I finally have a pair of goggles I really like - no leaking, discomfort, etc. However, the last couple of races I’ve done have had a swim right into the sun and I can’t see buoys or anything else because of the glare. Anyone have advice on a good pair specifically for the sun? Thanks!
tyr technoflex vision.
Love them, never used any other ones.
They provide some decent peripheral vision and are dark tinted so perfect for those early morning starts with the sun.
You may want to check if the clear goggles you have are also made in a tinted version…many are. In general, the cheaper the goggles that I buy, the better they seal. I’ve tried going with pricey ones, but the Wal-Mart specials always seal better and last longer. $10 at Wal-Mart will be money well spent.
Just get whatever your favourite goggle is, but in a mirrored finish.
Darker, metalized lenses will help cut down on the glare somewhat.
Unfortunately, if you’re swimming directly into the sun, you still won’t be able to see much. There’s just nothing out there that can really help you see well when you are looking straight at the sun.
I’ll put in a vote for Aquasphere Kaimans with mirrored lenses. These are my “triathlon starts at sunrise” goggles of choice. I have another pair with amber lenses for cloudy days. They have to fit your face, but Kaimans seem to fit most folks fairly well, and (at least for me) don’t have to be cinched down so hard that they leave rings on my eye sockets. They run about $20 (so not cheap), but are pretty durable.
Go with the TYR Nest. I used to always wear clear, but the tinted are excellent in the sun. I used to wear the aquasphere, but find the Nests are MUCH more comfortable, do not ever leak, and a better fit.
I’ll put in a vote for Aquasphere Kaimans with mirrored lenses. These are my “triathlon starts at sunrise” goggles of choice. I have another pair with amber lenses for cloudy days. They have to fit your face, but Kaimans seem to fit most folks fairly well, and (at least for me) don’t have to be cinched down so hard that they leave rings on my eye sockets. They run about $20 (so not cheap), but are pretty durable.
Second on the Aquaspheres, I have the amber which is great for cloudy days and the mirrored for the bright sun. Either way though if you are swimming directly into the sun you are going to have trouble seeing. I’m never first out of the water anyway though so I usually just find a pair of feet to follow.
Swedes, swedes, always swedes. $3.99 in any color you want (including dark) $11.99 for mirrored dark.
I’ve found that my metallic amber swedes work well in both high and low light conditions. I train outside and they block light well in sun and still work well for those sunrise (or earlier) swim starts.
Would look for that color combo in other goggle brands and styles as well.
x3. I love the Kaimans.
I have the black w/ mirror finish for sunny, and clear w/ light blue tint for the pool.
But I’d find the mirror version of whatever fits your face best. I find that the Aquasphere Kaiman or Kayenne are great for me.
barracuda mirrored
.
I’ve found that my metallic amber swedes work well in both high and low light conditions. I train outside and they block light well in sun and still work well for those sunrise (or earlier) swim starts.
Would look for that color combo in other goggle brands and styles as well.
x3!!
I heartily recommend Sables. However, please note that I sell these for a living and am thus certainly biased.
Finding the right amount of tinting for a lens and the type of mirror coating (flash mirror vs. full mirror coating) is always a challenge. Nobody wants too dark especially if things cloud over unexpectedly, but massive glare is no good either. All goggle manufacturers have to juggle these things when deciding how dark to tint lenses or what type of mirror coating to go with.
Didn’t your parents tell you not to stare into the sun? 
How often are you oriented in a swim where you end up having to look directly into the sun vs. high amount of glare off of the water?
Paul
Didn’t your parents tell you not to stare into the sun? How often are you oriented in a swim where you end up having to look directly into the sun vs. high amount of glare off of the water?
When you’re training outdoors and the option for the set is 5x200 butterfly or 5x200 backstroke, easy to get into a mental place where you figure you’re better off staring into the sun.
My only problem with the Tyr NestPro mirrored is that they “mirrored them” by putting
a different piece of plastic on the inside, not be replacing the lens. So, if that separates
and you get water between them, visibility is crap from then on out.
-Jot
When you’re training outdoors and the option for the set is 5x200 butterfly or 5x200 backstroke, easy to get into a mental place where you figure you’re better off staring into the sun.
For those of you who insist on staring into the sun, I recommend these:
.
Swedes, swedes, always swedes. $3.99 in any color you want (including dark) $11.99 for mirrored dark.
Swedes are outdated. Socket rockets FTW.
The picture is of their “Eclipse” model. For swimming in super-bright conditions. $13 online.
You could weld with those puppies.
When you’re training outdoors and the option for the set is 5x200 butterfly or 5x200 backstroke, easy to get into a mental place where you figure you’re better off staring into the sun.
For those of you who insist on staring into the sun, I recommend these:
If your needs go beyond looking into the sun or welding with swim goggles - I’d highly recommend you look into ‘beer goggles’ on youtube. they have them for both men and women.
I have 2 pairs of goggles. One mirrored for outdoor pools, and later in the day open water training. I also keep a clear pair around for early morning races, pool training.
I’ve chosen the same brand that Simon Whitfield, Chris McCormack, Sam McGlone, and many other top pros are wearing. Sable. The HUGE difference is that they are optically correct goggles, which means that when you go from looking down (or at feet) to sighting, your eyes don’t need to re-focus because the Sable lenses do NOT distort your vision. In theory (you would loose style points) you could drive your car in these goggles w/o being impaired.
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Seeing_Clearly_Sable_WaterOptics_Goggles_397.html
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Nat