I’ve been swimming all my life, and was a die hard swede user… still am for practice… but for racing in a pack, swedes area bit dicey - it only takes a moderate bump and they leak, a strong kick and you might get cut around your eye, and I take a bit of time to adjust my swedes when I put them on… don’t have the time luxury in a race of course.
I tried out the Speedo Vanquishers and absolutely love them. Best thing about them is that you can reset them onto your eyes comfortably in no time flat. They also take bumping without leaking better than swedes. Unfortunately, they cost 4x what swedes do, so I have both types around. Speaking of them, someone took my twice used pair of smoke vanquishers out of transition at the Breezy Point Triathlon in Virginia a few weeks ago… hope they are enjoying them…
Given that Swedes cost ~$3 (~$12 for mirrored), that isn’t quite as bad as it sounds… Well - for the regular ones, anyway. 4x the price of mirrored Swedes and you’re in Rappstar Review territory.
If you like them, and decide to start using them full time, you can also order replacement straps. It takes a little while but they will wear out.
I think my googles are about 6 years old, I replace the strap every year or so.
Wow. Those are like the Rolls Royces of goggles. Rappstar makes them sound so cool, I almost see myself shelling out $50 for goggles… wait, nope, not quite yet. : )
I like the idea of cutting old bike tubes into goggle straps!!
Surprised no one mentioned this yet, but since every face is a bit different, no telling which goggle will seal best for you until you do the dryland seal test. Just pop one lens on with minimal pressure, and see how long it sticks to your face.
If it drops right off, don’t buy, if it stays on for a couple of seconds, it’ll probably slowly leak in the pool, if it stays on for 5 seconds or more, its pretty much not going to leak while you swim - assuming the nose piece can fit comfortably over your nose. You don’t necessarily need the swedes, and don’t assume they’ll work for you, I find them unbearably uncomfortable after about 10 minutes. The second day, even worse, plus its a pain to fit new rubber nose piece through those tiny holes.
I agree that each face is different, and some goggles with work for some and not for others, no doubt about it. Swedes were very painful to adapt to - but it only takes a few days (maybe a week… well, swimming 2 hours a day) to get used to them - to build up some eye socket callouses I guess. : ) Yes, the nose pieces on swedes are tedious to install. That is why most people don’t use them, but instead use a small strip of the head strap.
Edit - also, always buff the edges of swedes when new. I just use the pool deck to do this.
I don’t agree with your dry socket test. Swedes wouldn’t stay on my (or any because of their lack of a gasket) face for a second, but they don’t leak at all for me when adjusted right. I think people put way to much stock in goggle suction.
I come from a swimming background, and have only worn Swedes for the past 16 years.
I’ve just recently started swimming in a pair of the Sable goggles, and they are amazing. It took me a couple of swims to get used to the different feeling on my face (I had, after all, only worn swedes) but after a swim or two, I love them. No leaking at all, no fogging, and the vision is outstanding. No problems sighting during open water swims.
thanks for the advise about not pushing on the goggles. I swam tonight and just set the same goggles I tried that leaked last time and they didn’t leak a drop. Thanks again
and of course sweeds. btw for sweeds absolutely DO NOT USE THE STRAP AS THE NOSE PIECE. use the nose piece they give you.
sweeds are the best bang for your buck, and if you want to be a hardass, go metallic.
Let me second those Speedos. They are the first goggles I’ve ever used in my life that I had not a single moment’s trouble with. The moment I put them on, the seal is perfect, every time. And I’ve tried many, many types.
I had identical problem with the Aquasphere, started great, but then started to leak like hell on the right side. Binned them today. Looking for something better now. Sore eyes after this morning’s leaky swim
