the-best-Swimming-Googles

If you are an avid swimmer you have to have the best swim goggles. These will allow you to see underwater and allow you to experience swimming in a whole new way. The best swimming goggles will perform the same way in a swimming pool, lake or even the ocean. They should be comfortable while having features that give you the ability to see underwater.

Similarly, quality swimming goggles are of great use to novice swimmers. This is because they allow you to see where you are going and help you to efficiently avoid obstacles. This works well to build confidence in your skills as a swimmer. Additionally, many snorkelers prefer using quality goggles in the ocean.

To help navigate your way through the hectic swim goggle market we have created a list of the best swimming goggles on the market. Providing plenty of information to help you make the most informed decision these swim goggles are of the best on the market.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

How To Choose A Pair Of Swimming Goggles – Buying Guide

Features-to-look-for-in-Swimming-Goggles

It can be overwhelming to look for the best goggles fro swimming. Knowing the anatomy and materials of these can help you to determine what pair is best for you.

Lens

The lenses of your goggles may be the most important part. If you can’t see where you’re going your goggles are not doing their job properly. Most companies use a polycarbonate lens. This provides a nearly shatterproof construction that you don’t have to worry about.

UV Protection

Another feature you should keep your eyes out for is UV protection. If you frequently swim outside you know that the sun can irritate your eyes. With a UV system built into your swimming goggles, you can swim in any conditions without squinting. Swimming goggles don’t have a UV rating like beach umbrellas or snorkeling sunscreen but are still effective at protecting your eyes. The darker the lenses the more UV rays they will block out. Metallic lenses are the best at protecting your eyes from the sun.

Anti-Fog

Companies have also developed an anti-fog coating on their lenses. This is a crucial feature that your swimming goggles should have. If you can’t trust your goggles to stay clear you’ll find yourself not wanting to wear them. Some anti fog coatings are better than others. High quality swim goggles will have a built in anti-fog membrane that keeps the lenses clear.

If you find that this coating has worn off your lenses there are anti-fog solutions you can apply to your goggles. It isn’t an ideal situation as you’ll have to do this every time you swim, but it can save you from having to purchase another pair.

Type of Lenses

There are a few different lens styles to choose from. This will vary depending on the environment you are looking to use them in.

Metallic Lens

You may know this type of lens as a mirrored finish. They usually have a dark colored lens that hides your eyes from others around you making them good for competition style swimming goggles. At the same time having a dark lens makes them only good for conditions that have good lighting. If you are swimming outside in the afternoon, for example, you may experience limited visibility.

Clear/Light Lenses

Swimming goggles that have clear lenses are best for places that have low light or you find metallic lenses to restricting. If you are looking to increase the brightness of the pool it is recommended to get lenses with a yellow or orange tint. There are many colors these swimming goggles can come in ranging from green, purple and even pink.

Dark Color Lens

This is a similar style to the mirrored version. The color is less dark which can give you more visibility and block out more of the sun’s UV rays. If you are swimming in a pool that has decent lighting these are a good swimming goggle for your needs.

Prescription Lens

If you are a person who wears glasses and wants to swim without contacts you are in luck. Some specialty goggles allow you to customize the strength of their lenses. This gives you the ability to see underwater without contacts irritating your eyes. The best part is that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for this – these swimming goggles aren’t that much more expensive than standard lenses. The only drawback with this is that you won’t be able to have a tinted or colored lens.

Strap

A comfortable strap will allow you to swim for hours and hours. Your goggles should be able to distribute pressure evenly. You may find that a split strap will do this better than a typical single strap design. A split strap basically has a strap system that cradles your head with two lines instead of a single one.

Adjustability

A strap is useless if it isn’t easy to adjust. Sure, you should only have to do this once but it shouldn’t be a difficult task. Most swimming goggles have a strap that is attached to the frame at the edge of the lens. This is also where you will adjust the fit by pulling the end of the strap. There are little rivets which allow you to finely tune your swimming goggles for your head.

Note: Some swimming goggles have a clasp that attaches at the back of your head. For this type, you will be able to loosen or tighten near the clasp.

Just keep in mind that both sides should be adjusted to the same point. For example, the left side of the strap shouldn’t have an inch of adjustment while the right has none. This will cause your swimming goggles to sit weirdly on your face and can cause water to enter them.

Gasket

Every type of goggle has a gasket. This is the part of the goggle that rests on your skin. It is also one of the main parts that affect the comfort of the goggle. Competition swimming goggles are specially designed for the least amount of drag through the water and have the smallest gasket. These have also been reported to be the least comfortable type of swimming goggles.

The gasket is usually made from a silicone material. This is the best type of gasket as it easily conforms to the contours of your face which makes an ideal seal. Rubber and PVC are also used in this part of the swim goggles. Just be careful with them as rubber can become more rigid in cooler conditions.

