When you’ve got a triathlon scheduled, the last thing you want to do is compromise your performance with sub-par swimming goggles. We recommend getting a pair of the best triathlon goggles because they’re specifically designed for long swims, offer great visibility so that you can see the other racers and your sightline, and provide glare protection.
Finding the best open water goggles on the market can be a bit of a pain, especially if you don’t know what to look for. You don’t want to spend your triathlon having to stop and pry your goggles off your face or wipe them off every 30 seconds.
Getting the best triathlon goggles will help improve your swim, bike and run. But don’t forget that if you’re getting the best triathlon goggles you’ll need the best triathlon shorts to complete the beastly trifecta!
What Are Triathlon Goggles?
Triathletes have many swimming choices when it comes to gear, but one of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll need to be prepared for is swimming goggles. If you’re preparing for your first triathlon, then you might be wondering how to choose one of the best triathlon goggles for you.
It seems that triathlon swimming goggles are now as common as running shoes. And with so many brands to choose from, how on earth do you pick the best pair? Let me break it down for you. My advice? Pick the pair of goggles you like the best. It’s that simple!
Do these goggles fit securely without being too tight? Do you have a wide field of vision? Will you be able to spot your opponents ahead of time? And most importantly: how do they look on your face?!
If you don’t know what to look for in a pair of open water goggles, you’ll likely end up wasting money on a pair that ends up sitting at the bottom of your gear bag. Here’s the lowdown on what you should be looking for: shape, lens material, seal, and strap.
So, how do you get yourself the perfect pair of triathlon goggles? Don’t worry about whether you’re looking at the wrong brand or model — just read this review of the best triathlon goggles and be amazed by how easy buying goggles can be!
And remember: there’s no need to settle for “okay.” Just keep swimming till you find the one that’s right for you.
Top 3 Best Triathlon Goggles
Choosing the best triathlon goggles for your needs can be a bit tricky. You want something that will protect your eyes in all conditions, while also being comfortable and easy to use. Open water swimming goggles are designed especially for water sports, so they’re the best option for most people. Let’s see what’s available out there.
1. Arena Cobra Swim Triathlon Goggles
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Arena has made sure that you will enjoy these goggles on all of your outdoor adventures. The split strap prevents them from slipping once they’ve been secured into place, ensuring that you’ll never have to worry about the wind catching them and tugging them off of your eyes. The liquid silicone body fits well and feels comfortable, but is strong enough to hold its shape.
You won’t be disappointed with this pair of goggles! And the best part? They’re polarized. That means they reduce glare, allowing you to see more clearly on sunny days. In addition, they block harmful UVA and UVB rays from reaching your eyes because who wants that? The goggles are also wide-angle so you can see in all directions, so you won’t run into anything.
These amazing goggles are perfect for racing or training. Just don’t forget to take them off every once in a while, or you may end up with a cut on your face from where the goggles may have dug a little too deep into your skin.
But with so many positive reviews from users, the Arena Cobra Swim Goggles will never let you down. If you are interested in buying them, we’re sure you’ll love the features these goggles offer!
2. TYR Nest Pro Triathlon Goggles
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The TYR Nest is an innovative new swim goggle from TYR that’s sure to turn heads. It’s our personal favorite here at Volata Cycles, and we’re confident you’ll love it too! Not only is its sleek design perfect for triathletes, but its water-tight technology is ideal for those who are dissatisfied with their goggles!
You’re in the business of breaking records, and it takes a lot more than a good swimsuit to get you there. It takes the TYR Nest Pro mirrored goggles. Built with latex-free construction and bold color statements, these mirrored goggles are the perfect accessories to help you keep your head above water. Their unibody design ensures that no matter what shape face you have, they’ll fit you just right.
Inspired by Beijing’s 2008 Olympic Bird’s Nest Stadium, this yet another one of the best triathlon goggles has a grid-like frame that makes it extra sturdy, and its TPR gasket seals keep water from escaping and create an elegant appearance.
Wearing goggles is as fun as wearing a blindfold. You can’t see more than a foot in front of you, and if you try, the steam from your breath will fog up the lenses and give you a ‘raccoon eye’ that’s just plain creepy. But all that changes with Nest Pro’s wide peripheral cellulose propionate anti-fog lenses. Did I mention that they’re also UV protected and with long-term clarity? So you’ll be able to swim for hours without your eyes drying out.
