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Best Goggles For Triathlons in 2023

 

Goggles may seem like a tiny piece of equipment that isn’t of much consequence. But believe me – the wrong pair of goggles on your face can ruin a triathlon when it’s barely even started.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to size your goggles, first of all. We’ll cover that below in the frequently asked questions.

But apart from that, if you want to find the best goggles for triathlons, there are some boxes to tick. Sure, you could just choose any old pair, but selecting one of the best will help you improve your time and performance. A bit more investment up front for a great pair will also probably save you money in the long run – good goggles last longer (if you look after them properly).

Our number one pick is the Orca Killa 180. They’re sleek and stylish, come with an anti-fog coating, and are easily adjustable to fit any size head.

Keep reading to find out what else makes our list!

Top 4 Best and Favorites

 

ORCA Killa 180

 

  • Anti-fog coating
  • Easily adjustable, fits all sizes
  • UltraFuse rubber eye padding
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Aqua Sphere Kayenne

 

  • Rugged design
  • Polarized lenses with UV protection
  • Scratch-resistant, anti-fog lenses
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Arena Cobra Ultra Swipe Mirror Goggle

 

  • Sleek and aerodynamic design
  • Swipe anti-fog technology
  • Adjustable silicone strap
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Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored

 

  • Mirrored lenses for better vision
  • UV protection
  • Fog-resistant lenses
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Best Overall

1. ORCA Killa 180

The Orca Killa goggles, first and foremost, look superbly stylish. Available in five different colors (lenses and rubber band), there’s something for every swimmer.

Whatever color lens you go for, it will come with an anti-fog coating to prevent the annoying foggy-eye and keep your vision as clear as possible at all times.

The silicone strap and clip is easily adjustable and will be able to fit most head sizes comfortably. It splits at the back to provide a more comfortable feel.

Innovative UltraFuse technology creates a soft rubber mold around the eye sockets, increasing comfort drastically while reducing pressure and staying leak-free.

These goggles are wider than average, which will be fine on most people. Those with narrow faces, though, may find them uncomfortable or ineffective.


PROS:

  • A variety of stylish colored lenses
  • Anti-fog coating
  • Easily adjustable, fits all sizes
  • UltraFuse rubber eye padding

CONS:

  • These goggles are wide, so those with narrow faces may find they don’t fit well

Check Price on Amazon

Top Open Water Triathlon Swim Goggles

2. Aqua Sphere Kayenne

Even at first glance, these goggles look rugged and hardcore. They’re designed to be worn in the open water and not in pools, so they’re made to withstand a bit of a beating.

The oversized Plexisol lenses feature an unusual triangular shape. While this may create a wider scope of vision for some, others may find that the shape doesn’t mold to their face quite as well as regularly shaped ones.

On the plus side, the lenses use their patented curved lens technology to keep your vision as sparklingly clear as possible, and are also anti-fog to keep them from misting up when you need them to remain clean.

They’re polarized, scratch-resistant, and have UVA/UVB protection, so your eyes will be as safe as can be from sun, glare, and debris while you’re in the water.


PROS:

  • Rugged design
  • Polarized lenses with UV protection
  • Scratch-resistant, anti-fog lenses
  • Durable enough for open water swimming

CONS:

  • The slightly unusual shape of the goggles may cause leaking on some faces

Check Price on Amazon

Best Pool Swim Goggles

3. Arena Cobra Ultra Swipe Mirror Goggle

Swimming in chemically-treated water is different than being out in the open water. Not only is the water itself different, but when you’re a triathlete, the competition is different, too!

These goggles are super sleek and aerodynamic. They also come equipped with state-of-the-art anti-fog technology, sporting Swipe Anti-Fog tech, which activates the fog-repelling lens when it is swiped gently with a finger 5 times while in the water.

Be sure to only clean these lenses with cool water. Soap can damage the anti-fog coating.


PROS:

  • Sleek and aerodynamic design
  • Swipe anti-fog technology
  • Comes with three adjustable nose bridges
  • Adjustable silicone strap

CONS:

  • Cleaning the lens with soap can damage the anti-fog coating

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Best Runner-Up Pool Swim Goggles

4. Speedo Fastskin LZR Pure Focus

These low-profile goggles have fewer color options than our first place pool goggles, but they’re just as sleek and streamlined.

They’re designed to be close-fitting to reduce drag and improve your speed in the pool. A wide peripheral scope of vision also means you can see all you need.

Your purchase includes 3 different nose pieces so you can get a perfect fit for your face. Something we quite like is the numbered head strap, which means you can get your perfect fit every time.


