Choosing goggles

Goggles are an invention on the level of Electricity and The Wheel.

Well, maybe not.  They did, however, allow recreational and competitive swimmers to spend much more time in the water.  My dad swam on his high school team in the early 1970's and talked about how his eyes would sting for hours after practice.  How could you enjoy your workout when your eyes hurt and you couldn't see the wall?

Most adults know that when you open your eyes underwater that everything looks fuzzy.  When you wear goggles, you keep a bubble of air near your eyes so that you can see through the plastic. 

Choosing goggles for yourself or for your child can be a long process.  There are dozens of brands and styles out there, that it may take awhile to find the right style and fit.  Here are some tips...

1. Try on as many goggles as you can.  Borrow friends' goggles and see how they feel.

2. Adjust them properly.  You need a light amount of suction around your eyes to keep water out.  That means the straps should be moderately taught around the largest part of your head.  It shouldn't hurt, though.  Adjust the strap length, or even the section between the eye sockets.  If you can't get it to fit right, try a different pair.

3.  Write your name (and even phone number) on the goggle strap.  Goggles seem to sprout legs and walk away, probably to that same place where your other sock is hiding.

4.  If you find a pair of goggles that work, buy several pairs.  Even better, try to catch them on sale at the end of the summer.

5. There is no "one size fits all" perfect pair of goggles out there.  Like shoes, you need to find what works for you.

6.  Take care of them.  Let your goggles air out after using them.  The elastic can weaken and break if they remain out in the elements.

7.  If you wear contacts, you can choose to get prescription goggles.  My husband chooses to wear his contacts with his regular goggles.  Be careful if your goggles tend to leak, you might lose a contact!


Do you have any tips or questions?  I am planning another post about children wearing goggles.