Why Children Need Swim Goggles

Why Children Need Swim Goggles

Keep your children protected with swim goggles for kids.
Swim goggles for kids offer protection.

The eyes are one of the most vulnerable areas of the body, which means it only makes sense you would use swim goggles for kids to protect your young ones when they are spending time in the pool, whether training competitively or for fun. Even during swim lessons you should consider swimming goggles for your children. The following are reasons you should be sure to purchase the right kid’s swim goggles.

Protection from Chlorine and Debris

Perhaps the most important reasons to use swim goggles for kids is to protect their eyes from chlorine and other debris that may be present in the water. Even a well-maintained pool can have small debris that wasn’t picked up in the filter or was recently introduced to the pool. Wearing goggles will help prevent red, itchy and sore eyes after spending time in the water.

Medical Reasons

When you take your child for a regular physical with their doctor, it’s important to ask about wearing swimming goggles. There are certain medical conditions that may require eye protection when entering the water. For instance, children who can’t see well without glasses may need to invest in prescription swim goggles to ensure their eyes are protected, as well as to help them see better while in the water.

Are Goggles Always Necessary?

While swimming goggles are incredibly important for children, when teaching young children how to swim, it is essential to spend some time in the water without kid’s swim goggles. Children who are only exposed to the water while wearing goggles may panic if they fall in the water accidentally without their goggles. This can increase the risk of drowning. Training them to spend time in the water, even without their goggles, will help ensure they are protected when it matters most.

In general terms, it’s important to make sure your children have the right swimming goggles if they will be spending a lot of time in the water. While it’s often best to teach them to swim without to avoid panic later, purchasing kid’s swim goggles is a necessity if you want to ensure your child’s eyesight is full protected while swimming competitively.

If you’re looking for the best selection of swim goggles for kids, contact us. We carry a vast array of swimming goggles designed to fit children well.

Prescription Swim Goggles Are Essential

Prescription Swim Goggles Are Essential

Prescription Swim Goggles
Prescription swim goggles allow you to see well as you swim.

Even swimmers can have imperfect vision. However, everyone knows that when you swim in the pool, you aren’t going to be able to wear your glasses in the water. While you can still wear contacts with regular swim goggles, not everyone is comfortable with wearing contacts. Others simply don’t want to risk wearing their contacts in the water. For these people, wearing prescription swim goggles becomes essential for a variety of reasons.

Visibility

It is extremely important for swimmers to be able to see while they are swimming. Someone who typically wears glasses or contacts aren’t going to be able to see clearly in the water when they remove their glasses or contacts and put on their goggles. This is why some companies actually offer prescription swim goggles so those with imperfect vision can still see where they are going in the water. This is extremely important, especially as they reach the ends of the pool to make turns or finish a race.

Ease of Use

When you choose to use prescription swim goggles instead of the typical swim goggles, you won’t need to worry about keeping track of your other eye care items while you are at the pool. If you take your glasses off and set them off to the side so you can swim, it can become easy to forget to pick them up again or even forget where you put them. When your goggles are already prescriptions, you won’t need to bring your glasses out to the pool at all. Leave them in your locker instead.

Style

When you choose to use prescription swim goggles instead of the typical goggles with your contacts or with no corrective eye wear, you will have just as much style at the pool as anyone else. The styles of the optical goggles are very similar to the styles of the other swim goggles available. In fact, if you put a prescription and a non-prescription pair next to each other, you likely wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Wearing prescription swim goggles when you typically wear glasses or even contacts can be extremely beneficial to you in the pool. Not only will they allow you to see where you are going in the pool, they will also allow you to keep your glasses away from the pool completely so they don’t become lost or damaged. With these optical goggles, you will have all the style and flair as the other swimmers, while still being able to see well.

Choosing The Best Swim Goggles for Outdoor Swimming

Choosing The Best Swim Goggles for Outdoor Swimming

Outdoor Swim Goggles
When you are looking for the best outdoor swim goggles, you can rely on the biggest names in swimming.

When you are swimming in an outdoor pool, you have very different needs than if you are swimming in an indoor pool with artificial lighting. Just like when you spend time outdoors in any other situation, you need a pair of swim goggles that will best reflect the sun and keep your eyes safe from the sun and the chlorine. Knowing what your best choices are will help you find the ones that will serve you the best.

