EKOÏ Aqua Racer Triathlon and Swimming Goggles Review

With the Aqua Racer, Ekoï expands its triathlon range by launching a new pair of goggles designed for open water swimming and competition. Developed in collaboration with high-level athletes and worn in races by French IRONMAN world champion Sam Laidlow, this model is clearly positioned in the brand’s high-end segment. Its streamlined lens design, with carefully crafted aerodynamics, aims to optimize glide and stability, while the precise fit and wide peripheral vision make it suitable for both training and competition. The Aqua Racer features an effective anti-fog treatment and is available with dark or clear lenses depending on light conditions. We tested them in an Olympic pool, in very sunny as well as overcast conditions.

For several seasons, EKOÏ has been multiplying collaborations with World Tour cycling teams (such as NSN Cycling Team and Lotto-Intermarché) and renowned elite athletes and triathletes like Patrick Lange or Rudy Von Berg. This field work with pros directly informs the design of its products, including these Aqua Racer goggles, designed in collaboration with the Frenchie Sam Laidlow, 2023 Ironman world champion. They were thus tested in real and intense race conditions.

With the Aqua Racer, EKOÏ – a French brand that pioneered online sales in 2008, founded in Roubaix (Nord) and now based in Fréjus (Var) – continues to assert its ambition in the world of triathlon and strengthens its presence in swimming by delivering a model specifically designed for open water and high-level competition. This is not just a simple pool accessory, but a technical piece of equipment, sharpened and developed to the highest global standards.

Designed with a focus on pure performance, the Aqua Racer stands out with a hydrodynamic lens profile, conceived to “cut through the water” efficiently. The objective: to minimize resistance, optimize glide, and offer maximum stability, especially during the most intense phases (mass starts, buoy turns, dives). A real plus for triathletes seeking speed without sacrificing comfort.

TPR gasket, double strap, and interchangeable nose bridges

EKOÏ makes no secret of its intentions: this pair is designed to appeal to demanding users, those who want reliable, durable equipment calibrated for racing. The high-end positioning, nearly 60 euros nonetheless, is clear, assumed, but consistent with the rest of the brand’s triathlon range.

In terms of design, the frame focuses on the essentials: an ergonomic TPR gasket (a hybrid material between rubber and plastic) ensures a good fit without marking the face, while the double strap system should allow for precise tightening. Three interchangeable nose bridges are provided to adapt the fit to every face shape.

The goggles are offered with two types of lenses: dark SW4 mirrored lenses, designed for outdoor sessions in bright light, and clear SW1 lenses, more versatile for the pool or low-light conditions. Both benefit from an anti-fog treatment, an essential asset for staying on course in open water as well as in the pool.

Streamlined design, meticulous manufacturing, comfort designed to last: the Aqua Racer is not just another model in the range; it embodies a clear desire to offer high-performance training and racing goggles.

In the water…

Tested over several sessions in an outdoor Olympic pool, the EKOÏ Aqua Racer revealed a versatile and accomplished profile, designed to meet the needs of a regular triathlete, both in training and in races. Without revolutionizing the genre, they tick the essential boxes: good vision, good hold, good comfort.

First good point: the clarity of vision. The wide and curved field allows for good readability and visibility, including peripherally, which is a real plus for orientation phases. No fogging, no water ingress once the goggles are properly adjusted, and convincing stability, even after a few dives, tumble turns, or more vigorous accelerations. On these aspects, the model fulfills its role.

The dark SW4 lenses, intended for outdoor sessions, proved well-suited: no glare facing the sun, especially in a south-facing pool, while remaining clear enough in overcast weather. The mirror coating effectively reduces reflections without hindering the reading of the terrain. It’s well-balanced.

Another positive point: comfort. The TPR gasket conforms well to the contours of the face, without the need to overtighten. It ensures a good balance between watertightness and flexibility. This comfort was confirmed throughout the training sessions, whether short or long, with no marked pressure points or need to reposition the mask. Given the feel, it seems ready to tackle long distances in the sea or lake for those considering an XXL / Ironman format.

The interchangeable nose bridge is another strong point of the model: three sizes provided, a simple and robust fastening system, easy to adjust even at the last minute. The system is EKOÏ patented. It’s well thought out, especially for those who struggle to find a good seal with standard goggles.

Conversely, the double strap system leaves a more mixed impression. While it fulfills its role by ensuring a solid and reliable hold – which remains essential – its design and ergonomics seem a bit dated compared to current standards. Adjustment requires a certain dexterity to be precise, and the ends of the straps, once tightened, tend to dangle if not carefully tucked away. This detail gives a somewhat “old school” touch to a product otherwise positioned in the high-end segment. A more intuitive or integrated system would undoubtedly have combined optimal hold with modern practicality.

An accomplished, comfortable, and reliable model

In terms of manufacturing, the Aqua Racer are designed in France but produced in Asia, like many competing models. The finish is clean, the carrying case is practical, stylish, and attractive, and the overall impression is one of solidity and quality. Nothing to report on this front; the chosen materials (polycarbonate, TPR, silicone) do the job, and the light weight (35 g announced, 36 g verified) allows them to be quickly forgotten during effort.

The promise is kept: the Aqua Racer are a high-performance, functional pair, with a good compromise between comfort, vision, and hold.

It is difficult, if not illusory at our level, to quantify the precise effect of the hydrodynamic profile announced by the brand on glide or water penetration. In real conditions, even during intense sets, these potential gains remain imperceptible without specific measurement tools or laboratory tests. However, this does not question the accomplished design of the lenses, conceived to optimize every detail, but one must remain realistic: only elite swimmers or rigorous scientific analyses could objectify these benefits.

More concretely, at nearly 60 euros, the positioning is rather high-end. Some will see this as an investment justified by durability and technical characteristics, while others will prefer to stick to more affordable options, especially for exclusive pool use.

With the Aqua Racer, EKOÏ delivers an accomplished, comfortable, and effective pair of swimming goggles, designed to meet the demands of triathletes and regular swimmers alike. Without unnecessary frills, they focus on the essentials: clear and wide vision, especially to allow for good orientation in open water in all weather conditions, reliable hold, and precise adjustment. While their price positions them at the higher end, the perceived quality, serious design, and real-world experience justify this investment for those seeking a reliable model for both training and competition.

=> SEE ALSO: All our Triathlon articles