When I first heard about FORM goggles, I thought, “I need these.” My excitement came from my experience as a former Google Glass Explorer—an early adopter of wearable tech designed to enhance daily life. The concept of seeing real-time swim metrics in my goggles felt like the natural evolution of that technology.
However, my first experience with FORM goggles wasn’t what I hoped for. The initial pair I received had issues—leaking, unreliable performance, and just not living up to expectations. Honestly? I shelved them. But recently, I got my hands on the latest generation, and wow… It’s a whole different ball game. These goggles exceeded every expectation I had. If you’re a long-distance swimmer, whether you’re training for an Ironman or love open-water swims, you’ll want to read about why these are a must-have.
Packed with Features for Serious Swimmers
The updated FORM goggles are brimming with features designed to take your swim training to the next level. Here are just a few standouts:
- Heart rate monitoring: The goggles track your heart rate directly from your forehead, giving you actionable real-time insights.
Speed and pace tracking: Stay on top of your pace, whether working on intervals or cruising through a long-distance swim. - Body position coaching: The built-in “head coach” feature gives you real-time cues to improve your form and swim more efficiently.
- Open-water navigation: The “swim straight” function includes a compass that keeps you on course in open-water swims.
- Comfortable and leak-proof design: This generation gets the fit and feels perfect.
- Unbelievable battery life: Multiple swims in pools and open waters still don’t require a charge.
- Easy, real-time metrics: All the key data is displayed in your goggles, eliminating the need for a watch.
Each feature deserves a little extra spotlight, so let’s look closer.
The “Head Coach” You Never Knew You Needed
One of the best and most surprising additions to the FORM goggles is the “head coach” feature. Think of it as having a virtual coach monitor your swim form and offer feedback while you swim.
How does it work? The goggles provide real-time cues about your body position. Tend to lift your head too high while breathing? They gently remind you to keep your head lower to maintain proper alignment. This feature is fantastic for all levels of swimmers, but especially for those of us who swim alone and don’t always know when our form is off. With small corrections from the goggles, you can improve efficiency and prevent bad habits from creeping into your stroke.
It’s like having a coach on deck (or in the water) with you without the awkwardness of someone yelling at you mid-lap.
Stay on Course with “Swim Straight”
Open-water swimmers, rejoice! The “swim straight” feature is a lifesaver for endless swims in lakes, oceans, or bays where staying on course can feel nearly impossible. This function acts as a swim compass. Before starting, you select an object to aim toward—a buoy, a rock, or even a distant building—and the goggles guide you via a built-in digital compass.
I couldn’t resist trying this feature out, so I hopped on a plane to the Caribbean in the middle of winter (best excuse to escape the cold, honestly). I was blown away when I tested the swim straight feature. It kept me perfectly aligned with the target I set every time. Forget zig-zagging through open water—you’ll save energy and feel confident about swimming a straight line.
This will bring much-needed peace of mind to triathletes or anyone training for long-distance swims, whether on race day or during training sessions.
Comfort and a Perfect Fit
Leaking goggles? A thing of the past. The fit of the latest FORM goggles is flawless. From the moment I put them on, they felt snug yet comfortable. They didn’t dig into my face or cause those annoying red goggle marks that can stay on your skin for hours after a swim.
I swam for extended periods—sometimes hours—and they stayed in place without a single leak. FORM took feedback about the earlier versions to heart, which is shown in the updated design.
Battery Life That Just Won’t Quit
I have to talk about the out-of-control battery life. I charged my FORM goggles when I first got them, and then I swam a ton: a couple of times in the pool, three open-water sessions in the Caribbean, and another half-dozen pool sessions. Guess what? I still didn’t need to charge them.
Battery anxiety is a thing of the past because these goggles are designed for endurance—just like you.
Metrics at a Glance—Goodbye Watch!
Perhaps the most exciting part of using FORM goggles is seeing all your data in real time—right in the corner of your eye. Whether it’s your pace per 100 yards, stroke count, elapsed time, or heart rate, you don’t have to stop, check your watch, squint at a clock, or wait for post-swim analysis.
The experience is intuitive and seamless. It doesn’t distract you from your swim. Instead, it becomes part of your rhythm. Once I got used to it, I couldn’t imagine returning to the days of using a traditional watch.
Who Should Get These Goggles?
These goggles are a no-brainer if you’re into long-distance swimming or triathlons. They eliminate the need for a watch, provide real-time coaching, and make open-water navigation a breeze. Plus, with features like heart rate monitoring and excellent battery life, they’re as functional as they are innovative.
Even if you’re not an endurance athlete, these goggles are incredibly useful for anyone looking to improve their technique and swimming experience. From casual swimmers to competitive athletes, FORM goggles offer something for everyone.
The latest FORM goggles are a massive leap forward in swim tech. They’re comfortable, highly functional, and packed with features that give swimmers an edge. Thanks to this stellar update, my initial disappointment with the first-gen model is long forgotten.
If you’re serious about swimming—whether competing in an Ironman or just logging miles in open water—these goggles are a worthy investment. They’ve earned a spot in my swim bag, and I can’t imagine training without them now.
Are FORM goggles on your radar yet? If you’ve tried them or are thinking about them, let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear about your experiences!
