Goggles/Cap Recommendation?

Funkyzeit

Hi Folks,
First open water swim coming up :eek: and looking for goggles that I can use both on the Tri day and in training in the pool. Any suggestions? Was looking at the Aquasphere Eagle ones ?

Also in terms of headware will I need special caps (i.e neoprene?) I just have a run of the mill cap at the moment?

Any help (as ever) appreciated...

tunney

Wear two normal caps. Just as good as a neoprene cap and none of the cost.

Ignore the expensive goggles, they won't help and aren't as good as a proper swimmers racing goggle. look at the ITU elites - see any masks or the like?

Phil01

I find Aquasephere the best goggles so far, i have a pair of Aquasphere XP and find them great for sticking to the face. Never had any leakage.
They also lasted much longer than other goggles i bought, i think they were around 20 euro, but i think they are worth it.

In terms of caps, i would definitly use neoprene although i have never tried too cotton caps, so i don't know if they would be as warm.

tunney

who uses cotton caps?

hunnymonster

Pools and "leisure complexes" tend to give out cotton caps as promotional materials.

There are really 3 types of hats
cotton - only to be used for sitting in saunas. Way too much drag and hold too much water for swimming
rubber - these are the standard cheap ones. As Tunney said wear two if you really feel the cold or if you want to protect your goggles (hat-goggles-2nd hat)
silicone/latex - thicker and more stretchy so ideal for women with long hair or guys with big heads (loads of them in triathlon!!). Warm too. Personally I wear a silicone cap almost all the time because I can get it over my hair without making myself half bald!

you can also get fancy neoprene ones with chin straps but these are for swimming for very long periods or for very cold water (I have used one but it was in February!) You can get these in Dive shops.


Goggles are a more personal thing because different face shapes often dictate that works.
If you want to go really fast get the little racing cups. I know a guy heading off to the channel next week and that is what he wears.
Standard goggles work for me. Actually the cheapest Speedo ones are the best fit (luckily, given the frequency I lose them)
Aquaspere half-masks are a great fit for so many people. They are also comfy and do not pull you skin so much (yes I am old enough to worry about wrinkles!)
Don't get a full diving mask type. It's the swimming equivalent of turning up with stabilisers on your bike!

Dowee

Does anyone else not bother wearing goggles when competing? I wear them when I'm training in the pool and sometimes when doing open water swimming but the thought of having to deal with a leak or fogging up 400m into a race doesn't seem worth the hassle.

I know you can take measures to prevent fogging and properly fitting ones won't leak, but still I prefer not to bother. I have noticed that I'm in the minority on this one though. Perhaps goggle wearers could detail the benefits they see from wearing them.

hunnymonster

I'm very short-sighted so wear contact lenses so it's a no brainer for me.

911sc

After years of no swimming, started again last March.
I got these speedo goggles which i find great as 1- they do not leak & 2-i can see quite well
Very good for training (which is what i do) but may provide to much drag for racing (which i do not do (yet?) ).

€12.50 (i think from memory) in Elverys

hunnymonster

another thing to condsider with goggles is tint. It can be hard to sight without some shade in the open water but in the pool, clear is usually better


911SC, just pm'ed you the details of the official IM france photos.

Killgore Trout

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Hi Folks,
First open water swim coming up :eek: and looking for goggles that I can use both on the Tri day and in training in the pool. Any suggestions? Was looking at the Aquasphere Eagle ones ?

Also in terms of headware will I need special caps (i.e neoprene?) I just have a run of the mill cap at the moment?

Any help (as ever) appreciated...

Is this first open water swim also your first race? Get some open water practice in - that way you you'll find what your requirements are and to exorcise any fears you might have. You could begin to prefer open water to the pool. Head too cold with Latex hat? maybe silicone over latex. I'm happy with silicone or latex. Never used neoprene but would imagine my head would overheat at this time off year, might be nice for the winter. Ear plugs - some people don't like the cold water in their ears - find ones that fit. I have an aquaspere half mask - but I prefer it for looking at fish while i'm on my holidays and I'd feel like a sap wearing it in the pool, but a friend of mine loves his for racing. I like Eyeline goggles normally.

