How to Wear Swim Goggles

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Swim goggles protect your eyes and allow you to see underwater, so knowing how to put them on correctly is important. Start by pressing the eyecups to your face until you feel light suction. Once you’ve got the eyecups in place, pull the stretchy backstrap up over your head and adjust it to the appropriate length so it secures the goggles but doesn’t squeeze too tight. The goggles should form a comfortable seal, keeping water out without pinching your skin.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Putting on and Taking off Swim Goggles

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hold the goggles so that the inside of the lenses are facing towards you. Place your thumbs at the bottom of the eyecups, then wrap your pointer fingers around the tops of the frames. Your right thumb should be resting on the right cup, with your left thumb on the left cup. [1]
    • Flip the backstrap over to the front side of the goggles to keep it out of the way while you put them on.
    • Alternatively, you can start with the backstrap around your neck and the goggles dangling in front of you.
  2. Bring the goggles up to your face, guiding the eyecups over your eyes. Press your fingers gently into the edges of the frames. You should feel a light suction as they form a seal on the skin around your eyes. [2]
    • Only the soft rubber around the inside of the eyecups should come into contact with your face.
    • Make sure the eyecups don’t pinch or tug at your skin. If they do, you may need to remove and reposition them until they feel comfortable.
    • Avoid touching the lenses themselves. Doing so could leave behind smudges and obstruct your vision underwater.
    Advertisement
  3. Keeping the goggles pressed to your eyes with one hand, use your other hand to position the strap until it rests against the back of your head at around eye level. When viewed from the side, the strap and the eyepieces should form a straight horizontal line.
    • If the strap doesn’t feel comfortable where it is, slide it up rather than down. The lower it is, the more likely your goggles will be to slip while you’re swimming.
  4. Pull the loose end of the rubber strap through the buckle slot on the side of the frame to tighten your goggles. If you want to loosen them instead, lift up on the buckle lever and pull the strap out to put a little slack in it. Your goggles should be snug, but not tight. [3]
    • Before you dive in, double-check that the goggles fit securely all the way around your eye sockets and that you can see clearly out of both lenses.
  5. When you’re ready to take off your goggles, simply reverse the motion you used to put them on. Reach behind your ears and slide your thumbs underneath the sides of the backstrap, then lift it over your crown until the goggles come free.
    • Don’t try to remove your goggles by pulling on the eyecups. If you’re not careful, they could snap back and hit you in the face!
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Testing Goggles for Fit

PDF download Download Article
  1. When shopping for a new pair of goggles, try on a few different pairs to compare the shapes of the lenses and the feel of the eyecups. The right pair of goggles should conform to your face to the point where they’re hardly noticeable. If the eyepieces pinch, pull, or restrict your field of vision, it’s best to go with another pair. [4]
    • If you have rounded eye sockets, for example, you’ll probably be most comfortable in goggles with smooth, rounded eyepieces. If your eyes are more almond shaped, look for a pair with contoured rubber around the eyecups.
    • Taking the time to pick out goggles that fit properly can mean the difference between swimming freely and being in constant discomfort.
  2. Put the eyepieces into position around your eyes, then apply gentle pressure to the edges. If the goggles are a good fit, they should stick to your skin for a few seconds before popping off.
    • You don’t need to actually slip the backstrap over your head at this point—you’re just testing how well the eyecups fit on their own.
    • Goggles that fall off immediately are most likely the wrong shape for your face. [5]
    • If only one of the eyecups stays put, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the goggles are a poor fit. Try on a couple of other pairs and note the differences between them before making a decision.
  3. Once you’re satisfied with how the eyepieces fit, finish putting the goggles on the way you normally would. Guide the backstrap over your head so that it’s level with the eyecups. With minimal adjusting, it should fit snugly without squeezing. [6]
    • If you start to get a headache or experience cloudy vision after wearing the goggles for a couple of minutes, pass them up and look for a more suitable pair.
    • The rubber backstrap may pull on your hair during your test fitting. This can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a bad pair of goggles. You shouldn’t have the same problem once you’re in the pool or wearing a swim cap.
  4. Some more expensive types of swim goggles feature adjustable nose straps. These can be tightened by unclipping the strap where it meets the eyepiece and reattaching it for a better fit around the bridge of the nose. To loosen the nose strap instead, move the eyepieces further apart. [7]
    • Like the eyepieces, it’s important that the nose strap fit comfortably if you’re going to be wearing your goggles for an extended period of time.
    • Not all goggles have adjustable nose straps. As long as the pair you’re trying on fit properly around the eyes, adjustable straps aren’t a necessity.
  5. Brushing eyelashes can be a major distraction when you’re trying to concentrate on swimming. To make sure you don’t have this problem, try blinking a few times once you’ve got the goggles on your face. If you feel your lashes scraping the backside of the lenses, consider buying a pair that offers more space. [8]
    • Goggles with roomier eyepieces sit further away from the eyes, giving long eyelashes more freedom to move while blinking.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Finding the Right Pair of Goggles for You

