Are they better than my speedo goggles? What do you like about yours? Chuck
I have one of these things but have never used it becasue they look so, well… dorky. I mean, come on: “When Falco and his divers left Calypso they found them selves locked in the life and death struggle of the triathlon…” you look like SCUBA guy or a Navy SEAL. Plus, that thing HAS to slow you down. When you are as slow as me in the water with all the technique of a jellyfish I don’t need anything else dragging me to the bottom.
A buddy of mine uses one and she likes it. Swears by it. I don’t know, I’ll take mine to Curacao and give it a try. I hope nobody sees me.
I love mine. I used to get a little nervous in the swim since I knew I was going to get some water in my goggles. Not with a Seal mask. Not only do they not leak at all…well, after about 3 years they start to, but you can see so much better with them.
When I started using them I could tell people looked a little strange at me, now most the people I swim with have them. And for what it’s worth, I’ve had a lot of people say they look better than regular goggles. And since they are so close to your face, I can’t imagine they slow you down any.
Jeff
I love my seal mask. I first used on in 2000 during training and racing at IMCalifornia. I felt no shame since several of the top pros were wearing them.
I use the seal mask in big starts, either mass starts or big waves. I got a serious kick right in the eye in one IM race. No problem since the mask absorbed most of the impact. I might have been hurt had I had regular goggles.
I have tried seal masks, and for me the peripheral view is not as good as advertised. The mask lens is big, BUT it also sits much further from your eyes, so the frame is well in your view. Many (but not all) traditional goggles also can give great periperal vision because they sit very close to your eyes (sort of why most of us don’t see our own noses all the time). Also, I find the seal mask distorts the image I see quite a bit (they bend the plastic lens in the mask and I suspect that is what causes this). My Tyr racetech goggles are optically close to perfect as far as I can tell. However, I think I would put up with the seal mask if I was to swim 2 to 3 hours, as most goggles become uncomfortable when worn that long and for many folks the seal mask is definitely a more comfortable thing to wear.
I use mine all the time. Speedo also has one of these type of masks on the market too. I have both and like them equally well. My swims are always in the ocean so I can’t say about pool laps. Damn Hawaiian weather! 
Aloha,
Larry
OK, you guys have me semi-convinced. I’ll give it the college try…
I’ve had 2 pairs (bought the 2nd pair, later design/batch, on the recommendation of Slowman). Both leaked after about 30 laps, although later that year they kept the gypsum out my eyes at Burning Man.
Had the same problem with the high end Barracudas too, so it’s probably my hideous face that’s the problem.
The $10 speedos work fine for me. Don’t see a big advantage to the extended peripheral vision anyway. Why would I look behind me? There’s nobody there ?
I find that they make sighting in open water easier. I have noticed some variance in fit between different ones (even the same model), so if you can, open the packet and try them on first. They should pretty much seal to your face without the straps on, then the strap should just be to hold them in place without excessive tightening. I have had four pairs in the last two years and each one has fogged up on the very first use, but that’s an easy remedy. Otherwise I also recommend Barracudas, you can custom fit them to any face.
Tom,
The fit is the most important thing! They may look dorky but if you are comfortable you will be faster. I love mine and wouldn’t think of using anything else in a race or open water anymore. They can absorb a serious blow without being knocked askew. I also have the Aqua Sphere Kaimans for the pool so I don’t look like a total dweeb to the real swimmers. They too are very comfortable and seal exceptionably well, on my face anyway.