mmarsha5030

I am looking for a pair (new or used) of Barracuda Standard Goggles at a very reasonable price (around $10, but negotiable - I would even love to go less expensive than that but still negotiable). I checked many online retailers and even online auctions, and found one pair that was snatched within minutes of me finding them. Can anyone help me out here?

Typhoons Coach

Talk to Tex to see if he has anything in mind.

mmarsha5030

How do I contact or talk with Tex?? I could not locate him/her through a "search."

Typhoons Coach

I'll shoot him an e-mail for you.

mmarsha5030

Thanks for the help

texasaggies

I don't think you're going to find them online anywhere for that cheap. The only chance is if you find someone with an old pair laying around the house that they were never going to use again, but those things are so ugly and awful that there's not likely to be many out there. You'd probably be better off saving on the shipping charges and buying a different pair at your local swim shop or sporting goods store. I work at a swim shop, and we don't carry barracudas because they're expensive and not very good.

I may be able to point you towards another brand that will accomplish the same thing, if you tell me what you're going to use them for/what specifically you like about the baraccudas!

mmarsha5030

As far as to why I like the Barracuda Standard - The foam gasket is a self-pressure seal which has been a huge factor. I like how that fits to my face and feels comfortable on my face. Other goggles do not fit like I want them to. I do not swim perfectly, but do try to swim for extended periods of time since I want a good long workout, and other goggles have been rather uncomfortable in those circumstances. I like the large lens which gives me a greater vision field unlike some other goggles I have tried since, even the other large lens goggles. I had a pair of Standards about 10 years ago after giving them a test swim, as part of someone at a shop allowing me to demo them... I loved them from that point on, and the guy let me keep them at no cost. It's like a shoe that you know that fits well so you want to keep buying the same shoe. I kick myself for lending them to a friend who lost them at the pool.

I recognize they are normally pricey, so that is why I tried other goggles rather than spending the money to replace them, but it is time to go back to what I like. The way they look does not concern me; in fact, I do not find them ugly at all. But the functionality is what matters most. Something I have to take into consideration is that I am currently on a tight budget due to employment reasons. I took a stab at throwing my search out there publicly because sometimes people do let goggles go cheap, especially if they do not work for them or they want something new. Even though I really want Standards because I love them, if you have ideas of goggles that suit my needs, let me know. But please keep in mind that buying multiple types/pairs of goggles to find the right "replacement" is difficult for me right now.

texasaggies

By ugly, I mean looks and functionality. For most people, these don't work. If you really have your heart set on them, you may never be satisfied with anything else.

Are foam gaskets a must? Also, do you have a local swim shop, that will let you try on the goggles in the store? I know it's not the same as in the water, but you should be able to tell fairly well.

The old standards in foam gaskets are speedo sprint and GCG goggles. If you're willing to switch to plastic/rubber/silicone sockets, the Speedo Hydrospex are kind of the standard for ultra comfort. Not great goggles, but if you're just using them for fitness, they should be ok.

My ultimate top reccomendation of goggles is (and always will be) Speedo vanquishers. They fit almost universally everybody, they won't leak over long swims, low profile, etc.

But anyways, I've never seen much of an internet market for used goggles (health issues, people either use their goggles, lose their goggles, or throw them out), and they're just usually not all that expensive.

But if money is that big of an issue, you may just have to settle for a goggle that's not ideal. Sorry I couldn't help more!

mmarsha5030

I really prefer foam gaskets. And what makes the Standards, or even the other foam gasket Barracudas unique is the foam gasket forming to the nose bridge except a small gap where the connecting piece is attached. I know there are other one-piece goggles out there that sort of fit to the nose, but not like the Barracudas since the other goggles' gaskets sit deep in the eye socket next to the nose. That is one of my problems of discomfort. I have tried Aquasphere goggles, and hate them because they are more like a dive mask and don't feel right. As an aside, it is true that the dry fit is not as good as the water fit. That is where Terry Laughlin's bowl drill is handy if shops would provide that to customers. My last remark for this post... I'll keep looking out there, but if anyone comes across Standards (or other pressure foam Barracudas at a minimal cost), please drop me a line.

mmarsha5030

I thought I would just give an update here, in case anyone was interested. I was able to locate a pair of Barracuda Medalists on Amazon for under $10. They are very similar to the Standards.