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2012-02-26 8:59 AM

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Greenville, SC
Subject: Goggle Strap Under Or Over

Where do you put it....under your swim cap or over.  I see people with it over it, but it seems like if you had it under it that it would help you not lose your goggles if you were kicked or collided with someone in an OW group start.

 

Also....guys....do you train with a swim cap in the pool?



Edited by NeverEnough 2012-02-26 9:00 AM


2012-02-26 9:03 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Master
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over

I train as I would race: straps under cap. 

I think it helps to get the real feel of the swim with the cap on (overheating or too cold). also, if you have a dock start, with the straps under they'll less likely shift on entry.

I've have numerous times where I've had my goggles kicked off and the cap held them closeby.

2012-02-26 9:20 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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SC
Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
I think under or over is personal preference. I mess around with my goggles before the start of a race and having the straps under just annoys me, so for me it's a comfort thing. I took a look at some of the ITU pros (both men and women) and took a look at their preference and it really seems about 50/50 from what I could tell in the footage I watched so I don't think there is a performance advantage otherwise they'd exploit it.

As far as in the pool goes, I don't wear a cap. In my OWS swims I do mainly for visibility. I agree train how you race but as with every rule there are exceptions and for me I guess this is one of em.
2012-02-26 9:37 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Greenville, SC
Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
Yeah...I haven't tried them under the cap yet....but it just sort of sounded like it made sense.  Does sound less comfortable though.
2012-02-26 9:40 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
I adjust my goggles numerously before a swim start, mostly out of nerves so I prefer mine over top the swim cam. I think the straps kind of stick to the swim cap anyway so that helps keep them from moving as well. Again I think it is what you are comfortable. I do not wear a swim cap for pool swims, but I do for OWS, which is about once or twice per week when it is nice out, and this is mainly for visibility purposes.
2012-02-26 9:43 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
I don't train with a cap.  I put the strap under in a race, for the same reason as others -- in case of 'collision' (which has happened to me).


2012-02-26 9:53 AM
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
For workouts I put the cap on first (when I wear one). In races, strap under the cap. Not only does it keep the goggles from flying off if I'm kicked in the face, but it makes it a whole lot easier to get th cap off when exiting the water.
2012-02-26 10:01 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over

I don't train with a swim cap unless swimming in open water.  However, I am used to caps as I swam on a swim team when I was younger.  It's worth wearing it a few times just to get used to the feeling/sound difference if you haven't worn them much before.

I prefer straps over the cap.  My goggles go on last thing before the start so they don't fog up from standing around.  When they're under the cap the only thing you can do is lift them slightly onto your forehead.

2012-02-26 10:09 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Master
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
I prefer strap over cap. One time in a race I had strap under cap and I got my goggles knocked sideways. I could not get them centered back over my eyes because the strap was under the cap. After that I changes to goggles over the top and if I get knocked I can easily put them back. Ive never had them completely knocked off. it is easier to yank them off and readjust if goggles are on the top.
2012-02-26 10:18 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
I prefer under the cap. Put my goggles on and then the cap. I can still lift them up on my forehead without any adjusting. As for a cap in the pool...if I remember to leave it in my bag, I swim with it. If not, I don't "not" swim (sorry for the double negative) just because I don't have it.

Kevin
2012-02-26 10:22 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Greenville, SC
Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
So it sounds like preference on the over/under deal.....as well as a cap in the pool.  But you won't look out of place swimming laps with a cap in the pool?


2012-02-26 10:28 AM
in reply to: #4066887

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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
NeverEnough - 2012-02-26 10:22 AM

So it sounds like preference on the over/under deal.....as well as a cap in the pool.  But you won't look out of place swimming laps with a cap in the pool?


Certainly not at all. I promise you that at my local Y, there are more "swimmers" with caps than without. I put swimmers in quotes because I referred to them as "real", not just some grandma out there getting exercise...absolutely nothing wrong with that though.

What will make you look out of place though is swimming with your wetsuit. However, I like to train in mine a couple times before a race to make sure it a) still fits and b) it makes me look cool at the pool.
2012-02-26 10:29 AM
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over

It is preference, for sure. 

