In the scorching summer, it happens to be a good time to learn how to swim and exercise. Whether it’s going to the swimming pool or the beach, it’s always fascinating! Learning to swim always requires equipping oneself with a suitable set of swimming equipment, and goggles are an essential part of it. Exploring the fantastic underwater world always requires the blessing of goggles.
When swimming, we usually can roughly distinguish the level of expertise by looking at the equipment. For example, the placement of swim trunks, how to wear swim caps, and the position of goggles can all indicate whether you really care about your swimming speed.
This time we will talk about the essential equipment of swimming goggles, completely deconstruct it, and give you a detailed usage method similar to professional sports.
The Components Of Swimming Goggles That We Must Understand
Goggle Lens
The selection of lenses mainly considers the coating on top. A slightly more expensive swimming goggles coating will be more durable. The function of coating is to prevent fog and UV rays. If you are nearsighted, you can consider choosing lenses with prescription.
I usually choose more professional competition glasses, which not only have beautiful lenses, but also have a relatively longer anti fog time.
Nose Bridge
The nose Bridge is divided into two types: adjustable and non adjustable. The non adjustable nose clip is fixed on the frame and cannot be removed, and the price of this fixed nose frame swimming goggles is generally lower. Like me, the distance between my noses is wider. Every time I buy swimming goggles, I must choose an adjustable nose clip, otherwise the goggles will leak water when going into the water and easily fall off due to poor sealing when setting off.
Eye Seal
Most leisure and training mirrors have eye seal, firstly to prevent water from seeping into the mirror, and secondly to ensure comfort and avoid pressure marks.
Some competition goggles do not have sealing rings, although they look cool, they are actually not comfortable to wear. I once trained wearing swimming goggles without eye seal, but accidentally got kicked on my glasses by a teammate in front of me, causing a bruise in my eye socket and unbearable pain. Even though I wasn’t kicked, after a training class, the indentation on the outer ring of my eyes still felt a bit painful, and I was stunned to have my single eyelid clenched into double eyelids.
Mirror Frame
The frame needs to be selected based on our eye sockets. European and American people have sunken eye sockets, which are suitable for small frames, while Asian people’s eye sockets are not as deep, so we use larger frames to “hold” swimming goggles on the eye sockets. Although there are adjustments made to the sealing ring now, it is recommended to try more when purchasing.
Strap
Diving goggles usually have only one thick strap, while swimming goggles are different because everyone’s skull and facial contours are different, so adjustable bifurcations need to be designed. The more professional mirror strip is divided into two to match professional needs.
Strap Buckle
Some adjustment buckles are on both sides, while others are on the mirror strap behind the head. The small buckle that folds back and forth is a challenge, and I have helped many friends with this job.
Learn It Like A Professional Player
How About The New Swimming Goggles?
When we take out the new swimming goggles, we need to first place them on the eye sockets to see if the size of the nose frame is suitable. If it is not suitable, we can choose accessories to adjust. Next, adjust the swim goggles buckle and adjust the strap to the appropriate size for oneself.
How To Wear It To Be Handsome?
When wearing swimming goggles, first fasten the frame to the eye socket, gently press it to a comfortable position, feel it suck on the eye socket, and then pull the goggles strap to the upper back of the head. Do not let the lens be pressed against the ear or parallel to the ear.
After putting on our swimming goggles, we should try to adjust the straps as evenly as possible. When we rest, putting the swimming goggles on top of our eyebrows is the most handsome. In addition to the most handsome wearing of goggles, it is also common to see the scene of wearing goggles directly around the neck, which is not handsome.
How To Adjust The Tightness?
If the goggles strap is too tight, it will make our eyes uncomfortable, so we need to remove the goggles and adjust the length of the strap.
If the goggles strap is too loose, don’t rush to remove it first. Try adjusting the upper back of the head where the goggles strap is held to see if it fits. If it is still loose, then remove and adjust it.
What Should I Do If It’s Foggy?
Why do swimming goggles fog up?
The difference in temperature and humidity inside and outside the goggles plays a crucial role. When worn, the air inside the goggles is warmed by body heat and becomes humid. In contrast, the outer surface of the goggles is in contact with the cooler pool water. The warm, humid air inside, containing water vapor, condenses into tiny droplets upon touching the cooler inner lens surface. This is similar to the formation of water droplets on a cold glass in a warm, humid environment and leads to fogging that obstructs vision.
The condition of the anti-fog coating matters. Many goggles have an anti-fog coating on the inner lens. However, with repeated use and over time, this coating can deteriorate. Actions like frequently touching the inner lens with fingers or using harsh chemicals for cleaning can damage the anti-fog coating. Once it is no longer effective, the goggles are more prone to fogging.
