Richard has been a trusted Trivelo test associate for many years. He has tested dozens of products for us and his views are well worth listening to. Read on to hear his Zone3 Vapour Goggles Review.
Summary of Zone3 Vapour Goggles Review
Trivelo Score – 5 / 5
Overall then, these goggles have exceeded my expectations. The design, features, lenses, eye seals, nose bridge and straps are all really well designed, offering great levels of comfort, leak-proofness and vision in a really stylish package. Would I recommend them? 100%!
Pros And Cons
- Pros: Great visibility, especially peripheral vision; good levels of comfort.
- Cons: quite ‘deep’ for a small face. Price (£45 RRP)
Introduction
Although I’ve used Zone 3’s wetsuits for years both for Tri and for Swim-Run, I’ve yet to try any of their range of goggles. Instead, I have remained with my tried and trusted TYR Special Ops 2.0. Which I initially bought for no other reason that they came in a unique multi-coloured style. After buying them, I found that they were really good. They fit my face, they didn’t leak and they offered great visibility. But like most things, ‘development’ and new features often doesn’t translate into them being better. I found that the Special Ops 3.0 were not actually as good as the Special Ops 2.0. So, I was keen to see what Zone 3 could bring to the party.
Read our alternative review of the Zone3 Vapour goggles with photochromatic lenses. A very different review.
First Impressions
First impressions are good. This is a stylish pair of goggles with what look to be a strong double head-band, secured by easily adjustable toggles on the corner of each frame. The toggles offer a precise and secure fit, and deliver a very solid seal around the eyes. The quality of the materials used is very good.
The Zone 3 Vapour Goggles that Trivelo provided for testing come in a very bold Teal, Cream and Copper colour. I’ll be honest, it’s not the colour that I would probably choose if I was purchasing them, but it’s certainly bold and actually as it turns out, the copper coloured polarized lenses work really well. Unboxing the goggles, it’s clear that they are pitched as a mid-range to premium open water goggle. They are presented in a nice box, and come with a handy soft-carry case to protect the lenses when you dump them unceremoniously in your swim bag.
Fit of the Goggles
Initially I was a bit concerned about the depth of the eye-piece. I don’t have a big face and when I first tried them on, the goggles felt that they were sitting quite low on my cheek bones. That initial concern was soon put to one side as soon as I had got under-water. The fit in the water is great – as is the visibility of those big lenses. The seal was perfect and after a couple of months of use in the pool and in the sea, I have yet to experience any leaks. I’ve also not had any irritation from the nose bridge which is really nice.
Seal of the Zone3 Goggles
Comfort levels are also good; the soft silicone eye seals work really well, and you do not have to tighten the straps too much making them very comfortable to wear for long swims. In my regular club sets I often forget I’m wearing them.
Goggle Lens Clarity
The clarity is also a game changer. I thought the Special Ops 3.0s were good, but these are next level. In the sea at Llanbedrog I could see so clearly in the sunny weather that it was like I was snorkelling, and the polarized copper lenses made sighting really easy because they just dealt with the sparkle off the water. They made the whole sea swim really vivid.
Anti-Fog Durability
The anti-fog seems to work well both in the pool and in the open water, although I’ve not swum in them for longer than 90 minutes at a time. For longer swims they may fog but that’s not my experience with them.
Would you buy these?
Very easy answer. Would I buy them? Yes 100%!
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