How to Choose the Best Silicone Swim Goggles
A good pair of swim goggles can help to prevent eye infections and water in the eyes. They can also help to improve swimming performance.
Foam
The foam padding glued to the plastic rim of the goggle creates soft pressure around your eye socket. This helps to decrease the applied stress and increase comfort.
Comfort
One of the most important factors in choosing swim goggles is how comfortable they feel on your face. A good pair of goggles should sit snugly, but not tight, on your face, without leaving marks around the eyes or a choking feeling. Our experts rated all of our top picks for comfort, and they found that all but one pair—the FINIS Smart Goggles—provide an excellent fit.
The TYR Triple Tie Dye youth goggles, designed for kids ages 3 to 10, have soft silicone gaskets and a flexible silicone frame for an easy, comfortable fit that resists stretching out of shape. They also have a large, wide lens to maximize vision and UV protection. The push-button buckles on the straps make adjusting them quick and simple.
Another excellent fit is the Speedo FastSkin Hyper Elite goggles, designed for competitive swimmers ages 14 and older. These high-performance goggles feature an anti-fog coating on the clear polycarbonate lenses, and they have a dual head strap for security in the water.
TYR’s racing performance goggles have a low-profile design with soft, flexible silicone gaskets that offer an extremely close, leakproof fit and a clear view of the pool floor. The mirrored tint edition is ideal for indoor swimming, while the black-framed, non-mirrored version is great for outdoor training. These high-performance goggles are a bit bulkier than our other top picks, so they may take some getting used to for recreational swimmers.
Durability
A pair of goggles is an essential piece of gear for anyone who swims, whether it’s to keep fit or frolic in the ocean. For competitive swimmers, goggles can help them improve their performance by allowing them to see underwater and keep track of their time and distance. There are many different types of goggles on the market, so it is important to choose the right one for you.
One thing to look for is a good anti-fog coating. A good coating will provide long-lasting fog free vision and reduce the need for frequent reapplication. It will also help to Silicone Swim Goggles prevent the lens from clouding up during prolonged use.
Other things to consider when choosing a pair of swim goggles are the type of strap and material. Silicone straps are typically more durable than latex straps and are less likely to break or tear. They are also softer and more comfortable on the skin than latex, which can cause irritation.
The TYR Socket Rocket 2.0 Swim Goggles feature a large wraparound lens with a wide field of vision and an Anti-Fog coating to keep your vision clear. They also come bundled with five different size nose bridges to ensure a Silicone Swim Goggles – Supplier secure, comfortable fit. The onboard tracker makes these goggles an excellent choice for swimmers who want to use data to improve their performance. Its patented head-up display can show your speed, lap count, and distance on the right side of your face, and the smart sensors will automatically record and log your swim data.
Style
A good pair of swim goggles should fit comfortably and create a seal that keeps chlorinated pool water out. Silicone straps and frames are less prone to damage, scuffing and cracking than latex ones and offer a comfortable fit against swimmer’s skin. Silicone also doesn’t degrade from repeated exposure to chlorine and sunlight, making it the preferred material for most swim goggles.
These TYR goggles are designed for kids from 3 to 10, and their easy-to-adjust straps help young swimmers get a custom fit. They have a close-to-the-eye but not too tight fit, and the silicone gaskets are durable enough to hold up against heavy use. The UV protection, antifog and watertight seal are a plus, too.
The double head straps on these FINIS smart goggles provide an impressively secure fit, and they come with five interchangeable nose bridges to help swimmers find a comfortable fit. They also feature a heads-up display that allows users to track and analyze their workout data, with an accompanying app that lets them organize and view the information.
These mask-style swim goggles sit on the cheekbone and lower forehead, with a wide panoramic lens that offers comfort and a great underwater view. They’re a favorite for kids who want to explore everything underwater, and they can even be used by those with vision correction as the lenses are available in a variety of prescriptions.
Budget
Ultimately, the type of goggles you choose depends on your budget. Silicone swim goggles offer a great value for consumers, with a long lifespan and endless options. In addition, they are comfortable and durable, and have a great seal. This makes them ideal for swimmers of all ages and levels, from recreational to competitive swimming.
Foam
The old school of swimming goggles used foam padding glued to the plastic rim to prevent them from gouging out your eye sockets. These are less expensive than silicone models and are still great for many water activities, from lakes to oceans. The foam provides a soft pressure around the face and has a good amount of suction.
For adults, there are goggles with adjustable nose bridges that can help you get a better fit. However, this feature may not be necessary for kids or beginners. It is important to buy a pair that fits well to avoid having to spend time tightening them or removing them mid-workout, which can eat up valuable pool-time.
Another option is to wear the goggles with a cap on top, which can reduce hair tugging and strap drag. It’s a strategy that many elite swimmers, including Katie Ledecky, use at the Olympics. It’s also a good idea to invest in a set of goggles that come with multiple lenses, so you can switch between them depending on the lighting conditions.