PROS:

  • Custom track nose bridge for better fit
  • Wide peripheral vision
  • Specially-designed strap and seal for no leaks
  • Comes with a hard case for protection

CONS:

  • Not many colors/lens options

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Top Value Pool Swim Goggles

5. Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored

A great pair of goggles can be pricey! If you’re in the market for goggles but want a pair that’s not going to break the bank, this could be the one for you.

They sport plenty of high-end features such as wide peripheral vision, anti-fog technology, UV protection, and cushioned seals.

When you buy a pair, you’ll get 4 adjustable nose pieces so you can find the best fit for you.

The only downside is that the nose pieces aren’t as durable as other goggles, but that’s a little to be expected for a lower-priced pair. We still recommend them as the top value product!


PROS:

  • Affordable but good quality
  • Mirrored lenses for better vision
  • UV protection
  • Fog-resistant lenses

CONS:

  • The nose pieces are not as durable as others

Check Price on Amazon

Best Swim Goggles for Training

6. TYR Sport Special Ops 2.0

These goggles are a bit chunkier than the others we’ve reviewed. While some may see this as a flaw, it actually gives them a thumbs-up for being the best swimming training goggles.

If you can see constant improvement and gains with these goggles on, when you switch them out for something more streamlined in a race, you’ll notice the difference immediately.

They do have a polarized anti-fog coating, for better vision at all times. Their hypoallergenic silicone gaskets also provide a tight fit without feeling like they’re cutting into your face.


PROS:

  • Slightly bulkier than others, great for training
  • 100% silicone construction
  • Polarized lens coating to reduce glare
  • Hypoallergenic silicone gaskets for comfy, tight fit

CONS:

  • May not be best for racing if you’re used to something sleeker

Check Price on Amazon

Most Comfortable

7. Speedo Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Goggle

Comfort is highly important. Not only will it prevent you from coming home with black eyes after your triathlon, but it can be nearly impossible to focus on your race if your face is hurting or uncomfortable!

The Futura’s strap is wide and splits at the back of the head, allowing for a more comfortable fit. It’s also fully and easily adjustable, to find the perfect tightness around your head.

Beyond being easy on the head, these goggles are easy on the cheekbones and eye sockets, too. Their Flexiseal technology cushions and protects while reducing leaks.

Speedo also makes use of BioFuse tech, which fuses the hard frame with silicone for extra flexibility, durability, and comfort.

The only thumbs-down is that there’s no glare reduction. But that’s something we can live without, especially when your goggles are as comfy on your face as these are.


PROS:

  • Shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses
  • Quick-fit adjustable strap
  • Cushioned Flexiseal
  • BioFuse tech, hard/silicone frame for durability and comfort

CONS:

  • No glare reduction feature

Check Price on Amazon

Best Goggles for Visual Clarity

8. HUUB Aphotic Swim Goggle

Clarity is another coveted thing when you’re underwater, especially in the open water that’s not sediment-free and brightly lit like a pool.

These are our top pick for clarity. They feature photochromic technology that creates a self-regulating pair of goggles that adjust their own tint according to the light. They’re like Transition lenses, but for swimming.

This is super helpful for those long days when light conditions change as you’re busy working your way through a triathlon. It takes about 160 seconds for them to go from dark to light, or the other way around.

With a panoramic view out of the lenses, you’ll be able to see all you need to see ahead of you. The only thing we missed was the anti-fog tech.


PROS:

  • Photochromic technology adjusts to light
  • Goes from dark to light in 160 seconds
  • Comes in a protective case
  • Panoramic view

CONS:

  • No anti-fog coating

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Best Anti-Fog

9. Arena Cobra Tri Swipe Mirror Goggle

There are few things more frustrating than having your goggles fog up while you’re in the middle of a swim. Stopping to clear your goggles over and over again really puts a hurt on your time. Arena Cobra Tri-Swipe goggles are designed to avoid having to deal with that problem ever again!

Their unique Swipe Anti-Fog technology makes it easy to avoid fogging by simply swiping the internal lens 5 times with your finger while they’re in the water.

Arena also claims that their fog protection lasts up to 10 times longer than other brands. Considering that fact, and how easy it is to activate it, we give this pair of goggles a big tick in the “best anti-fog” box.


PROS:

  • Swipe Anti-Fog technology
  • Mirrored lenses for glare reduction
  • UV protection factor
  • Various tints available

CONS:

  • Non-polarized lenses

Check Price on Amazon

Top Polarized

10. Speedo MDR 2.4 Polarized

Polarized lenses are great for reducing glare, especially in the water. UV protection and anti-fog are extra features that are always well appreciated.

