Swimming Goggles

Swimming is one of the sports where you use your entire body and is also the first component of triathlons. Moreover swimming is also good for your body and health. Whether you are a recreational swimmer or participate in competitions, while swimming you want to maintain good vision. To ensure your eyes are not irritated by chlorine water or impurities a good swimming goggle is essential. A swimming goggle with tinted lenses also protects your eyes against harmful UV radiation. This way you always have good vision while swimming.

The range runs from compact competition goggles with low resistance to comfortable training models and open water goggles with polarised or mirrored lenses. The main selection criteria are the type of swimming you do, the lens type that suits the light conditions, the fit on your facial shape and whether you need prescription swimming goggles. Also view our complete range of wetsuits for a complete swimming kit for triathlon and open water.

Which swimming goggles suit you?

The right choice depends on where you swim, for what purpose and the light conditions. The following scenarios help you quickly find the right direction.

You swim lengths in an indoor pool for training or recreation: Choose goggles with transparent or light blue lenses. These offer clear vision in the artificial lighting of an indoor pool without your surroundings being unnaturally coloured. For recreational swimming prioritise comfort: a larger frame that rests softly on the eye sockets and a wide fit. For training choose a more compact, hydrodynamic model.

You swim in open water or do triathlon: Choose goggles with mirrored or polarised lenses. They protect your eyes against sunlight, glare on the water surface and UV radiation. A wide field of vision helps you navigate in open water. Also read our triathlon beginner's guide for more information about what you need for a triathlon.

You compete and want maximum speed and minimal resistance: Choose a hydrodynamic competition goggle with a compact frame, a through-strap adjustment and an adjustable nose bridge for a close fit. Every millimetre less resistance counts in competitive swimming.

You suffer from fogging lenses while swimming: Choose goggles with anti-fog coating. Note: never wipe with a towel or your fingers, that damages the coating. Always rinse the goggles after use with clean water.

You need glasses or contact lenses for good vision: Choose prescription swimming goggles. Available in standard dioptre strengths and at some models also with cylindrical strength. Prescription swimming goggles give you clear underwater vision without having to wear contact lenses in the water. Also view our range of triathlon distances for more information about the swimming distances per race format.

Which lenses do you choose?

Transparent lenses

Ideal for indoor swimming and weak light conditions. They offer clear vision without colouring of your surroundings. Perfect for those who swim in well-lit indoor pools without bright light or for early morning training sessions in twilight.

Light blue lenses

Similar to transparent lenses but with a light tint that slightly increases contrast. Suitable for both indoor swimming and light outdoor conditions on overcast days.

Mirrored lenses

Mirrored lenses reflect bright light and sunbeams, ideal for sunny outdoor sessions and open water swimming. They also give a sporty look and provide extra privacy. The standard choice for triathletes in sunny race conditions.

Polarised lenses

Polarised lenses reduce reflections and glare from the water surface for a calmer and more contrasting view. Ideal for triathlons, open water swimming and long swimming training sessions in natural water where eye fatigue from glare is a factor.

Photochromic lenses

Photochromic lenses automatically adapt to the light: darker in bright sunlight and lighter in shade or indoor situations. Perfect if you alternate between indoors and outdoors on one day, or in changing weather conditions during open water swimming and triathlon.

Prescription swimming goggles

Do you swim with glasses or contact lenses? Then prescription swimming goggles are the most comfortable and safe solution. Wearing contact lenses in water increases the risk of eye irritation and loss of the lens. Prescription swimming goggles give you clear underwater vision without these risks.

Prescription swimming goggles are available in standard minus and plus strengths per 0.5 dioptre. Models with cylindrical strength are available for swimmers with astigmatism. Always check your current glasses strength with your optician before purchasing prescription swimming goggles. With strongly different strengths per eye, custom-made lenses are sometimes the better option.

Fit: the most critical factor

Swimming goggles that leak or pinch are unusable, however good the lenses are. Test the fit with the vacuum test: press the goggles without the strap lightly on your eye sockets. Do they stay on for a few seconds without falling? Then they seal well.

Also pay attention to the nose bridge: an adjustable nose bridge gives more certainty for a fit that precisely matches the width of your nose. Models with a fixed nose bridge are often more hydrodynamic but less adjustable. Specific models are available for wide or narrow facial shapes.

The adjustment mechanism also plays a role. A through-strap system is more streamlined and hydrodynamic, the preference with competition goggles. A ratchet adjustment is easier to use and more practical for training models where you want to quickly adjust the tension.

Our advice: Do you have multiple swimming locations, both indoor pool and open water? Then consider two pairs of goggles: a training model with transparent lenses for the indoor pool and an open water model with mirrored or polarised lenses for outdoors. Two specialised goggles always perform better than one compromise model. Combine with the right men's or women's wetsuit for a complete open water swimming kit.

Who are swimming goggles suitable for?

• Recreational swimmers who want to swim lengths comfortably without irritated eyes from chlorine or cloudy water.
• Triathletes who need reliable open water goggles with good UV protection and a wide field of vision for navigation.
• Competitive swimmers who seek maximum hydrodynamics with a close fit and minimal resistance.
• Swimmers with glasses or contact lenses who want clear underwater vision without wearing contact lenses in the water.
• Open water swimmers who seek protection against sunlight, glare and UV radiation when swimming outdoors in lakes, rivers or the sea.

Combine your swimming goggles with the right men's trisuit or women's trisuit and a wetsuit for a complete triathlon swimming kit. Also view our complete range of triathlon clothing for all race equipment.

Need help with your choice?

We will be happy to help you. You can reach our swimming specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our triathlon store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about swimming goggles

Which swimming goggles are best for open water swimming?

For open water swimming choose goggles with mirrored or polarised lenses that protect your eyes against sunlight and glare. A wide field of vision helps with navigation. Also choose a model with anti-fog coating and a firm fit that does not leak with the movement of swimming in waves or current.

What are the best lenses for indoor swimming?

For indoor swimming transparent or light blue lenses are most suitable. They offer clear vision in artificial light without unnatural colouring. Mirrored or polarised lenses are unnecessary in an indoor pool and can actually worsen visibility with artificial lighting.

How do I prevent my swimming goggles from fogging?

Choose goggles with anti-fog coating and never treat the inside with a towel or your fingers, as that directly damages the coating. Always rinse the goggles after use with clean, cold water. Anti-fog spray can extend the coating but is not a replacement for goggles with built-in coating.

Can I get prescription swimming goggles made?

Standard prescription swimming goggles are available in steps of 0.5 dioptre for both minus and plus strengths. With strongly different strengths per eye or with astigmatism, custom-made lenses are sometimes necessary. Always check your current glasses strength with your optician before purchasing prescription swimming goggles.

What is the difference between mirrored and polarised swimming goggle lenses?

Mirrored lenses reflect light and protect against bright sunlight and glare. They are suitable for sunny conditions both indoors and outdoors. Polarised lenses specifically filter the horizontally polarised light that causes glare on water surfaces. They give a calmer and more contrasting image during open water swimming. For triathlon and open water polarised is generally more comfortable, for fast competitive swimmers mirrored lenses are more popular because of the sportier profile.

How long do swimming goggles last?

Well-maintained swimming goggles last one to three seasons. The anti-fog coating is the first thing to wear. Rinse the goggles after each use with clean water, let them dry away from direct sunlight and store them in a goggle case. The silicone sealing rubber can harden over time causing the goggles to seal less well — then it is time for new goggles.