Swim Goggles
From LoveToKnow Swimsuits
A good pair of swim goggles should be on every serious swimmer's equipment list.
About Swim Goggles
Swim goggles are protective eyewear worn by many swimmers that are designed to keep water away from the eyes, and improve visibility. They are often part of the standard gear used during swim lessons, along with other equipment such as swim fins and swim caps.
The average pair of swim goggles are made from high impact, shatter resistant plastic. The rim of each eye piece is cushioned by a foam, rubber, or silicone gasket that allows the lens to be held comfortably, but snugly against the ocular bones to form a water-tight seal.
Advantages of Wearing Goggles
Swim goggles are standard equipment for most serious swimmers, but even recreational swimmers enjoy wearing them occasionally. Let's examine why.
Protection
Wearing swim goggles is a great way to protect your eyes whenever you spend time in the water, and for more than one reason.
Chemical Irritants
Chlorine is a necessary additive to help keep pool water clean, but prolonged exposure can make your eyes sore and red.
Bacterial Infections
Swimming in open waters also carries risks, including possible exposure to harmful bacteria such as E.coli. No matter where you choose to swim, wearing a good pair of goggles is one way to provide your eyes with an extra measure of protection.
Vision
Although the protection offered by swim goggles may be their most obvious asset, it's not the only one. This eye gear can also improve your vision both above and below the water's surface.
Distortion
A good set of lenses can help cut down on water distortion and improve your underwater vision.
Vision Correction
Prescription goggles are also available, and can be a much safer alternative to wearing your eye glasses in the water. This is especially important for those of us who have stronger prescriptions and might find it difficult to see anything without our glasses.
Getting the Right Fit
It's crucial for your goggles to fit properly if they're going to do the job, so follow these tips:
- Begin by choosing either child or adult size goggles, whichever is appropriate.
- Eyes come in different shapes and so do lens. You can decide if your eyes require round or oval lenses by trying on a pair of each. Without using the headband, press the goggles firmly against your eyes and let go. If they're the right fit, they should stay in place for a few moments on their own, which means they've formed a good seal. If they fall right off, they simply don't fit.
- Once you've found the right lens shape, you can customize your fit by either tightening or loosening the adjustable head band that holds them on to your head, and be sure the bridge piece over your nose is comfortable as well. After all, if your eyewear doesn't feel good you're probably not going to wear them.
Extra Features
The fit is the most important feature of any pair of goggles, but once you find that, there are a few other things to consider.
- Ultra violet protection is a serious consideration for outdoor swimmers. Look for lenses guaranteed to block at least sixty percent of UV rays.
- Tinted lenses are sufficient for use at indoor pools, and can help improve your visibility by cutting glare on the water caused by overhead lighting.
- Anti-fog lenses are simply more convenient to use anytime, anywhere.
Where to Shop
You can find swim goggles in all styles and price ranges at the following vendors.
This page has been accessed 2,174 times. This page was last modified 03:30, 4 November 2006.
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