Fitting swimming goggles correctly involves ensuring a proper seal without excessive strap tension. The strap is designed to keep the goggles in place, not to create the seal.
Here's a breakdown of how to fit swimming goggles:
- Placement: Position the goggles over your eyes. The gasket (the soft material around the lenses) should sit comfortably in your eye sockets, creating a seal against your skin.
- Seal Check: Gently press the goggles against your face without the strap. They should create suction and stay in place for a few seconds. If they fall off immediately, try a different size or adjust the nose bridge.
- Nose Bridge Adjustment: Many goggles come with adjustable nose bridges. Experiment with different sizes to find the one that fits the width of your nose comfortably and allows the lenses to sit properly on your face.
- Strap Adjustment: Once you have a good seal, place the strap around your head. The strap should sit comfortably around the crown of your head.
- Tension: The strap should be snug enough to keep the goggles in place during swimming, but not so tight that it causes discomfort or leaves deep marks around your eyes. The seal should already be doing most of the work.
- Fine-Tuning: Before getting in the water, move your head around to make sure the goggles stay in place. If they move too much, slightly tighten the strap and repeat the seal check.
- Avoid Overtightening: The strap is just to keep the goggles from falling off. Don't over tighten it to the point of discomfort.
Key Takeaway: A good seal is more important than a tight strap for comfortable and effective swimming goggle use.
