How To Choose Swimming Goggles? 5 Factors To Consider

April 25, 2023

Finding the perfect pair of swim goggles can be daunting, especially with countless options in the market. But worry no more, as this article dives deep (no pun intended) into how to choose swimming goggles so you can make an informed decision.

Whether you’re an avid outdoor swimming enthusiast or enjoy swimming indoors, we’ll help you navigate the sea of choices to find the best swimming goggles for your specific needs.

Say goodbye to foggy lenses and uncomfortable fits, and get ready to elevate your swimming experience like never before.

What To Consider When Buying Swimming Goggles

The perfect pair of goggles can make all the difference in your underwater experience, keeping your vision clear and protecting your eyes. Here are a couple of factors to consider when selecting your next pair of swimming goggles.

1. Fit And Comfort

One of the most critical aspects of choosing suitable swimming goggles is finding a pair that fits comfortably and securely. Ill-fitting goggles can cause discomfort, leak water, or even fall off during swimming.

Look for goggles with soft silicone or rubber seals that create a snug, watertight fit around your eyes. Adjustable straps and nose bridges allow you to fine-tune the fit to your face shape, ensuring maximum comfort.

2. Lens Type

The type of lens you choose for your swimming goggles can significantly impact your underwater vision. When it comes to swimming goggles, the lenses can be a real game-changer.

With options like anti-fog lenses, mirrored lenses, and lenses with UV protection, finding the perfect pair to suit your needs can make all the difference. Below are the most common types of swim goggle lenses you might encounter:

Clear Lenses: Ideal for indoor swimming or low light conditions, as they provide maximum visibility. These lenses allow the most light to pass through, ensuring you can see even in dimly lit pools.
Tinted Lenses: Reduce glare and are well-suited for outdoor swimming or brightly lit pools. They work similarly to sunglasses, filtering out some light and enhancing contrast, which can be particularly helpful for swimmers in sunny environments or competitive swimmers who need to focus on their technique.
Polarised Or Mirrored Lenses: Further minimise glare, making them perfect for outdoor swimming in sunny conditions. Mirrored lenses have a reflective coating that bounces light away from your eyes. In contrast, polarised lenses contain a special filter that reduces glare from the sun’s reflection on the water’s surface. These lenses are handy for open-water swimmers and triathletes.
Anti-Fog Lenses: Swimming goggles with anti-fog coating help prevent condensation from forming on the insides of the lenses. This ensures clear vision during swimming. Anti-fog goggles are also crucial for swimmers who frequently experience foggy goggles, significantly hindering performance and enjoyment.
UV-Protected Lenses: Essential for outdoor swimmers as they shield the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage the eyes, making UV protection vital in swimming goggles for safety and comfort.
Swimming Goggles With Optical Lenses: Specially designed for swimmers with vision impairments (e.g. nearsightedness or farsightedness), these prescription goggles allow such swimmers to see underwater without wearing contacts or regular glasses. Prescription goggles for swimming come in various diopter strengths, ensuring sharp and accurate swimming vision.

3. Durability And Material

The materials used in constructing your swimming goggles are crucial in their durability and comfort. High-quality silicone or rubber materials provide a comfortable, long-lasting seal around your eyes.

Polycarbonate lenses are lightweight, shatter-resistant, and offer excellent optical clarity. When choosing your goggles, consider their overall build quality to ensure they can withstand frequent use and exposure to chlorine or saltwater.

4. Style And Design

Swimming goggles come in various styles and designs, from sleek and minimalist to bold and colourful. While aesthetics may not be the most critical factor when choosing swim goggles, finding a pair that suits your personality and preferences is essential.

Comfort and functionality should always take precedence, but it’s a win-win situation if you can find a stylish pair that checks all the other boxes.

5. Type Of Swimming Goggles

The type of your swimming goggles, in addition to the lens type, all determine their ergonomics once you’re in the pool or open water.

Goggles are designed to be snugly fit while preventing water from seeping through, which is why wearing the right pair on the right occasion is crucial:

Competition Goggles

Also known as racing goggles, these goggles are designed for competitive swimmers, featuring a low-profile design, snug fit, and minimal drag to optimise speed and performance in the water.

Other features that set competition goggles apart include the following:

Low-profile design to reduce water resistance and drag
Made of lightweight materials like silicone or rubber for the gaskets and straps and polycarbonate for the lenses.
Top-of-the-line lens technologies for advanced swimmers to see clearly and protect their vision during races.

Recreational Goggles

Ideal for casual swimmers, these goggles prioritise comfort and ease of use, often with a larger gasket for a secure fit and broader field of vision.

Swimming goggles for recreational use have the following features:

A larger rubber or silicone gasket seal to prevent water leakage.
Wider field of vision for easier navigation in the water.
Easily-adjustable straps like quick-release buckles or pull tabs for a more secure and customised fit.
Some recreational gaskets may include padded or cushioned nose bridges to provide extra comfort during leisurely swimming sessions.

Training Goggles

Built for regular use, these goggles are typically durable and comfortable, offering a good balance between performance and practicality.

