Selecting the right pair of swimming goggles will transform your comfort and performance in the water.
Whether you swim outdoors or you do lengths of the pool at the local leisure centre, the experience is a million times better if you can see where you’re going without water getting in your eyes.
Anti-fog properties, tinted lenses and the size of the field of vision are also things to consider when choosing goggles that will help you dive into improving your swimming personal bests this year. These eight top performing goggles can help you do just that.
The Aqua Sphere Vista may look a bit like a scuba diving mask but that’s because it uses Aqua Lung dive technology to achieve a leak-free fit thanks to a silicone skirt around the base of the goggles.
This, along with the new Quick-Fit one-touch buckle system to make micro adjustments to the fit means that the days of sighting with a puddle of water in your goggles are long gone.
The wide wrap around lens offers 180 degree visibility, which is ideal for open water swimming.
Zogg’s Predator Flex Polarised Ultra Reactor Goggles, £60
These are not your cheapest goggles but they are one of the smartest pairs available thanks to the photochromatic lenses, which automatically react to different light conditions.
This means a darker and more protective tint in brighter conditions, and complete clarity in darker settings. They’re very popular among triathletes as they can be used for both long open water swims with changing light conditions as well as indoor pool sessions.
They’re available in regular and small sizes so you can find the best fit and you’ll discover they deliver excellent visibility as anti-fog is impregnated into the lens.
Speedo Aquapulse Pro Mirror Goggles, £34
These stylish red and black goggles contain Speedo’s most advanced goggle technology ever – IQfit.
The 3D goggle seal ensures a comfortable, secure fit that doesn’t leak and leaves less of a mark around the eyes, while the double silicone head strap with patented tensioning scale provides more stability and reduces tension around the head.
But it’s the sleek and stylish frameless design that’s the talking point on these goggles. The lack of frames improves peripheral vision and the pretty lenses have a purpose with anti-fog technology and 100 per cent UV cover to keep your eyes protected.
VETOKY Racing Swim Goggles, £10.99
VETOKY swimming goggles are made with high quality silicone and do a surprisingly good job at keeping water out given their low price point.
The stylish blue lenses offer anti-fog and UV protection and they have a scratch-resistant coating. They fit comfortably around the eyes, although you’ll notice that they don’t offer the same wide field of vision as other goggles.
They arrive with three interchangeable nose straps so you can experiment until you find the snuggest fit. This means there won’t be any weaknesses to let water in so you’ll have a clear, enjoyable swim.
Zone 3 Vapour Swim Goggles, £29.50
The Zone 3 Vapour goggles look slightly bulky at first but once you put them on they feel super soft thanks to the silicone gasket around the eyes.
The large curved lenses give an excellent field of vision from the front and side so you can spot other swimmers in races. If you are unlucky enough to get hit during a competition then the silicone will cushion the blow, whilst also minimising pressure around the eyes so you don’t get goggle marks.
The easy adjust straps means they fit a wide range of head sizes, both male and female.
Arena Cobra Ultra Swipe Mirror Goggles, £52
The Cobra Ultra Swipe Mirror goggles stand out because of how they stop fog. Swipe your finger over the lens and your goggles will become clear again. You can even swipe as you swim.
With low profile mirror lenses, high-tech moulding and a blade shape, they’re hydrodynamic perfection with reduced drag and improved glide in a sleek, watertight design.
They don’t let water in and they help you to swim faster and see where you’re going. Plus, they’ll help you look like you mean business and are available in a wide choice of colours.
Huub Aphotic Photochromic Goggles, £39
You’ll look the coolest in the pool in these stylish black and bronze goggles. And you’ll also be able to see better than anyone else wherever you choose to swim thanks to these goggles’ photochromatic technology, which adjusts to light or dark environments.
When the UV light diminishes, the lenses fade back. As light conditions change, the level of tint adjusts.
Most importantly, they’re designed to fit the face perfectly with a density of silicone and TPR to seal tight around the eyes while remaining comfortable.
Nike Swim Vapor Goggles, £23.99
The Nike Swim Vapor Performance Goggles are made with oversized and curved lenses which maximise the field of view whilst in the water. They are engineered with an ultra-low profile for drag resistant lenses.
The gaskets around the eyes are soft but flexible, which means they feel comfortable and secure in the water.
They’ll fit a variety of face shapes thanks to the Nike Swift Track nose bridge system, which allows you to easily customise the nose strap to find the best fit.
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