Speedo Speed Socket Mirror

If you want swim goggles that are mirrored like many sunglasses, the Speedo Speed Socket offers a mirrored version These competition-quality goggles have a low profile, which reduces the resistance in the water. They are shatter resistant, offer excellent peripheral vision, UV protection, anti-fog properties and a hypo-allergenic seal. These goggles are so great, they are the top choice of champion swimmer, Michael Phelps.

Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Plus

The Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Plus offers about 25 percent more peripheral vision than the average swim goggles. The UV protectant, anti-fog lenses have a low profile so you don’t worry about having extra drag as you move through the water. The headstrap provides an adjustable clip with an adjustable nose clip as well for a more customized fit.

TYR Technoflex 4.0 Metallized

Another great option for outdoor swim goggles is the TYR Technoflex 4.0 Metallized goggles. These goggles use state of the art design with plastics of varying hardness for the best fit possible. With a comfortable headstrap, UV protection, anti-fog and adjustable clip, you will enjoy this outdoor goggle as you swim in outdoor competitions.

Speedo Jr Hydrospex Mirrored

For those who have a smaller head size, the Speedo Jr Hydrospex Mirrored swim goggles can be the best option for outdoor swimming goggles. The lenses in these goggles are virtually indestructible, which means you don’t need to worry about using them outdoors. With UV protection and anti-fog properties, you will be able to enjoy swimming outdoors, all while protecting your eyes.

There are so many options available for swim goggles for outdoor swimming. If you are looking for the best swim goggles for those outdoor meets and practices, you have several options by some of the top names in swim gear, such as Speedo and TYR. Each of these options provides you with UV protection and anti-fog lenses, as well as a variety of other features.

How to Choose the Right Swimming Goggles

How to Choose the Right Swimming Goggles

Swimming goggles
Getting the right swim goggles is important for your comfort and performance.

It may seem that every swim goggle available on the market is pretty much the same thing, each person has different needs and a slightly different shaped face. This means each person will feel better using a different type of swimming goggle. Therefore, you need to know how to choose the right swimming goggles for your face type and your purposes. Without this knowledge, you may end up buying ones that don’t work well for you, causing you to have to buy another pair.

Goggle Usage

First, you need to consider what you will be using the swim goggles for. In general, you the different types of goggles are designed to serve considerably different purposes. While you can certainly use your practice goggles in a meet, you won’t have all the advantages competition goggles have. Practice goggles tend to provide  a more comfortable fit because you will wear them for longer periods of time. Competition goggles are often low-profile and are designed for performance to reduce drag. If you aren’t planning to use them for practice or competition, any cheap pair of swim goggles will do.

Face Size

This may seem like an unusual consideration because swimming goggles are sometimes marketed as either adult or child, you need to consider the size of your face. If your face is thin and on the small side, you may still need to purchase swimming goggles that are marketed toward children and younger swimmers. A majority of adults will use adult-sized goggles, but this isn’t always the case. If you aren’t sure, try some on at the store but make sure you buy them from a reputable dealer in the end.

Indoors or Outdoors

The type of swim goggles you choose will depend greatly upon whether you will be doing a majority of your swimming indoors or out. If you are on a competition team, you may perform either indoors or outdoors. However, if you frequently compete in events, such as a triathlon, you will find you do a majority of your swimming outdoors. Some swim goggles offer UV protection, anti-fog and mirror lenses for help outdoors.

Choosing the best swimming goggles for your needs is extremely important. If your goggles don’t fit well or aren’t suited for the type of swimming you will be doing, you will find yourself uncomfortable and not performing well. Your goggles are an important part of your swim gear, protecting your eyes and allowing you to see where you are going.

Top 10 Swimming Goggles

Top 10 Swimming Goggles

When starting out in swimming there is nothing more frustrating than trying to find the swim goggle that is just right for you.  Each swimmer has a different list of requirements for their ideal pair.  Beginning swimmers often look for comfort and ease of use while a competitive swimmer might be looking for goggles that cut down on drag.  Luckily there is a wide range of goggle styles available for all ages and ability levels.  Not sure what goggles would be best for you?  Check out our list of the ten best goggle styles and the features that make them so popular.

1) Speedo Vanquisher – The line of Vanquishers easily make the top of this list due to their wide ranging appeal.  These are a great goggle for both competitive and recreational swimmers.  Vanquishers feature soft silicone gaskets around the eyes for a very comfortable fit.  Each pair of Vanquishers also comes with a set of four different size nose pieces.  This allows each individual user to select the fit that is just right for them.  Vanquishers fit more directly in the eye socket rather than around the eye.  The line of Vanquishers includes Junior, Women’s, and Men’s sizes in addition to the newly updated Vanquisher 2.0.  Best for: Recreational and competitive swimmers ages 13 and up.

