As humans, our eyes are optimized for use on land. But if you’re like over half of the population of the United States, then you enjoy swimming and spending time in the water. And of those that love to swim, around 31 million Americans swim for fitness or competitive purposes. Unfortunately, our eyes are not suited to the water; it’s very uncomfortable and irritating to open your eyes underwater. Plus, vision is heavily impaired, and salt water or chemicals like chlorine can actually damage the eyes. In order to both perform effectively underwater, protect your eyes and see underwater, you need a good pair of swimming goggles.
Swimming goggles are essential for any swimmer, whether you just like to do a few laps for fitness or you’re a seasoned pro. But not all swimming goggles are created equal, and there are many different options available, so how do you know which one to pick? Here are 10 things to consider when buying swimming goggles.
Purpose
The first thing to consider when buying swimming goggles is what you intend to use the goggles for. Do you swim for leisure, fitness, or competition? If you’re a competitive swimmer or swimming for fitness and training, you’ll want to use goggles that are small on the face, with small sealing gaskets to make you more streamlined in the water. You don’t want anything slowing you down. The best types of goggles for competitive swimming and training will have smaller, usually rounded lenses and a tighter fit, enabling users to be more hydrodynamic.
Those who swim in the open ocean or for leisure purposes will prefer a different style of goggles that offer more comfort and a larger silicon gasket. These will be easier to wear for more extended periods when out swimming in open water and can handle the rougher conditions as well as provide a wider field of vision. These are also great for leisure swimmers who are looking for goggles that are more aesthetically pleasing and available in fun colors.
Fit
The next thing to consider is the fit of the goggles. As previously touched on, different purposes may require different fits. But regardless of what you’re using the goggles for, they should always fit snugly around the eye sockets. If they are too tight, they can cause discomfort and damage to the eyes, including bruising or popped blood vessels. But if they are too loose, they won’t seal properly and can end up letting water in. Your face size and shape and nose size will influence the fit of the goggles. Ensure you choose goggles with a fully adjustable strap so the swimming goggles can fit snugly against your eye sockets.
Lens type
There are three main types of swimming goggle lenses available. These are clear, tinted, and mirrored. Clear lenses are the best for indoor swimming, where there is dim light. They are suitable for outdoors but let in the maximum amount of light, so they don’t reduce brightness. Mirrored lenses are great for both bright indoor pools and open-water swimming. They reflect light away from the eyes to reduce glare in any setting. And tinted lenses are available in a range of colors, each one suited to different conditions. Orange and pink lenses help to heighten contrast both when swimming outdoors or indoors. And purple and blue lenses help to reduce glare the most in bright underwater conditions.
Lens Material
Swimming goggle lenses can be made from a variety of materials, including polycarbonate, acrylic, and tempered glass. Tempered glass is the most scratch resistant, meaning the goggles will maintain their quality the longest. But the most common material you’ll find swimming goggles made of is polycarbonate. Polycarbonate lenses are completely shatterproof, but they aren’t scratch resistant, so if you do go with this material, make sure they come with a scratch-resistant coating. You may also see some lenses made from acrylic (aka Plexiglass®), which is more cost-effective and lightweight than glass. But it isn’t as scratch resistant.
Seals
The seals on your swimming goggles are what will prevent water from getting inside by creating pressure around your eye socket, and they also determine how comfortable the goggles are. You will find swimming goggles available with silicone, plastic, or foam seals. Silicone is the best material you can get as it’s very durable, long-lasting, and creates good suction on the skin, so we’d recommend choosing a silicone option. Plastic is the cheapest, but it’s not very comfortable. Foam is also inexpensive, but it deteriorates fast and can also cause allergic reactions.
UV Protection
Protecting our eyes from UV rays when swimming outside is very important. If you intend to swim in the open ocean, lakes, or even in an outdoor pool, you should look for swimming goggles with some form of UV protection.
Anti-fog coating
While swimming goggles aren’t as prone to fogging as snorkeling masks or dive masks, condensation can still form inside the lenses, especially if you’re swimming competitively or for fitness. That is because even though no water leaks inside the lenses, perspiration may come off your skin, which becomes trapped in the goggles. An anti-fog coating can stop liquid from sticking to the inside of the lenses to prevent fogging, so always choose swimming goggles that come with this feature.
Comfort
Our eyes are a highly sensitive part of our bodies, which is why we choose to protect them from the water in the first place. But if your goggles are too tight on the eyes, the nose piece doesn’t fit properly, or the strap is too tight, it can be very uncomfortable and even cause pain. Goggles should be comfortable to wear, even if you’re wearing them for training or competitions. While you may be willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort for hydrodynamic purposes, they should never be painful to wear. The most comfortable goggles will have soft, pliable frames, thick silicone gaskets, and a comfortable strap.
Brand
You’ve probably seen plastic, no-name swimming goggles available at your local discount store, but brand reputation is an excellent way to determine the quality of swim goggles. There’s a reason that competitive swimmers continuously choose brands like Tidal Sports. Reputable brands use the highest quality materials for their swimming goggles, offer warranties and provide resources on how to use them effectively. If a brand is unrecognizable, or there is no brand at all, there’s no reputation to back them up, and you can almost guarantee the goggles won’t work effectively. Always buy swimming goggles from a brand you trust with lots of positive customer reviews.
Price
Lastly, you’ll want to consider your budget. How much do you have to spend on the swimming goggles? While you don’t want to skimp on quality, you don’t necessarily need to break the bank. There are plenty of affordable options that still offer excellent quality. It’s important to remember that even if the initial investment seems high, the goggles may last you many years. If you buy a cheap pair, they will likely be uncomfortable, scratch easily and deteriorate quickly, meaning you’ll just have to buy another pair anyway. If you plan to use your goggles consistently and for a long-time, then purchasing a pair of high-quality swimming goggles is definitely worth it.
Use these factors to choose the best swimming goggles
Choosing the right swimming goggles is essential for a comfortable and enjoyable time in the water. Remember all these factors when shopping for your next pair of goggles to ensure that you end up with a high-quality and effective pair that will last you for many years and optimize your swimming experience.
