I am competing in Barbs Race this weekend. I usually swim with goggles. But recently my husband bought two pairs of Tyr Swim Masks for our pool. I used them the other day and could not believe how much visibility I had with them vs. goggles. I am considering taking them to my race. Are there any drawbacks to using a mask? I have seen people use them in races and always wondered why…Now I think I know. They give you better visibility and are more comfortable. Please give me some advice…I am always reluctant to change anything…but I think maybe I should.
I use a seal mask for training in a pool and racing. I would never go back to goggles, I don’t see any drawbacks. I guess some think they’re goofy but who cares.
I just switched from the Seal Mask to goggles, but I have done many tri’s up to IM’s with the mask. I believe it’s all about personal preference. If you like the mask better, by all means wear it. Goggles just fit my melon better.
Most mask’s do not work well with a Beard or Mustache. For some of us that is an issue.
They always leak on me. I have tried them all. If they didn’t leak I would wear them !
They actually leak less. I have very small bones and most goggles leak on me. Oh and I don’t have facial hair to worry about since I am a woman. (I never even thought of that problem.) So I guess I’ll wear the mask. Thanks for your help everyone!
Love my Seal Mask…any little leaks do not turn into huge issues…lots of visibility…I use them primarily because I wear contacts and the added “dry” air volume helps ensure I don’t wash a contact out…
BTW, tri-swim masks are not effected by facial hair as they don’t fit over the nose and go over the nose bridge instead…
YMMV,
Paul
I wear a Seal Mask XP (they’re smaller than the regular Seal Mask - don’t know if that is what others are referring to) for training and racing. Look like a dork but I’m faster than the other poseurs (myself included) in my pool so I don’t care.
Have never had a problem with leaking and they seem much more stable on my face in races than goggles.
Ok. That’s it. I am joining the dorks and wearing a mask!
I always use a mask in races because I find I can better sight the buoys. Also fogging is less a problem because you can carry a small amount of water inside the mask and if it fogs up just shake your head side to side to clear it off.
I found tha the masks invariably started leaking after about 15 minutes. Make sure your experience with the mask includes at least a 20-minute swim before you use it in a race.
I use a mask – the seal (so far) has been perfect and I think it will provide some protection to my eye sockets if I get kicked there. Downsides? – they look silly and are probably a bit less hydrodynamic.
Rumple, wake up. Facial hair went out in the late 80’s.
I’ve used both in races.
The plusses for the Seal Mask are:
- improved visibility
- increased comfort
- better protection (like from a direct blow to the eye)
- more space (in case a couple drops of water do make their way in, less likely to fog)
The minuses are:
- the “dork factor”
- possibly worse hydrodynamics
Whether the plusses outweight the minuses is up to you.
Steve
Are there any drawbacks to using a mask?
They look really dumb.
I think every seal mask, aqua sphere product i ever tried leaked. then I found the cressi hydra. that mask rocks!!! look for it on line great visbility and works great in pool, ocean and lake!
Is the mask more likely to get dislodged by a blow/foot to the face in the swim start since it sticks out more than goggles? Or less likely because of the larger seal area and perhaps more abililty to absorb the blow??
There’s a good article about this on www.tdottriathlon.com called No Longer The Masked Man. Worth checking out.
I tried the Seal Mask several years ago and they leaked for me. I wear contacts so that was a problem. So I’m back with my Tyr Racetech goggles. As for visibility, the only thing I need to see are the feet in front of me.
You made me realize I have 2 Seal masks just sitting around and not being used. They are now listed in the classified section.