Mirrored swim goggles have a variety of uses, ranging from reflecting light away from the eyes to creating a psychological barrier.
This article discusses the various benefits of mirrored swim goggles, and what to look for in the right pair. Here are some tips on how to choose a pair. In addition to reflecting light away from the eyes, mirrored lenses help protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays and can also create a shaded view on sunny and shaded days.
However, if you’re going to use mirrored lenses on a cloudy or overcast day, they can make your view appear overly dark.
Reflecting light away
A pair of swim goggles that are designed to fit snugly on your face can help improve your vision. Mirrored lenses, on the other hand, reflect light away from your eyes, giving you a darker view on bright days.
However, they can also result in an overly dark view on overcast or dark days. This is because mirrored lenses block the light that is normally reflected from the water’s surface.
Mirrored lenses are also available in open water swim goggles. They reduce glare and reflect light away from your eyes. They are useful both indoors and outdoors, as glare can affect your vision under any lighting conditions. Here’s how to choose the right lens for you:
Protecting eyes from ultraviolet rays
UV rays are a serious threat to your vision. Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer and eye damage. Research has linked prolonged exposure to sunlight with eye problems, including macular degeneration and cataracts. The Skin Cancer Foundation has compiled information on protecting the eyes from ultraviolet rays and how to protect your vision. You can learn more about protecting your eyes from UV rays by reading articles written by skin cancer experts.
UV rays are dangerous in all climates, but the damage is most likely to occur when you’re outside. They can be hazardous on sunny days as well as on cloudy ones. Those who live in tropical areas near the equator are especially at risk. Higher altitude also increases the risk of UV exposure. For this reason, it’s crucial to protect your eyes from UV rays whenever possible.
Choosing the right pair
Buying a new pair of swim goggles can be as complicated as purchasing a new pair of shoes or a new phone, but luckily, swimming goggles are much more affordable than many other products. As a regular swimmer, you probably already know the frustration of fiddling with your goggles to see properly. To help you make the best choice, here are some tips to consider.
Make sure the goggles fit comfortably. Ideally, they should fit snugly around the face. Look for adjustable nosepieces. Also, be sure to get a pair with wide peripheral vision, which helps you see well in open water and avoid collisions with other swimmers. A good pair of swim goggles should also be leakproof and comfortable. While you won’t notice these factors in training sessions, you’ll be glad you bought them on race day!
Beau Cormier is a former NCAA I swimmer, US Open National finalist, and swim nerd. When not swimming or working for a data company, you can find him running the trails of the Pacific Northwest with his wife and dogs.