10 Best Goggles for Open Water Swimming UK 2024
Goggles allow wearers to see clearly both above and below the water. Our buying guide provides useful tips on how to find the most suitable pair for outdoor use. In this article we share our top 10 best goggles for outdoor swimming from big names such as Speedo, Aqua Sphere and Michael Phelps to buy online on Amazon and eBay!
Quick List - Top Goggles for Open Water Swimming
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How to Choose Goggles for Open Water Swimming in the UK ― Buying Guide
Consider the Type of Lens for Optimal Performance in all Light Conditions
Clear Lenses Permit the Maximum Amount of Light to Enter Your Eyes
However, clear lenses won’t do much in the way of reducing brightness or glare. We do not recommend clear lenses for swimming in the morning as the sunrise reflects on the horizon of the water, which could make it hard to see.
There are also colour tinted variations available for some clear lenses. These goggles benefit from light filtering and colour enhancing properties without diminishing the amount of light entering the lenses.
Polarised Lenses Filter Out Light and Glare
Mirrored Lenses Reflect Bright Light Away from Your Eyes
Avoid mirrored lenses when the light is dim or overcast as these lenses will create a dark field of view making it more difficult to see.
Smoke Lenses Reduce Light While Allowing You to See on Overcast Days
Smoke lenses have a dark grey or brown colour tint to help to reduce light in a similar way to mirrored and polarised lensed. They are not as reflective as mirrored lens making them much more useful for swimming on days where the weather is bright but a little cloudy or overcast.
Lenses of a Different Colour Have an Impact on How Colours Appear Underwater
Orange and Yellow Lenses Are a Top Choice for UK Swimmers
Blue Lenses Further Reduce Light and Enhance Blue Hues
Purple and Red Lenses Neutralise Yellow Tones to Prevent Glare
Always Pick Goggles With UV Protection for Open Water Swimming
Our eyes are delicate and UV damage can contribute to the development of certain types of cataracts among other eye problems such as growths on the eye or macular degeneration. Make sure to check the goggles you choose have adequate UV protection. Look for ones that specify safeguarding against UVA and UVB rays or offer 100% UV protection.
Anti-Fog Coatings Prevent Goggles From Steaming Up
Your goggles fog up when condensation forms on the inside of the lenses. This condensation comes from perspiration or water vapour present on your skin and happens for a number of reasons. For example, the change in temperature when moving from the shoreline into cool water or sweat from exertion when swimming.
Prevent condensation steaming up the inside of your goggles by picking ones with an anti-fog coating. Anti-fog treated goggles have a silicone film on the inside of the lens which prevents water sticking, allowing it to run off instead.
Top 10 Best Goggles for Open Water Swimming in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swimming Goggles | | Incredibly Hard Waring for All Open Water Swimming Conditions | |
2 | MP Michael Phelps XCEED Swimming Goggles | | 'Michael Phelps Approved' Triathlon and Racing Goggles | |
3 | Aegend Swimming Goggles | | Best Open Water Goggles for UK Swimmers | |
4 | Speedo Fastskin Elite Mirror Goggles | | Hydrodynamic Goggles that Reduce Drag | |
5 | Speedo Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Triathlon Goggles | | A Secure Fit for Swimming in Rough Waters | |
6 | TYR Special Ops 2.0 Polarized Racing/Performance Goggles | | An Affordable Option for Triathletes | |
7 | Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored Swimming Goggles | | Lightweight Open Water Goggles With a Secure Inner Eye Fit | |
8 | Malmsten Standard Swedish Goggles | | Lightweight With a Wide Field of Vision | |
9 | Zoggs Unisex Phantom 2.0 Swimming Goggles | | Fantastic Goggles Suitable for Open Water and Indoor Pools | |
10 | Cressi Adult Flash Swimming Goggles | | Easy to Clean and Great for Casual Swimmers |
Incredibly Hard Waring for All Open Water Swimming Conditions
Four point expanded lenses offer maximum visibility, and anti-fog coating means they won’t steam up. All lens variations offer superior UVA and UVB protection, though we recommend the clear lenses as the most versatile lens type in all weather conditions.
