Nootca 11's Goggle Review [Picture Heavy!]

Triathlon Forum
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Nootca 11 Goggles Review
** Product link**
https://www.nootca.com/image/data/nootca_landingpage_11_swim_goggle.jpg

Picture courtesy of Nootca
The Nootca 11’s are Nootca’s “mid-range” offering in their lineup. Its style is a mix of Swedish goggles as well as more “modern” fixed goggles.

**Packaging: **
The Nootca 11’s come in a very nice white box with short descriptions on its different features. The packaging is very minimal yet protective of its contents. Inside the box written on the underside of the tab of the compartment is a detailed description on how to use the goggles as well as how to protect them from wear and tear.

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-10-16170130.jpg http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-10-16170206.jpg

Finally we get to the goggles. They’re nicely cupped inside a cardboard holder and underneath are 3 pairs of varying nose piece sizes as well as a small cloth bag that’s used to keep the goggles safe when not in use.

Function:
The goggles have two straps with an adjustable back piece that you can customize to your to three different styles. The eye seals on each eyepiece are considerably smaller compared to some other goggles, but in my opinion they are far more comfortable.

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-10-19221730.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-74C-4vfAx_0/UA3bNlpblAI/AAAAAAAAAds/kyfpovtPy2Y/s1600/Nootca-swimming-goggle-comp.jpg
*Picture courtesy of Nootca again. *

I picked the brown lenses which according to Nootca

Brown tint:
Bright to Low light, overcast conditions - One of the best overall tints for bright or cloudy, hazy overcast days. The brown tint scatters blue light, increasing contrast and sharpening colors with minimal distortion. Great choice for open-water and backstroke

Here are some shots of the tint of the goggles. If I had an underwater camera I would have taken some shots of it underwater but unfortunately I do not.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-11-01210909.jpghttp://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-11-01210837.jpg

I’ve written this review after about 2 weeks of use in the pool, and in open water swimming both with competitions and training. They’re very comfortable to use and offer great clarity. Several cons that I’ve discovered are that there is no anti-fogging solution already pre-applied like several goggles that I had before. Additionally I’ve found no matter how tight I’ve made the goggles they can still sometimes leak very slightly after a dive (it could be the way that I dive I know) but it’s still worth mentioning anyway.

Pros:
l Great vision clarity l Fits great with minimal pain/strain on the eyes l Changeable back-strap and nose piece
Cons:
l No anti-fogging solution pre-applied (need to DIY) l Brown tint is not suitable for darker environments l May not fit larger faces l Can leak after a dive

Additional Links:
Nootca’s Blog and TwitterHow to adjust the backstrap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqubvGy_eF4
More pictures:
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-11-03061007.jpghttp://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-11-03060916.jpghttp://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-11-03060858.jpghttp://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu2/Ice_Fyre_Witch/Nootca%2011%20Review/2012-10-16170323.jpg

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I’ll answer any questions as best as I can; but unfortunately I don’t have my Nootca 11’s anymore as the transition staff
in today’s race that I attended somehow misplaced my goggles :(.

Hopefully they’ll turn up as I’ve provided a description already. In the meantime I’ll be testing my other pair of Nootca 207’s (green tint) and I’ll post
another review of those then.

I’ll be away on a camp for 1 week starting tomorrow (monday) so I do apologise for any late replies; but I will get back to you ASAP!

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You should rename the thread Goggle Porn.

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FWIW, they DO have anti-fog pre-applied. It’s just not great or super durable. This is something they are working on. I used the Elevens in Kona, and they are now my go-to goggle. I raced in the green mirror, but I have all three tints - brown, green, and clear.

I’m working with the Nootca folks on the anti-fog options and also some other ideas. But it’s a great goggle. The peripheral vision is awesome. If you are a swedes user, the 5 is by far the best swedish-style goggle I’ve used. Has a really rubber gasket (just no “cushion”), so it seals really well without needing to be crazy tight.

The 207 was just too big for me. But for someone with a bigger face, I can see it being a better alternative to the Eleven. But for me, it offered no additional vision vs. the Eleven, but didn’t fit as well. Of course, I wear the Eleven with the smallest nosepiece, to give a reference…

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Hi Jordan, When you say Green mirror, is that the same green that they sell online? Or is it a test version?

I am looking at picking up a pair, currently swim in the TYR socket rocket 2.0’s but looking to switch things up. Can never have enough pairs of goggles :slight_smile:

Dano

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Meh… swedish still works.

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Meh… swedish still works.

each to their own :slight_smile:
I was in need of a new pair of goggles after my last broke and since Nootca had their ocotober special coupon thing I decided to try their goggles.

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But everyone has swede’s…gotta differentiate! LOL

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Hi Jordan, When you say Green mirror, is that the same green that they sell online? Or is it a test version?

I am looking at picking up a pair, currently swim in the TYR socket rocket 2.0’s but looking to switch things up. Can never have enough pairs of goggles :slight_smile:

Dano

Green mirror is the green they sell online. It’s the darkest.

Clear: duh

Brown: low-light (like a race where the sun comes up partway through the swim). I also like these for training a lot as they are not so dark that if you swim at dawn it’s hard to see the clock.

Green: bright-light.

Get the 5s. You’ll love them.

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I’m a huge swedish goggle fan and swear by the TYR socket rockets. However, I heard about the new nootca swedish goggle and had to give them a try. I have been using the nootca 5s for about a month now and they are solid. The only thing I couldn’t stand in the beginning was the original nose piece. The nose piece always expands when you put the goggles on forehead and you have to re-adjust constantly. I ended up cutting rubber from the excess strap and threaded through. Never had the problem since.

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Yeah, the stock nosepiece on the 5s is pretty terrible. I used the included tube-and-string and since then have been very happy. I think Swedes are meant to be tied together. I just don’t think elastic nosepieces ever work as well…

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What happened to your Sables?

Also, how would you rate the Nootca v. the Sables, cost notwithstanding?

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What happened to your Sables?

Also, how would you rate the Nootca v. the Sables, cost notwithstanding?

The peripheral vision is notably better on the Nootcas.

The antifog is MUCH better on the Sables.

That’s the big difference in terms of quality. The price, of course, is a massive difference.

I think the Nootcas could use some work. I hope that with some constructive feedback - and if Nootca gets some things sorted that are in the works to be sorted - I think they’ll be as good - or better - at a much lower price point. The more expansive peripheral vision is really a bonus for OW.