Bambaata

i use the Aqua Sphere Seal XP's - http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=4928

I am slightly claustrophobic and use to get panic attacks when i would use the smaller speedo ones under cold water but i used the seal xp for the first time at triathy and i was as relaxed as i could be. the right cup sometimes leaks though but i think my head just doesn't suit goggles lol. any speedo ones i had, no matter how tight, always leaked and i can prevent the leak in the aquasphere by pushing in a little and creating a bit more suction on that eye (although id say my pops into the mask and i look a right state )

I also took the advice of two hats for the cold water swim and it worked a treat. i had a latex one and the wave specific one from triathy over it and i had no problems. Although i found a hole in the lovely latex hat yesterday which i cant explain so i got me one of these last night at css - http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=11922

I haven't tried it yet so i cant report what its like but it fits nicely (i have a massive head !)

liamo

Killgore Trout wrote: »

Ear plugs - some people don't like the cold water in their ears - find ones that fit.

My 2c? Personally, I pefer the wax ear-plugs that most chemists carry. There's about twenty in a small box. Very comfy and completely water-proof.



Liam

MCOS

My first swim session last night. Apart from a comical attempt at a tumble turn it wasn't too embarrassing.

2 things. Firstly, my good old cotton cap that I also fold onto my 3 year olds head for the saturday kiddie splashes. Apart from being a sponge and falling off, does it affect how quick you swim too? Everyone else had Silicon caps on I think so I have to invest in one of those.

Secondly, my trusted speedos that I picked up in Lifestyle Sports over the Summer. I think they may have to be replaced. They leaked and fogged up before but it was never a concern as I was always plodding up and down alone. But last night having to kick off 5 seconds after the next person gave me no time to fix or wipe them and so they became a nuisance.

I have to do a TT next week :eek: and don't want this to happen. So I've been browsing Wiggle for all the suggestions above and I'm wondering about getting something as personal as goggles online.

Anyone else get theirs online? Some of the Triathlon goggles look like masks. I like the speedos because they are small, so I'd like something as small as the speedos but doesn't leak or fog up?


Much appreciated

hunnymonster

good suggestions from Seb in this thread
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055353504

Funkyzeit

Hi MCOS
I buy all my gear online For a cheap silicone hat I use:
http://stores.ebay.ie/Ishka-Sports - will only set you back 3 quid in postage - never had to wait more than 2 days for delivary either...

I bought aquasphere eagle goggles on ebay aswell : http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Easy-Swimshop

Slan.

bagus

A pair of standard Speedo (fixed nose piece) for about 20 euro work perfect for me. If yours are leaking try tightening the strap.

To avoid fogging up, while the googles are still dry rub saliva on the inside of both lenses, dunk them in the water once, and off you go.

If they are still fogging up on you then they just need a good clean with a dry cloth. Grease and dirt will fog them up everytime.

Hat-wise. I actually like training in the cotton hats as I find that they allow water to flow around your head more, hence cooling you down.

I race with the standard rubber swim hats that are issued at a lot of triathlons.

Got fed up of replacing silicon hats years ago. They split after a few weeks.

hunnymonster

bagus wrote: »

They split after a few weeks.

Don't tell that to the cap I've been wearing since my second race in 2006!:pac:

MCOS

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Hi MCOS
I buy all my gear online For a cheap silicone hat I use:
http://stores.ebay.ie/Ishka-Sports - will only set you back 3 quid in postage - never had to wait more than 2 days for delivary either...

I bought aquasphere eagle goggles on ebay aswell : http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Easy-Swimshop

Slan.

Got the same goggles on the way to me plus a hat. Thanks!

Redjeep!

I've got a pair of prescription Aquasphere Eagles and I'm pleased enough with them, but more often than not I just wear a cheap pair of goggles over my contact lenses.