The 10 Best Swim Goggles

Swimmers who want one pair for laps and meets tend to settle on the Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored. It sits low inside the eye socket, so it stays put on dives and turns, and swap-in nose pieces tune the fit. The mirror coating cuts glare at outdoor pools and blocks UV light. The snug fit takes a few swims to get used to, and the fog coating wears off after months of use.

Racers who hate fog get the most from the Arena Cobra Ultra Swipe. When the inside of the lens starts to cloud, a gentle wipe with a wet finger brings the anti-fog layer back, and Arena says it lasts far longer than a regular coating. Stiff temple pieces keep the frame from twisting on a dive, and swap-in nose bridges help it seal. The cups are shallow, so swimmers with deep-set eyes may feel the lens brush their lashes.

Comfort comes before speed with the Aqua Sphere Kayenne, a half-mask design with one wide, curved lens. The broad view to the sides helps when sighting buoys in a lake, and the soft gasket spreads pressure around the eye instead of digging in. It suits long, easy swims and anyone who gets headaches from small goggles. It's heavier than a racing pair, the nose bridge doesn't adjust, and it can ride up on a deep dive.

A low cost doesn't mean a blurry view with the TYR Vesi. Its one-piece clear frame gives a sharp picture straight ahead, which makes the black line on the pool floor easy to follow, and the strap stays snug lap after lap. It's a sensible pick for indoor swimming on a budget. There's no way to change the nose part, so the fit either works for your face or it doesn't, and it can leak on smaller faces.

Bright sun on open water is where the Zoggs Predator Flex Polarized Ultra earns its keep. Its copper polarized lenses cut the glare bouncing off the surface, and swimmers in the Outdoor Swimming Society's goggle test rated it best for bright days. A flexible bridge bends to fit the face, and it comes in regular and small fits. The ratchet buckle is bulky, and the copper tint is too dark for dim indoor pools.

For long sessions on a smaller face, look at the Speedo Biofuse 2.0. The whole frame is soft and flexible, with cushioned seals that settle around the eye, and the lenses are wide enough for a decent look to the sides. A push button on the strap lets you tighten or loosen it in seconds. Speedo also sells a women's cut. The soft frame can feel a little flimsy in the hand.

Casual pool swimmers who like a gentle seal will find the Speedo Hydrospex Classic comfortable for an easy hour of laps. Wide, soft gaskets keep water out at relaxed speeds, and the clear lenses keep things bright under indoor lights. It has been around for years, so a replacement is easy to find when the strap finally wears out. The nose bridge doesn't adjust, and the goggles tend to slip during sprints and dives.

Sunny-day polarized lenses come at a modest price with the ZIONOR G1 Polarized. The big curved lens takes the glare off a bright pool or beach, the soft gaskets feel gentle on the face, and a mesh bag comes in the box. It's a sound choice for weekend swims outside. The frame is bulky, the nose bridge is fixed, and it doesn't seal well on every face, so leaks are possible.

Occasional swimmers, kids in lessons and anyone who needs a spare will do fine with the Aegend Swim Goggles. They come in dozens of colors with a hard case, a quick-release clip keeps the strap from tangling in hair, and the wide lens gives a roomy view. The nose bridge is fixed, they can leak on people with close-set eyes, and the mirrored version's coating scratches, so pick the clear lens.

Kids who hate tight, hair-pulling straps do better with the Frogglez Kids. A wide, cloth-covered neoprene strap slides over long or curly hair, and a hook-and-loop tab lets small hands loosen or tighten it without taking the goggles off. The maker says the lenses block UV light and the parts are free of latex and lead. They're sized for preschool and grade-school children, so bigger kids will outgrow them, and the thick strap is bulkier to pack.