Vanquisher 2.0
Vanquisher 2.0

2) Aqua Sphere Kaiman Goggles – Kaiman goggles are popular for their excellent visibility and outstanding comfort.  These are a favorite of open water swimmers and triathletes due to their 180-degree visibility and easy-adjust buckles for the perfect fit.  Kaiman goggles offer possibly the softest gaskets available in a goggle today.  Due to their wider shape Kaiman goggles do not fit directly into the eye sockets, but rather fit more around the eye.  The silicone nose bridge is not adjustable; however, due to its soft nature it is comfortable for a wide range of nose types.  Kaiman goggles are available in both small and full size models.  Best for: Adult recreational swimmers, open water swimmers, triathletes.

Kaiman Goggles
Kaiman Goggles

3) Speedo Hydrospex – Speedo Hydrospex are a no frills goggle that are ultra comfortable and easy to use.  The back strap adjusts with the speed fit clip to make adjustments a snap especially with the new Hydrospex 2.  The wide gaskets of the Hydrospex make these an ideal goggle for beginning swimmers.  While Hydrospex do have a solid nose piece that does not allow for adjustments they do come in both Junior and Adult sizes to fit a wide range of users.  As an added bonus… Hydrospex come in a nearly endless array of colors.  Best for: Children and beginning swimmers, anyone who likes wider goggles.

Speedo Hydrospex 2
Speedo Hydrospex 2

4) Swedish Goggles – Swedish goggles are a swimming classic and long time favorite of competitive swimmers.  Popular for the clear view and excellent field of vision they promote.  Though these are a favorite of experienced swimmers they do take some getting used to.  Swedish goggles must be completely assembled by the user and do not have any soft cushioning for your eye.  The hard plastic eye pieces of Swedish goggles fit directly in the eye socket for a very unique fit.  Swedish goggles are available in many colors including metallic for the outdoors.  Best for: Experienced and competitive swimmers looking for a custom fit.

Swedish Goggles
Swedish Goggles

5) TYR Technoflex – Technoflex are another wide frame goggle that is great for youth and beginning swimmers.  Much like the Speedo Hydrospex the TYR Technoflex feature a solid nose piece and easy adjust fit clips on the sides.  Soft silicone gaskets make the Technoflex goggles easy on the eyes while giving you clear vision in the water.  TYR Technoflex 4.0 are available in a great selection of fun colors.  Best for: Youth and beginning swimmers, anyone who likes wider goggles.

TYR Technoflex 4.0
TYR Technoflex 4.0

6) TYR Swimple – Swimple goggles are the ultimate ease of use goggles.  They come in one size designed for kids and come in several fun colors.  Swimple goggles have a solid nose piece and soft silicone gaskets that are easy on children’s eyes.  The easy adjust release button on the sides of the goggles allow for no fuss adjustments of the back strap.  These goggles will have your kids splashing around in no time.  Best for: Kids who enjoy recreational swimming.

TYR Swimple
TYR Swimple

7) Speedo Aquasocket – Aquasockets were engineered with competitive swimmers in mind.  Their ultra low profile design ensures minimum drag through the water.  These goggles fit directly in the eye sockets with their soft silicone gaskets for a snug comfortable fit that will not come off in competition.  Aquasockets also come with multiple size nose pieces to allow for a more customized fit.  Best for: Competitive swimmers ages 13 and up.

Speedo Aquasocket
Speedo Aquasocket

8) TYR Tracer – Tracer goggles are another model designed with the racer in mind.  Tracers fit directly in the eye socket but are not rough on the eyes thanks to the soft silicone material.  They also feature various size nose pieces so you can pick the one that fits you best.  Tracer goggles offer excellent peripheral vision for a racing goggle.  Best for: Any swimmer that measure’s success by the tenth of a second.

TYR Tracer Goggle
TYR Tracer Goggle

9) Aqua Sphere Seal – The Aqua Sphere Seal mask is somewhat of a cross between a goggle and a snorkeling mask.  The Seal mask has a much larger profile than most goggles, but does not cover the nose like a typical mask.  This allows it to function as a normal goggle while providing more of a full face coverage.  The Seal mask is well know for the excellent seal it makes between the goggle and the face.  This makes it great for swimming in turbulent waters.  The Seal mask is available in the original and XP Seal mask version with a lower profile.  Best for: Open water swimmers and swimmers how like full coverage from their goggles.

