Smart Triathlete

Best triathlon goggles

Which triathlon goggles should I buy? What do you need to look for in a set of goggles for triathlon? Find out in our buyer’s guide.

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What are the best triathlon goggles?

Triathlon goggles are different from regular goggles in that they are usually designed for open-water swimming. In a pool, the water is calm and it is easy to see where you are going. By contrast, open-water is often murky and you have to deal with different light conditions.

Triathlon goggles come with a variety of lens options, including tinted and polarized, to suit any swimming environment. They also have larger lenses to improve your range of vision. This is crucial in allowing you to accurately sight when you lift your head. Furthermore, triathlon goggles often feature a more durable and comfortable strap to withstand harsher conditions.

If you only ever swim in a pool, any goggles that fit you well will be suitable. However, if you have entered a race with an open-water swim, you will need triathlon-specific goggles.

Although they are one of the cheaper items you need for a triathlon, a good pair of goggles is essential if you want to be comfortable during the swim. You don’t want to start a race and realize you can’t even see where you are going.

What to look for in triathlon goggles

Fit

Goggles are useless if they do not fit your face well. As everyone is slightly different, the best triathlon goggles for one person might not be suitable for someone else. The best goggles should provide good suction and a comfortable, even pressure around the eyes. You may need to use a trial and error approach to find the right goggles for you.

Durability

You don’t want your goggles to break in half or rip around the eye seal. Low-quality goggles will wear out faster and be more susceptible to leaks. Great goggles are long-lasting and use scratch-resistant lenses.

Lens Size

A good pair of triathlon goggles will have lenses that are large enough to allow you to see well in open-water. Good sighting will mean that you swim as short a distance as possible during a race. If you cannot see well you may end up zig-zagging through the course and adding extra distance. You also need to be able to see competitors next to you to avoid any collisions and make the most of drafting.

Lens type

You will need to choose the right lens to suit the conditions you will be swimming in. Clear lenses let in the maximum amount of light, whereas polarized lenses can filter the intense glare from light reflecting off the water. Mirrored lenses work well on bright days, while smoke lenses are better on overcast days. For most triathletes, polarized lenses are the best choice as they are adaptable to different lighting conditions. Some retailers also offer prescription lenses for people who prefer not to wear contact lenses while swimming.

Fog protection

Most people have experienced the frustration of your goggles fogging up mid-swim. This condensation forms when warm air from your face meets the cool lenses. To avoid this issue, choose goggles with an anti-fog coating. However, this protection can wear out over time, so try not to rub the inside of your lenses. You can purchase anti-fog spray to use when the coating has worn off.

Best triathlon goggles

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Aquasphere Kayenne

Best triathlon goggles

Summary

These goggles are very popular with triathletes as they are high quality and affordable. They tick all of the boxes of things to look for in the best triathlon goggles.

Durability

The silicone strap is comfortable, durable, and can be easily adjusted. If you are not happy with the fit, you can use the buckle to change the size while wearing the goggles. They come in a plastic box, which should protect them from damage in your kit bag.

Lens size

The large, slightly curved lenses offer a wide 180-degree view that makes sighting easy. They also offer 100% UVA/UVB protection to make sure your eyes are not damaged.

Lens type

They come in a wide variety of lens options, such as clear, mirrored, smoke, and polarized, so you can choose your preferred style. The polarized lenses are more expensive but are more effective at blocking light than the other lenses.

Fog protection

The lenses do come with fog protection, but some people do have issues with them fogging up. The fog protection does degrade over time, especially if you wipe the lenses too much.

Pros

Cons

Roka R1

Best triathlon goggles for speed

Summary

The Roka R1 goggles suit a triathlete who wants a fast and streamlined goggle that allows for easy sighting while open-water swimming.

Durability

These goggles come with anti-scratch lenses and a strong silicone strap to make sure they last a long time. A microfiber bag is provided to protect them from scratches, but you may want to use a solid case too.

Lens size

The Roka R1 is more similar in design to pool goggles, with a light and hydrodynamic design. However, they offer great visibility due to the minimalist design around the top of the lens. This makes these goggles perfect for triathletes who prioritize speed.

Lens type

There are a variety of lens options with these goggles, although they do not offer polarized lenses. They have a dozen color options, allowing you to choose the right tint for the conditions you swim in.

Fog protection

The anti-fog coating is effective in keeping fog away, but as with all goggles, this doesn’t last forever. However, it is superior to most other brands in this department.

Pros

Cons

Zoggs Predator Flex

Best triathlon goggles for comfort

Summary

A comfortable set of goggles with a variety of lens options depending on your budget, including lenses that adapt to the current light conditions.

Durability

High-quality silicone makes the strap durable and comfortable. The gasket is also designed to reduce pressure around the eye socket and improve comfort. A soft carry case is included to protect the goggles.

