A well-fitting pair of swim goggles can not only improve underwater vision but also prevent red eyes and irritation. They can also eliminate the wearer’s worries about water flushing in or being unable to see the arms or feet of an ungainly stroker sharing a lane.
Trevor Miele, head coach of the New York University Men’s and Women’s Swimming teams, said that today’s goggles “have a relatively comfortable rubbery plastic around the eye” that generally make them more durable. Foam components on goggles from previous generations “used to fall apart or peel away from the goggles every few weeks,” he added.
Since 2015, we’ve tested 49 pairs of swim goggles in pools and the ocean. We recommend the Aqua Sphere Kayenne for adults and the Aqua Sphere Kayenne Junior for kids.
Our pick
Combining comfort and easy adjustments, these goggles fit the needs of both seasoned lap swimmers and newcomers to the water.
The top choice among our kid testers, these goggles are as excellent for swimming laps as for landing the splashiest of cannonballs.
The Aqua Sphere Kayenne pair has a durable frame, an easy-to-use adjustable strap, and lenses that prevent fogging well. The bigger size of the eyepieces creates better peripheral vision, and a handy carrying case provides an added layer of protection.
Aqua Sphere’s Kayenne goggles come in a kids version, the Aqua Sphere Kayenne Junior, and it’s a standout just like our top pick for adults. This pair is bigger than most kids goggles, though, and some kid testers complained of feeling more pressure against their faces with this set compared with other models.
Also great
Even with less surface area around the eyes, these goggles keep out water most of the time and adjust with few problems.
Designed as a set of racing goggles, the Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 is slimmer than our top pick, but it does a good job of preventing leaking. Our recreational-swimmer testers enjoyed this pair for its easy-to-adjust straps. But for some, these goggles felt particularly tight around the eyes.
Budget pick
If you don’t mind spending a bit more time adjusting straps and are okay with a slightly less-comfortable fit in comparison with our top pick, these goggles are a solid bet.
Like the Hydrospex goggles for adults, the kids version is a reliable choice for both sport and play.
The Speedo Hydrospex Classic Goggle lacks the panache of our other picks, but this pair is a dependable option for most casual swimmers. In particular, the lenses are sturdy and prevent scratching well while not fogging too much.
The Speedo Jr. Hydrospex Classic Goggle pair, the kids version of the Speedo Hydrospex, is a durable choice suitable for both lap swimming and playing water games. These goggles might not fit as comfortably for kids with a prominent nose bridge.