Aqua Sphere Seal Mask
Aqua Sphere Seal Mask

10) Speedo Sprint/Pro –  These are a few of Speedo’s classic goggles.  Both styles are made with soft foam around the eyes and come with an adjustable nose piece.  Pro goggles have a circular shaped eye piece while the Sprint style has more of an oval shaped eye piece.  These goggles have been a staple of the swimming community for some time due to their reliability and comfort.  Best for: Goggle traditionalists and anyone who prefers foam gaskets over silicone ones.

Speedo Sprint Goggles
Speedo Sprint Goggles
Optical Goggles

Optical Goggles

Everyone knows that swimming with blurred vision is no fun and can be hazardous.  Bouncing from lane rope to lane rope isn’t the way any of us want to spend our time in the water.  If you wear glasses or contacts now is the time to give optical goggles a try.  Both Speedo and TYR offer great optical goggle options that also feature UV protection and Anti-Fog coating.

TYR Corrective Optical Goggle
TYR Corrective Optical Goggle

The Speedo Vanquisher Optical goggles and Speedo Jr. Vanquisher Optical goggles come in corrective diopters from -1.5 to -8.0.  These are available in both smoke and clear colors for both indoor and outdoor use.  Speedo Vanquisher Optical goggles are a great choice if you like a close fitting goggle that fits right in your eye socket.

TYR Corrective Optical goggles feature optical grade corrective diopters from -2.0 to -8.0.  TYR’s option is better if you prefer a more wide angle goggle that fits more around the eye rather than right in the eye socket.  TYR Optical goggles are also available in both smoke and clear colors.

Women’s Swimming Goggles

Women’s Swimming Goggles

Speedo Women's Vanquisher Goggles
Speedo Women’s Vanquisher Goggles

Make a fashion statement as you cut through the water with the competition-quality, pastel-colored Women’s Vanquisher swim goggle from Speedo. The anti-fog, polycarbonate lens is shatter-resistant, has a pearlescent mirrored finish, and is UV protected. The soft silicone lens gaskets sit in a low profile on your face and offer cushioned protection. For a more comfortable swim and to avoid water intake, choose the right size of nose piece from the three provided. Speedo’s line of competition swimming goggles are designed for the serious swim competitor.  They are made from the highest-quality materials available, their low-profile design will give any swimmer the competitive advantage. These have been the most popular female swimming goggle for the past 5-6 years and I think they will continue to be one of the top selling goggles for a long time to come. There are lots of new goggles that come out every year but the Speedo Womens Vanquisher goggles remain the number one choice for competitive swimmers. Here is what you get with your Speedo Women’s Vanquisher swim goggle, streamlined profile with hypoallergenic silicone gaskets deliver watertight comfort that”s sure to get some second looks. Shatter resistant, polycarbonate lenses with pearlescent mirror finish adds a touch of style. UV 95+ protection and anti-fog coating will keep you focused on what”s ahead. Double silicone headstrap with back buckle for a custom fit. Includes three interchangeable nose pieces.

TYR’s Newest Goggle

TYR’s Newest Goggle

Technoflex 4.0 Swim Goggle
Technoflex 4.0 Swim Goggle

One of the newest swim goggles now avaiable is a new take on a classic design. The all new TYR Technoflex 4.0 swim goggle is the next generation in the evolution of the Technoflex goggle line. TYR was the first brand to revolutionize the uni-body design of the swimming goggle with the original Technoflex goggle. It feature a one piece frame that was made of a soft pliable silicone gasket material. This unique design was quickly copied by many swim goggle companies because of the great comfort and fit that it provided to the swimmer. Over the years TYR has continued to develop their Technoflex goggle and they have made it more comfortable and better fitting. They have also extended the line to a junior goggle that is great for children. Now with the next release in the Technoflex line they have also created a female version called the Technoflex 4.0 Femme that is a perfect fit for women, who typically have narrower faces than men. The TYR Technoflex 4.0 goggle features a revolutionary dual injection manufacturing process. It incorporates differing harness densities of thermo-plastic rubber. The stiffer durometer material provides frame rigidy to prevent nose bridge stretch. The gaskets are injected with a softer durameter material to provide greater comfort and fit. This all combines for one of the most comfortable and best fitting swimming goggles on the market.