Best Swim Goggles For Open Water Swimmers

Have you ever been kicked, nudged, slapped or poked in the eye while swimming alongside other participants in a triathlon or an open water swim race? Consequently, have you experienced your swim goggles being dislodged or destroyed at any point of the swim leg, causing you to slow down or completely stop? These all-too-familiar scenarios affect both seasoned and newbie triathletes as well as marathon swimmers as they weave through a swimming pack in open sea.

My participation at the 2016 Swim Junkie Open Water Swim Challenge in Caramoan Island Philippines made me realize that when swimming a 7-kilometer distance in open water, swim goggles is LIFE. I was aware of having to deal with leg cramps, jellyfish sting and sheer exhaustion, but what worried me the most was whether my goggles would fail me! Hence, my ever-ready “girl scout” spirit had me tucking an extra pair under my swimsuit – just in case.

Triathletes and long-distance swimmers know that swim goggles play a significant role in their race performance and goals. Here are 5 favorite brands and why these are relied on for long training and actual races:

1. SPEED0

• 3-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas swears by Speedo Merit. “It checks all the boxes I’ve been looking for in my sport. It’s reliable, durable and goes well with both training and open water racing. Besides, it’s not expensive with the price of less than US$20.” Nikko thinks his Speedo Merit played a pivotal role in achieving his best swim splits.
• Swim school owner and coach Anthony Lozada’s personal pick is Speedo Biofuse Flexiseal for both training and racing. He considers this model versatile and comfortable even when worn for a 2 to 4-hour swim. Says he, “The double-strap keeps the goggles in place and the anti-fog lens keeps my vision from being distorted.” He likewise recommends it to his swim trainees, one of whom is triathlete Elaine Andaya who swims all her races with it. According to her, she “likes that it doesn’t leave deep goggle marks around the eyes even after swimming long distances.”

2. TYR Nest Pro

• CPA and 12-time Ironman finisher Reagan Diaz picked TYR Nest Pro as his swim goggles of choice. He has used it in 8 of his full Ironman races, the latest of which was IM Florida last November 2019. He loves how snug it fits yet still comfortable around the eyes. He also appreciates its leak proof feature, saying that he “tried a lot of goggles to keep salt water out of the eyes while swimming and this one is undoubtedly the winner.” In fact, Reagan plans wearing the Nest Pro at his ultimate race – the 2020 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
• Triathlete and spin instructor Raymond Ordoveza couldn’t agree more. The Nest Pro is included in his wide collection of swim goggles. This pair lasted him the longest but he thinks “it doesn’t look that great.” At times, triathletes believe that when you look good, you feel good and swim good!

3. Aqua Sphere Kayenne

• Facebook executive and triathlete Anna Rodriguez raves about Aqua Sphere Kayenne Ladies… “I have a relatively small face and this fits me perfectly around the eye socket without pinching. It has a snug fit on all sides which makes it a good choice for open water swimming.”
• Similarly, fast food corporate VP and triathlete Samantha Allen has been using the Kayenne for over 6 years. She likes the side buckle system that makes tightening and loosening the strap easy even while worn. This model also gives her “a good visual range brought about by the diamond-ish shape of the lens.”

4. ZOGGS Predator

• “Zoggs Predator, known for its light gaskets for that ‘invisible feel’, is another triathlon favorite. After testing this model, I never shifted to any other brand. I currently own 8 pairs, some are clear while the others are tinted. This model has double straps that are quick and easy to adjust and I don’t need to tighten them too much to get a good fit. They last long as well (around 2 years) and the rubber never got bacony.” – Victor Magno, triathlon team captain
• “It’s Zoggs Predator for me. I am loving the flexible nose bridge that provides a more personal fit. This comes with the very affordable price and an amazingly wide variety of colors and tints to choose from.” -- Jonathan Gopaco, Ironman 70.3 Finisher

5. ABOVE

• The brand Above has its Mars Air Plus line specifically designed for open water and triathlon swim. Although this brand doesn’t ring a bell vis-à-vis the more popular brands in the swim gear market, it is starting to have a following among long-distance swimmers.
• Betsy Medalla, triathlon swim coach and founder of Swim Junkie open water races, has nothing but praise for the Mars Air Plus. She uses them for the extra soft gaskets that leaves no deep goggle marks even after a 5 to 10-kilometer swim. “The sockets aren’t too big and the profile is just right. My eyelashes swipe against low profile goggles which is no fun.” She further adds that vision wise, it provides the clearest view and the anti-fog lasts a decent amount of time.

As swim brands continuously offer a wide variety of goggles in the market, it is deemed prudent to choose your “ultimate pair” by taking into account personal recommendations and product reviews. When still in doubt, stick to the basic considerations such as fit, visual clarity, price and style.

Nancy Chu's bio:

Sunsational Swim Instructor in San Diego, CA

Hi. I'm teacher Nancy, a former varsity swimmer, triathlete and dragon boat rower who graduated with an Economics degree from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. I completed the US Swim School Association's Infant Toddler Instructor Education Course and taught swimming to kids ages 2 to 10 yrs old. My lifelong passion for water sports and my love of children ultimately make this a dream job. My goal: To teach swimming as a fun physical activity and a life skill.