The right goggles are an essential part of a relaxing and enjoyable swim. They also help you avoid a painful and uncomfortable experience. Follow our tips to love every second of being in your pool!
Before we discuss the best swimming goggles, let’s review!
Types of Goggles
Gasket goggles are used by most swimmers. These goggles snuggly suction around the swimmer’s eyes. They are ideal for swimming laps or splashing around with friends. Silicon and foam are the types of materials commonly found on these goggles. Silicon is most popular. They come in oval shapes for small faces and round shapes for larger faces.
Swedish goggles bear some similarities to gasket goggles. The biggest difference is they fit around the eye sockets rather than suctioning around the eyes. Swedish goggles are used by competitive swimmers because of their strong design and functionality.
Swim Masks are often used for recreational swimming. The wide frames allow swimmers to see more while underwater. These goggles can be good for snorkeling on vacation or diving for toys in the pool. Children are a big fan of these. This is because they are easy to put on and are comfortable to wear.
Types of Goggle Lenses
The colour of the goggle lenses should come into play when picking the perfect pair. Different colours are helpful in different settings.
- Amber lenses: Provide visibility in low and high light settings like indoor pools or outdoor pools in the bright sunlight.
- Clear lenses: Give lots of visibility, especially in indoor pools and areas with low amounts of light.
- Mirror lenses: Help swimmers see in high light levels. These reflect light away from a swimmer’s eyes and are used for competitions.
- Prescription lenses: Designed for those who wear glasses, one can have goggles custom made depending on their prescription.
Our Recommendation for the Best Swimming Goggles:
For recreational swimmers, we recommend a well-fitted, comfortable pair of gasket goggles.
The Fit of Your Goggles
- To test the fit, put your goggles against your eyes. If they suction your face, you have a good fitting pair of goggles.
- The strap makes sure your goggles stay on your face. It should fit comfortably around the head and wrap near the eyes. Get someone to help you adjust the goggles around the eyes for you.
As for lenses, choosing the right colour is based on where you are swimming. Generally, amber lenses provide a decent in between. Clear lenses are good indoors and mirror lenses make more sense outside.
Tips for Taking Care of Your Swimming Goggles
Follow these tips to make sure your goggles have a long wearable life:
- Rinse goggles in cool water to remove chlorine, salt or sand.
- Don’t rub the inside of your lenses. This can cause scratches.
- When drying your goggles, lay them flat and away from the sun to avoid drying out the silicon.
Choosing the right swimming goggles comes down to what you are using them for. Be sure to try on a variety of pairs before making a purchase. This ensures you choose swimming goggles that are comfortable and functional!
