Swimming goggles

Your guide to finding the right pair of goggles this summer.
 
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02.What to buy

With the exception of a couple of standout cheapies and the adjustable Eyeline Conquest, the top 10 goggles rated by our trialists cost $20 or more, have moulded frames and are anti-fog. The top scorer is Italian-made Aqua Sphere Kayenne, which is also the most expensive pair on trial ($50). 

Our Best Buy is the high-scoring Torpedo Adult Omega, at just $7, available exclusively at Kmart. Its eyecups are made of thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and it scored the highest for watertightness. The other surprise find is the Tyr Stealth 2 ($13), which has silicone eyecups and straps and scored second-highest for watertightness.

All the goggles in our Top 10 list (see table) are anti-fog. Most have silicone eyecups, have moulded or fixed frames and cost more than $20.

Our Top 10 Best Buys

Goggles_line

Pictured, left to right: Aqua Sphere Kayenne, $50; Eyeline Conquest, $32;  Tyr Nest Pro, $30; Aqua Sphere Mako, $25; Torpedo Adult Omega, $7; Speedo Cyclone, $40; Tyr Stealth 2, $13; Zoggs Phantom, $24; Zoggs Predator, $43; View Imprex, $25. 

 

 

About the rest

All the bottom seven goggles on trial have either PVC or TPE/TPR eyecups, rather than silicone. “PVC is of a lower grade than TPR, which is very similar to silicone, while silicone performs much better than PVC and TPR,” said Bob Wong, regional merchandiser of Power Sky International, manufacturer of the Torpedo goggles.

Generally, these goggles are not anti-fog and come with frames that are connected by adjustable nose pieces. They all cost less than $20, suggesting price generally reflects quality as well as performance – although the Torpedo Adult Omega ($7) and Tyr Stealth 2 ($13) are notable exceptions.

Swimming-goggles-table

 

 
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