So I’ve been swimming with my pair of R1s specifically in the pool for almost 9 months now, and I was quite pleased with how clear these goggles were. Up to this point, no issues what so ever.
Until last Friday, when i felt a pinch on my nose and suddendly near the end of my 1,000m set, my goggles did this:
I’ve had issues before with ROKA and their customer service was very helpful (trying to figure out why they were fogging so easily), so when i sent an email inquiry to them with pictures of the broken goggles, i received the following reply:
3 to 4 months of usage for a premium goggle??? is that standard for you guys too?? I have pairs of Zoggs, Speedos and Blue Seventy goggles that i would use for YEARS and they none have broken at the nose bridge like this. I understand wear and tare, but in less than a year?
Its my first time using ROKA goggles and if this is the standard for the product, I will have to switch to a brand that gets a bit more longevity than a few months.
3 to 4 months of usage for a premium goggle??? is that standard for you guys too?? I have pairs of Zoggs, Speedos and Blue Seventy goggles that i would use for YEARS and they none have broken at the nose bridge like this. I understand wear and tare, but in less than a year?
I had a pair of Zoggs break with literally zero time in them; they were one of two pairs I bought at once, and had been sitting in my swim bag as backups. Put them on immediately before an OWS and they just snapped clean at the bridge, just like your pic. Contacted Zoggs and they replaced them quickly, with no hassle whatsoever.
I have other Zoggs in current use that have seen 1-2 years of use, including races, with no issues. I’d be pissed if a pair of goggles gave up the ghost after 3-4 months, especially at the $30+ price point.
I have a pair of F1s that are over a year old with no issues. I rinse all of my gear in the shower when I get out of the pool to try and get the chlorine off. No issues with any of my Roka gear.
I have a pair of F1s that are over a year old with no issues. I rinse all of my gear in the shower when I get out of the pool to try and get the chlorine off. No issues with any of my Roka gear.
I treat all my ROKA goggles with white glove treatment as well: rinse them off after pool, hang dry outside without anything else touchign them and then when they are dry, put them back in their silky bag with their own dedicated pocket in my backpack.
I race in the X1, and so far those have been excellent for me. But that isn’t heavy repeated use. I had a pair of R1’s that I used in the pool for weekly training, and they started leaking after only a few weeks. I only swim 12K yards per week at the most, so I’d say those wore out unusually quickly. I thought about asking Roka customer support about them, but expected a response similar to yours.
i haven’t had much luck with roka’s staying leak proof compared to speedo and aquasphere goggles. usually get less than three months of minimal swimming (3-7k meters per week) before they start leaking. i blamed the shape of my face and don’t use them anymore.
My first pair of R1, now about 9 months old have started leaking. I noticed the seal is not very plyable and has creases causing the leak. Also the bridge is about to break like yours. I blame the lame storage bag for this. Now using an Aquasphere case to hold my new R1’s… I guess I’m okay with 9 months given the clarity and comfort of them. Really just happy that I finally found goggles that I like.
I have 15 year old Speedo, TYR and Arena goggles in great condition back home. I currently use a 4yo Speedo black mirror speedsocket which look brand new without any babying and didn’t cost more than 15€. I don’t even rinse them after use.
That email reply is disgraceful.
I typically get several years out of my Speedo goggles swimming 3-5 times per week. Recently, I thought I would give the Roka F1 a try. I wasn’t loving the look of them (haven’t gotten to the pool to try them yet), but with that kind of reply about 3-4 months being normal, I will return them instead. Thanks for posting.
Speed sockets are the best. I have a brand new pair of f1’s (whichever one looks kinda like the vamquishers) and I’m debating buying a pair of speed sockets because the roka ones just aren’t that good
I dont expect any of them to last more than a season. Anything over that is a bonus. I put on my back ups last week and broke the strap. I think they were a two year old pair.
I’ve been using speed sockets for the last 6-7 years maybe. Go through 2-3 a year. One pair for off season, one for racing only which usually end up as off season ones once the year is done. Occasionally have to change them in offseason. Its not due to breaking, more excessive fogging and me being lazy. Other then fogging they last for years IME. Usually buy two or three pairs when they are on sale.
I’ve used S1’s and R1’s and get about 6-8 months out of each. Usually the seals start leaking. I’ve never tried Johnson shampoo for fogging issues but currently using this from my scuba bag.
Years ago, I had a pair of TYR whatever goggles and the bridge snapped after just a few uses. On closer inspection I could see there was an air bubble in the plastic, and that’s where it gave away. Since I bought them for like $5 at the TYR warehouse sale, there was no return/replacement options.
…. I’d be pissed if a pair of goggles gave up the ghost after 3-4 months, especially at the $30+ price point.
That is my main beef.
3- 4 months is about how long mine last before I need to replace them. I normally keep them in the goggle bag, but admit I’m not the best at cleaning them properly with cleaner, although I do rinse them with water
Roka goggles don’t fit my face (I’ve tried almost all of them), I find the contact point too concentrated, I like a wider gasket (Tyr Spec Ops 2.0 are my current go-to). But I’ve never in my life had a goggle break like that (I’ve had the straps and strap attachment area break, never the nose bridge). Is it possible you were flexing them aggressively/repeatedly? I figure it must either be that or a manufacturing defect. Either way, I’m surprised Roka didn’t offer you a free replacement (even if they paired that with a note about expected goggle life). I bet one of the Roka guys chimes in here shortly to make it right.
I also have some fit issues with some of the Roka models. They worked fine in the pool, but during races in open water they started to leak on me pretty bad. I am assuming because of the choppy conditions. I am on a second season with my current pair, but I also don’t swim as often as I would like…
