By Mark Gangloff               ( 2-time Olympian & 2004 gold medalist)

Selecting goggles can be hard. SwimOutlet.com offers its customers seven pages of goggles from which to choose, so there is no lack of options.

Having a diversity of choices is great, but a wide selection tin also exist overwhelming. To assistance yous navigate the waters (pun intended!), I accept listed a few things to continue in heed as you shop for your next pair of goggles.

Simply starting time, a word on personal preference: above all, goggles are an individual preference. Whatever is right for you is right for you. Just like, whatever is right for me is correct for me. Now, where it might get tricky is when whatever is right for me is wrong for you. So, trust yourself and your opinion.

Still, here are some key factors worth because when shopping for your next pair of goggles:

Goggle Size

Goggles come in all shapes and sizes. Generally, I like to classify goggles as "small" and "large." These classifications reflect both socket size and lens size.

  • Socket size indicates the size of the goggle lens. Some goggles are what I consider "small socket." Some swimmers do not prefer minor socket goggles (e.1000., Swedish goggles) considering they can exist harsh on the orbital bone. On the other hand, "large socket" goggles, because they don't fit into your middle socket, rely on some kind of suction device (east.one thousand., foam, safety, etc.). My personal preference is a "small socket" goggle because the "large socket" goggles tin can feel a bit bulky. But, I encourage yous to try both small-scale and big socket goggles before making a final determination.
  • Lens size is the size of the lens through which the swimmer sees. A larger lens allows the swimmer to meet more; larger lenses allow for a broad-angle view or even "natural" vision. Past contrast, minor lenses allow the swimmer to "put the blinders on" and, perhaps, focus on their race by limiting their field of vision.

Contour

The goggle'due south profile is how far the goggle sticks out from the swimmer's face up. Goggle profile can be classified equally "low" and "high." Your goggle's profile doesn't but affect what the goggles expect like, but can influence the functionality of the goggles. For instance, I have noticed that when I wear a high contour goggle (i.e., they stick out from my face), they are more probable to leak and/or fall off upon entry into the water during a showtime. However, think, we aren't always diving. Thus, you could chose dissimilar profiles for different purposes (i.e., race vs. training).

Assembly

Associates is the amount of assembly required to make the new goggles (as they arrive in their packaging) functional. Some goggles go far in your mailbox (and in their packaging) 100% assembled and ready to wear. Other goggles may require threading the straps through the goggles. Others, yet, even require you to string your ain nose slice (i.eastward., the middle piece betwixt the lenses). Though some might be a little intimidated stringing their first nosepiece, easy-to-follow instructions make the assembly of the goggles manageable for near every swimmer. However, younger swimmers may need some aid from a parent, friend, or coach as they get together their goggles.

Fashion

Coco Chanel once said... Oh, who am I kidding? I have no idea what Coco Chanel ever said. I practise know, yet, that a lot tin be said by wearing a pair of goggles. Goggles, though functional, are likewise accessories that tin express who y'all are. Growing up I felt "fastest" in my mirrored Swedish goggles. It showed my competitors that I meant business organization.

My sister, on the other hand, felt her "fastest" when she wore goggles that donned reptile holograms. Either way, our goggles were a simple way to express our race personalities. And, I believe, influenced the style we raced. However, while style, to some degree, matters, sizing always trumps style.

Summary

So when browsing goggles for yourself or the swimmer in your life, I find it helps to inquire a few questions:

  • What is well-nigh comfortable?
  • How much practice I (or your swimmer) need to see to experience comfy in practice or a race?
  • Will I (or your swimmer) wear these goggles to race or to train?
  • How much associates tin can I (or your swimmer) tolerate?
  • Am I (or your swimmer) bold or do I (or your swimmer) prefer a classic expect?

The answers to these questions volition help you in selecting the perfect goggles. At bottom I offer simple chart of aspects that were important to me of a pocket-sized sample of goggles offered past SwimOutlet.com. This chart describes each pair of goggles according to my primary criteria I've discussed above.

I hope that I take given everyone a better perspective from which to choose your side by side pair of goggles. For me as a professional swimmer, having my racing goggles completely secure when entering the water is a #1 priority, so my default is e'er to use a low-profile goggle. It is not absolute that anybody uses a low-contour goggle simply in elite racing profile becomes much more important. Another selection may exist to accept a higher-profile goggle for practice and a lower-profile goggle for meets. It is up to you!

I would similar to finish this guide with a few highlights from the list of goggles I tested. I am a long-fourth dimension user of a depression-profile goggles, but some of the pairs from higher up gave me an experience that was different from previous experiences. I have used big socket goggles (not bad view) that have loftier profiles (potential to leak during entry) merely what was new for me was the large socket goggles (great view) that had a low profile (less likely to leak during entry), which gave me the all-time of both worlds. I think that adidas, FINIS, and Dolfin have provided something a little dissimilar that is worth a try. I also similar using the Arena Cobra, although the field of view is slightly less because the socket and lens size are smaller. Overall the Arena Cobra is a very good goggle; plus they give you a squeamish case to carry the goggle in.

I hope this was helpful. I will see you guys at the pool!

Socket & Lens Size Profile  Associates  Style
Product Small Big Low Loftier No Associates Required Some Assembly Required Classic Assuming
Arena Cobra Mirror Goggle X X X X
Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored Goggle X X 10 10
Nike Swim Remora Mirrored Goggle X Ten X Ten
Sporti Antifog S2 Metallic Goggle Ten X X Ten
TYR Velocity Metallized Goggle 10 X X 10
Dolfin Victor Goggle X 10 X 10
Engine Weapon Goggle X X X X
The Finals Eliminator Racing Metallized Goggle X X X Ten
Zoggs Racespex Mirror South/Twoscore Goggle X X X X
Adidas Hydrospeed Goggle X Ten X 10
FINIS Lightning Goggle X X X Ten


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