Open water competitions or triathlon races are not the best time to test swimming goggles. An athlete needs reliable, perfectly fitted gear to focus on the joy of swimming and winning! Interview with Mateusz Matusiak – triathlete, athlete, and sports event organizer at SNG Wild Ducks club.
How to Choose Swimming Goggles?
How do you choose goggles for open water swimming, triathlon, or pool sessions?
Mateusz Matusiak: Personally, when selecting goggles for training, I prioritize comfort and convenience. During races and intense training sessions, we often step out of our comfort zones, so at least the goggles should be comfortable [smile].
The first and perhaps oldest method of selecting goggles involves pressing them against your face without the strap to see if they fit and hold properly.
- If they come with interchangeable nose bridges, try each one to find the right fit. If not, you’ll need to test a few models of molded goggles.
- For open water swimming, the same principles apply, but the field of vision in the goggles becomes especially important. It’s ideal to have photochromic lenses, which adapt to the lighting conditions. This feature eliminates concerns about weather changes. For example, on sunny days, the lenses adjust to block out the bright light, offering a more convenient and reliable option during unpredictable weather conditions, like in long-distance swims where lighting can vary throughout the event.
In Poland, a great example is the famous Malbork triathlon, where the long-distance (IM) race starts at 6:00 a.m., almost in the dark. By 6:30 a.m., participants may already face glaring morning sunlight [smile].