The swimming goggles in the clearance section range from the Swedish competitor's goggle to wide field of vision masks: Arena Cobra Swipe with mirrored lenses, Speedo Hydropulse, Biofuse, and Futura for training, Speedo Swedish DIY assembly, Speedo Biofuse Rift in mask version, and junior models TYR, Speedo, and Arena sized for children's faces.
See clearly in the water, for a softer price.
The Swedish goggles, invented by Tommy Malmsten in the mid-1970s, don't have a joint: the hard plastic shell sits directly on the orbit. Sold disassembled, they are put together with an elastic and a nose cord that you cut to the right length, like on the Speedo Swedish. Its very low profile slices through the water and doesn't move during dives, which is why it’s popular in competitions. On the other hand, goggles with a silicone joint, like the Speedo Futura Classic or the Hydrosity, fit the face without adjustment and can be worn for long periods without leaving marks. The Speedo Biofuse has a soft frame that molds to the face and sits between the two.
The swimming clearance sale also includes:
All end-of-line products are gathered on the swimming page.
The choice of lens depends on the light. Clear lenses let in the maximum amount of light and are suitable for indoor pools, poorly lit areas, and evening sessions. Tinted or shaded lenses reduce glare under skylights and in outdoor pools. Mirror lenses, like those on the Speedo Hydropulse Mirror or the Arena Cobra Ultra Swipe, reflect part of the light before it reaches the eye: they are valuable in open water and triathlon when you have to spot a buoy in the sun. Most of these lenses also filter UV rays, which is a point to check for those who swim outdoors often.
The swim mask, like the Speedo Biofuse Rift, covers a larger part of the face with a panoramic lens: the side vision widens, the support is distributed over the forehead and cheekbones, and it reassures swimmers discovering open water or children who don't like getting water in their eyes. The junior goggles take the style of adult models down to a smaller size: the Speedo Jet, simple and sturdy, is suitable for first sessions, while the Arena Spider and the TYR Aqua Blaze fit small faces. An easily adjustable elastic allows the child to tighten their goggles themselves at the poolside.
Fogging occurs due to the temperature difference between the water and the air trapped behind the lens. Almost all goggles receive an anti-fog treatment on the inside of the lenses, which wears off when rubbed. Arena has taken a different approach with the Swipe technology on the Cobra Ultra, Cobra Edge, and Air Bold: a few swipes with your fingertip on the inside while the lenses are wet reactivate the treatment, which the brand claims is up to ten times more durable than its previous coating. For other models, avoid touching the inside, rinse with clear water after each session to remove chlorine, and let them dry in the shade in a case that protects against scratches.
Yes, prescription goggles are available with lenses in the desired power, usually in half-diopter steps, especially for myopia. Some models allow you to choose different corrections for each eye, and an optician can also make a custom pair.
First, place the lenses over your eyes, then pull the elastic behind your head, above your ears, across the top back of your skull. With a swim cap, many swimmers place the elastic over it so it doesn't slip.
Yes, many adults with narrow faces find a better seal with junior models, which have a smaller gap between the eyes and smaller joints. The suction test, with the goggles pressed on without the elastic, helps verify the fit.
In triathlon, a wide field of vision is preferred to spot buoys and competitors, and a comfortable joint for long wear. A mask or goggle with large lenses, fitting snugly under the cap, is better at withstanding the impacts of a mass start.
Most often, the size is not right, the elastic is positioned too low or too tight and distorts the joint, or hair gets trapped under the edge. An aged joint, hardened by chlorine, also loses its seal and indicates it's time to change pairs.