Finding the perfect
pair of goggles can be a little tricky, but fear not, goggles are fortunately
less tricky than finding the perfect pair of sunglasses. The first obstacle you
should be prepared to tackle is how many goggles you should own. The answer is
at least four. If you are committed to only open water, or only pool water you
can get away with owning three. One should be your perfect pair for open water,
one should be your perfect pair for swimming pools, and the other two should be
acceptable back-ups. If you are going to a race; pack your perfect pair, an
acceptable back-up, and a pair of good deed goggles just in case another
swimmer is in need.
Facial Fit
There are two
different ways typical goggles will fit your face, and your choice depends on
what makes you the most comfortable. One fit is where the gaskets will rest
against your bones and the other fit is where the gaskets will rest in the eye
socket area. The goggles that rest in the eye socket area will be face suckers,
but most people say that they are more comfortable. Again, this is preference
to you, so feel free to choose either.
picture courtesy of The Wirecutter
Picking the Right Tint
Open Water Swimming
When it comes to open
water swimming, you should consider getting two different types of goggles. If
the sun is high in the sky, or even just glaring, you want to choose your
darker tinted goggles to help you see better and reduce the amount of glare
from the sun you get, kind of like sunglasses. When the clouds are out and no
sun is to be seen, consider wearing a color-tinted goggle like the color blue.
The colored pair of goggles will make obstacles clearer when the sky is not
clear.
Indoor Swimming
As far as tint goes in
indoor swimming, party it up. Freedom of choice in tint of goggles reigns here.
Clear goggles work here too, it all depends on preference. If your indoor pool has bright lights shining
down on the water, I’d recommend some sort of darker tinted goggles to help
reduce glare.
Before Diving In
There are a few features
of goggles to consider before diving in and buying your first pair. Features
are broken down into where you are going to wear your goggles.
Open Water
For open water, there
are arguably two best features to look for in a pair goggles. The first is
anti-fog. Anti-fog treatment on goggles helps prevent fog from building up on
your open water swim. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like swimming in the ocean
without visibility due to my own goggles fogging up. The anti-fog treatment on
goggles will only last if you take care of your goggles, so avoid touching the
inside of the goggles.
The other best feature
for open water goggles is a double strap design. The double strap design makes
it harder for another competitor to accidently kick or punch your goggles off
of you. This may not seem like a huge deal at first, but if you’ve had your
goggles kicked off and salt water in your eyes it becomes a lifesaver.
Another feature some
goggles offer that you should keep in mind is UV protection. If you are
outside, you are getting hit by UV rays, protect your eyes like you do on the
bike and run portion.
Inside Pool
Features for goggles
are mostly made for open water swimming, so there is more freedom for choice
for swimming in pools. It’s best if you can find a pair of goggles that fit you
comfortably and have reduced drag.
Durability in pool
water is something to keep in mind. Plastic gaskets, or the method of water
tightness in goggles, is the best way to go if you are in chlorine treated
waters. The gaskets made with silicon or rubber will wear away. This isn’t an
ultimate deal breaker, since a decent pair of goggles is fairly cheap, but it
is something to consider.
Fog Rolling In
Maybe you’ve done your
best to keep the anti-fog coating on your goggles, but you are still
experiencing the dreaded fog. There are a few solutions to help clear up your
goggles. Rub a little bit of toothpaste inside your goggles and wait. Then
after a few minutes wash out the excess, mostly so you don’t get mint burning
in your eyes. This will help create a coat in your goggles to decrease
condensation from forming, eliminating the fog problems.
Goggle Care
Although they are not
the most expensive pieces of gear in your bag, it’s nice not to replace them
every month. To get the most out of your goggles, wash them in cold water after
every single use. Let them dry naturally by hanging them somewhere out of
sunlight, but with plenty of airflow. Pools degrade rubber and silicon so make
sure to be extra vigilant in washing your goggles after your swim in chlorine.
Once you have selected
your pair, or pairs depending on where you swim, it’s time for the best part.
The actual swim! Putting your goggles to the test can tell you a lot of
information about what you like and don’t like in a pair of goggles.
Blub…Blub. Happy
Swimming!
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