Swimming has always been one of my favorite hobbies. I remember when I was younger when my parents bought me my first inflatable swimming pool. That was way back when but it does bring back the nostalgia of how great it was to be in the water.
My first ever swim coach, tenacious as he was, told me one of the most important things that I still won’t forget up to this day. He said “you don’t have eyes in the water, you have goggles”.
Having the best swim goggles is essential to both recreational and competitive swimmers alike. Goggles protect your eyes from chlorine or saltwater and they provide clarity when you’re underwater.
My vision is also quite blurry, which adds up to the reason why I need the best swimming goggles. Just like any other prescription glasses, they can be designed according to what is best suited for your eyesight. I researched and asked my circle to help me find the one that suits my vision and preference.
Here I’ve listed down my top five picks for the best swim goggles. Hopefully, I can help you find the best pair you need.
Best Swim Goggles Compared and Reviewed
| Image | Name | Brand | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Speedo’s Hydrospex Classic Swimming Goggles | Speedo | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Cooloo Swimming Goggles | Cooloo | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Speedo’s Vanquisher Optical Goggle | Speedo | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Aegend Swim Goggles | Aegend | Check Price on Amazon |
 | AqtivAqua Wide View Swim Goggles | AqtivAqua | Check Price on Amazon |
#1 - Speedo’s Hydrospex Classic Swim Goggles
The Hydrospex goggles have durable Lexan lenses that provide optimum safety for your eyes. It’s designed with a universally comfortable fit with anti-fog lenses to protect your eyes from UV rays and chlorine.
Its gasket shape provides the most universal fit for your eye socket, the same as any other reliable Speedo goggles. Imagine how much comfort this pair will bring into your eyes!
Worried about its eye fit? Speedo came up with a specialized design to ensure that your eyes will get as little strain as possible even with the goggles. It comes with the brand’s G.O. FIT™ System, which makes sure you’re comfortable with your outer eye fit. This is also latex-free and has a split silicone head strap.
However, some users say the strap slips when they swim even if it’s already tight, so keep that in mind.
Unlike the Vanquisher 2.0, which is mostly used for professional and competitive swimming, these goggles are suitably made for recreational swimmers. It’s one of the durable yet affordable goggles you can find.
Due to their comfortable fit and countless reviews, the Speedo’s have topped our list as the best swim goggles.
PROS
- Comes at an affordable price
- Latex-free
- Protects eyes from UV rays and chlorine
- Comfortable fit
CONS
- Might be best for bigger heads
#2 - Cooloo Swim Goggles
Cooloo is a company that provides various high-quality items aside from professional goggles.
One of their sets comes with black goggles that have Ultra Mirror Lenses, offering enhanced clear view and protection for the eyes. It comes along with blue goggles with clear lenses for high clarity. The anti-fog treatment of the lenses lets you see underwater without any blurs or distortion.
The goggles promise a no-leak comfortable fit. It will feel less restricting around the eye sockets, which offers a high level of comfort, so you don’t have to worry about chlorine or saltwater seeping inside that results in red itchy eyes.
Another cool feature of these goggles is the connected earplugs. This helps prevent water from leaking into your ear canal.
I’d say this is also suitable for the whole family as they also offer children’s sizes for their goggles. The brand also says it comes with a 12 months guarantee, so keep that in mind when you encounter any problems with the product.
Some users say they are not confident with the anti-fog feature of the goggles as they have experienced some problems after wearing the goggles a few times.
We’ve also rated these as one of the best swim goggles due to how universal and unisex they are and can be used by adults and children.
PROS
- Affordable price for a durable quality
- Connected earplugs
- Ultra-Mirror lenses for ultimate eye protection
CONS
- More fit for adult faces
- Not much info of features from brand’s website
#3 - Speedo’s Vanquisher Optical Goggle
These goggles come with excellent corrective lenses. They were designed with a special diopter level which provides you with extra clarity when you’re underwater. It delivers a blur-free and a snugly inner eye fit. It has a wide panoramic view underwater which is a cool feature!
I’d say it is also great for people who are in competition and training swim sessions. The anti-fog and UV protection feature is just as great as the Hydrospex! One of the things I also love about these goggles is the fact that it comes with four interchangeable nose pieces.
The Vanquisher 2.0 version varies from Optical and Mirrored type lenses. Some people who purchased the product say they are having problems with the anti-fog control of the product.
PROS
- Excellent vision correction
- Wide panoramic view
- Comfortable fit
- Four interchangeable nose pieces
CONS
- Fog control needs more improvement
#4 - Aegend Swim Goggles
The anti-fog and anti-leak technology assures that you’ll enjoy your swim every time you put it on. It’s made from premium silicone material with an ergonomic design to ensure a snug fit. The clasp at the back makes it easy for you to take them off without pulling your hair out.
It looks fashionable and comes in a variety of colors. The outer surface of the lenses are colorful and are made with UV-protection coating. It enables the lenses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, heat, and damage caused by sun rays.
You have three options for lenses: mirrored lenses that are suitable for outdoor swimming, tinted lenses which are recommended for indoor or outdoor swimming, and clear lenses to give you clarity during low-light conditions or indoor swimming.
When you buy these goggles, you’ll get a case to put it safely when unused. The price is relatively cheap, but the durability and features of the goggles prove that it’s worth buying.
Some users say they have had problems with the anti-fog lenses after few uses, though, but they quickly got their refund or item replacements. The brand has excellent customer service should you have any problems with your purchase.
