Protect Your Eyes With Silicone Swim Goggles
Protect your little swimmer’s eyes while they splash in the water with these simple Swedish-style goggles. They’re easy to adjust with a ratchet strap and a soft slice of silicone that fits well over the nose bridge.
But a review of 26 existing goggles found that most are nearly identical. What’s the difference?
Comfort
The soft, flexible frame of these silicone goggles fits comfortably on the skin without pinching or pulling. They sit high on the face, so your swimmer can see above and below the waterline. They also don’t leave marks around the eyes that are often a telltale sign of too-tight fit, and their wide lenses provide a good field of vision. The only drawbacks are that they lack an adjustable ratchet strap and feature a fairly old-school clip for making adjustments on the fly.
The antifog coating of these goggles is durable enough to last through years of use, and the hardened polycarbonate lenses are clear enough to give swimmers a full view of their surroundings. They also offer Silicone Swim Goggles UV protection, and their split head straps allow for an easy, comfortable fit.
These inexpensive silicone goggles have a soft flexible silicone frame, nose piece, and double split head strap to ensure that they fit well and stay in place. They are easy to adjust, so your swimmer can customize the fit as they grow.
Although not as slick or streamlined as some of the other goggles we reviewed, this pair from TYR has everything that our experts liked about the others: soft, close-to-the-eye gaskets; durable, flexible silicone frames that stretch to accommodate most faces; easy-to-adjust straps; and a snap-lock headband for secure wear. They also come in multiple colors and lens shapes, so your swimmer can find the right look for them.
Durability
A pair of silicone swim goggles can last a long time with proper care. The best way to keep them in good condition is by spit-rinsing them after each use and keeping the silicone seals as clean as possible. Also, avoid touching the inside of the lenses, as this can transfer oils from your fingers and promote fogging.
Silicone straps are more durable than latex, and they are resistant to stretching and chemical damage. They are also less likely to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some swimmers. They are also more comfortable than latex straps, because they form a flexible fit around the eye socket and don’t apply pressure on the face.
If you’re a competitive swimmer, then one of your biggest fears is that your goggles will spring a leak during an important race. This has happened to the great Michael Phelps, and it can leave you blind for the final 150m of a race. Fortunately, Speedo has developed a pair of racing goggles that are designed to be as waterproof as possible.
They feature a dual-seal system that uses a stretchy silicone to hug the contour of your head and achieve a snug, watertight fit. They also have anti-fog protection, shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses, and a curved lens design that allows you to see straight ahead, up, down, and sideways without blurring.
Adjustability
Goggles must be properly fitted for a tight, watertight seal that protects the eyes from external interference and keeps the lenses clear. Fogging occurs when Silicone Swim Goggles – Supplier noncirculated, warm water vapor touches the inside of the lenses and then cools, creating tiny droplets that fog up the lens (think of how your mirror gets fogy in a shower-steamed bathroom). A good pair of goggles will have anti-fog polycarbonate lenses, molded double head straps and a comfortable silicone frame.
When fitting a pair of swim goggles, check to make sure the nose bridge is comfortable on the nose and doesn’t touch your tear ducts. If it doesn’t, tighten or swap out the bridge until you get a comfortable fit. Most silicone swim goggles have adjustable, interchangeable nose bridges that are easy to adjust or replace.
Next, check that the head straps are comfortably wide and don’t pinch or irritate the hair behind your ears. You can tighten the straps by pulling on the loose ends until the tension feels just right. Be careful not to overtighten your goggles, as this can cause the gaskets to deform and create a poor seal. This can also lead to increased leaking and fogging. If you have long, thick hair, consider getting a pair of goggles with straps that are designed to accommodate it.
Safety
Goggles keep water, sand and other debris out of your eyes during beach or pool swims. They also help you see underwater to avoid running into things, or being stung or bitten. The best goggles have a seal that keeps sand and other debris from entering the frame. Many are made of soft silicone that won’t irritate the skin around your face.
In addition, they are designed to be easy on and off without pulling your hair. Many have an adjustable ratchet strap, which is comfortable and does not pinch or pull. Most also feature a molded double head strap, which provides a tight fit that will not come off in the water. Some are designed for kids and include swim ear plugs.
One of the biggest fears of competitive swimmers is their goggles suddenly leaking during competition. This has happened to some of the world’s top athletes, including Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly at the Beijing Olympics. The goggles may have been loosened by chlorine from his skin, or by the movement of his face in the water.
To prevent this from happening to your goggles, be sure they are properly cleaned and stored. Never touch the lens inside your goggles, as this can transfer oils that cause fogging. Also, regularly rinsing with clean water and proper storage can maintain the anti-fog coating on your lenses.