Lens size

The lenses are curved to offer 180-degree peripheral vision, which makes it easy to spot swimmers either side of you. The UV protection blocks over 99% of the sun’s harmful rays.

Lens type

There is a range of lens options with the Predator Flex. The most expensive are the Titanium Reactor Goggles, which become tinted in bright conditions but remain clear in low lighting. This makes them ideal for both pool and open-water swimming. The polarized lenses are cheaper, however, and work well in a range of light conditions.

Fog protection

As with most goggles, these come with ‘fogbuster’ anti-fog lenses, but users have mixed results. For some, the fog protection works perfectly, whereas others experience fogging up on their first swim.

Pros

Cons

Speedo Futura Biofuse

Best triathlon goggles for anti-fog

Summary

These polarized goggles are ideal for open-water and have superior anti-fog protection that is embedded in the lenses.

Durability

Speedo focused on making these goggles as comfortable as possible. The durable inner frame is encased in a soft gel, which makes the seals more comfortable than traditional goggles.

Lens size

The lenses are large and curved to maximize your peripheral vision. The goggles stretch to the contours of your face, making them comfortable and leak proof. However, some people find the nose bridge too hard and uncomfortable.

Lens type

The polarized lenses are excellent at blocking bright light, making these goggles ideal for triathlon. However, if you swim mostly indoors, you can choose from clear or blue lenses also.

Fog protection

Speedo’s lenses are impregnated, rather than coated, in an anti-fog solution. They say this means the protection will not wear away, but that only applies if you treat the goggles with care. Most people do not experience fogging up with these goggles.

Pros

Cons

Orca Killa 180

Best triathlon goggles for visibility

Summary

Very comfortable goggles with lenses that offer a wide view and fantastic anti-fog protection. Mirrored lenses look great and block out bright light.

Durability

These are high-quality goggles with a sturdy and ergonomic design. The silicone head strap can be easily adjusted using the buckle. They are a wide fit, so might not suit those with a smaller head.

Lens size

As the name suggests, these goggles provide 180 degrees of visibility, making it easy to see in open-water. The silicone gasket is 3D printed, which prevents leaks and reduces pressure around the eyes.

Lens type

You can choose from clear, blue, or mirrored lenses. The latter will be the best at helping you cope with bright conditions. All the lenses provide protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Fog protection

The Orca Killa goggles come with an anti-fog lens coating that lasts longer than many other goggles. You will be unlikely to experience any fogging up with these goggles.

Pros

Cons

TYR Nest Pro

Best budget triathlon goggles

Summary

These are the cheapest goggles on the list, so are ideal if you are on a budget or want multiple pairs. The lenses aren't polarized, but they are very comfortable and durable.

Durability

The Nest Pros have a highly durable construction so will easily handle being knocked around in your kit bag. The strap is made with varied tensile strength, meaning it is less likely to snap when you pull it over your head.

Lens size

These are wide goggles with a large peripheral range, allowing you to sight well. The lenses also offer full UVA and UVB sun protection. The nose bridge is comfortable and should fit a variety of face shapes.

Lens type

As a cheaper set of goggles, the Nest Pro does not come with polarized lenses. The smoke lenses should block some of the light from swimming outdoors, but will not be as effective at blocking glare from the surface of the water. You can also choose from clear or blue lenses.

Fog protection

The anti-fog treatment is embedded in the goggles so you won’t have to keep applying anti-fog spray. However, as with most goggles, some people do experience fog during longer swims.

Pros

Cons

Recommendations

Ultimately, the best triathlon goggles for one triathlete may not be a good fit for another. You may need to try a few pairs before you find a pair that is perfect for you. Once you do, it may be worth buying multiple pairs with different lenses, so you are prepared for any conditions on race day. Go for polarized lenses if you can afford them, they will usually be the best at improving your vision.

Unfortunately, manufacturers have not figured out how to completely eliminate the issue of fog. Although most goggles come with ‘anti-fog’ properties, it seems all goggles can cause steaming up for some people. It may be that some people are just more prone to this problem than others. For some tips on how to prevent goggles from fogging up click here.

Caring for your gogggles

If you’re not careful, you’ll have to replace your goggles sooner than you would like to. If you follow a few simple steps, your goggles will stay in top condition for far longer.

Dont rub them

Firstly, don’t rub the inside of your goggles. It can be very tempting to do this if they fog up, but this will only make the anti-fog coating wear off sooner and potentially scratch them. If they are fogging up, you can use an anti-fog spray to refresh them, or use the traditional method of licking the lenses.

Rinse after use

You should also rinse your goggles in freshwater after each swim to remove any harmful chemicals. Just use lukewarm water, as any soap will degrade the anti-fog coating. Leave the goggles to dry off in a cool place before putting them away to prevent mold building up.

Store correctly

Lastly, storing your goggles in a case will protect them from scratches. Keep them out of the sun too, as the UV rays can damage the lenses.

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