'Michael Phelps Approved' Triathlon and Racing Goggles
The curved lenses on the MP XCEED swimming goggles wrap around to provide a unique panoramic view. Not only does this allow for an unrestricted field of vision but protects against UV rays from all angles.
Best Open Water Goggles for UK Swimmers
These goggles are available in various lens types and coloured tints though we recommend the orange mirrored lenses for UK swimmers. They enhance the contrast between colours on the greyest of days making them suitable for year-round use. The mirrored effect shields effectively against glare without being too dark.
Hydrodynamic Goggles that Reduce Drag
Speedo’s Fatskin racing goggles are optimised to reduce drag: even the one-piece strap eliminates resistance from dangling ends. We recommend the smoke or mirrored lenses for reduction of glare when swimming in open water.
SpeedoFutura Biofuse Flexiseal Triathlon Goggles
A Secure Fit for Swimming in Rough Waters
A push button on the side makes fitting and adjusting the frames quick and easy. Designed for triathlon, these goggles are a fine choice for both competitive and non-competitive swimming in the sea. Their sturdy and individualised fit means they won’t fly off in choppy water.
TYRSpecial Ops 2.0 Polarized Racing/Performance Goggles
An Affordable Option for Triathletes
Made from durable, hypoallergenic Durafit silicon, the gaskets guarantee a watertight seal while remaining lightweight and comfortable enough for training and endurance swimmers. These goggles are available in a variety of lens colours!
Lightweight Open Water Goggles With a Secure Inner Eye Fit
Speedo had generously included four interchangeable nose pieces so you are sure to find the right one to mould perfectly to your particular profile. The mirrored lenses on these goggles are fairly dark, so we recommend them for bright, sunny days.
Lightweight With a Wide Field of Vision
However, these same features are what makes using Swedish goggles incredibly rewarding! Swedish goggles require self-assembly guaranteeing a perfect custom fit. The lack of gaskets and thick outer casing makes them incredibly lightweight. Best of all, there is nothing to get in the way between your eye and the lens giving by far the best field of vision.
Fantastic Goggles Suitable for Open Water and Indoor Pools
Best suited for early morning swimming on slightly overcast days, the blue lenses do a great job of counteracting glare. However, the blue lenses don't block out as much sun as other darker options so we do not advise to use on really bright days.
Easy to Clean and Great for Casual Swimmers
Easy to adjust, they won’t mist up or leak so you aren’t going to be left treading water trying to clean them. Most suitable for casual open water swimmers, these goggles are unfortunately not quite up to standard for racing or triathlon use.
Open Water Goggles Allow Swimmers to See Clearly in Outdoor Conditions
This is especially important for triathletes who will need to keep an eye out for course markers, guide boats and other swimmers! Open water goggles are designed to maximise the field of vision. In general, they are much larger than pool goggles with wide, curved lenses to help swimmers see better!
How to Test the Fit of Your Goggles
The straps are used to keep the goggles in place and stop them from slipping down or coming loose. When you remove your goggles, if marks are left around the eyes then your strap is too tight. When wearing goggles with split straps, place the lower strap at eye level with the upper strap slightly higher for a secure fit.
Whether the nose bridge on your goggles is adjustable or fixed, it should be flexible enough to mould perfectly to the individual contour of your nose. Try moving the nose bridge on your face to find the most comfortable placement for you!
Proper Storage and Care Will Prolong The Life of Your Goggles
Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the inside of your goggles as this can leave scratches on the lenses and damages the anti-fog coating. Direct sunlight degrades the material of your goggles so consider buying a goggle pouch or case designed to store them in when not in use.
Dive in With All the Swimming Essentials
Whether you're a keen open water swimmer or someone who prefers a pool, there are certain items that are absolute musts. A costume is a great place to start, and once you've got your goggles and any extras you might need with the help of our guides, you'll be set to take the plunge.
Summary
Author: Wren Mann
Top 5 Goggles for Open Water Swimming
No. 1: Aqua Sphere｜Kayenne Swimming Goggles
No. 2: MP Michael Phelps｜XCEED Swimming Goggles
No. 3: Aegend｜Swimming Goggles
No. 4: Speedo ｜Fastskin Elite Mirror Goggles
No. 5: Speedo｜Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Triathlon Goggles
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.