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Type Of Goggles

No matter what kind of swimmer you are there is a type of goggle for you. Each one has unique features that can help you with achieving your goals no matter if you are swimming in a public indoor pool or a beach in Mexico.

Competition

These are made for serious swimmers who are looking to compete. Competition swimming goggles are sleek with a minimal design. This allows you to achieve maximum speed with as little added drag as possible. A drawback to this type of lens is that some people may find them uncomfortable. Since the lenses are designed to be small they may restrict your vision and not have an ideal fit.

Practice

Practice swimming goggles are more for the everyday swimmer. They are similar to competition swimming goggles in that they are on the small and lightweight side but have a little more built in comfort. This is done by having more of a gasket (the silicone that connects the lens to your face) which allows the pressure to be better dispersed. You will be able to wear these for longer without discomfort.

Recreational

These are the least expensive options that you can get. This means that the build quality and materials can be not as high as the other types. For example, the anti-fog coating may not last as long as other more expensive goggles. These may serve as a great backup pair of swimming goggles but may not hold up to the long term needs you may require of them.

Swim Masks

If you are really in a pinch you can swim laps with a swim mask. These are usually only used for snorkeling and scuba diving but can be great for any water situation. Don’t expect to win many races with them as these masks are massive compared to dedicated lap swimming goggles. With that being said, these are super comfortable and are easily paired with a snorkel.

FAQs

How-to-Choose-Open-Water-Goggles-Buying-Guide

Q: Why Should I Wear Swimming Goggles?

A: 

You should wear swim goggles to protect your eyes. If you are in a swimming pool or hot tub, then there may be a lot of chlorine in the water. This can damage your eyes or, at the very least, irritate them. Even in saltwater pools or the ocean, the salt can be hard on your eyes. There are also many things in the water. Fish are swimming around. There are plants and weeds. There is sand. There are many things which can get in your eye. By wearing a pair of swimming goggles, you protect your eyes from harm.

Swim goggles also allow you to see better when you are under the water. The chlorine, bacteria,  salt, and other larger particles can irritate your eyes, causing you to close them or blink. The most excellent swimming goggles will allow you to see under the water no matter what the condition of the water is.

Q: How Should My Swim Goggles Fit On My Face?

A: 

When you have your goggles on your face, they should fit comfortably. This is the most important consideration when you are trying goggles on. If they do not fit comfortably, then they are going to irritate you when you are in the water. A secondary consideration is that the swim goggles create a waterproof seal around your eyes. You need to find a balance between comfort and tightness. Try the goggles on without the strap. Top-rated goggles should seal around your eyes and stay there for a few seconds before falling off.

Q: Can I Get Prescription Swim Goggles?

A: 

Yes, you can, but it will cost you. There are certain companies who can manufacture custom swim goggles. These goggles will cost you more as they contain prescription lenses instead of regular glass or plastic. You can find retailers on Amazon, or you can contact companies directly.

Q: Why Do Swim Goggles Fog Up?

A: 

When you are in the water, your face is warmer than the water on the other side of the goggles. When you have a piece of glass or plastic which is between two climates of differing temperatures, then condensation can occur. Think of a badly insulated window in the winter. When it is warm inside, but cold outside, then the window can begin to fog up. This is exactly what happens with your goggles.

Some swim goggles are designed to be anti-fog, and they will not fog up in the water. Some swim goggles come with an anti-fog spray, and you can also buy anti-fog spray online or in swimwear stores. You can also rub some saliva on the inside of your goggles to prevent them from fogging up. Some people also swear by toothpaste. When you first get your goggles, you can smear some toothpaste on the interior of your goggles and rub until you cannot see the toothpaste anymore.

Q: How Do I Clean My Swim Goggles?

A: 

You should always rinse your swim goggles in freshwater after they have been exposed to saltwater or any water containing chemicals. If you leave the salt or the chemicals on the goggles, then the goggles can become damaged, and your skin can become irritated. If you find that your goggles are getting dirty, then you should wash them in hot soapy water, rinse them in freshwater, and also them to air dry. If you let them air dry in the sun, it will also help to get rid of any bacteria.

If your swim goggles start to fog up when they are dry, then you need to use a different method of cleaning. You could try soaking them in a mixture that is half water and half vinegar. Once they have sneaked for a while, rinse them with freshwater and allow them to air dry. If that does not work, then you can try rubbing toothpaste on the glass or wash the entire goggles in a mixture of water and shampoo. Rinse with freshwater and allow to air dry. If none of these methods work to clear the fog, then you will need to replace your goggles.

Globo Surf Overview

Choosing the most excellent swimming goggles doesn’t have to be tedious. By understanding all of the terms and types of goggles you will be able to find your ideal goggles. It is important to know the type of swimming you are planning to do and whether you are planning to use your swimming goggles for indoor or outdoor use. Getting high quality swim goggles is easier than ever and any of the ones from our list are bound to work for any skill level.

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