TYR Socket Rocket 2.0 Metallised goggles

[Chris]

Mailsports link - http://www.mailsports.co.uk/accessories/goggles/product~1183

Price (as at 16 September 2006) - £9.75

Manufacturer description

This Sleek and streamlined SWEDISH type design continues to be the #1 racing goggle choice worldwide and it's no surprise. It comes assembled and features a TPR cushion gasket for a superior, low profile fit that refuses to leak. It also boasts unobstructed 180 degree peripheral vision. So now you'll have a perfect view of just how far back your competitors are.

• Low profile, wide peripheral-vision lenses.
• Optical grade polycarbonate lenses are UV protected.
• Easy-to-fit socket design features soft TPR gaskets.
• Double latex headstrap provides a comfortable, secure fit.
• Includes optional string nosepiece.

Plus anti-glare properties and the benefits of anti-fog coating. Comes in three exciting elemental colorways of Ice, Fire and Ocean. Clear Mirror(TM), the industry's first indoor metallized goggle great for year-round use. Offered in a unique Ice colored mirror coating it continues TYR's proven tradition in goggle innovation.


Swimclub.co.uk review
(conducted by Chris)

By now you will have realised that goggles are a very personal piece of swimming equipment. You can try a dozen different pairs and no two pairs will feel or fit the same. Once you find a pair of goggles that is both comfortable and leak-free you will do almost anything to ensure that you have a limitless supply of these!

The problem is, goggles come and go and you have to find a replacement.

A popular style at the moment is the Swedish goggle - a very basic goggle with little or no silicon/foam padding around the eye piece - and the goggles I am looking at here are a variation on this theme.

The TYR Socket Rockets are a very simple goggle. They do have a very thin silison rubber lining on the eye pieces which adds a little comfort. The nose piece is either a small length of rubber (think a section of goggle elastic) or if you're looking for a little more security, you can tie a small length of string with a plastic sheath between the two eye pieces .... this is the way I wear mine.

They are similar in design to the old Speedo Aquablade goggles which I wore for many years, and just as stylish. I have a pair in the Metallic Ocean colour scheme - a blue/green metallic.

So I can prepare you for my judgement, I should explain my goggle background. I have ALWAYS worn Speedo goggles. That's 22 years of competitive Speedo goggle wearing! I can't remember the name of the first style I wore, but I progressed to Speedo Aquablades as soon as they came out. They were stylish, minimalist and came with funky mirrored lenses. I loved them! I would go to great lengths to prepare my goggles ... getting the strap length right and trimming the excess, melting the ends of the string nose piece to stop it from fraying .... The Aquablades started to become a little more difficult to get hold of, so I progressed to the Speedo Speedsockets. A little more substantial, but dead comfortable for training and 100% reliable for racing. Oh, and funky mirrored lenses again.

I was a little nervous about trying something new ... I don't like change, especially when there's no need for it! But, I was pleasantly surprised. The Socket Rockets are lightweight, give good visibility, are currently leak-free and, most important of all, come in some fantastic colours!


Summary

Nobody wants to wear big chunky goggles that sit on your face like a diving mask (unless you have to) and what better way to look stylish than with some truly racey looking goggles! If they're good enough to tear me away from my long standing relationship with Speedo goggles ... they must be good! Only downside (and probably wouldn't be so obvious if I took better care of them) is that they can scratch up quite badly.


SwimClub.co.uk Rating - 9 out of 10.

[H2o]

Couldn't agree more- TYR socket rockets are very good.
Not so little one wont wear anything else now she's found them about 3 years ago, but wears them with the nose bridge supplied.

Don't leak- fit well- loves 'em!