Best Swimming Goggles

Buying Guide

Whether you’re swimming inside or outdoors, wearing the right pair of swimming goggles can provide you with comfort and help you see better as well. These handy accessories help keep water along with chlorine and other irritants out of your eyes, and you can stay safer when you have clearer vision swimming underwater too. To get the most from these benefits, you’ll need to consider several swimming goggle options to find what will work for your needs.

Since swimming goggles come in different sizes, you’ll first want to consider the age of the wearer. While you can find plenty of standard-sized swimming goggles for adults and teens, you’ll also come across smaller child-sized versions. In either case, you’ll want to make sure the chosen goggles aren’t too small or bulky for the face and will offer a good fit. In addition, you’ll want to consider the ease of use, especially for children’s swimming goggles, since some options have straps that are harder to adjust than others.

When looking at goggles, you’ll come across different options for the socket size, lens size and profile. Your choices will affect your comfort, visibility and the seal, so it’s important to assess the pros and cons when looking at different goggle options.

For example, low-profile swimming goggles with small sockets and lenses offer the benefits of being less bulky and more airtight to keep water from getting in. However, they can be less comfortable since they put more pressure on your eyes, and they don’t allow the widest viewing range. On the other hand, goggles with larger sockets and lenses can feel more comfortable to wear and allow you to see more naturally. However, these goggles are bulkier, and it’s easier for water to get inside and cause you discomfort.

You’ll also find that swimming goggles come with several lens options. Standard clear lenses work well indoors when it’s not too bright, while mirrored or polarized lenses are good for outdoor swimming since you’ll experience less glare. You can find swimming goggle lenses with colored tints that can suit specific situations. For example, blue lenses can work for both outdoor and indoor swimming since they offer some glare protection in moderate light conditions. Smoke-colored tints work well when you’ll be swimming outdoors in bright sunlight.

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• You can find swimming goggles in colors to match any swimming attire. Some timeless choices include black, blue and clear goggles, but you can find bright and pastel colors and even multi-toned options. Some swimming goggles have decorations like small jewels too.
• Before using your swimming goggles for the first time, take some time to make adjustments. Some models will have an adjustable nosepiece that you should use so that the goggles don’t dig into your nose or fit too loosely. You should also use the clasp or clip on the goggles’ strap to make adjustments so that the goggles don’t come loose or cause you pain. While adjusting the straps, have the front of the goggles held closely to your face for good results.
  When shopping for premade prescription swimming goggles, know that these usually have the same prescription in both eyes. If your eyes have different prescriptions or you don’t find pre-made swimming goggles that work for your situation, consider talking to your eye doctor about the best option.
• Having your swimming goggles fog up is a common annoyance, but you can get a pair with an anti-fog treatment to help with this. This coating does break down over time, however. You can look into other options like using an anti-fog spray or even applying a little baby shampoo or toothpaste on the lens before your next swim.
• If you’re buying goggles for outdoor swimming, consider a pair that has full UV protection. These goggles will often have polarized lenses to offer some comfort from the sun too.
• Swimming goggles require some special attention after use. Rather than just stashing them away for your next swim, take time to rinse your goggles under a faucet, but use some soap only on the straps. A soft cloth works best for drying your goggles, and you’ll want to be gentle to avoid scratches on the lenses. Store them in a case for the most protection between uses.