PROS
- Durable
- Relatively cheap
- Comes with a protective case
- Excellent customer service
CONS
- Reports of occasional blurriness
#5 - AqtivAqua Wide View Swim Goggles
If this is also one of the features you’re looking for in the best swimming goggles, AqtivAqua’s Wide View Swim Goggles might be the perfect one for you.
AqtivAqua is a premier swimming gear brand that was founded in 2015. Their Wide View Glasses come with wide view polycarbonate lenses that have anti-fog and UV protection features. These give the best 180 degrees field of view as well as an undistorted vision while underwater.
The goggles’ superior design has a One-Click Strap Adjustment System – an easy and quick way to adjust your straps when swimming. It also ensures that it’s secured tightly on your head without losing the comfort of your eyes.
They also feature an Ultra-Soft Silicone Double Seals which ups the comfort to another level when you wear it. This lets the goggles hug the unique contours of your face without applying excessive pressure around your eyes.
The superior anti-slip design ensures a fixed position on your head even when you’re out for a robust swim. When you buy these goggles, it will come with AqtivAqua’s “Shock” Designer Case which is made from premium materials. It has drainage holes to help give your goggles a quick-dry once you tuck them safely inside.
PROS
- Wide view
- Comes with an excellent protective case
- Comfortable to wear
CONS
- Some reports on anti-fog wearing off
My Number One Pick
- Imported
- Polyvinyl Chloride frame
- Glass lens
- G.O. FIT System: Expand your comfort with the outer eye fit
- Gasket shape offers the most universal fit outside your eye socket with the security and reliability of Speedos other goggles
What Should I Look For In Finding The Right Swim Goggles?
When making a purchase, especially online you want to ensure you’ve got all the facts. Below are some important considerations so you may want to think about before picking out a pair of swim goggles. I hope it helps!
UV Protection
It’s important to make sure that your eyes will always be protected by the swimming goggles that you use. Getting UV rays directly into your eyes is harmful. You need to research and read reviews of brands that have excellent UV protections on their products to ensure your eyes are always protected, especially when swimming outdoors.
Lenses
Choosing the right lenses on what kind of swimming activity you’ll be having is important. Your main goal here is to ensure you’ll get the best swimming experience every time you get the chance to do it because lenses provide you clarity when you swim.
Take note of these:
- Mirrored lenses – recommended for outdoor swimming
- Tinted lenses – recommended for indoor or outdoor swimming
- Clear lenses – great for low-light conditions or indoor swimming
- Optical lenses – made to suit your eyesight
Anti-fog
Swimming goggles need to have great anti-fog technology as it will let you have more clarity underwater. It’s truly annoying when you’re swimming and suddenly, your swimming goggles begin to get all fogged up. Again, research is your best friend when it comes to helping you determine what suits you best.
Anti-leak
The anti-leak system of your swimming goggles will help you have a clearer vision when you swim underwater. It protects our eyes from chlorine or saltwater. Also, it helps keep your eyes dry and unexposed to other things that can potentially harm them.
Anti-slip
It’s truly annoying when you’re swimming and your goggles slip. Look for goggles with straps that are with clasps as it lets you adjust the goggles quickly and easily. This also helps you remove them without pulling your hair out.
Comfortable fit
Comfort should also be on your priority list when looking for swimming goggles. You don’t want to wear goggles that feel like you’re hurting yourself whenever you’re out for a swim. Look for brands that have silicone double seals. It will help you get that comfortable fit for your outer eye socket and nose bridge and leaves no marks on your face.
Frequently Asked Questions for Swimming Goggles
Q: Do I need swimming goggles?
A: Yes! Especially if you love to swim outdoors. Swimming goggles help protect your eyes from different conditions like exposure to sunlight and blurriness underwater. It also provides safety from chlorine and saltwater getting into your eyes which can result in red and itchy eyes after a swim.
Q: What are the best lenses to get?
A: It will depend on your preference and the swimming condition you’re going to get into. Generally, brands offer mirrored lenses often as it will help protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun. It’s always best to also ask you, eye doctor, if you have any concerns.
Q: Can I wear contact lenses while also wearing goggles?
A: Yes. I know a lot of people who do that. It does come down to preference because you can get prescription swimming goggles, but if you’d prefer the normal ones because you already wear contacts, you can too!
Conclusion
Finding the perfect swimming goggles takes your swimming to another level. It doesn’t only add to your style, but it also helps protect your eyes. Not only does it make you look cool and give your eyes the protection they need, but it also makes you look like an athlete!
If you’re anything like me and get water trapped in your ear when you swim then you may want to compliment these goggles with some earplugs for swimming. And heck, if you’re starting to get really serious and want to start tracking your timing and laps then check out my review I done on smartwatches for swimming. And if you’re missing the swimmers staple, then check out our reviews on swimming caps as well that we’ve done.
You can always get cheaper ones if you’re an occasional swimmer like me. Make sure you always research and look at a lot of reviews before buying. I hope I’ve helped you through this article and reminded you of how important it is to always protect your eyes. Have fun looking for the best swim goggles.
Sources:
https://www.speedousa.com/hydrospex-classic-goggle-style-7500638
http://www.cooloostore.com/cooloo-swimming-goggles-pack-purple-amp-gray
https://www.speedousa.com/vanquisher-optical-goggle-style-7500601
http://www.aegend.com/a/Swim/Swim_Goggles/Adult_goggles/20200430/33.html
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.