Types of Goggles

When you walk into the shop, you will see that there are different types of goggles with a different price range that are catered to various needs. It is important to know the difference so that you won’t end up splurging on an expensive pair of goggles.

Just a recreational swimmer or going to sign up swimming lessons in condo or private pool ? You probably don’t need those competition goggles that are advertised to be more streamlined and efficient in the water. Yes, there is a reason why they are so expensive, but do you really need them if you are just swimming every other week? For most of us, a pair of inexpensive recreational goggles will be sufficient to meet our needs.

Of course, competition goggles are popular as well. They have a low profile and fit close to your eye socket, which reduces drag in the water. However, it can be uncomfortable to wear for a long period of time. This is where practice goggles come in.

Practice goggles are the middle ground between recreational and competition goggles. While not necessarily built for speed like competition goggles, practice goggles often have a higher quality compared to recreational goggles. In addition, they are more comfortable than competition goggles, as they usually have gasket rubber that creates a good seal with lesser pressure.

Fit

As you will be wearing the goggles for hours at a time while swimming, it is important to feel comfortable in them. Especially so since our eye areas are pretty sensitive! You will be surprised by all the shapes and sizes that goggles come in. There are plenty of options to choose from, so do spend some time looking through to find the most suitable pair for you!

So where can you start? Firstly, keep a look out for goggles with an adjustable nose piece, or one that comes with nose pieces of different lengths. A pair of goggles with a suitable nose piece will make a world of difference. If the nose piece is too long for you, the goggles will be too loose around your nose and water can start seeping in; and if the nose piece is too short, the goggles will be too tight and your nose will feel uncomfortable from all the pressure.

Secondly, when trying out the goggles, check the suction of the seal. The seal should provide a split section of suction to prevent water from leaking in. However, they shouldn’t be too tight or apply too much pressure. To test out the fit, stick the goggles to your face without putting the strap on. If the goggles stay on your face for a few seconds, you are good to go! Do keep in mind that there are some competition goggles like Swedish goggles that do not have a gasket rubber though.

Lens

Much like choosing a suitable pair of sunglasses, the color of the goggles matters as they will affect your vision in the pool. Choosing the color of your goggles is not as simple as just picking up your favorite color. Resist the urge to match the goggles with your swimming attire. Trust me, wearing mismatching goggles is a small price to pay for protecting your eyes.

Is the swimming pool you frequent in the sun or brightly lit? If so, go ahead and get some dark lens goggles to shade the sun from your eyes. An important thing to keep in mind when shopping: Recreational goggles that have anti-fog effect will wear off eventually. This can cause your dark lens goggles to become even darker. Imagine swimming at night with the dark lens goggles fogged out. Yeah, not an ideal scenario. So, if you usually swim indoors or at night, resist that temptation to purchase a dark lens goggles to look cool. You wouldn’t want to be as blind as a bat when swimming right?

Other than the different colors, the lens of the goggles can be mirrored as well. The mirrored coat applied to tinted lenses is perfect for outdoors as it protects your eyes from brightness and glare.

Swimming in the open waters? On top of picking a pair of dark mirrored goggles to reduce the glare of the sun off the water, try out a red or blue tinted pair of goggles. These coloured tints can help you spot objects such as colored buoys and vegetation better.

Most swim goggles now offer anti-fog coating and UV protection as well. Do remember to keep a lookout for them when choosing your pair!

And for all of us that unfortunately aren’t blessed with perfect eyesight, no fear! Most manufacturers nowadays provide prescription goggles for us.

Conclusion

So, remember to go down and try out some goggles before purchasing them! Pro tip: If you just can’t find the ideal pair, try out goggles that might not be marketed towards you. Female and kids’ goggles are usually smaller, while male goggles are larger. Most importantly, they should fit snugly and comfortably around your eyes. A good pair of googles can go a long way in overcoming water phobia, so do make the right choice on it!

Hello everyone! My passion for sports writing stems from my day of competing for Nanyang Technological University's Archery team. I was also an avid swimmer when I was young. Other than that, I draw knowledge from my hobby in music and reading to relate to my readers. Hope you enjoy them!