PDF download Download Article
  1. Swedish goggles are an older style of water eyewear that are still popular with many swimmers. They feature eye cups molded out of hard plastic, with lenses that offer UV protection for outdoor swimming. Most pairs also have an adjustable nose strap that joins the eyecups together. [9]
    • A 2-pack of Swedish goggles only costs about $15 USD on average, making them a more economical option if you’re not set on using top-of-the-line equipment.
    • Swedish goggles have to be assembled prior to their first use. For this reason, they may be a little too complicated for small children. [10]
    • One downside of Swedish goggles is that the hard plastic used in their construction makes them slightly less comfortable for prolonged wear.
  2. Racing goggles are made from lightweight, hydrodynamic materials and offer a perfect watertight seal every time. This emphasis on comfort will allow you to focus solely on swimming. As an added bonus, they come in an array shapes and sizes, so you’ll always be able to find a pair to fit your face. [11]
    • A good pair of racing goggles can run you up to $50 USD, but keep in mind that when it comes to specialty sports equipment, you get what you pay for.
    • Since they’re smaller than ordinary goggles, racing goggles may put more pressure on the eye sockets when used for long swimming sessions. [12]
  3. Goggles with darkened lenses are the swimmer’s equivalent of sunglasses. Since they typically offer UV protection and an anti-fog coating, they’re useful for blocking out sunlight on bright days. If you tend to most of your swimming outdoors in the morning or afternoon, tinted lenses may be a smart choice. [13]
    • You should be able to buy goggles with tinted lenses anywhere that swimming equipment and accessories are sold.
    • Like sunglasses, darkened goggles aren’t meant for indoor use. Wearing them inside may make it harder to see your mark, the lane dividers, or other swimmers.
  4. Colored lenses let in varying amounts of light, which makes them well-suited for a wide range of conditions. Amber and yellow lenses, for example, are effective for making pools appear brighter underwater. Similarly, blue lenses provide optimum clarity for open water swimming. [14]
    • Swim goggle lenses come in a variety of different colors. The color that works best for you will depend largely on the depth, color, and water chemistry of the pool you do most of your swimming in.
    • When swimming in a poorly-lit environment, it’s best to stick with ordinary clear lenses to avoid any additional distortion that could interfere with your vision.
  5. Visit your eye care specialist to have a pair made to your exact specifications. Prescription goggles use the same corrective lenses as glasses or contacts, which means you can enjoy crystal clear vision underwater and save room in your gear bag. [15]
    • You may also be able to find premade versions in common prescriptions at some swim shops.
    • As a general rule, you shouldn’t wear contact lenses in the water due to the risk of bacterial contamination. If you’re unable to track down prescription goggles, however, you can put in some disposable contacts and throw them away at the end of your session. [16]
    EXPERT TIP

    Brad Hurvitz

    Certified Swimming Instructor
    Brad Hurvitz is a Certified Swimming Instructor for My Baby Swims, an adolescent swimming school based in La Jolla, California. Brad is trained as an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) instructor with ISR's Self-Rescue® program. He specializes in training children aged six months to six years of age survival skills like floating on their back to breathe and swimming back to the wall, while also educating parents on how to better keep their kids safe. He has a Master of Business Administration from Oregon State University.
    Brad Hurvitz
    Certified Swimming Instructor

    Expert Warning: It's best not to use goggles for children until they're at least 4 years old. It's much easier to teach them to swim without goggles first, then to add the goggles later. That way, if anything ever happens and they fall in the water, they won't panic because they can't see.

    6. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Shopping for swim goggles is a highly personalized process, so don’t be afraid to be picky. Give many different fits and styles a shot until you find the pair that looks and feels best for your face.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Be sure to review the store’s return policy before making a purchase. You’ll want to know whether they accept returns if you discover that your new goggles don’t fit properly after a couple of swims.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Ensuring a proper fit is especially important if the goggles are being worn by small children. A poor fit may result in leaking and eye irritation.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Put on a Swim Cap
      How to
      Clean Swimming Goggles
      How to
      Use a Kick Board
      How to
      Wear a Nose Clip for Swimming
      How to
      Wear a Triangle Bikini Top
      How to
      Fit Swimming Goggles
      How to
      Prepare to Go Swimming
      How to
      Wear a Speedo Nose Clip
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcxLRQZAJBs&feature=youtu.be&t=21
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bmNVyAGP2A&feature=youtu.be&t=43
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTyTGyp8jW0&feature=youtu.be&t=27
      4. ↑ https://www.yourswimlog.com/swim-goggles/
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/v6VWOJTjeF0?t=7
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6VWOJTjeF0&feature=youtu.be&t=32
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTyTGyp8jW0&feature=youtu.be&t=44
      8. ↑ https://swimmingwithjanet.net/2011/02/10/why-wear-swim-goggles-and-how-to-fit-them/
      9. ↑ https://www.yourswimlog.com/swedish-goggles/
      1. ↑ https://www.yourswimlog.com/best-swimming-goggles/
      2. ↑ https://www.yourswimlog.com/best-swimming-goggles/
      3. ↑ https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/swimming/best-swimming-goggles-for-adults-review-speedo-zoggs-a6703101.html
      4. ↑ https://swimmingwithjanet.net/2011/02/10/why-wear-swim-goggles-and-how-to-fit-them/
      5. ↑ https://loneswimmer.com/2015/02/04/how-to-understand-and-choose-between-the-different-types-of-swimming-googles/
      6. ↑ https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2015/07/071415_contacts.swimming.php
      7. ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/faq/swim-in-cls.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To wear swim goggles, start by placing your hands around the eye cups and pressing the lenses against your eyes. Once they cover your eyes completely, pull the back strap over your head. Alternatively, slide the strap and eye cups over your head at the same time. Next, adjust the strap behind your head until it’s at eye level. Then, move the eye cups until they feel tight against your skin to ensure that they create a watertight seal around your eyes. To learn more, including how to test a pair of swim goggles for fit before purchasing them, read on.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 79,987 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement