Flip the backstrap over to the front side of the goggles to keep it out of the way while you put them on. Alternatively, you can start with the backstrap around your neck and the goggles dangling in front of you.
Only the soft rubber around the inside of the eyecups should come into contact with your face. Make sure the eyecups don’t pinch or tug at your skin. If they do, you may need to remove and reposition them until they feel comfortable. Avoid touching the lenses themselves. Doing so could leave behind smudges and obstruct your vision underwater.
If the strap doesn’t feel comfortable where it is, slide it up rather than down. The lower it is, the more likely your goggles will be to slip while you’re swimming.
Before you dive in, double-check that the goggles fit securely all the way around your eye sockets and that you can see clearly out of both lenses.
Don’t try to remove your goggles by pulling on the eyecups. If you’re not careful, they could snap back and hit you in the face!
If you have rounded eye sockets, for example, you’ll probably be most comfortable in goggles with smooth, rounded eyepieces. If your eyes are more almond shaped, look for a pair with contoured rubber around the eyecups. Taking the time to pick out goggles that fit properly can mean the difference between swimming freely and being in constant discomfort.
You don’t need to actually slip the backstrap over your head at this point—you’re just testing how well the eyecups fit on their own. Goggles that fall off immediately are most likely the wrong shape for your face. [7] X Research source If only one of the eyecups stays put, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the goggles are a poor fit. Try on a couple of other pairs and note the differences between them before making a decision.
If you start to get a headache or experience cloudy vision after wearing the goggles for a couple of minutes, pass them up and look for a more suitable pair. The rubber backstrap may pull on your hair during your test fitting. This can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a bad pair of goggles. You shouldn’t have the same problem once you’re in the pool or wearing a swim cap.
Like the eyepieces, it’s important that the nose strap fit comfortably if you’re going to be wearing your goggles for an extended period of time. Not all goggles have adjustable nose straps. As long as the pair you’re trying on fit properly around the eyes, adjustable straps aren’t a necessity.
Goggles with roomier eyepieces sit further away from the eyes, giving long eyelashes more freedom to move while blinking.
A 2-pack of Swedish goggles only costs about $15 USD on average, making them a more economical option if you’re not set on using top-of-the-line equipment. Swedish goggles have to be assembled prior to their first use. For this reason, they may be a little too complicated for small children. [12] X Research source One downside of Swedish goggles is that the hard plastic used in their construction makes them slightly less comfortable for prolonged wear.
A good pair of racing goggles can run you up to $50 USD, but keep in mind that when it comes to specialty sports equipment, you get what you pay for. Since they’re smaller than ordinary goggles, racing goggles may put more pressure on the eye sockets when used for long swimming sessions. [14] X Research source
You should be able to buy goggles with tinted lenses anywhere that swimming equipment and accessories are sold. Like sunglasses, darkened goggles aren’t meant for indoor use. Wearing them inside may make it harder to see your mark, the lane dividers, or other swimmers.
Swim goggle lenses come in a variety of different colors. The color that works best for you will depend largely on the depth, color, and water chemistry of the pool you do most of your swimming in. When swimming in a poorly-lit environment, it’s best to stick with ordinary clear lenses to avoid any additional distortion that could interfere with your vision.
You may also be able to find premade versions in common prescriptions at some swim shops. As a general rule, you shouldn’t wear contact lenses in the water due to the risk of bacterial contamination. If you’re unable to track down prescription goggles, however, you can put in some disposable contacts and throw them away at the end of your session. [18] X Research source
