Top 10 Things to Consider When Buying Swimming Goggles
Swimmers usually use three pieces of equipment: swim suit, swim cap and swim goggles. So what is it that you need to know or explore when buying swim goggles? Here are the top things to look for or think about.
1.) What are you going to use them for? Open water swimming (triathlons),
indoor or outdoor pool swimming. Depending on what it is, you need a different shade of the lense color. Indoor, you might not want to get very dark goggles unless there is a lot of lighting. The opposite would work on outdoors, here you might want to protect your eyes from the sun and choose darker with UV protection.
2.) Size of the lenses. Usually, the smaller the better as you have less resistance in the water, however, they also have to be comfortable, so don't get too hung up on this. If small goggles scare you or you want a larger than normal angle of visibility, just get the ones that look like they are for scuba diving. If you ask me, this is quite weird to swim in and most folks will probably look at you weird, but if they work well for you, just get them.
3.) Do they have rubber, silicone, foam or plastic rings which are the pieces that actually touch your skin around the eyes. Usually, rubber or plastic is the best as you can create suction on your eyes and no water will get in. These days, silicone is very popular, but they are a bit more expensive. However, foam might also work for you if you are not allergic, but be careful, as foam might start deteriorating soon.
4.) How do they sit on your eyes? Are they too big or too small? Do your eye lashes touch the goggles when you blink? This could be quite annoying.
5.) How do they sit on your nose? Does it hurt your nose or you cannot even feel them on your nose. Good goggles should be snug on your nose, but not hurt it. Make sure it is possible to adjust the nose piece. If it is not possible, do not buy.
6.) What kind of a strap do they have? Is it adjustable to fit my head? Usually, the straps are ok and can be adjusted just fine.
7.) This is probably not that important for most people with very cheap contact lenses out there, but there are also goggles with prescription. So, if you cannot see the swim clock or worse, the wall, and you don't wear contact lenses, you can totally get yourself some goggles with prescription made just for you and swimming does not have to be off limits for you.
8.) Do they fog when you have them on for a bit? This is tougher to try in the store, but sometimes, the really bad goggles will start fogging after few seconds. If you buy goggles and they start fogging on you, spit into them or lick them with your tongue inside before putting on your eyes. Yes, you read it right, spit or lick will do the trick. Don't be afraid. :). Learn more about how to prevent foggy goggles.
9.) Never buy goggles in sealed cases. You do need to put them on your eyes in order to see whether they will fit.
10.) Obviously, one of the last things to consider is the price. The range is just amazing. You can buy great Swedish goggles for as little as $4.99 and they work wonderfully to overpriced goggles for $30-40. There are probably even more expensive ones out there, but unless they are made out of gold, it is plain dumb to buy them.
Good luck. Hope this was helpful.
1.) What are you going to use them for? Open water swimming (triathlons),
indoor or outdoor pool swimming. Depending on what it is, you need a different shade of the lense color. Indoor, you might not want to get very dark goggles unless there is a lot of lighting. The opposite would work on outdoors, here you might want to protect your eyes from the sun and choose darker with UV protection. 2.) Size of the lenses. Usually, the smaller the better as you have less resistance in the water, however, they also have to be comfortable, so don't get too hung up on this. If small goggles scare you or you want a larger than normal angle of visibility, just get the ones that look like they are for scuba diving. If you ask me, this is quite weird to swim in and most folks will probably look at you weird, but if they work well for you, just get them.
3.) Do they have rubber, silicone, foam or plastic rings which are the pieces that actually touch your skin around the eyes. Usually, rubber or plastic is the best as you can create suction on your eyes and no water will get in. These days, silicone is very popular, but they are a bit more expensive. However, foam might also work for you if you are not allergic, but be careful, as foam might start deteriorating soon.
4.) How do they sit on your eyes? Are they too big or too small? Do your eye lashes touch the goggles when you blink? This could be quite annoying.
5.) How do they sit on your nose? Does it hurt your nose or you cannot even feel them on your nose. Good goggles should be snug on your nose, but not hurt it. Make sure it is possible to adjust the nose piece. If it is not possible, do not buy.
6.) What kind of a strap do they have? Is it adjustable to fit my head? Usually, the straps are ok and can be adjusted just fine.
7.) This is probably not that important for most people with very cheap contact lenses out there, but there are also goggles with prescription. So, if you cannot see the swim clock or worse, the wall, and you don't wear contact lenses, you can totally get yourself some goggles with prescription made just for you and swimming does not have to be off limits for you.
8.) Do they fog when you have them on for a bit? This is tougher to try in the store, but sometimes, the really bad goggles will start fogging after few seconds. If you buy goggles and they start fogging on you, spit into them or lick them with your tongue inside before putting on your eyes. Yes, you read it right, spit or lick will do the trick. Don't be afraid. :). Learn more about how to prevent foggy goggles.9.) Never buy goggles in sealed cases. You do need to put them on your eyes in order to see whether they will fit.
10.) Obviously, one of the last things to consider is the price. The range is just amazing. You can buy great Swedish goggles for as little as $4.99 and they work wonderfully to overpriced goggles for $30-40. There are probably even more expensive ones out there, but unless they are made out of gold, it is plain dumb to buy them.
Good luck. Hope this was helpful.
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