Sable Goggles - Product Review

June 8, 2011 by Katie

Boy are these pretty.

I've had my Sable goggles for about two months.  I'd been coveting them for at least 4 months before that.  So why did it take me so long to write this review?  I'll get to that. 

Why I was coveting them:

• Did I mention how pretty they are?  They come in blue, emerald, fuchsia, gold, and smoke.  They look like candy.  Shiny, badass candy.
• That's the only reason.

Why it took me 4 months to break down and get them:

• They cost $50.
• I'm a tightwad.

Sensible reasons for spending $50 on goggles:

• The optics are incredible.  This is most helpful out of the water--especially for open water sighting.  I can spot tiny white buoys straight into the sun.  Also, it's great when I'm talking to my coach.  I used to take my goggles off to talk to her.  With these, it just feels like I'm wearing sunglasses.
• They don't leak.  The silicon gaskets are wider than on most goggles, so they suction really well.  They fit a wide variety of faces.  In fact, these are the only pair of goggles I've had that haven't leaked.
• What else can you buy for $50 that makes you look like an awesome swimmer?  As long as the lifeguard doesn't ruin it by jumping in to rescue you, everyone at the pool will be asking for your autograph. 

So why did it take me so long to write this review? I already had it written in my head before I even got the goggles.  A love letter to Sable. 

And then I got them, and they weren't perfect.  I know!  How can anything so shiny not be perfect? For that matter, how can goggles that cost $50  not be perfect?  My feelings were kind of hurt.

What's not perfect:

• The case.  It actually comes with a warning not to damage your goggles by inserting them into the case.  Plus, you can't store wet goggles in an airtight plastic case, but you're supposed to let these goggles air dry.  I threw it away--I felt guilty because it's a big hunk of non-recyclable plastic.  I store the goggles in a cloth jewelry bag.
• The nose piece is way  too difficult to change out.  My buddy at Triple Sports told me to "use every mighty little muscle in my body to yank both sides as hard as I can and don't worry about breaking them."  That worked.
• The straps are a pain to adjust.  That's just wrong.  These are no worse than any other goggle straps (except AquaSphere), but for $50, they should be better.  I normally replace standard goggle straps with bungee straps, but that would make my Sables look less awesome.  So, it takes a few swims to get them adjusted properly.

The bottom line:

Get the Sable goggles.  You know you can't be happy without them.  Just don't expect the first few minutes to be perfect.

Read the directions about how to take care of them.  They come with an anti-fog coating, but it needs proper maintenance.  If they start to fog up, use your fingertip to wash them with liquid dish soap.  I have to do this about once per week.

Where to buy them:

• If you're in Scottsdale, definitely get them at Triple Sports. 
• Online, I like SwimOutlet.com
• If you need prescription lenses, try VisionDirect.com.  They may also have colors that are backordered elsewhere.

Have you tried Sables yet?  What do think of them?