Speedo MDR 2.4 goggles reviewed

— By Dan Walker

The Speedo MDR 2.4 is an excellent training goggle that shares many of the features of the brand’s higher end performance goggles, such as the FastSkin 3 Elite goggles often worn by Michael Phelps. The MDR 2.4s have an outer eye fit, a wide lense that gives an extraordinary field of view and an incredible amount of adjustment to ensure any head shape can find their happy place with these goggles. They come in a clear lense version or mirrored, which triathletes will love for open water swims — especially in the early morning. 

I spent a couple weeks putting the MDR 2.4s through their paces at local masters swim practices, lunch swims and even some open water swims while on vacation. My immediate reaction to these goggles was that they had an enormous field of vision.  When you look at each socket it appears as though their are almost two lenses. Speedo calls this their Clearsight Technology, where in lieu of having a curved lense they essentially split the lense into two  different lenses. This prevents any distortion that may come from a curved lense. I found this made a big difference when I was sighting.  I would use the hotels of Fort Lauderdale as landmarks to site during my semi-regular doggy paddles when on vacation and with the sometimes choppy waters I was happy to have a distortion-free lense.

To those triathletes who like to catch a quick swim during their lunch hour, you’ll love the outside the eye fit of these goggles. I took these for several lunch swims and came back without the trademark raccoon eyes that plague my face with most goggles. The Outer Eye fit also means that regardless of your face shape you’ll be able to make these goggles work for you.

The straps of these goggles hold their tension really well but they do require two handed adjustment. This is one thing to keep in mind if you choose to make these your race day goggles. Once you nail down the fit you shouldn’t have any issues but it’s something to be aware of on race morning.

The Speedo MDR 2.4 goggle retails for $30 and up and is available at local swimming retailers across the country.