Growing up as a high level swimmer, my competitors, team mates and I all wore the same goggles: known as Swedish goggles, they were made by a variety of brands but all looked the same – a super simple, build-it-yourself goggle with little or no padding that cost €5 each.
I can’t find those goggles easily anymore, and finding comfortable goggles has become a bit of a minefield of late. There was a simple range of Speedo goggles I liked, until they upgraded the model. The last couple of pairs I tried were disastrously uncomfortable and leaky.
I opted for the clear version (always best, in my view, for indoor pool swimming) and all I can say is that those reviews weren’t hyperbole. These are the best goggles I’ve worn since the old Swedish days! They fit easily and immediately, don’t need to be too tight and are extremely comfortable. I usually expect to have to wear goggles in for a session or two while the eye socket gets used to the new pressure points, but there was no such learning curve with these. Really excellent.
Only two concerns remain. Firstly, I hope Aquasphere doesn’t change the design soon; secondly, I’m trying to decide whether I might even wear the K180 as my outdoor goggle for triathlon this coming season. They’re that good.