They’re designed to fit around the outer eye, to prevent an uncomfortable inner eye socket fit. Elastometric tech helps to reduce pressure while preventing leaking, although some customers have stated that they were left with “raccoon eyes” after wearing these.

Between the polarized, anti-fog lenses, ClearSight technology (curved lens for extended peripheral vision), a TPR frame, and being free from any trace of latex, these goggles are suitable for most swimmers.

Be aware that the nose bridge is not adjustable, so it may be slightly less comfortable for some.


PROS:

  • Polarized to prevent glare while in the water
  • Outer eye fit for more comfort
  • Elastomeric technology reduces pressure around eyes
  • Easily adjustable Speed Fit clips

CONS:

  • Nose bridge is not adjustable

Check Price on Amazon

Best with Built-In Display

11. FORM Smart Swim Goggles

If you love your sports tech, try a pair of FORM Smart Swim Goggles. Rather than having to check your metrics on your wrist, these goggles show you your data on-the-go in the see-through display, while functioning as excellent goggles.

Choose which metrics you’d like displayed, including pace, distance, calories burned, split times, and heart rate. You can connect a Polar OH1 or OH1+ chest HR monitor for more specific monitoring. They’re also compatible with Garmin Smart Watches and Apple Watch.

They’re great for training, and also have anti-fog functions. There are no fancy coatings on the lenses, or polarization, because the lens is your see-through display. Other than that, it does a great job, and includes seven adjustable nose bridge pieces.

They’re waterproof up to 32 feet and have a battery life of approximately 16 hours. You’ll get a charging cable and case with your purchase.


PROS:

  • 12 customizable metrics
  • Support for live HR monitoring with certain straps
  • Free FORM app
  • See-through smart display

CONS:

  • Pricey, but that’s to be expected

Check Price on Amazon

 

FAQs

If you need an extra push before taking that step and investing in a great pair of goggles for your next triathlon, here are some of the questions we see most often. Perhaps they’ll help you along the way!

Why Use Swim Goggles?

If you think about it, the reasons for using goggles are pretty logical. You want to be able to see clearly underwater, and not have your eyes irritated by debris, chemicals, or simply the movement of the water over them.

That’s exactly what goggles do. They protect the eyes and reduce possible irritation, while allowing you to see clearly through the water.

How Should Goggles Fit?

Making sure your goggles are the right fit can be tricky if you aren’t sure how to do it. It’s not as hard as it seems, though!

Simply hold the goggles to your eyes and press them gently onto your face around your eyes, where they would sit normally while you’re wearing them.

If the goggles have enough suction to stick to your eyes for 3 or 4 seconds, they’re good to go! You’ve found your perfect fit.

If they pop off your face, you need a smaller size. That suction is important for keeping water out!

Obviously, if they’re too small to press into your face properly without poking yourself in the eye sockets, you probably want to choose a larger size.

Why Do Swim Goggles Fog Up?

If you’ve ever worn swim goggles, you know how annoying that fogginess can be. Sometimes it seems like there’s just no way to stop it from happening.

The reason your goggles fog up is because of condensation due to a difference in temperature inside and outside your goggles.

You get in the water, and the goggles cool down because they’re in touch with the cold water. However, the area behind the goggles, around your eyes, gets warmer, due to your natural body temperature.

This temperature difference causes the moisture in the air around your eyes to begin to evaporate, causing little droplets to form on the inside of your goggles.

How Can You Prevent Foggy Goggles?

If you’re looking for a way to prevent your goggles from fogging up, you can try:

  • An anti-fogging spray.
  • Rubbing your goggles with shampoo or shaving cream before wearing.
  • Spitting into your goggles before putting them on.
  • Getting your face cool in the water before putting them on.

What Are Swim Goggles Made Of?

Usually, goggle lenses are created from polycarbonate, which is shatter-proof and UV-resistant. These properties are helpful for swimming, but don’t make the goggles resistant to scratching!

How Do You Clean and Maintain Swim Goggles?

Goggles need proper maintenance if you want them to last a long time and serve you well. Here are some tips and tricks to look after your goggles so they’ll be around for many years to come:

  • After use, rinse your goggles in lukewarm or cool tap water – never hot or cold
  • Wash your goggles with mild soap or an anti-fogging wash.
  • Let the goggles air dry to preserve the lenses.
  • If they need a deeper clean, a wipe with vinegar would help.
Shanna Powell

Shanna Powell

Shanna is a writer who runs... And cycles, jumps rope, and lifts weights. She lives in beautiful South Africa and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with other avid athletes.

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