Remember: these goggles are for open-water swimming only. Wearing them in a pool is ill-advised, as the distortion makes it harder to judge the depth – meaning that your judgment as to how close you are to walls is thrown off.
3. Aqua Sphere Kayenne Triathlon Goggles
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Aqua Sphere Premium Goggles offer 180-degrees of uncompromising, crystal-clear vision, with UV protection and an anti-fog coating for swimming in the summer heat. The 4-point oversized Plexisol lenses are curved and polarized to eliminate any distortion, and will help make you feel like you’re swimming underwater instead of just above it.
The Quick Fit system on these triathlon goggles allows you to precisely tighten or loosen the strap, even while wearing the goggles. This helps ensure that the goggles fit you perfectly and comfortably. Plus, with the Quick Fit Buckle system’s added convenience, you have more time to focus on your training.
The Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swim Goggles are your ticket to awesomeness. And when we say ‘awesome’, we mean it — these swimming goggles are among the best triathlon goggles. They’re ultra-durable, they look great, and they’ll take the rough treatment you put them through while swimming laps. They are available in clear, smoke, or mirrored lenses. You know what to do now: choose your favorite lens color!
Beware: Some users were not pleased with the comfort of these goggles, as they felt like they were wearing reading glasses eight times stronger than their normal prescription.
4. MP Michael Phelps XCEED Triathlon Goggles
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If you’re going to be wearing a pair of swimming goggles during the race, might as well make them the best triathlon goggles available. We’ve been trying to find ways to make your experience more golden. Now, thanks to the folks at MP Michael Phelps, you’ll have the chance to become a gold medalist in your own pool!
Designed by gold medalist and legendary Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, the goggles are made from both a rigid and flexible material, so they are both durable and comfortable. You’re going to like this feature because it means that you can wear the goggles for a long time without feeling pain around your head. The straps are also hydrodynamic so you don’t get water in your eyes while using them.
The XCEED swimming goggles are some of the most unique on the market and absolutely one of the best triathlon goggles. Unlike goggles that use hard micro-gaskets (like the ones that hurt your eyes when you wear them for more than 15 minutes), these goggles use an ultra-soft Softeril to provide leak-free swimming while maintaining comfort.
Unlike the competition, their lenses curve outwards, providing a wider field of vision. This allows swimmers to keep an eye on surrounding obstacles as they swim laps. Swim anywhere, from a pool to a lake, with total comfort and clarity. The lenses are made of polycarbonate and have an anti-scratch coating that protects swimmers from UV rays.
Some users have complained that these goggles did not fog when they first put them on. However, after 10-15 laps, the goggles would start to fog up. Some complain that the goggles are not scratch-resistant.
But really…
Goggles for open water are great. It’s no wonder that some of the best triathletes in the world wear them! I’m not trying to brag, but you’ll look pretty cool wearing these too. I mean, this is what Michael Phelps wears — and he’s the man!
5. TYR Sport Special Ops 2.0 Polarized Triathlon Goggles
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These goggles are perfect for triathletes, open water swimmers, and anyone who demands quality goggles that not only serves a purpose — but look great doing it. They are crafted from hypoallergenic Durafit silicone. So you know they won’t fall apart or break when you’re in the middle of swimming a few kilometers.
These triathlon goggles are the best of all worlds: they eliminate glare, they eliminate the fog and they give you a wider field of vision than ever before for safe swimming. And if that wasn’t enough, they’re smartly designed to fit comfortably on your face — talk about bang for your buck! If you’re an outdoor swimmer, these are the goggles for you.
The manufacturer provides you with the option to customize your Special Ops Goggles. It does not offer much variety in terms of design choices though. This pair is the best triathlon goggles for sports competitors and recreational swimmers.
However, if you have a big head, be sure to check out the adult version of this model. If you have a small head, however, you should purchase the children’s version. Small heads + large goggles = leaks, and discomfort. Save yourself the trouble — or what will probably turn into an expensive headache — and just purchase the right sized pair of swim goggles from the get-go.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Now, go forth into the world and purchase the best triathlon goggles. There are plenty of options available to you. Don’t be afraid to take your time and really think about what you need. Then, pick whichever pair seems like the best fit.
Once you’ve gotten your triathlon goggles, make sure you get the best triathlon suit to go along with it. Trust me it’ll make your triathlon that much more pleasurable.
Good luck with the race!
