Sunday, February 19, 2012

Fail: Zoggs Predator Goggle

As a triathlete, I have researched goggles to death and tried a few brands touted by fellow triathletes and reviewers. My quest for the perfect goggle:

1.  one that doesn't leak;
2.  doesn't fog for a reasonable time; and
3.  doesn't leave goggle marks

has failed.

I have tried the Aquasphere Kaiman. A comfortable goggle which works great for at least a few weeks... then it begins to fog. Great quality and lasts forever, though. The clear versions turn yellow over time and develop mould in the perimeter of the lens. Leaves goggle marks after 1 hour in the pool, but it is easy to adjust.

A lifeguard suggested the Speedo Vanquisher (Women's). I wore this fairly tightly to prevent leaking. It works well, and doesn't fog for at least a few weeks. The lenses scratch easily, and it leaves severe goggle marks. On the bright side, it makes me look like a racer.

My latest attempt to find the perfect goggle was the Zoggs Predator Goggle. I brought it to the pool, tried it to put it on my head, and it broke immediately--at the flexible nose piece. I will be returning it to Wiggles. The annoying element is although the return policy is great, with Wiggles paying for postage, I still have to spend time packaging it and walking it to the postal office, waiting in line, and so on. I had zero minutes' use of the item, unless you include trying it on at home while wearing pajamas. It's peeved me enough that I'm willing to waste another 30 minutes of my time writing this quick blurb about the goggle fail to warn others.

I have a drawer with other goggles waiting to be tried: Blue Seventy Nero and the Zoggs Fusion, plus a Zoggs Predator Flex with yellow lenses.  Perhaps I should try the remaining Zoggs and package it up to save time making a return later?  I will give it a try and report back.

May 29, 2012 Update:  I finally gave up my scratched up Aquasphere Kaimans which can get black mould at the edges of the lenses... yikes.  My husband noticed that they were leaking...

Tried the Zoggs Predator Flex.  They are very large for my small face, but still acceptable.  They are comfortable and do not leak, despite the large size.  During my first ever use of them, they fogged up.  A single dip in the pool water, and I was good to go for the rest of the hour.  So far, I like them, but for the tendency to fog!  They also do not leave lasting goggle marks.  They are much better than the Kaimans in that respect.  Unfortunately, they come off my head if I do a forceful flip turn.  What flip turn is not forceful, you might ask?  This is my way of saying that I have to cinch them up fairly tightly--not a good thing when you're trying to avoid goggle marks.  Goggles should be able to stick to your face without the strap, if they fit properly.  Or at least this is what I've been told.  Or maybe this is one of those urban legends, like the alligator in the sewer.  Ha.   Haha.  Hahaha.

October 12, 2012 Update:  The Zoggs Predator Flex *does* leave goggle marks.  The marks are noticeable for a few hours after leaving the pool, and make me look haggard with puffy bags under my eyes--so basically the marks make me look old.  The fogging issue continues, but not too bad... they remain clear for the first 10 minutes, then after a dip in the water, they remain clear enough to finish the rest of the one hour session (or maybe another stop to dip again...).  I need to wear them tightly enough so that they don't get blown off my face when I do a flip turn.