suit the dimensions of your face and eye sockets.
- Tri-Fit Propel: The Tri-Fit Propel swim goggles are a sleek, high-performing option that impressed from the start. With a stylish design and extended cat-eye lenses, they offer great peripheral vision and a secure, comfortable fit.
- Huub Eternal: Huub describe this as an ‘all-round race goggle that swimmers and athletes could use in the pool or open water’ and that rings true thanks to the sleek looks and low-profile design. Thanks to this, I found the Eternals some of the best options for triathlon swimming goggles that I’ve come across.
- Form Smart Swim 2: Form’s Smart Swim 2 goggles are a potential game changer for people looking for help with their swimming. Vitally, they also perform well as goggles, proving comfortable and fitting well.
- Orca Killa Comfort: I’ve used the Orca Killa 180° goggles for a while now and this Killa Comfort model are like the bigger brother with a similarly wide, soft gasket and comfortable feel. In fact, they’re one of the most comfortable goggles I’ve tested.
- Aquasphere Defy.Ultra: At $129.99/£115, the Aquasphere Defy.Ultra is no ordinary swim mask, it’s more like Oakleys for open-water swimming. Tested in lakes, seas, and sunshine, its visibility in various conditions was unmatched, and the mirrored lens reduced glare while enhancing colours.
- Zone3 Venator-X: The Zone3 Venator-X goggles, though not new to the market, offer a compelling blend of comfort, style, and performance for swimmers. Adjustment is simple via subtle side clips, and a wide, split strap with rubber dots ensures they stay put during swims.
- Tri-Fit Volt: New from tri specialists Tri-fit are the Volt goggles. I loved how these felt on and thanks to the coatings on the lenses I didn’t experience any fogging and the fit was great with no leaks at all.
- Zoggs Spectra: The Spectra is new from swim powerhouse Zoggs and comes in a range of tints. Zoggs have created a goggle which is very comfortable and has a superb range of vision.
- Speedo Speed Socket: The Speedsocket has been around for a while, but has been updated for this year to make it part of the ‘Fastskin’ range, which means an elongated side to the lenses and a sleeker, more low-profile look.
- Speedo: Glance down this page and the Speedos instantly jump out with their bright colours and colourful mirrored lenses. Adjustment is via an unusual one-piece strap with marked adjuster, which was a little touch of genius as well as splitting into two and being very secure throughout our swim.
- Zone3 Vapour: The Zone3 Vapour goggles stand out with bold styling and strong performance, featuring large, curved polarised lenses that offer excellent clarity and wide field of vision that’s ideal for spotting markers in open-water races.
- Tri-Fit Rapid-X: These Tri-Fit Rapid-X goggles are a sleek new entry from a brand known for top tri-suits. The slightly darker tint works well outdoors, offering UV protection without compromising visibility, even on cloudy days.
- Huub Lurz: The Huub Lurz goggles, named after Olympic open-water medalist Thomas Lurz, are designed for speed and race performance. The mirrored lenses offer excellent visibility and glare reduction in bright light.
- Zone3 Volare: The Zone3 Volare goggles offer a sleek, race-ready design that’s stood the test of time and remains a popular choice in the pool. With a low-profile fit, mirrored lenses, and ultra-soft silicone gaskets, they balance performance with comfort across pool and open water.
Additional Goggle Options
Here are some other options to consider:
- Speedo Vanquishers 2.0: The Speedo Vanquishers 2.0 are the best all-around swim goggles on the market, with tons of color/tint options, adult, junior, women’s, and even prescription versions, and a comfortable and leak-free fit.
- Aquasphere Kayenne: The Aqua Sphere Kayennes checks all of those boxes and more. The Kayennes have exceptionally long-lasting anti-fog, ideal for those long outdoor and open water swims.
- Arena Cobra Tri Swipe: The Arena Cobra Tri Swipe is the best goggle for open water swimmers and triathletes looking to go fast on race day. Like it’s pool cousin, the Arena Cobra Tri Swipe Goggles feature an industry-leading anti-fog technology that “resets” each time you gently wipe the inside of the goggle lens with your finger.
Caring for Your Swim Goggles
Simply rinse them with clean water after each use. Make sure you leave the goggles out to dry. Masters Swimming recommends: Get a bit of saliva and rub it on the inside of your goggles.
Tips for Choosing the Right Goggles
- Consider the Fit: The best swim goggles for racing are the ones that fit and feel the best for your facial structure. What the swimmer in the lane next to you is wearing might not work well for you, and vice versa.
- Lens Type Matters: As Speedo explains, clear lenses are optimal for swimming indoors while mirrored lenses are designed to reflect light and are optimal for bright outdoor conditions.
- Anti-Fog Coating: Foggy goggles can slow down any swimmer. If you can’t see where you’re going, you can’t get in a good workout. The coating on some goggles wears off after a few uses, but goggles like the Arena Cobra Mirror Ultra Swipe are designed to reactivate that technology with the swipe of a finger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it more aerodynamic to wear goggles under or over a swim cap?
If you’re racing, it’s more aerodynamic to wear goggles under your swim cap, as they’re less likely to get pulled off (important if you’re in a mass start swim).
Can you get prescription swim goggles?
Yes, you can absolutely get prescription swim goggles, though your options will be more limited. The Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Optical Google is the perfect goggle for swimmers who don’t want to wear contacts at the pool and want a prescription goggle that gives them clear vision in the pool. Even though the Vanquisher Optical Goggles have corrective lenses, they are priced almost exactly the same as the regular Vanquishers.
How do I keep my goggles in place?
The faster or more aggressively you swim (for instance, if you dive off the blocks versus simply pushing off the wall), the more difficult it will be to keep them in place.
What goggles do Olympians use?
There are no specific “swim goggles of Olympians,” unfortunately. Each swimmer has to find the goggles that work best for them. Michael Phelps reportedly wore Speedo Speed Sockets for the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and raced in his namesake MP XCEED swimming goggles from his sponsor Aqua Sphere in 2016. Caeleb Dressel lit up the Tokyo Olympics wearing the Speedo Speed Sockets 2.0. Katie Ledecky rocked Speedo goggles for a few years before signing on with TYR.