mickchick - the vanquishers are what my instructor had and they sealed really well, but they hurt. What is the difference between all the different versions? Just shape? I might give a pair of them a try on my own and see if maybe she just had the strap too tight for my huge head.

I tried my husbands' last night (Tyr Nest Pro) and they didn't work even a little bit...instant leakage.

Mine are Barracuda Ultimate's - comfy, but they do leak (slowly - so it's not a show stopper...just annoying that after 3 laps I have to empty them).

So last night was my first tri-specific class. I didn't learn anything new really, but I did find out that I'm 'good' in the water. All the bobbing and floating drills that we did were super easy for me the first time (not so for other members of the class). That gives me confidence that at least I'm starting in the right place. We'll see how it goes from here. I did swim 3 50's in a row in less than 1 min each, so I still have hope that I can meet my goal time for the tri.

My sinuses are still super angry and painful - I think my next purchase will be a Neti pot.