2015 Triathlete Buyer’s Guide: Goggles

$24, Barracudausa.com
The draw: Open water ready

Say goodbye to goggle headaches and post-swim raccoon eyes thanks to the flexibility of the Barracuda Triton. The frame adapts to the contours of your facial bones to create a seal that allows you to swim all day in comfort. The size and curvature of the lenses are ideal for open water while the straps can easily be adjusted with the touch of a button. Like the frame, the nose bridge is adaptable to different face sizes.

$25, Speedousa.com
The draw: Value-packed comfort
If you want a single pair capable of double duty for training and racing, the Bullet fits the bill. Its gaskets sit in the comfort zone between the eye and the surrounding bone. Speedo’s lens technology eliminates distortion and extends peripheral vision; strap adjustments are simple and intuitive. Swimmers with larger noses may find the nose bridge uncomfortable. The anti-fog coating doesn’t last long, but the mirrored lenses reduce glare when swimming in bright light.

$30 ($25 non-mirrored), Rokasports.com
The draw: Eight lens tints available

The wetsuit specialists at ROKA are jumping into the goggle market in a big way, offering four new models that will be available in a spectrum of lens tints to cover every possible light condition. With super soft silicone gaskets, high optical clarity from the polycarbonate lenses and eight available tints, these goggles have mass appeal. The cobalt blue lenses are ideal for overcast weather and really excel in open water by making bright colored buoys stand out against the water.

$30, Aquasphereswim.com
The draw: Distortion-free lens

Aqua Sphere’s patented curved lens design won’t distort your field of view and ensures your depth perception stays on point. This feature pays off in open water but is especially apparent in the pool—no more blown flip-turns because you were closer to the wall than you thought. The straps were the easiest to adjust of any goggle tested, and the soft gaskets felt natural and secure. The lens doesn’t have quite the field of view as the popular Kayenne from Aqua Sphere, but it does have anti-fog and anti-scratch treatments with 100 percent UVA and UVB protection, even on the clear model.
[buy-now-btn nytro=”http://www.nytro.com/all-products/browse/keyword/aquasphere-kaiman”]

$30, Tyr.com
The draw: Clarity anywhere, anytime

The photochromic lens and stellar peripheral vision offered by the Special Ops 2.0 make these versatile goggles the only set you’ll need in your gear bag. From early-morning pool workouts to sunny open-water swims, these goggles are well equipped to handle any conditions, thanks to the transitional lenses that darken from clear to smoke. The silicone gaskets supply a watertight seal, and the anti-fog treatment actually holds up over time.

$18, Blueseventy.com
The draw: Built for speed

The Blueseventy Nero Race goggles are surprisingly comfortable considering their low-profile design. Peripheral vision isn’t as broad compared to open-water goggles, but triathletes with competitive swimming backgrounds will feel comfortable in the Nero Race for training in the pool or racing in open water. Four different nose bridges are included to guarantee you’ll find the perfect fit, and the minimalist design keeps the price affordable.
[buy-now-btn nytro=”http://www.nytro.com/swim-goggles/browse/brand/blue-seventy”]