Choosing Swimming Goggles
There are so many types of Swim Goggles for a swimmer to choose from that you may find it difficult to know what to go for. Here is some useful information that will help you decide.
Goggles Frame Shape
Goggles come in many shapes. Some are very small, just being an eye piece and only just fit into the socket of the eye. This type of Swim Goggle reduces drag as there is literally less of the goggle.
The largest type of Swimming Goggle will be a mask style frame. Unlike a snorkeling mask they won’t cover the nose, to continue to allow normal breathing technique, but the frame will be large and will sit more on the face and not in the eye sockets. These are recommended for swimmers who don’t like goggles to sit on the sensitive skin under the eye (and us women don’t like those marks goggles can leave), or who want a better line of vision. The larger the frame the more wider the field of vision you will get. Some swimmers prefer wider frames so they get a more panoramic view while under water.
Frames can either be a one piece frame, meaning that the bridge over the nose is solid and part of the eye piece. Or alternatively the nose piece may be separate and most likely adjustable. This allows the swimmer to adjust the nose bridge to fit their own face shape.
Goggles Lens
The lenses of goggles come in many colours, and different colours give a varying vision under the water.
- A blue coloured lens is designed to reduce glare from the water to provide great visibility in bright light, indoors and outdoors.
- A smoke or grey coloured lens reduces the light transmission to the eye lowering overall brightness without excessive colour distortion.
- A clear lens offers protection and clear vision without changing the appearance of colour.
- A lilac lens offers the best contrast for objects against a green or blue background, making them a good choice for outdoor use.
Most lenses offer UV protection and antifog properties. Read the goggle description to be sure.
Goggles Strap Adjustability
All Swimming Goggles have adjustable straps, so that you can tighten the goggle around the back of your head. A goggle that is too loose around the back of the head will fall off. If the head strap is too tight you will get a head ache. The fitting used to adjust the goggle will be different on every style and from every manufacturer. Now days goggle manufacturers try to make this adjustments as easy as possible, with a simple mechanism. The cheaper the goggle the less technology will go into the adjustment. It is worth investing in a mid to expensive goggle if fiddly strap adjustment will bug you.
Fit
Goggles tend to be a standard adult size. If you have small eyes it would be worth trying the following tip to see if a Swim Goggle is too big for you. If the goggle is too big you won't get a good seal and water will creep in as you swim, very annoying. Take one lens of the goggle and put on to just one eye, with out putting the strap around your head. Gently push the goggle on the eye until you get a seal. Take your hand away. If the goggle instantly falls off, it is too big for you. If it stays on, it is fine for the size of your eye.
You can purchase 'Ladies Fit' or 'Small Fit' goggles which are specifically made for small eyes.
Goggles Seals and Material
Most goggles have a silicone frame, but read the description to determine the exact make up of the goggle. The majority of seals will also be silicone or a similar plastic. Some goggles have a foam seal, which although they don't give a good a seal around the eye and foam perishes quicker, some people find these a more comfortable fit.