Make sure to watch out for the following features below before buying training goggles:

Balanced performance featuring a sleek design and larger field of vision during regular training sessions
Easy-to-adjust straps for swimmers to quickly fine-tune the fit for optimal comfort and security during long workout sessions
Training goggles are designed with versatility in mind so that they can be used for indoor and outdoor swimming.
Streamlined design to minimise drag and improve workout efficiency.

Open Water Or Triathlon Goggles

These goggles are designed for open water swimming and often have larger lenses for a wider field of view, polarised or mirrored lenses to reduce glare, and a secure fit to withstand choppy water conditions.

Open-water or triathlon swimming goggles are specifically built for endurance and performance. Here’s a quick list of features to know before buying a pair:

Wraparound lens design which extends to the sides of the face, providing swimmers with an unobstructed peripheral view (crucial for sighting buoys, landmarks, and other swimmers).
A hydrodynamic shape that allows swimmers to maintain speed and efficiency during long-distance races and training sessions
High-visibility colours to enhance swimmer safety and visibility during group racing events
To ensure comfort and durability in various water conditions, open water or triathlon goggles may feature neoprene or silicone straps that resist deterioration from saltwater, chlorine, and sun exposure.
In addition to polarised or mirrored lenses, some open-water goggles offer high-contrast lenses that help enhance underwater visibility and make it easier to spot potential hazards or navigate changing water conditions.

Swedish Goggles

Known for their minimalist design, Swedish goggles have a low-profile, no-gasket design and adjustable nose bridges. They require self-assembly and provide a close fit with reduced drag.

Swedish goggles don’t have a gasket seal, unlike competition or recreational swim goggles. Instead, they rely on the lens shape to create a watertight seal directly against the swimmer’s eye socket.
Due to their minimalistic design and construction, Swedish goggles are often more affordable than others, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious swimmers.
Fewer parts and a more straightforward design make Swedish goggles easier to maintain, clean, and replace than their counterparts.

Mask-Style Goggles

These goggles have a larger, one-piece lens that provides an expanded field of view and added comfort. They are suitable for recreational swimming or snorkelling.

Other features of mask-style goggles include:

Silicone or rubber skirt seal which minimises pressure points and ensures a secure fit during swimming or snorkelling
An integrated strap system allows for even pressure distribution across the back of the head, reducing slippage or discomfort.
Some mask-style goggles include a built-in purge valve, allowing swimmers to quickly clear water from the goggles without removing them from their faces.
Due to their design and intended use for snorkelling, mask-style goggles often feature attachment points or compatibility with snorkels, making them a convenient choice for snorkelling, scuba diving, or other underwater activities.
Mask-style goggles often feature impact-resistant tempered or polycarbonate lenses that can sustain harsh handling and potential collisions with underwater obstacles.
Some mask-style goggles may include ventilation features, such as side vents or channels, to help reduce fogging and improve airflow, ensuring clear vision during swimming or snorkelling sessions.

Infant Goggles

Infant goggles are designed for babies and toddlers, typically aged 0 to 3. These goggles are manufactured to be comfortable, safe, and easy to use for babies being introduced to swimming or playing in the water.

Some notable features of infant goggles include:

Smaller, adjustable straps and a flexible nose bridge/frame to accommodate the wearer’s smaller features.
Soft, hypoallergenic silicone or rubber gaskets provide a secure, watertight seal around the eyes without causing discomfort or irritation.
Lenses with UV protection and anti-fog coatings shield infants’ sensitive eyes from harmful sun rays and bright light transmission and ensure clear vision underwater.
Easy-to-adjust buckles or fasteners allow parents or swim instructors to quickly and conveniently adjust the fit of the goggles.
Fun, colourful designs and patterns make the goggles appealing to young children and create a positive swimming experience.

Kids’ Goggles

If you’re considering enrolling your young one in kids’ swimming classes, buy them the right pair. Kids’ goggles often come in smaller sizes and are adorned with fun designs and colours. They prioritise comfort and ease of use for the wearer, similar to infant goggles.

However, some goggles may combine features from multiple types (and even lenses). We recommend doing your research and having an in-depth discussion with the salesperson about the swim goggles’ features and specifications before investing.

Conclusion On How To Choose Swimming Goggles

Whether swimming outdoors or indoors, choosing the proper swimming goggles for the job makes everything a breeze.

Beginner swimmers may think all goggles are built similarly, but not quite. Some goggles have features that reduce drag during competition, while some are made for kids and come in various zany colours and designs.

Ultimately, choose swim goggles with purpose and durability in mind. This will help you find the ideal pair.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Choose Swimming Goggles

How Do I Properly Wear Swimming Goggles To Prevent Leaks?

Adjust the straps and nose bridge, and position the swim goggles on the eye sockets with even pressure to create a watertight seal and snug fit.

How Do I Maintain My Swimming Goggles?

Rinse your swim goggles with fresh water to remove chlorine or salt water after every use. Allow them to air dry in a well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight or heat.

Are There Swimming Goggles For People With Sensitive Skin Or Allergies?

For people with sensitive skin or allergies, consider swimming goggles made from hypoallergenic materials such as silicone, which are less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.

How Do I Prevent Swimming Goggles From Fogging Up While Swimming?

Apply an anti-fog solution or a thin layer of baby shampoo before each swim, and avoid touching or rubbing the inner surface of the lenses, as this can damage the anti-fog coating.