I prefer over because it's hard for me to get my goggles seated properly pre-race. I'll likely have them on and off a couple times, and then again once I get in the water(if they're leaking). I don't want to have to deal with taking off the swim cap, adjusting goggles, then putting the swim cap back on. Especially for a water start. 

And when I have been kicked, I've been thankful that I don't have to deal with re-positioning the goggles with the straps trapped under the cap. Can't imagine trying to sort all that out during a swim. I'd rather swim without goggles. No biggie. 

ETA: Does Tony prefer both over AND under?

2012-02-26 10:43 AM
in reply to: #4066806

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Raeford, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
I'm an over guy...I try to think simplicity and efficiency...when I rip the cap off the goggles get trapped in the cap...one less thing I have to worry about getting tangled up in!
2012-02-26 10:46 AM
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
I race with the strap under the cap and I train the same way. I try to train the way I race so there are less surprises on race day. I don't find either way less comfortable though, both are the same to me.
2012-02-26 12:07 PM
in reply to: #4066875

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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over

Nipper - 2012-02-26 8:09 AM I prefer strap over cap. One time in a race I had strap under cap and I got my goggles knocked sideways. I could not get them centered back over my eyes because the strap was under the cap. After that I changes to goggles over the top and if I get knocked I can easily put them back. Ive never had them completely knocked off. it is easier to yank them off and readjust if goggles are on the top.

The only time I did get really kicked in the face, strap-under-cap made it worse.  Never again!

Details: In my races I always did strap-under-cap so if I got kicked they wouldn't come off.  Nothing bad ever happened to my goggles until IMLP 2010, when I did get kicked in the face only a few minutes into the race and the goggles went sideways a bit and started leaking water. The first try at fixing this they still leaked, the second try they still leaked, the third try I realized the straps were messed up.  I tried to fix this all while treading water and my heart rate was shooting up and a kayaker felt I was in distress.  I ended up hanging off a kayak for 5 minutes fixing the mess (removing the cap, fixing the goggles, puttnig cap back on) and then hanging there getting my heart rate back to normal. 

At IMCDA last year I did strap over cap and while I was a little worried the goggles would get kicked off entirely and sink to the bottom, at least they were easy to reposition.

I'd love some tether-type solution or better yet floating straps or something, to not worry about the lost-my-goggles-now-what problem.  I've seen a few people have a 2nd set of goggles around their necks, seems like a hassle to me.



2012-02-26 8:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over

I don't use a cap when training. When racing, either in swim meets or open water events (swims or tris) I wear the straps over the cap. I have tried them under the cap a few times and it does not feel as comfortable.

BTW, that being said, I find it funny that my BT picture is from one of the few occasions in which I wore the strap under



Edited by sebaf74 2012-02-26 8:34 PM
2012-02-26 8:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
I'm sure I'll be thrashed for this, but I can't stand to wear a swim cap......I take it off within the first 100 yards of any race I do......never been an issue...nobody has ever said a word about it.
2012-02-26 8:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
Goggles over the cap, cap and goggles come off easily together and goggles are safe inside cap. I wear a cap on every swim, pool or otherwise.
2012-02-27 7:18 AM
in reply to: #4066898

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Subject: RE: Goggle Strap Under Or Over
rkreuser - 2012-02-26 10:29 AM

It is preference, for sure. 

I prefer over because it's hard for me to get my goggles seated properly pre-race. I'll likely have them on and off a couple times, and then again once I get in the water(if they're leaking). I don't want to have to deal with taking off the swim cap, adjusting goggles, then putting the swim cap back on. Especially for a water start. 

And when I have been kicked, I've been thankful that I don't have to deal with re-positioning the goggles with the straps trapped under the cap. Can't imagine trying to sort all that out during a swim. I'd rather swim without goggles. No biggie. 

ETA: Does Tony prefer both over AND under?



One of each, Rick, that way there's no chance of losing a gogg.

I actually put the straps under the swim cap. If that comes off I go to the second set. Don't make fun, it's happened!
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