I’ve tried the Roka R1 for the past couple seasons and don’t hate them, but don’t love them either. I love the field of view, but hate how hard it is to adjust them and get them perfect.
I just tried the Orca Killa 180 and hated them because they did not stay adjusted and did not seal properly. However, they were significantly more comfortable that the Rokas.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a google that has a good field of view like the Rokas, while being as comfortable as the Orcas? Something along the lines of the lenses of the Rokas & the straps of the Orcas would be awesome if such a thing exists
seriously though, if you aren’t a swedes wearer, then I hate any goggle that doesn’t have an adjustable nose bridge. I don’t have any direct experience with them, but I have noticed a couple of new options that you might want to try out. Huub has a Brownlee goggle as well as the Altair (both with interchangeable nosepieces and Arena has the Cobra in an OW/Tri version, which is a higher profile than their Cobra Ultra. the swipe tech they use is pretty cool too.
a couple of year ago at captex tri they had a booth at the indoor expo. small company but good product. i swapped over from wearing rokas to these and i love them so much more.
seriously though, if you aren’t a swedes wearer, then I hate any goggle that doesn’t have an adjustable nose bridge. I don’t have any direct experience with them, but I have noticed a couple of new options that you might want to try out. Huub has a Brownlee goggle as well as the Altair (both with interchangeable nosepieces and Arena has the Cobra in an OW/Tri version, which is a higher profile than their Cobra Ultra. the swipe tech they use is pretty cool too.
Agreed.
Also, why do people some people say they need a wider field of view?
Seriously, I follow the people in front of me unless I can see turn buoy, I’m not looking side to side at the pretty black wetsuits next to me.
Also, why do people some people say they need a wider field of view?
For me I like how it feels more “natural”, meaning that it becomes less obvious to me over the IM distance that I am wearing goggles and it feels like I am just seeing naturally. Having my peripherals blinded doesn’t feel good over long periods of time.
I don’t know if this would affect performance or anything, but just one of those nit picky triathlete things for me personally
Also, why do people some people say they need a wider field of view?
For me I like how it feels more “natural”, meaning that it becomes less obvious to me over the IM distance that I am wearing goggles and it feels like I am just seeing naturally. Having my peripherals blinded doesn’t feel good over long periods of time.
I don’t know if this would affect performance or anything, but just one of those nit picky triathlete things for me personally
OK, I get that.
which is one of the really nice things about swedes seriously, they’re nothing but lens.
And, if I’m following someone on a sunny day in open water I don’t have look up cuz I can see their feet in the top of my goggles.
which is one of the really nice things about swedes seriously, they’re nothing but lens.
And…if you’re not comfortable with plastic directly on your eye sockets for congested, full-contact triathlon swims go with TYR Socket Rocket or Arena Swedix (or others) that have a silicone gasket for more comfort. Those are the only two I’ve used in triathlons and never had any issues.
I wrote a piece on the best swim triathlete swim goggles recently with more details on my choice, but in short, and I am technically sponsored by BlueSeventy and I do like their goggles too, but the best goggles I have ever used for Open Water is the Aquasphere Kayenne goggle. Simply put it is:
Soft on your face
Easily adjustability for proper tension
wide frame of view
comes in both small-fit and regular fit for different faces.
I don’t like swedes because of the biff on a triathlon start (no pansy rolling starts where I am, mass starts still rule ðŸ˜) - a smack in the eye really hurts, and I’m not fast enough to get off the front into the clear.
So…I’m 50% with Thomas above - Aquasphere Kayennes. Comfy and not stuuipidly priced.
My other 50% ? Zoggs Predator Flex. But make sure they are the ‘original’ design and not the Mk2. And not 3 year old stock as they went through a phase of cocking up the nose bridge manufacture causing many early breakages (i had 3 break in quick suscession - all back to OK since they fixed that.
The Mk2 is? for everyone I know who’s tried them, just shiiite (uncomfortable + leaks no matter how you do it up - a fine example of how to make a good product bad by ‘Improving’ it).
I don’t get what people say about a “wide field of vision†in their goggles. Almost every single body of water I’ve been in,* training or racing, has been in murky water. I could have a mask like the SEALs used in “The Abyss†and I still wouldn’t be able to see anything under water. Anything I see is in very short intervals while I breathe or sight, and a wide field would make absolutely no difference. I agree that Malmsten Swedish goggles (and their clones and derived versions) are basically all lens. I found a pair of Orca goggles and used those several times in OWS training. In a practical sense, there was no difference in what I “saw.â€
Think about this: you should be breathing every stroke cycle in an OWS race or training. Assuming the water is murky, you won’t see much unless you’re breathing or sighting (if you’re smart, you’ll be on the toes of someone faster, or keeping a comparable swimmer on your breathing side, so you can sight them and never have to pick up your head to sight). Assume a breathing ratio in a range of once every 1.5 to 2.9 seconds (plug in your own formula for time/25 and # breaths/25). In that very short period, you’re not breathing with your head out for the entire time, so your one eye is out of the water for a fraction of a second. If you’re swimming head up the entire time (“alligator eyes,†“Tarzan strokeâ€), you’re completely inefficient. I find it hard to imagine that any goggle’s purported advantage in “field†will make any difference at all.
I’ve never been hit in the eyes while wearing Swedish goggles, in racing, training, or meet warm-up. Warm-up at a major pool meet is chaos.
All that said, buy the cheap goggles. These don’t have to be Swedish. If you like a gasket (neoprene, silicone, or TPR) there are plenty to choose from under $10. My top recommendations are Swedish (and clones), Dpeedo or Tyr Sprint, Speedo Vanquisher (and clones), and Water Gear Competition I (formerly Hind Compy).
In the past 10 years (age 38-48) I’ve spent about $100 TOTAL on goggles. I used Swedish, as well as TPR and neoprene gaskets. I’ve done well over 8000km in that time, pool and OWS. I’ve never once felt that I needed to spend more to get a “wider field.†There’s just no need.
I swam in the Caribbean on my honeymoon, as well as during a training trip in college. The ONLY time I’ve been in clear open water.
The wider field of vision, at least I’ve always assumed, is not to enjoy some fish viewing, but for when your head is above water and trying to spot swimmers, buoys, etc. Given your comment that your head is only above water for fractions of a second—which I don’t disagree with—I think having a wider field of vision is even that much more important. I think the Roka goggles make a material difference—how much exactly, it is difficult to quantify.
seriously though, if you aren’t a swedes wearer, then I hate any goggle that doesn’t have an adjustable nose bridge. I don’t have any direct experience with them, but I have noticed a couple of new options that you might want to try out. Huub has a Brownlee goggle as well as the Altair (both with interchangeable nosepieces and Arena has the Cobra in an OW/Tri version, which is a higher profile than their Cobra Ultra. the swipe tech they use is pretty cool too.
I’ve been using the Cobra Ultras for a few years and they’re great, haven’t felt the need to use their Tri version.
