How to Choose the Best Silicone Swim Goggles

Goggles are one of the most important pieces of equipment for any swimmer. Chlorine will break down the silicone material over time so you should rinse and dry your goggles after each use.

Some goggles, such as Swedish-style, don’t have a separate seal and instead rely on the face tissue to stick to the frame. This can cause discomfort.

Comfort

Goggles are an important part of a child’s swim gear and help them stay confident, comfortable, and visible underwater. But if your swimmer experiences leaks, fogging, or marks around the eyes—a telltale sign of a too-tight fit—it’s time for a new pair. Luckily, there are plenty of high-performance options available to avoid these common issues and maximize comfort.

According to Trevor Miele, head coach of the men’s and women’s swim teams at New York University, most modern swimming goggles are made with silicone, as opposed to latex, because they hold up better against chlorine exposure. Silicone is Silicone Swim Goggles soft against the skin and is more durable than latex, which can degrade over time with consistent contact with pool chemicals. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic.

A silicone seal prevents water from seeping into the goggle, while a dual strap design keeps the goggles firmly in place. A silicone frame and gasket also make for a more comfortable fit, while antifog lenses and UV protection prevent eye damage.

These performance goggles are ideal for ages 3 to 10, with a low-profile inner-eye fit and a wide panoramic view that allows swimmers to explore their surroundings underwater. Durafit silicone gaskets ensure a tight but comfortable fit, while a hard polycarbonate lens provides durability and resistance to chlorine. Anti-fog and UV protection minimize the need to wipe the lens, and the head strap has a release button for quick adjustments.

Durability

A pair of goggles that can stand up to a lot of use and still work well is an important consideration. Silicone is a great choice as it lasts longer than latex and doesn’t cause the irritation some people can get with that material. Look for a durable construction, with silicone straps that can take the rigour of repeated wear and tear, and an anti-fog coating.

The molded double head strap provides a comfortable fit and prevents the goggles from coming loose in the water. The lens has a large surface area for optimum visibility and is designed to reduce fogging. Its polarised and mirrored properties help you spot buoys in the open water. You can also choose from different tints to suit the conditions, with lighter shades for pool workouts and darker mirrors for outdoor swims.

These high-end goggles from FORM are the first to incorporate heads-up display technology, which is a real boon for swimmers who want to track their performance. This smart swim tech is built into the lenses and displays a number of metrics while you’re in the pool, including speed, distance and strokes. After you’re finished swimming, you can sync the goggles with your smartphone to view and analyze the data. The goggles are stylish, comfortable to wear and don’t feel like a piece of tech on your face.

Ventilation

In addition to adjusting the straps for a leak-proof fit, swimmers should ensure the silicone seals are adequately ventilated. This allows for a comfortable, watertight seal that provides clear vision and is free from fogging. Foggy swim goggles can cause swimmers to refocus on their vision, which takes away from the swim. Some swimmers rely on a technique called “sloshing” to prevent fogging by keeping a few drops of water in the lenses and continuously swishing them around their face as they swim. This method is convenient, but can distract swimmers and take them out of their stroke rhythm.

The best silicone swim goggles provide plenty of ventilation and have a flexible, durable frame and nose piece for a custom, comfortable fit. These goggles are suitable for everyday use at the pool or outdoor watersports and feature polycarbonate lenses, UV protection, anti-fog coating and a split silicone strap.

Aside from the standard features of an anti-fog and anti-leak seal, a good set of silicone swim goggles will also include a flexible rubberized frame and nose bridge to Silicone Swim Goggles adjust to a variety of faces. These goggles can be used by adults and children and are available in a wide range of tints, colors and lens sizes.

For the swimmer who wants to swim in data and metrics, FORM offers a smart pair of silicone swim goggles that can track your workouts on a digital heads-up display, including your splits, heart rate (when paired with a compatible sensor) and distance per stroke. These goggles also come with a waterproof case for safe storage in your swim bag.

Fit

A snug fit is important for comfort and to prevent water from leaking into the eyes. Most goggles have a silicone gasket seal that will tighten around your face to provide this. Look for goggles with dual straps to help you adjust the headband to find a comfortable and secure fit.

Silicone is more common these days and is preferred over latex because it doesn’t degrade from contact with pool chemicals or the sun. Latex is more likely to cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Many swim shops carry a wide range of goggles, some with features that are unique and others that can suit nearly any water activity. Some of these include molded, silicone double-width headstraps to keep the goggles securely on your head and prevent them from falling off in the water, and a curved lens for an undistorted, clear view.

For example, for the swimmer who loves data and metrics the FORM goggles offer a digital heads-up display of your workout stats including time, splits, distance, stroke counts, heart rate (when paired with a separate sensor) and much more. These are best for the serious swimmer who wants to track and optimize their performance in the water. They are not cheap but they are well worth the price for some of the most accurate training metrics you can get.