Just received my Seal XP mask from Trisports.com (have in stock, not on website). This mask is awesome! It has a much lower profile than the aquasphere, yet maintains the same leak-proof fit. They’ve hit a home run with this mask.
I second that. And yes, we do sell them…
Just got in two that I ordered. . .I’m going to break the rule about using new gear on raceday. I’m giving them a virgin trial tomorrow at the Hampton Tri-America race. I’m a longtime Seal Mask user so I don’t expect any real issues. . . Post race report on them will come tomorrow. . .
It’s interesting about Seal Masks, with non triathlete, serious swimmers out at the pool I use. They don’t really embrace them.
Yet. That is.
This reminds me of Prince Tennis Racquets when I was playing Tennis in college and high school a long time ago. Rejected as big, cumbersome, and an affront to the normal size racquets, at first, but then everybody started using them.
From the view of a serious swimmer, non triathlete, you’re wearing the speedos’ or Tyr suit, got your body hair shaved off, out there doing flip turns and drills, and then “what the hell is on his or her head?” That thing is just too big. Its just not right. Its an affront to swimming goggles.
However for triathletes, I got out last month in the lake for a triathlon, and now I see 30-40% of the triathletes wearing them.
The new Seal XP is trying to bridge the gap, there.
If I only had to swim lanes and keep track of the black line on the bottom of the pool. . .I’d stick with minimalist goggles.
But we, as triathletes, have this open water bouy sighting issue. If you haven’t tried the Seal or now the XPs, you really should. The difference, in terms of sighting ease, is truly remarkable. The only better solution would be Macca’s. . .NO GOGGLES AT ALL!
So when the pure swimmers scoff. . .I just let it slide. I agree with them. . .in terms of pure swimming. . .minimal goggles make sense. Most of them have never had to sight during open water swims, though. Many of them that I talk to understand the logic and would try it if they did open water. . .
Most people after they try them, they will wear them.
I’m telling you its exactly like the Prince Racquet phenomenon in the early 1980s. You have to be plus 40 to remember this.
I played competitive tennis as a kid, then at college. I thought I would NEVER accept the oversized racquet trend. All the country club freaks were playing with over sized racquets, club pros, housewives, juniors, etc.
To us over 18, it was an attack on the sport. I laughed and mocked at each son of a bitch playing with those things. I thought it was cheating. And, it just didn’t look right. That’s what a lot of it was: “it just didn’t look right.” It looked too big, and probably felt like it, look at those hideous things everybody is using. Absolutley hideous and foul things.
But I never picked one up.
Then I picked one up, “geez, this hits pretty good,” and started playing with it, a year or two later.
Now, of course, that’s all you’ve got out there, oversized racquets.
I only wish that those mask fit those of us with big noses better. Everyone I have tried sits WAY to high on my face, so the bottom digs into my lower eye socket. Also, if they had stick on lenses (similar to those stick-on reading lenses available for glasses) for those of us who are near sighted.
I have tried Seal Masks.
Try doing a flip turn with a strong push-off and still keep the things on your face. Not possible. Will NEVER be a hit with swimmers.
Agreed. . .until they swim open water. . .Horses for courses. . .TT bikes for time trials/tris/dus, road bikes for road, etc. . .
The Seal mask is the only mask so far that realy fits me so I use it all the time, in the pool as well. I get lots of comments from people that wonder if it is some sort of ski mask or diving gogles or something. does not bother me.
I buyed the kaymans and hoped they had the same fit. Did not work, not the same fit so they leaked.
better buy and try the XP then. They look good at least.