Finally, poor ventilation in the goggle design is also a contributing factor. Some goggles lack proper air circulation. If the warm, humid air inside cannot escape and be replaced with drier air, fogging is more likely to take place. For instance, goggles with a tight seal and no ventilation holes tend to trap humid air, increasing the probability of fogging compared to those with good ventilation features.
What Should I Do?
The new swimming goggles have a coating, so there is no need to worry about fogging. When we use the goggles for a period of time, they still fog. At this time, we can choose spray or lick the saliva, a common method of competitive athletes, to solve the problem of fog.
In fact, gently licking the swimming goggles can have an anti fog effect, which is seen as a professional performance in the eyes of others.
What Should I Do After Getting Wet?
Be sure to dry it and place it in a dry and cool place to avoid mold and increase the service life of swimming goggles. My favorite swimming goggles were used for many years before retiring because they were well protected.
Swimming Goggles Selection Guide
Firstly, we can choose from several aspects such as frame size, presence or absence of coating, and presence or absence of rubber rings. Please refer to the following figure for details:
Secondly, we need to choose according to the swimming venue, and the factors that need to be considered for indoor swimming and outdoor swimming will also be different.
If you choose to swim outdoors in strong sunlight, then you need to choose electroplated swimming goggles with UV protection function that can effectively resist UV rays;
If you only need to swim indoors, choosing transparent glasses to ensure a bright view is enough, and you don’t need to specifically choose racing goggles.
How To Choose A Goggle Lens Color?
How To Maintain Swimming Goggles?
1. Rinse after use
- Immediately after you get out of the pool, rinse your swimming goggles thoroughly with clean water. Chlorinated pool water or salt water can corrode the goggles over time. By rinsing them, you can remove chlorine, salt, and other chemicals that may damage the lens and the strap.
- For example, if you swim in a public pool with a high chlorine content, not rinsing the goggles might lead to the lens becoming cloudy or the strap losing its elasticity more quickly.
2. Let them dry properly
- After rinsing, gently shake off the excess water and then let the goggles air – dry in a well – ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause the plastic parts to deteriorate. You can place them on a towel or a drying rack.
- For instance, if you leave the goggles in a damp and poorly – ventilated locker, mold might grow on the strap, which can be unhygienic and also affect the performance of the goggles.
3. Store them carefully
- When not in use, store your swimming goggles in a protective case. This can prevent the lens from getting scratched. You can buy a goggle – specific case or use a small, soft pouch.
- For example, if you just throw the goggles into a bag with other hard objects like keys or combs, the lens is likely to get scratched, which will affect your vision when you swim.
4. Check the strap regularly
- Inspect the strap for signs of wear and tear, such as fraying or stretching. If the strap is damaged, it may not fit properly and could cause the goggles to leak or fall off during swimming.
- If you notice that the strap is starting to fray, it’s a good idea to replace it. Some goggles come with replaceable straps, so you can easily swap out the old one for a new one.
5. Clean the lens
- If the lens gets dirty or foggy, you can use a mild detergent or a specialized goggle cleaner to clean it. Apply a small amount of the cleaner to a soft, lint – free cloth and gently wipe the lens in a circular motion.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials like paper towels, as they can scratch the lens. For example, using a paper towel to wipe the lens might leave fine scratches that can scatter light and reduce visibility in the water.
What Brand Of Swimming Goggles Is Good?
1.Speedo Vanquisher 2.0
These are among the most popular goggles, known for their comfortable fit, leak-proof seal, and durability. They come with anti-fog coating, UV protection, and adjustable nose bridges, making them suitable for all swimmers, from beginners to professionals.
2.Arena Cobra Ultra Swipe
These goggles are highly rated for their anti-fog technology, which lasts longer than many competitors. Designed for competitive swimmers, they have a sleek profile that minimizes drag while maintaining excellent visibility.
arena Unisex Cobra Ultra Swipe Racing Swim Goggles for Men & Women Anti-Fog Technology Dual Strap, Mirror/Non-Mirror Lens
3.FORM Smart Swim Goggles
Ideal for tech-savvy swimmers, these goggles feature a heads-up display that tracks swim metrics like distance, pace, and stroke count in real-time. They are a premium choice for those focused on improving performance and training efficiency.
4.Aegend Swim Goggles
A budget-friendly option with anti-fog and UV protection. These are comfortable and versatile, suitable for casual swimmers or those on a budget
5.Speedo Swedish Goggles
Known for their simplicity and customizability, these goggles are a favorite among competitive swimmers. They provide a great field of vision but require some setup and might not suit beginners.
