7 Best Swimming Goggles

A Chronological History of Swimming Goggles 

The earliest documented use of swimming goggles was in Persia (what is now Iran) in the 14th century. They were made from polished layers of tortoise shells. 

In the 18th century, Polynesian skin divers used deep bamboo or wooden frames. Diving face downward trapped the air inside the frames which protected the eyes from sea water. When European explorers introduced glass to Polynesia, it was attached as lenses to the wooden frames. The lenses weren’t entirely waterproof and came off the frames quite easily. 

During the start of the 20th century, protective goggles where developed for blossoming new industries such as aviation and motorcycling. 

In 1911, Thomas “Bill” Burgess became the first person to use swimming goggles for competitive swimming. He successfully crossed the English Channel (the body of water that separates Southern England from Northern France) wearing motorcycle goggles that weren’t fully waterproof. 

In 1916, a US patent was issued for swim goggles for underwater use to C.P. Troppman. There’s no evidence of their manufacture or use.  

Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to cross the English Channel in 1928. She did it in what was then a record time for any human being. She wore motorcycle goggles sealed with paraffin wax. 

In 1940, an issue of Popular Science magazine featured instructions on how to make wooden swimming goggles. 

In 1968, the modern swimming goggles as we know them today were first introduced. They were met with very little enthusiasm. At that time, swimming goggles were considered as training equipment and were not allowed in actual competition. 

During the 1970 Commonwealth Games, David Wilkie of Great Britain became the first swimmer to wear goggles—and a cap—in an international competition. His bronze medal victory popularized the use of swimming goggles. 

In 1972, swimming goggles became standard swimming equipment for amateur and professional competitive swimmers.  

Swimming Goggles Buying Guide  

Whether you’re an Olympic swimmer or you just want to notch a few laps in the clubhouse pool, you’ll need swimming goggles.   

It’s astonishing to learn that modern swimming goggles have only gained wide acceptance during the last 50 years. With all the usefulness they provide, swimming goggles have been overlooked and underappreciated.   

Carefully choosing the right pair of swimming goggles is key to proper eye protection. They should allow you to see clearly underwater. They should be watertight to keep saltwater, chlorinated water, and debris from irritating your eyes or impeding your vision.   

There’s Something (Else) in the Water  

A swimming pool is cleaned by chemical treatment and water filtration.  

The most common chemical used to treat a swimming pool is chlorine. Chlorine is similar to household bleach. It disinfects the pool by eliminating algae and waterborne bacteria. Chlorine is a very harsh chemical that can irritate your skin, nose and eyes.   

Filtration gets rid of physical impurities in the water. The process removes solid fragments like dirt, skin, hair, plants, insects, and other debris by sifting the water through a fine mesh filter. However, not all of the debris get removed. The remaining bits can enter the eyes, be swallowed, or inhaled.   

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s not just the chemicals or debris in the swimming pool that get into your skin, nose, mouth or eyes. Public swimming pools have been found to have traces of urine and feces. Yup, pee and poop. Their presence creates a chemical reaction that makes the chlorine even more volatile to the eyes.  

If a treated, filtered swimming pool can get that polluted, you only need to imagine how much more contaminated seawater can be. Now, while a pair of swimming goggles won’t make pool and sea water any cleaner, they’ll certainly give you one less problem to worry about. Plus, no red, swollen eyes when you go on a date after a swim.  

Getting the Right Pair  

Swimming goggles used to come only in oval and round shapes. Now, there are swimming goggles of different shapes and types for every face shape and size. While it’s great to have a wide range of choices, it can also be quite overwhelming.  

Keep in mind that the pair you’re going to get will be burrowed into your eye sockets and nose bridge via an elastic band for hours at a time. Also, water pressure causes swimming goggles to increasingly tighten around the head and eyes. This tightening can start at depths as low as 3 feet. So, choose wisely and choose for comfort first.   

Types  

Racing: These performance goggles have smaller eye gaskets and a more streamlined, hydrodynamic design for competitive swimming. They’re not as comfortable as leisure goggles because the smaller gaskets tend to dig into the eye socket bone. Their smaller lenses only allow a limited field of vision.  

