About Anti-Fog Swim Goggles

Swim goggles are one of the most important pieces of equipment that you will need to swim either recreationally or competitively. When you are choosing a swim goggle, make sure to consider an anti-fog model. Anti-fog swim goggles are great for training and swimming in open water because they do not have to be manually cleared and allow you to focus entirely on swimming rather than trying to see.

Function

Anti-fog swim goggles are designed, like all goggles, to keep water and irritants out of the eyes while you are swimming. Anti-fog goggles are different, however, because they do not fog up on the insides of the lenses, unlike most other goggles. As a result, you will be able to see others in your lane, competitors and pace clocks clearly throughout a swimming session without having to constantly adjust and wipe off your goggles.

Features

Anti-fog swim goggles tend to be designed for racing or training, so they are sleek and aerodynamic. They fit closely to the face and have a rubber liner that seals the area off around your eyes. They also have a thin, transparent coating of anti-fog treatment on the insides of the lenses that may need to be re-applied every few months or so.

Types

Anti-fog goggles come in several types. They usually come with separate lenses, but diving masks also can be purchased with anti-fog properties. You can also make your own, using an anti-fog spray that will temporarily prevent your goggles from fogging.

Considerations

When you are considering buying anti-fog goggles, make sure that you are aware that these goggles generally do not retain their anti-fog properties indefinitely. The lens treatment may scratch or wear over time, causing the goggles to begin to fog like other lenses. You can replace them at no great expense, but they probably will not last as long as other goggles will.

Benefits

Anti-fog goggles are great when you are training, especially if you work on a lot of intervals. If you only have a few seconds to rest before you have to push off and do another few laps, you will not have time to clear your goggles so that you can get a good look at the pace clock. Anti-fog goggles eliminate this necessity and allow you to concentrate on your strokes and speed. They also help you get a better idea of how fast you are swimming because you will be able to see clearly the second you lift your head from the water.

Warning

If you decide to apply anti-fog treatment to your present pair of goggles, be sure to follow the directions exactly. If you do not, the treatment may not set on the goggles and could get in your eyes when you wear the goggles in the water. This can cause permanent damage, so be sure that you follow the directions and perform any required tests on the goggles before wearing them to insure that the treatment adhered to the lenses correctly.