Selecting Silicone Swim Goggles
There are plenty of options to choose from when selecting swim goggles. To help narrow down the search, I’ve conducted two weed out tests—one for kids’ goggles and one for adult pairs.
Most modern swim goggles use silicone straps and frames instead of latex, which degrades over time in contact with chlorine and causes skin irritation for some swimmers. I also prefer rubber or foam gaskets that compress and seal well on the face.
Clear Lenses
Many swim goggles use clear lenses to provide a wide field of vision. These lenses can be tinted to reduce glare or mirrored to add to the visual experience. In most cases, these goggles have a protective coating to prevent the lenses from scratching and protect them against UV damage.
These types of goggles have a dual strap system to secure the silicone seal and frame to your head. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit most facial structures and can be easily adjusted for the perfect fit. To test a pair of new goggles for the right size, press the goggles firmly to your face without using the straps and see if they suction to the eyes and stay there for a second or two. If the goggles fall off immediately, they are likely too small for you and won’t offer a watertight seal.
Fogging is a common problem with these swim goggles and can be a significant deterrent to a workout. Often, fogging is caused by a thin film of silicone that develops on the lens during production. This film can be removed by scrubbing the lenses with an abrasive cleanser like toothpaste or liquid soap.
For even more anti-fogging benefits, avoid wiping the inside of the lens with a towel or clothing and always rinse your swim goggles after each use. This simple maintenance will greatly enhance the life of your swim goggles.
Colored Lenses
When selecting goggles, it’s important to consider your environment and Silicone Kitchen Products lighting conditions. For example, indoor pool environments and overcast weather often require light tints to maximize visibility. Meanwhile, outdoor lap pools may be better suited to dark or mirrored lenses to protect swimmers from the sun’s harsh glare while allowing for clear visibility.
In addition to the lens tint, it’s also important to consider the frame style and strap material. Silicone swim goggles offer a comfortable, secure fit and are available in a range of colors to match your personality or swimwear. Latex straps, on the other hand, can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some swimmers.
The Speedo Fastskin Goggle, for instance, offers a bi-material frame construction and rotating buckle that allows for efficient fine-tuning. They also feature a soft, flexible silicone gasket seal that can adapt to different face shapes. This helps ensure a leak-free, snug fit and reduce pressure around the eyes.
Another option is the Australian brand Zoggs. This company has a reputation for making high-quality goggles for big heads. These particular goggles boast a wide fit range, anti-fog technology, and six different nose bridges to help swimmers find the perfect seal. They’re also backed by a generous warranty. These are great goggles for adults and kids with large head sizes who want to track their laps or train outdoors.
Mirrored Lenses
Many swim goggles feature mirrored lenses, which can cut down on glare and bright light. They also provide effective UV protection Silicone Kitchen Products Manufacturer during long workouts in direct sunlight. Mirrored goggles are popular with ultra-competitive swimmers for another reason – they obscure the wearer’s eyes to prevent other swimmers from seeing their gaze, which can give them a psychological advantage on race day.
Anti-fog lenses are essential for anyone who spends a lot of time swimming indoors or in pools treated with harsh chemicals. Fogging occurs when water vapor from your body rapidly cools in contact with the lenses, causing tiny droplets to form on the surface of the lens (visualize your car windshield fogging up after a hot shower). Anti-fog coatings can help reduce this effect.
Choosing the right silicone straps is important too. Silicone is a comfortable material that is resistant to stretching, tearing and chemical damage. It’s also less likely to cause a latex allergy, which can be a problem for some people. However, some swimmers prefer the fit and feel of rubber straps. These are more durable and flexible than silicone but aren’t as soft on the head.
Polarized Lenses
The lenses in swim goggles can be clear, tinted, or mirrored. Tinted and mirrored lenses offer some UV protection, which is particularly important for outdoor swimming. Polarized lenses cut down on glare to make underwater vision less distorted.
Swim goggles are not only great for protecting your eyes in the water, but they can also help you see better underwater, if that’s what you need. They can also keep the water from stinging your eyes. That sting comes from chlorinated pool water reacting with human body waste, mostly ammonia from sweat and urine. The resulting chemicals, called disinfection byproducts (DBP), irritate the eyes and skin and can contribute to respiratory problems.
Most of our picks for the best swim goggles have a curved, wide-angle lens for excellent visibility and fit well on most faces. But a few models stand out, especially in their ability to accommodate a range of face shapes. For example, the Speedo Vanquisher goggles are a hit with both beginners and advanced swimmers because they fit most faces. And a pair of TYR Special Ops 2.0 Transition Swim Goggles can be a good choice for kids and adults because they have a larger field of view and sit outside the eye socket to reduce that “raccoon effect.”
If you’re going to the ocean or a lake instead of your neighborhood pool, consider getting a full-featured set of goggles for open water. Oversized frames like these from Aqua Sphere provide more coverage to shield the eyes from the sun, wind, and waves. They may be a little more expensive than traditional swim goggles, but they can provide peace of mind and help you enjoy the experience more.