Goggles can make or break a swim. Get them wrong and you’re stopping every few minutes to clear leaks, wipe fog, squint into glare or guess where you’re going. Get them right and you can forget about them completely – which is exactly the point.
We teamed up with swimmers from the Sheffield Triathlon Club to put a range of outdoor swimming goggles to the test. From adjustable nose bridges to photochromic lenses, goggles have moved on a lot in the last 10 years. So if yours are scratched, leaked, fogged up, maybe it’s time for a change.
Swimmers from the Sheffield Triathlon Club tested goggles and masks at Rother Valley Country Park. The goggles and masks were picked to suit various light conditions and swimming styles. Each swimmer swam a lap of the lake in the different productions before completing a short survey based on their experience. The weather was ideal, with a mix of bright spells and overcast skies which allowed the swimmers to get the most out of the different lens technologies.
Unmistakable due to their exo-skeleton design , providing a lightweight, robust construction, the Predator goggles have been a market-leading goggle since their launch in 2005. Since then, a ‘Flex’ version has also been introduced with a four-point flex nose bridge, intuitive side clip mechanism and split strap. In contrast, the original Predator goggle potentially appeals more to a competitive-minded swimmer with its double racing strap. The Predator Flex goggle is also available in ‘regular’ and ‘smaller’ profile fits, helping to ensure comfort and prevent leaks. The polarised lenses minimise sun glare which was certainly needed on the morning of the swim test.
Comfort 4/5
Fit 4/5
Vision 5/5
Style 4/5
Value for money 4/5
Zoggs Predator Flex
From the moment you hold these goggles, the soft silicone clear frame and gasket suggest great comfort and crystal-clear vision. Sleek and lightweight, they offer the best of both worlds: the comfort of a soft frame goggle combined with the fit adjustment benefits of interchangeable nose bridges, ensuring an optimum fit for various eye widths. This attention to detail makes the Kayenne Pro an excellent choice for swimmers seeking both comfort and performance. The clear lenses makes them an ideal choice for night swimming and low light conditions.
Comfort 5/5
Fit 5/5
Vision 4/5
Style 3/5
Value for money 4/5
Aqua Sphere Kayenne Pro
Combining the best of racing and fitness goggle design features, these goggles are perfect for triathletes and outdoor swimmers seeking performance and comfort during endurance races. With a high-quality build, these Arena Cobra Tri Mirror Triathlon Swipe goggles offer attractive styling, clearly aligned to the Arena Cobra racing goggle range. They also come in a range of different lens tints and mirror finishes. During the test, the smoke tint and rainbow mirror lens finish offered excellent contrast in varying light conditions.
Comfort 4/5
Fit 5/5
Vision 4/5
Style 5/5
Value for money 3/5
Arena Cobra Tri
Some swimmers prefer the comfort, protection and field of view that masks provide. The field of view is often perceived as improved, both underwater and peripherally, with some masks using a one-piece lens for uninterrupted forward vision. Masks may be bulkier than goggles, but with that increase in size comes a larger gasket for added comfort, which is ideal for individuals concerned about the facial marks left by goggle gaskets that sit within the eye sockets. Masks also provide greater protection for individuals with eye sensitivity and anyone with eye injuries.
If a mask is your preference, then you’ll find it hard to beat the Zoggs Horizon Flex Titanium Lens Mask. Sharing a strap and side clip adjustment mechanism with the Predator Flex goggles ensures this mask has a secure, customised fit. The variable thickness of the silicone around the nose area of the gasket provides a snug fit and ample comfort, while the titanium blue lens provides a wide field of view, with enough protection from UV rays in high levels of light.
Comfort 5/5
Fit 4/5
Vision 4/5
Style 4/5
Value for money 4/5
Zoggs Horizon Flex
The Hydrosity Mask is an excellent choice for swimmers with smaller faces, offering a sleek, minimal and low-drag design suitable for both performance and leisurely open-water swimming. The dark smoke tint lens on the swim test performed well in bright conditions. The mask features a one-piece lens construction, eliminating the halo effect often experienced in masks because the deeper gaskets often make the lenses sit further away from the eyes. This design ensures clear, uninterrupted vision, crucial for maintaining focus during long swims.
Comfort 4/5
Fit 4/5
Vision 4/5
Style 5/4
Value for money 4/5
Speedo Hydrosity
With superior comfort due to the super soft silicone gasket, the Zone3 Vapour Swim Goggles ensure an extremely comfortable fit, ideal for long-duration swims. What sets these goggles apart is their photochromatic lenses which adapt to almost any lighting situation. Whether you’re swimming in bright sunshine or overcast conditions, the lenses automatically adjust to provide optimal visibility. This innovative feature, combined with the goggles’ comfortable fit, makes the Vapour Swim Goggles a top choice for swimmers seeking versatility in various lighting environments.
Comfort 5/5
Fit 4/5
Vision 5/5
Style 3/5
Value for money 5/5
Zone3 Vapour
Faces come in different shapes and sizes which makes achieving the perfect fit a challenge. Goggles with adjustable nose bridges and interchangeable components are designed to suit a wide audience. Strap and side-clip adjustments also allow for a precise fit that maintains a watertight seal. The use of variable thickness material around the nose further enhances fit, providing a personalised experience that stays in place.
The best way to ensure that goggles won’t leak is to try a lot on. Retailers such as Decathlon have a wide selection of brands and styles to try on in-store. When trying on goggles, press the gaskets into your eye sockets to make sure you can create an airtight suction. Leakage often occurs around the nose – check that the gasket provides adequate surface contact in this area. Also make sure that the outer edge of the gasket doesn’t cover the edge of your swimming cap or trap hair underneath.
Comfort directly impacts your swim experience, especially during long swims. The soft silicone and thermoplastic gaskets used in most goggles help ensure a comfortable fit. A well-designed gasket minimises pressure, reducing the risk of discomfort or irritation. How well the gasket conforms to the unique contours of each swimmer’s face enhances overall comfort. Consider how tight you have adjusted the strap around your head. You can often still achieve adequate eye suction for a leak-proof seal without the extreme tension and compression from the head strap.
The big one for swimming outdoors: how well suited are your goggle lenses to the changing light conditions? To get the best out of your swim, it’s worth exploring the many lens, tint and shade options out there, while not forgetting the massive impact that anti-fog can have on what you can (and can’t) see.
*Prices correct as of December 2025
No one wants their old goggles in landfill. The OSS Shop is pleased to offer swimmers goggle recycling. Send them to us and we will recycle them for you, so that all plastics and metals will be recovered and reused, with zero waste. Find out more.