by
Olivier Poirier-Leroy
Looking to pick up a pair of Speedo’s Fastskin3 Elite goggles? Great call! Here’s a full review of these high-performance competition goggles.
When it comes to high-performance swim gear, Speedo is one of the top players in the game.
Speedo’s wide range of swim goggles are worn by some of the fastest swimmers on the planet.
Caeleb Dressel, Michael Phelps, Nathan Adrian, Missy Franklin, Joe Schooling, and countless other Olympic champions and world record holders have all competed under the Speedo logo.
The Fastskin goggles are their most elite competition goggle.
Here is a review and breakdown of these bad boys and why the goggles are designed for peak performance on race day:
1. Part of the Fastskin system. Designed to be worn as part of a full system of competitive gear including the Fastkin tech suit and their Fastskin cap. While they can be worn with any cap and suit combination, there is a marker on the inside of the Fastskin cap and on the nose bridge of the goggles to help you line up your cap, ensuring a straight fit.
2. Developed in Speedo’s high-performance research facility. The goggles were developed in Speedo’s research facility, fittingly called Aqualab. (Sadly, it’s not underwater somewhere in a James Bond-like facility.) They analyzed the faces of thousands of people to design on optimal fitting goggle seal, giving the goggles a virtually leak-free fit.
3. The goggles are FINA-approved. I’ve yet to find or try a pair of goggles that are somehow not sanctioned by FINA, but handy to know, I suppose!
4. Peripheral vision for days. The main point of wearing a quality set of swim goggles is to be able to see clearly when swimming in the pool. (Okay, it’s also nice to look like a badass, but still…) Keeping water out of land-dwelling eyes and allowing us to be able to properly judge walls, flags, and where other swimmers are at is job numero uno.
The wide angle lens on the Fastkin goggles means that you have a generous field of vision. Unlike the Speedo Vanquishers 2.0, which are a little tricky to see upwards in, the Fastkins have great upwards and side-to-side vision.
5. The Speedo Fastskin3 Elites have a slim profile. Much like Michael Phelps’ Xceed goggles these have a very slim profile. Because extra drag and unnecessary resistance is a drag. Hey-o!
6. They protect your eyes. Swim outdoors? The Fastskin goggles come with UV protection to keep your eyes safe from the sun. One thing I really appreciated about these goggles was that they weren’t so dark that they couldn’t be worn in a dark indoor pool. Giddyup.
7. Anti-glare. While I’ve rarely had a problem with too much glare while swimming, these goggles do have anti-glare properties when you pick up a pair of the mirrored goggles.
8. Variable nose bridges. We don’t always have the same size face and nose. While the nose bridge that came out of the box fit my face perfectly, the goggles do come with three different sizes to get that ideal fit.
9. Silicone straps. This is a biggie with goggles, and something most swimmers probably don’t think about when buying a new pair. Traditionally, goggle makers would use latex on their straps (most Swedish goggles, for instance, use latex straps). This material is cheaper, but it also degrades much faster than silicone. Additionally, latex is a popular enough allergy that most goggles are made with the more durable silicone nowadays.
10. Anti-fogged! Seems like a given, but it should be mentioned anyway—these goggles come with a coating of anti-fog on the inside of the goggle lenses. Do your best to not wipe the insides of the goggles and/or let pool water in there (it will degrade the anti-fog layer).
The Fastskins3 are available in a few different colors.
Not a ton, but somewhere between Darth Vader-blacked out to neon green, there should be plenty to satisfy your color preferences.
Olivier Poirier-Leroy Olivier Poirier-Leroy is the founder of YourSwimLog.com. He is an author, former national level swimmer, two-time Olympic Trials qualifier, and swim coach.
The swim snorkel has become part-and-parcel of every competitive swimmer’s gear bag. Here are a bunch of reasons why you should use it in practice today to swim faster.
With the FORM 2 Smart Swim Goggles, the world’s first and best smart goggles for swimmers get a big upgrade. Here’s what to know about how they perform in the pool.
The Magic5 Swim Goggles are the first of its kind—custom built goggles made for the specific shape of your face. But are they as good as advertised? In this review, I buy a pair for myself and hit the pool.
Ready to throw down on a new swimmer’s snorkel? Here are reviews of the best swim snorkels for lap swimming.
Looking to get some new swim gear on a budget? Shop the best Black Friday deals for swimmers in this exclusive guide.
Looking for the best swimming app to maximize your time and effort in the water? Here’s a look at the top swim apps for conquering your swim workouts.
