The 11 best swimming goggles that will take your dips to new lengths
When thinking about taking a dip (whether that be in a pool at your local sports centre/gym or wild swimming), a pair of the best swimming goggles may not be the first thing on your list. Not when there are one-piece swimsuits, bikinis and towels to consider first. However, a good pair of goggles can make or break your swim.
One of the best things about taking up swimming as a sport is that you actually don’t need loads of gear to get going. A decent costume and pair of goggles is pretty much your checklist complete.
Swimming goggles have a primary job of protecting your eyes from chlorine and/or the harmful substances found in natural waters while improving vision, of course, but you should also opt for a specific design or style that will help to enhance your performance too.
Take a deep dive (sorry) into the sorts of things you ought to consider below, before investing in a pair that’s right for you…
How do you choose swim goggles?
First of all, ask yourself where you intend to use your goggles; depending on the water, the lens type will differ. If you’re wanting to paddle outdoors then consider darker lenses with UV protection (something polarised would suit), if it’s indoors you favour then you can choose something lighter – unless it’s in a particularly dark room.
Next up is the gasket (the bit around the lenses). The smaller the gasket the better you’ll find your performance as you’ll experience less resistance underwater, but they also need to be comfortable, so this isn’t something to get too hung up about. Rubber or silicone are the best materials to look for at the seals, too, as they create the best suction and therefore won’t let any water in.
It’s important to try your goggles on, too, before you decide to keep them. Make sure they’re snug on your nose but don’t pinch, test the adjustability of the head straps (will they come loose too easily?) and lastly make sure your eyelashes don’t touch the lenses when you blink. All of these things can become quite annoying if they’re not discovered beforehand. If you're planning on swimming with waterproof headphones, too, then you'll want a pair of goggles that won't get in the way of those.
For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
Which are the best swimming goggles? Find our top 11 picks below.
Speedo Goggles
Speedo Vengeance Mirror Swimming Goggles, £19, John Lewis
Built for racing, these Speedo goggles are streamlined to cut through the water at a higher speed. They feature interchangeable nose bridges and a double silicone head strap to help you achieve a fit that's right for you.
Save when you shop for the best swimming goggles with these John Lewis discount codes.
Adidas Swimming Goggles with UV Protection
Persistar Comfort Mirrored Swim Goggles, £22, Adidas
When you're lap swimming, you want to put your goggles on and forget they exist. This design from Adidas has a one-piece frame design that offers a wide field of vision with a flexible nosepiece and double strap that are adjustable for a secure fit. They're also built with anti-fog technology and UV protection.
Save when you shop for the best swimming goggles with these Adidas discount codes.
Zoggs Goggles
Zoggs Panorama Clear Smoke Goggles, £10, Argos
Made with a soft silicone frame, these goggles mould to the contours of your face, so you can achieve a superb customised fit. With built in anti-fog and maximum UV protection combined with CLT Curved Lens Technology, you can expect superb vision and clarity.
Save when you shop for the best swimming goggles with these Argos discount codes.
Swimming Goggles: Wide Vision
Speedo Unisex Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Goggles, £19.31, Amazon
Whether you swim for fun or to keep fit, these goggles will suit your preferences. Fit with anti-fog technology, clear lenses which are ideal for indoor swimming, and UV protection for outdoor swimming, these Speedo goggles will be your favourite aquatic accessory.
Hydrodynamic Swimming Goggles: Arena
Arena Airspeed Mirrored Swimming Goggles, £27.99, Decathlon
Arena designed these swimming goggles for advanced swimmers wanting to improve their performance with hydrodynamic and comfortable goggles. If that's you, then these are your next must-haves.
Unmirrored Swimming Goggles
Persistar Fit Unmirrored Swim Goggles, £17, Adidas
Designed for lap swimming, these swim goggles offer a wide field of vision to help you clearly see what's happening in your lane. The nosepiece and double strap are adjustable for a comfortable, personalised fit.
Save when you shop for the best swimming goggles with these Adidas discount codes.
Best Swimming Goggles for Women
Arena The One Swimming Goggles, £19.99, Decathlon
Arena designed these swimming goggles for intermediate female swimmers for training or keeping fit. The One training goggles are designed to fit most faces perfectly, but feature adjustable straps for a personalised finish.
Anti-Fog Swimming Goggles: Amazon
Anti Fog Swim Goggles with UV Protection, £11.99, Amazon
These adult goggles are applied with UV-resistant coating, so they have a special anti-ultraviolet function, preventing your eyes from the damage of the sun. They also feature anti-fog technology alongside mirrored lenses – suiting a wide range of swimming environments.
Mirrored Swimming Goggles: Adidas
Persistar 180 Mirrored Swim Goggles, £25, Adidas
Keep your eyes on your training goals with these swim goggles. Mirrored lenses and a one-piece frame design deliver the look of sunglasses with a wide field of vision. The double strap allows for quick and easy one-handed adjustment.
Leak Proof Swimming Goggles: Decathlon
Nabaiji TURN Smoked Goggles, £26.99, Decathlon
Do your goggles leak? Impossible to find the correct adjustment? With the innovating TURN goggles, you cannot go wrong: it is the patented combination of an adjustment wheel and rigid arms that makes them a winning design.
Affordable Speedo Swimming Goggles
The Jet Goggles from Speedo are great for training and fitness due to the UV protection and anti-fog coated lenses. The silicone head strap allows for a secure fit and the adjustable nose bridge will fit different face shapes, whilst the hypoallergenic silicon seal gices you extra comfort when wearing.