Fitness and Leisure: Designed with wider lenses and gaskets, these goggles provide more comfort and a wider field of vision. This type of swimming goggles are perfect for recreational swimming.  

Masks: Based on a scuba diving mask’s design, these swimming goggles are a popular option for kids. They’re more comfortable to wear because of the one-piece gasket that sits around the eyes instead of the eye sockets. They offer the widest range of vision and comes in an array of bright colors.  

Comfort and Fit  

With the right pair of swimming goggles, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. You might feel a little bit of suction around your eye sockets, but that should be it. Most goggles have an adjustable strap and nose bridge that allow you to make adjustments for a cozy fit. If you feel like you’re being pinched around the nose, go for something wider. Make sure not to go too wide that your goggles sit loosely around the eyes.   

The gaskets or seals give suction cushioning around the lenses of the goggles for your eye sockets. They’re made of rubber or plastic, foam, neoprene, and silicone. Rubber and plastic are the least expensive. Silicone is found in pricier swimming goggles. Foam and neoprene are softer on the skin but degrade quicker than rubber or silicone. Try on different models to find the most suitable gasket material for the contour around your eye sockets. If it feels like your eye sockets are getting pushed into your head, try a different size.   

Lens  

Tinted: For those who regularly swim when the sun shines brightest, tinted lenses will go a long way. Also known as “smoky” lenses, they’re the swim wear equivalent of sunglasses.   

Mirrored: If you need swimming goggles with maximum sun deflection, mirrored lenses are what you’re looking for. You get to enjoy the water on bright sunny days minus the blinding glare. For training and competition, mirrored lenses have the added benefit of keeping your competitors from seeing where you’re looking. When milliseconds spell the difference between victory and defeat, athletes need all the advantage they can get.  

Amber: If you need swimming goggles for different light settings, you could opt for amber lenses which function the same way as transition glasses. Amber lenses are excellent for both indoor and outdoor swimming in high or low light conditions.  

Clear: If you prefer swimming indoors or at night, stick with clear lenses. There’s just no point wearing tinted or mirrored swimming goggles when there’s not much light to deflect. Yes, you’ll look ridiculous.  

Tinted, mirrored, and clear lenses are just the basic options. If you’re adventurous and want more choices, there are blue, pink, even purple lenses that offer protection for the eyes in low to moderately-lit environments. These colored lenses are also fun options for kids.  

Added Features  

Swimming goggles fog up in the same way that we “create” mist when we breathe on windows on cold rainy days: it’s simply warm air meeting cold air. Choose a pair of goggles with anti-fog coating. The coating works by protecting the lenses from condensation.  

Like skin, your eyes need protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet or UV rays. Overexposure to ultraviolet light may cause cataracts, damage to the retina, and other eye ailments. Pick swimming goggles with UV protective coating.  

If you wear prescription or corrective eyeglasses, there are a number of companies that manufacture prescription swimming goggles.  

Extra Tips  

Don’t be afraid to venture into the men, women, and kids’ sections. It’s worth the trouble to find the perfect pair.  

Don’t let brand names influence your purchase. Make fit and comfort your main criteria.  

Take your time trying out different pairs until you’re satisfied. A hasty purchase seldom goes well.  

Making Your Swimming Goggles Last  

Swimming goggles become more comfortable with every use, as they conform to your face and eye sockets. It pays to take good care of your goggles to avoid the inconvenience of breaking-in a new pair.  

Avoid touching or rubbing the inside of your lenses to preserve the anti-fog and UV protective coating.  

After each use, gently rinse your goggles under running water to wash off the chlorine, salt water, or sand.  

Give your goggles time to dry naturally before putting back in their case or storing in a drawer.  

Don’t dry your swimming goggles under direct sunlight to avoid making the seal and strap brittle.   

Store spare nose bridges in a safe place if your purchase came with them.   

If the strap of your goggles break, replace them with bungee cords.