Modern swimming goggles come in a variety of lens types, all with their own unique set of features. With so many different types available, it can be tricky to know which one is the best fit for your swimming routine.
At Speedo, we offer a range of goggle lenses that are suitable for different uses, environments and light conditions. That’s why we’ve put together our guide on the different types of swimming goggles, to help you identify the best pair for you.
Discover the different types of Speedo swimming goggles below...
Prescription Goggle Lens Features
What are prescription goggle lenses?
Goggles that feature a prescription lens work like prescription glasses to correct and support your vision, allowing you to enjoy the same clarity of vision you have wearing your glasses during your swim.
Speedo Prescription Goggles come in a range of dioptres, from -1.5 to -8.0. For those that don’t know, a dioptre is a unit used to measure focal length. Always make sure you check with your optician before buying prescription goggles.
We also have a ‘build-your-own’ prescription goggle, the Pulse Optical Lens Prescription Goggle Kit (available in 0 to -8.0 dioptres), which allows you to change lenses and cater for any differences in varied prescriptions for each eye.
Best suited for:Competition, casual and leisure swimming
Conditions: Speedo prescription goggles come in a variety of lens types to suit different environments.
Recommended goggles for you:Speedo Aquapure Optical Goggle
Clear Goggle Lens Features
Your standard goggle lens, Clear Goggles Lenses let in the maximum amount of light, providing superb clarity of vision for swimming indoors – especially in low-light conditions.
Clear goggles are a great choice for fitness, leisure swimming and competitions. Although they’re suitable for outdoor use and include a UV protective coating, clear lenses don’t reduce brightness or glare.
Best suited for: Fitness, competition and leisure swimming
Conditions: Low-light and dimly lit areas. Designed to provide maximum visibility in low-light conditions.
Recommended goggles for you:Speedo Biofuse Goggle
Polarised Goggle Lens Features
Polarised swim goggles are specifically designed to filter intense glare caused by light reflecting off flat surfaces such as lakes and seas, making them ideal for outdoor swimming and triathlons.
They’re just as suitable on overcast days too, making them a great choice for all weather conditions.
Best suited for:Open water swimming and triathlons
Conditions: Bright, indoor pools. All outdoor weather conditions.
Recommended goggles for you: Speedo Biofuse Polarised Goggle
Mirrored Goggle Lens Features
Many competitive swimmers enjoy the psychological advantage they feel Speedo Mirrored Goggles Lenses give them in competitions and races, but their primary use is to reflect light away from your eyes and to provide a clear view of the lane ahead.
Mirrored lenses are good for brighter days and can be used outside for open water swimming, but polarised lenses are more effective at filtering glare.
Suitable for light, indoor swimming pools, mirrored lenses help reduce brightness, but could be too dark for dimly lit areas.
Best suited for: Racing, fitness, open water swimming and triathlon
Conditions: Sunny conditions when open water swimming. Bright, indoor pools.
Recommended goggles for you:Hydropure Mirror Goggles
Smoke Goggle Lens Features
Smoke goggle lenses help to reduce brightness by creating a darker view during bright indoor and outdoor swimming conditions. The darker tint is not suitable for low light or dimly lit environments, so these are not recommended for the murkier waters you’ll encounter when open water swimming.
Best suited for: Fitness, leisure and competitive swimming
Conditions: Light and bright indoor pools. Sunny outdoor conditions.
Recommended goggles for you: Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Goggles
Coloured Goggle Lens Features
Goggles with colour-tinted lenses such as pink, orange and purple can offer a variety of benefits. To help you best understand the usefulness of the different colour lenses, see our breakdown below:
Orange Goggle Lenses
These will heighten contrast in both high and low light conditions.
Best suited for: Leisure and fitness swimming
Conditions: All light conditions – both pool and outdoor swimming.
Shop Orange Lens Goggles.
Pink Goggle Lenses
Offer the best contrast against green and blue objects.
Best suited for: Leisure and fitness swimming.
Conditions: Low light conditions, both indoor and outdoor.
Shop Pink Lens Goggles.
Purple Goggle Lenses
Reduce glare in brighter underwater conditions.
Best suited for: Leisure, fitness and open water swimming.
Conditions: Bright, sunny environments - both indoor and outdoor swimming.
Shop Purple Lens Goggles.
Blue Goggle Lenses
Good all-round lens option providing reduced glare in bright conditions.
Best suited for: Leisure, fitness and open water swimming.
Conditions: Lighter environments, suited to both indoor and outdoor swimming.
Shop Blue Lens Goggles.
Still unsure which goggles you need for your swim routine? Our Goggle Selector Tool will help you find the best swimming goggles for you..
For more information on how to best care for your swimming goggles, see our detailed Guide to Swimming Goggles.
4 Easy Ways To Care For Your Swimming Goggles
Avoid foggy or scratched lenses with this expert advice on caring for your goggles.
Related Articles
