Are swimming goggles necessary for triathlons?
This is the simple answer. For several reasons, goggles are essential. Primarily because sighting in triathlon is crucial. Goggles are necessary to see clearly and open your eyes to see what is ahead.
They also keep water out of their way (obviously).
They also keep out
- Salt
- Chlorine
- Bacteria
These are all annoying, which you want to avoid while racing.
They also protect against objects, which is even more critical. You might lose your goggles amid a triathlon scrum. We say your goggles are better than your eye!
Open water could also contain ponds or seaweeds, stirred-up soil, and the Loch Ness Monster…
Here are some tips to help you choose the right pair.
Google Fit
It is essential to get the fit right. Open water can be very pushy. If your goggles aren’t securely in place, they may be thrown out. One way to secure your goggles is to sandwich them between 2 swim caps. Another way to ensure your goggles are secure is to ensure they fit snugly.
They can even be custom-fitted. Magic5 uses an app to scan your face and create a customized set of goggles tailored to your features. Prices start at PS53. This is comparable to buying high-spec goggles but without a fit guarantee.
Take a look through the lens.
It is essential to choose the right lenses for your swimming conditions. This decision will be affected by where and when you swim. You’ll likely need several pairs if you are a severe triathlon competitor. This will depend on the race day conditions.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Are you feeling sunny or cloudy today?
- Are you looking for a late afternoon, early morning, or late night?
- It doesn’t matter if it’s outdoors or indoors.
There are many options for goggles that have a variety of features. Depending on the race day, you may need several pairs that you can swap out.
- UV protection
- Mirrored or Smoked
- Polarized
Whether you swim in saltwater, chlorinated, or freshwater doesn’t matter. All goggles need to be UV protective coatings. Shade your eyes if it is hot outside. Smoked or mirror-coated lenses provide shade. Mirror coatings reflect light away, while smoked lenses create a darker view. If swimming on a lakeshore with murky water, these lenses may be too dark.
Watch out for excessive glare on the water in the morning and late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky. Polarised lenses may be helpful. Polarisation is a coating that reflects the most intense glaring light and blocks it from entering the room.
For maximum visibility, opt for clear glasses if it is very early in the morning before the sun rises or in the middle of the night.
The Pool
Triathlons may have their swim section in a swimming pool rather than open water. If this is the case, the type of goggles you choose will depend on where you swim.
- Brightly lit or outdoors: Polarised and mirror or smoked lenses are still a good option.
- Fog-resistant pool goggles with high-contrast or anti-glare lenses might be a better choice.
Mirrored or smoked lenses might be too dark to be used in dimly lit indoor spaces. It may not be easy to see what is going on. Mirrored goggles may have psychological advantages, according to some. This might be true. However, it’s better to focus on your vision and not on the thoughts of the person in front of you.
Instead, consider where your weakness is visual.
- Viewing from the surface – Refractions on the water’s surface can distract or blur a person’s vision. Try blue lenses in this instance. They can counteract the glare.
- You are having trouble seeing under the water. Consider amber, pink, or red lenses if this is your problem. Because of their higher contrast, these lenses will make lines and objects more prominent in the water.
Get ready!
No matter what goggles you choose, it would help if you practiced with them before the big day. Doing some good training exercises will make you feel more confident before the big day. You can also make sure you have all the adjustments that are necessary to prevent any leaks.
Although it may seem obvious, practice fitting them precisely how you will for your race. You don’t want your goggles sliding off the track or being knocked off the start line.
Are you ready to begin your triathlon journey? Book a session with one of our coaches for one-on-one support during your training.
Do you want to improve your swimming technique? You can get personalized coaching on strategy and bespoke swimming plans to help you win your next race. Get in touch
