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What colour goggle lens should I choose?Updated 9 months ago

The type of lens you should choose for your goggles depends very much on the environmental conditions you will be using them in. This includes weather conditions, sunny/overcast, indoor/outdoor, overall visibility etc. In addition, you may choose to have different goggles with different lenses for training, competitive sessions and recreational activities. 

Here is our guide to help you in selecting the right lens for your individual needs:

Mirrored: primarily for outdoor use, the mirrored lens helps to reduce glare and brightness, especially where sunlight reflects from the water's surface. It also helps that your competitors can't see your eyes!

Smoke: these lenses help to reduce the brightness that you experience with minimal colour distortion. Great for outdoors swimming in sunny conditions. 

Clear: used for indoor or low level light situations and will not change the colour of your surroundings.

Blue: indoor and outdoor use with lighter blues better for indoors and darker blues for outdoors. Blue lenses also help to reduce surface glare from the water whilst providing good levels of visibility. 

Purple: lighter purples are good for indoor conditions, and darker for outdoors. These lenses offer the best contrast for objects against a green or blue background. 

Aqua/Green: help minimise colour distortion in low light and perfect for indoor swim sessions. 

Red: good for enhancing contrast and work well in medium to low light conditions.

Photochromatic: the best of both worlds, these lenses will adapt to the light conditions you swim in. Perfect if you're likely to be swimming into the sun and away from it during the same session or race. They will also adapt for both indoor and outdoor conditions. 

To help you with your choice, here are some questions you should consider when making your selection:

  • Do I swim indoors or outdoors more often?
  • Am I used to bright or lower level lighting?
  • Am I going to use these for training or competition or for both if possible?
  • What weather conditions will I typically be using these in?
  • Am I likely to be swimming towards the sun during my race?
  • Is there a particular style of goggle I am more comfortable with?
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