| The great thing about Swedes is that you can make | | | | twist the elastic in between (Step F). You want this |
| them fit perfectly if you are a Cyclops (eyes very | | | | loop to be very tight (for both racing and practice |
| close together) or a horse (eyes on the side of your | | | | goggles). Fit it around your head. Then, grab hold of |
| head). They are cheap: you can buy Swedes in | | | | the two loose ends and tie around the back of your |
| quantity for less than five dollars a pair when I last | | | | head (Step G). Remove the goggles and pull on the |
| checked. And there is nothing more comfortable, | | | | outer ends of the straps to cinch the knot. Put the |
| even the best foam goggles. The downside of | | | | goggles back on again and confirm that the fit is right |
| Swedes is that they tend to break, especially if you | | | | (Step H). Race goggles should be tight, while practice |
| leave them in the sun or swim in highly chlorinated | | | | goggles should be snug. |
| pools. I will now go through a step by step process | | | | Step I & J - Cut the ends - Use the scissors to |
| of goggle building, including pictures for reference. | | | | cut the nose string (Step I). You want to leave |
| Included in a Swede goggle package are: a long | | | | about a half centimeter of loose ends. This distance |
| elastic strap, 2 eyepieces, a nose piece and short | | | | is important as the knot will slowly loosen over time |
| piece of string (see before/after picture below). | | | | and so if you leave anything less the goggles may |
| Additional items you will need include scissors and an | | | | break quickly. If you leave the strings too long they |
| abrasive material like sandpaper or nail file. I will | | | | become a visual distraction while swimming. Finally, |
| differentiate between how you should build racing | | | | cut the ends of the elastic strap (Step J). Leave |
| goggles and practice goggles. Racing goggles are | | | | about a centimeter at the ends. |
| those that you are counting on to fit perfectly for | | | | For all of the benefits of Swedes, the drawback is |
| one or two races and not break. Practice goggles are | | | | that they break. I had an unfortunate experience |
| built to last but may not be as reliable. | | | | with this back at the 2006 Pigman Sprint Triathlon. I |
| Step A - File the eyepieces: Swedes typically have a | | | | made the mistake of using older goggles, and they |
| slight amount of flash (sharp edges) on the outside | | | | broke at the nose piece with 30 seconds to go |
| rim of the eyepiece. This doesn't really matter on any | | | | before the race start. It does help to know the |
| part of the goggle other than by the nose. Flash by | | | | sponsors however, many thanks to Kevin O'Connor |
| the nose typically digs into the skin and isn't very | | | | of Gear West. The start was actually delayed so I |
| comfortable. This problem is easily resolved by taking | | | | could get a replacement pair of goggles. This is the |
| a nail file or sandpaper and removing the flash. You | | | | only time I have ever heard this happen for anyone, |
| can lightly polish the area with your fingernail or polish | | | | and I don't think I will get a second chance again! |
| to make it smooth again. | | | | Ever since, I build new goggles for the first race of |
| Step B, C, D & E - Fit the eyepieces: Use the | | | | every season and for every A-race in the season. I |
| scissors to cut the nosepiece to appropriate length | | | | have not had a problem since. |
| (Step B). If you are a Cyclops (eyes close together), | | | | A common concern with switching from foam |
| you will cut up to a half centimeter off. If you are a | | | | padding to Swedes is that they feel like they will leak. |
| Horse, (eyes far apart) you may not need to cut | | | | This is because foam padding keeps water well away |
| anything. Assemble the eyepieces together using the | | | | from the eyepiece. Non-foam goggles allow water to |
| string and tie the string into a simple knot (Steps C | | | | flow right up to the eyepiece-skin contact. This feels |
| & D). Hold the goggles to your face (Step E). It | | | | weird for users of foam goggles, who would |
| should feel like they are just a little too close | | | | associate this feeling with leaking goggles. |
| together (the distance will widen when you tighten | | | | The reality is that Swedes don't leak. The hard |
| the knot). Once you have got it right then pull knot | | | | surface allows the goggle to function like a suction |
| tight. Again, check the distance. If they are goggles | | | | cup over the eye which holds it in place better. This |
| you intend to race with, the fit should feel perfect. | | | | allows for a better fit and makes it more difficult to |
| For practice goggles, you want the fit to be a tiny bit | | | | be torn off your face during a race. Now you know |
| tight to the nose to account for the fact that the | | | | everything you need to know (and a whole lot |
| goggles will loosen over time. | | | | more!) about Swedish goggles. Until next time, happy |
| Step F, G & H - Assemble the strap: Bring one | | | | training! |
| loop through both eyepieces, being careful not to | | | | |