Find out how to choose the right swimming goggles. Learn what to focus on when selecting goggles, which lens type works best for the pool or open water, and which models we at Swimaholic have tested and recommend.
For indoor pool swimming
For indoor pools, clear or lightly tinted lenses are usually the best choice. They provide a bright view, do not noticeably distort colours and work well even in pools with weaker lighting. Clear lenses are one of the most universal options, so they are a safe choice for most swimmers.
For outdoor swimming, the sea or open water
For outdoor pools, sea swimming or open water, darker lenses are usually more comfortable. Smoke, mirrored or polarised lenses help reduce sunlight and glare from the water surface. Thanks to that, your eyes do not get tired as quickly and you can orient yourself more easily while swimming.
Can you use one pair for both indoor and outdoor swimming?
Of course, you can use darker goggles indoors and clear goggles outdoors. It is not always the most comfortable option, though. Swimming indoors in dark goggles in poor lighting, or swimming outside in clear lenses under strong sun, can make your swim unnecessarily unpleasant. If you swim regularly in different conditions, it is worth having one pair for the pool and another pair for outdoor swimming.
Recreational swimming
For recreational swimming, comfort and good visibility are the most important factors. If you are not sure which goggles to choose, we usually recommend larger models that adapt better to the face and do not press too much around the eyes.
Among recreational goggles, we have tested and often recommend the unisex Swimaholic Elbe and the popular Speedo Biofuse 2.0. The final choice always depends on personal preference, but both models are among the most popular in their categories and we can confidently recommend them.
Swimming goggles for racing
Racing swimming goggles are often smaller and have a low-profile shape to reduce drag in the water. They usually have smaller seals, or no soft seals at all. Goggles without soft seals are often called Swedish-style goggles, and they may take some time to get used to.
Some of the top racing swimming goggles include Arena Cobra Ultra Swipe Mirror, Speedo Fastskin Pure Focus Mirror and Speedo Fastskin Hyper Elite Mirror. Their popularity among performance and competitive swimmers says a lot about their quality.
Swimming goggles for triathlon
Triathletes need a wide field of vision so they can see what is happening around them. That is why triathlon goggles are usually wider and offer better visibility. They also need to be durable and seal well, so they can handle possible contact with another competitor.
Because triathlon often involves open water swimming, these goggles frequently have smoke, mirrored or polarised lenses. For triathlon and open water, we have had very good experience with Speedo Biofuse 2.0 Polarised.
Prescription swimming goggles
Swimming with prescription lenses is much more comfortable for many people. Being able to see clearly underwater with prescription swim goggles can significantly improve the swimming experience for anyone who struggles to see without glasses or contact lenses.
The range of prescription swimming goggles is more limited than standard models, but we are glad this option exists and that swimmers who need dioptres can also enjoy clear vision in the water.
Unisex swimming goggles
Most swimming goggles are unisex, which means they are suitable for both men and women. When choosing goggles, the most important factor is how they fit your face, rather than whether they are labelled as men’s or women’s.
Women’s swimming goggles
Women often have a smaller face, and classic unisex goggles may not always fit perfectly. Women’s swimming goggles therefore often have smaller seals, so they fit better around the eye area. The nose bridge is also usually smaller, which helps the goggles sit more comfortably on the face.
Women’s models also more often have a split strap, which helps the goggles stay in place over a ponytail or bun. They may also come in softer designs, but comfort, sealing and good visibility should always come first.
Kids’ swimming goggles
Kids’ swimming goggles are usually divided by age, for example into categories for 2–6 years and 6–14 years. Goggles for the youngest children are designed for smaller faces so they do not press, do not leak and can handle all kinds of water play.
A very popular option is Swimaholic Danube Swim Goggles Junior, which cover a larger area around the eyes and seal very well.
There is a simple trick, and you do not even need to go into the water. Take the goggles in your hands and gently press them against your eyes without putting the strap over your head. If both seals create suction and stay in place for at least a moment, the shape of the goggles most likely suits your face and you can go swimming.
What if only one side sticks? If one seal creates suction and the other comes loose, the nose bridge may be either too small or too large. The good news is that in this case, the head strap can often help keep the goggles in the right position and prevent leaking.
If the goggles do not create suction at all and immediately fall off, they are probably not the right model for you, even if they are the nicest-looking pair you have found. Goggles like that will not serve you well, and you will notice it during your first swim.
Swimming goggles will sooner or later start to fog up. It depends on many factors, such as water temperature, sweat, outdoor temperature and the gradual wear of the anti-fog layer. That is why it is important to rinse your goggles with clean water after swimming, let them dry properly and avoid wiping the inside of the lenses with your fingers.
If your goggles do not fit well, try adjusting the nose bridge, which is the middle part between the seals, and replace it with a smaller or larger one if the model allows it. You can also improve the fit by adjusting the strap correctly. Do not place the strap directly behind your ears, but move it slightly higher towards the crown of your head.
We offer more than 260 types of swimming goggles in different colours, shapes and designs, so every swimmer can find the right pair.
How do I choose swimming goggles that do not leak?
Place the goggles against your eyes without putting on the strap. If both seals create suction and stay in place for at least a moment, their shape probably suits your face. The goggles should also not press uncomfortably.
What are the best swimming goggles for an indoor pool?
For indoor pools, we recommend clear or lightly tinted lenses. They let in more light, do not distort colours and are comfortable to look through even in pools with weaker lighting.
What swimming goggles should I choose for open water?
For open water, choose goggles with a wide field of vision and smoke, mirrored or polarised lenses. Darker lenses reduce sunlight and glare from the water surface.
Why do swimming goggles fog up?
Swimming goggles fog up because of differences in temperature, humidity and the gradual wear of the protective anti-fog layer. Do not wipe the inside of the lenses with your fingers, and rinse the goggles with clean water after swimming.
If your goggles start to fog up, an anti-fog spray designed specifically for swimming goggles can also help.
