Picking the perfect goggles for young swimmers comes down to considering the pros and cons of the best options on the market. Leakage, fogging, and marks around the eyes because of a too-tight fit are some of the issues to consider before selecting a product that your swimmer loves. Stephanie Marioneaux, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), recommends parents look for polycarbonate lenses and UV protection for their child’s goggles. She also has a few tips parents can use to test out their fit: “When they submerge their head in the water, you want to make sure they don’t leak,” Dr. Marioneaux explains. The goggles shouldn’t be so tight that the child complains, but they should be tight enough to make a watertight seal. “If they aren’t sealed properly, you’re not going to get them to wear them.” Using this criteria, we’ve compiled this list of the best swim goggles for young swimmers. An easy-to-adjust strap and silicone frame deliver a comfortable fit, so your swimmer spends their time having fun in the water instead of asking for goggle adjustments. Price at time of publication: $15 The anti-fog and UVA/UVB protection is important for athletes’ eyes, while a watertight seal keeps the chlorinated water out too. Price at time of publication: $15 The easy toggle bungee strap makes getting the goggles on and off as easy as pushing a button, and it won’t pull your little one’s hair. A flexible frame contours to smaller faces to offer a comfortable fit for young swimmers, and the anti-fog feature delivers a clear underwater view. These goggles also provide UVA/UVB protection. Price at time of publication: $18 This choice is durable, leak-free, and easy to fit, especially since there are four different sizes of nose pieces included. With multiple color choices, your swimmer will look fab while they swim to the win. Price at time of publication: $25 A watertight seal keeps water out of your little one’s eyes, and a UV treatment protects their peepers from harmful UV rays. The anti-fog coating helps swimmers to have a clear view of everything under the water. Price at time of publication: $16 Although the goggles are designed to fit most kids between the ages of 3 and 6, the brand recommends that you measure your child’s head to ensure that the strap is the correct size. Another plus: These goggles float! Price at time of publication: $35 In addition to holding up extremely well in the ocean and pool, these goggles feature anti-scratch lenses, which means they can withstand being dropped by little hands. Price at time of publication: $30 A quick-adjust strap makes it easy to tighten or loosen the straps as needed. Reflective lenses block out sunlight, and an anti-fog treatment keeps condensation at bay. These goggles are recommended for children ages 4 to 16, one of the broadest ranges we’ve seen. Price at time of publication: $17 Swimmers can select from a range of vision corrections (-1.5 to -8) to ensure optimal viewing while swimming laps or competing in a swim meet. These goggles also come with four nosepieces to provide your athlete with the best fit. Price at time of publication: $25 Designed to sit on the cheekbone and lower forehead, the mask-style goggles provide comfort and a snug fit—but without marks around the eyes, a telltale sign of a too-tight fit. A push-button buckle makes it a snap to adjust the straps, and UV and anti-fog features keep the sun out of your little one’s eyes. Price at time of publication: $30 The mirrored lenses keep the underwater glare out of your athlete’s eyes so they can focus on their race. And the easy-to-use strap button allows your swimmer to adjust their straps before diving into the water. Price at time of publication: $15 Designed for kids ages 3 years old and up, these stylish goggles offer UV protection and a comfy head strap to keep them from slipping off your little one’s head. Price at time of publication: $23
What to Look for When Buying Swim Goggles for Kids
Fit
A comfortable fit is a must when picking out goggles for swimmers, especially children who are still getting used to the eyewear. Check the goggle manufacturer’s age recommendation and guidelines to get the best fit possible. “Goggles should also fit on a swimmer’s face snuggly but comfortably,” says Morgan Harkness, assistant coach for the men’s and women’s swim and dive programs at Fordham University. “They shouldn’t feel like suction cups on the eyes, but they should not be so loose that they leak lots of water.” For older swimmers, Mike Koleber, owner/head coach of Nitro Swimming in the Austin, Texas area and board chair for the American Swim Coaches Association, says, “Goggles should fit snug and be firmly in place, but should also be comfortable. A great test to see if they are too loose is to submerge and shake your head back and forth a few times somewhat vigorously. Ideally, there should be no leaking.” Straps are another consideration, specifically their placement. “Kids have a tendency of wearing their goggle straps too low on the backs of their heads—sometimes with the straps even touching the backs of their necks or straps covering their ears. Straps should come across the center of the back of the head for better performance as well as better comfort,” says Koleber. Another way to get that ideal fit is finding the right nose-bridge pieces (most competitive goggles now come with various size options) that allow the goggles to form a “seal” on the eye socket. Koleber explains they should be able to stay on without using the strap. Depending on the age of your child, goggles may not be useful when your little one gets in the water. If your child is under 12 months, they do not require swim goggles just yet.
Use
Just like getting a proper fit is vital, so is finding the right pair of goggles for the activity your child will be participating in. Trevor Miele, head coach of New York University men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, places goggles in one of two categories: recreational and competitive. “The type that competitive swimmers buy, they stick to your face, are relatively comfortable, and don’t fall off,” said Miele, who also has two young swimmers of his own, an 8- and 11-year-old. Swim Training/Sports: For kids who participate in swim training or sports, finding the right pair of goggles can make a big difference while in the water. Competitive swimmers should own more than one pair, and both should not leak. “Most of our kids have two sets of goggles: one for practice and one for meets,” said Miele, who coaches 5- to 13-year-old swimmers during the summer NYU Swim Camp. Other key features to look for are two straps to ensure the goggles stay on when diving off the blocks, good suction to prevent leaks, and mirrored goggles are recommended for outdoor swimmers to block out the sun. Recreational Swimming: Dr. Marioneaux says swim goggles are not required for young swimmers who are still learning how to swim or not swimming competitively, but they can be useful. “Once kids get to an age where they are actively swimming, it’s a good idea to get them acclimated to using goggles at a young age so when they get older, it doesn’t seem like something foreign or cumbersome.” This early introduction to goggles will also prepare kids to wear protective eyewear while playing other sports, such as football, basketball, water polo, and other recreational activities that the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends protective eyewear be worn. “Sometimes when a child is learning how to swim, they feel a little more comfortable if they can see below or in front of them," Harkness adds. “The earlier a child gets comfortable wearing goggles, the better. When they begin going into the competitive swim world, they will know what wearing goggles is supposed to feel like, they’ll have a concept of what goggles they like, and they will be comfortable while wearing them.”
Lenses
There are several lens options to choose from when selecting your child’s swimming goggles. Here are a few options to consider. Polycarbonate Lenses: This type of lens is best as it is typically stronger than glass or plastic, so they won’t shatter upon impact. They’re also more comfortable to wear and lightweight. Mirrored Lenses: Mirrored lenses are perfect for blocking out additional sunlight because they give off a darker tint. They’re perfect for bright, sunny days, so your child’s eyes are protected while they splash in the pool. Prescription Lenses: Children who wear glasses but aren’t quite ready for contacts can check out lenses made with a prescription. While you would have to order them customized, they’re great for kids who want to swim without their glasses on.
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Ambrosia V. Brody is a California-based editor, journalist, and mother to three. She has worked as a professional journalist for more than 16 years. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at the library, Starbucks, or the park with her kids.
