…open water-specific goggles are typically concerned more with a wider field of vision, which usually means a little shallower lens &/or more surface area which equals less curvature & depth. Again, probably why I prefer my regular old swedes & vanquishers.
My $.02.
I would tend to disagree. “open water-specific goggles” offer a larger socket and gasket, which sit differently on the swimmers face than a swede or a typical small socket/ competitive goggle would.
This large socket provides a lens with a wider field of view (true). The whole goggle sits closer to the face allowing for again, a wider field of view and more comfort fit for those not used to a competitive swimming goggle. Because the goggle sits around the eye socket, rather than in it, the goggle isn’t quite as deep, but the lens sits around the same area that a swede would.
On the lens curvature, a competitive swimming goggle or a swede offers a flat lens in almost every case, if not every. The flat lens is surrounded with a distorted view through curved plastic on the sides of the lens. This allows for straight ahead viewing and your eye trains out the distortion around the lens. In an “open water goggle”, particularly in Aqua Sphere goggles, our lenses are curved (a patented curve), that once again, allow for a distortion free wider field of view.
Our goggle line is focused on comfort, vision, and performance. Are they for everybody? Of course not. But they do provide an alternative for those that aren’t comfortable in a competitive goggle. Great in the pool and open water. The extra vision is great everywhere!
jake