The 8 best swim goggles for adults and kids, per experts

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When the warm weather hits, all we want to do is splish-splash in the pool or ocean, swim laps and lounge in the water.

Aside from readying your tried-and-true swim trunks, feel-good bikinis and baby swimsuits, it’s important to have a quality pair of swim goggles on deck.

“When looking for adult goggles, you can use the same guidelines as listed for children’s goggles,” Buffy Folise, owner of Chicago Swim School and vice president of the United States Swim School Association, told the New York Post. “There are many goggles listed as children’s goggles that still fit adults well and can be used by both an adult and child. You can simply adjust the back strap of the goggles and use them yourself.”

Ahead, Folisse hand-picked the best swim goggles to shop, along with outlining what you need to know about safety, wear and shopping for a pair in our in-depth FAQ section for kids and adults alike.

“Most often, spending more money on swim goggles means that you are getting a higher quality product with better features,” Folise adds. “Goggles are an item where you get what you pay for. You can find bargain prices on goggles but they usually leak and are not comfortable on the face. Goggles with a price point of $15 or higher will make your swimming experience more enjoyable and help you or your child perform better in the water.”

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“This goggle is designed for competition with an ultra-light, low profile frame with a snug fit,” Folise tells The Post. ” Missile is available with a FUZ lens, a silver Mirrored lens, or a clear lens.”

What’s more, this pair is equipped with an anti-fog coating, four interchangeable nose bridges, and UVA and UVB protection.

“The Energy goggles have a one-piece frame and curved lens,” Folise says. “They are designed to accommodate most face shapes ages 14 and up.”

Not to mention, she says these goggles are “very comfortable,” making them worth the buy even more.

“The Flash goggle has an elastic nose bridge, allowing for perfect adaptability to different faces,” Folise highlights. “These goggles also have the Cressi-patented buckle system for easy adjusting of the strap.”

Plus, these goggles are rather versatile and can be used for recreational swimming and competition, too.

“The Cressi Duke mask is not a swimming mask but it is great for snorkeling,” Folise says, recommending this swim essential that comes in a rainbow of colors.

Why she recommends it? “It’s extremely high-quality with no fogging and a large field of vision.”

“This goggle fits most kids ages 4 to 12 but can also be worn by many adults for recreational swimming,” Folise notes. “These are an all-around good goggle.”

Plus, they’re high-quality, have the most versatile fit and are very durable.

“The Fruit Basket goggles are slightly smaller than the H2 Jr goggle but kids love it because they are scented and fun,” Folise says. “The frame is a little more sturdy than the H2Jr.”

Interestingly enough, her son used these goggles for five years so they surely last (if you don’t lose them before then!)

“These goggles are designed for children ages 3 to 7 years,” Folise notes. “They have a flat lens for perfect vision.”

More, they have a patented buckle to make adjusting the goggle super easy. “The lenses are shatterproof and have UV protection,” she adds.

“These goggles are designed for children ages 7 to 15 years,” Folise notes. “They have a flat lens for perfect vision.”

Like the brand’s Crab Swim Goggles, they have a patented buckle to make adjusting the goggle super easy, too, while its shatterproof lenses offer UV protection.

Ahead, our swim expert gives us the 411 on what to know before buying a pair of swim goggles — for adult and kids’ pairs alike.

“When picking out a pair of goggles, you want to look for a comfortable fit and good visibility You want to make sure the goggles fit snugly without being too tight. A goggle with a wide lens is better for visibility. An anti-fogging feature helps keep the goggles clear while you’re swimming.”

More, some goggles have a tint to them which is great for outdoor swimming. “Sometimes young children do not like wearing goggles with a tint because it mutes all other colors,” Folise adds. “Goggles also come with an adjustable strap which makes sizing very easy.”

If you’re using goggles outdoors, a goggle with UV protection is also important. “To get a better fit, look for a goggle that has dual straps on the back, goggles with only one strap slip off the back of kiddos heads, making it hard to keep them on,” she recommends.

When looking for adult goggles, you can use the same guidelines as listed for children’s goggles. “There are many goggles listed as children’s goggles that still fit adults well and can be used by both an adult and child,” Folise points out. “You can simply adjust the back strap of the goggles and use them yourself.”

According to Folise, children can being swimming lessons starting at 6 months.

“Swim lessons for infants and toddlers usually focus on water safety, becoming comfortable in the water and basic swimming skills,” she notes. “Younger children ages 3 and up begin working on becoming more comfortable in the water and basic swim skills such as floating and kicking.”

As children get older and more comfortable in the water, swim lessons begin to focus on stroke development, endurance, and more advanced techniques. “It’s important to continue reinforcing water safety skills throughout a child’s swimming journey,” she emphasizes.

In the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated statement on water safety for children they suggest children should be in swim lessons until they have achieved at least basic water competency. “The United States Swim School Association (USSSA) has come up with a definition of BASIC Swimming which is: Swimming is defined as independent propulsion through the water from Point A to Point B while being able to take breaths as needed. To be a Safer Swimmer you need these Basic Skills:

“These are basic guidelines and are not intended to be the final measure of swimming ability,” Folise points out. “There are a variety of factors that impact someone’s ability to swim such as environment, mental maturity and water temperature to name a few.”

“Wearing swim goggles can protect your eyes from chlorine and other chemicals in the water, as well as prevent irritation and redness,” Folise highlights. They can also improve underwater visibility, making it easier to swim and compete.

Children should wear goggles to eliminate the distraction of water in their eyes while they are learning.

“Children should also spend time in the water without goggles so that they learn the feeling of water on their eyes to prepare them if they find themselves in water without goggles,” Folise says. “Ensure children have time jumping in and swimming around without goggles on their face.”

The same is true for adults; once they are comfortable with water on their face they can wear goggles as needed. “Goggles can make it easier to make turns at the walls during lap swimming and also decrease irritation from pool chemicals,” she adds.

To ensure a proper fit, look for a goggle that is a one piece frame with soft, flexible materials that make it comfortable to wear. “Goggles that have adjustable nose pieces can make fitting difficult and when put on the tightest setting, can press into the inner eye making it uncomfortable to wear,” Folise explains. “If you can find a local swim school, they usually have goggles you can try on before purchasing.”

Swim goggles are typically made from materials such as silicone, rubber, and plastic. “The lens is usually made from Polycarbonate or a similar material,” Folise elaborates. “Polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof and provide UV protection.”

Be sure to avoid rubbing your fingers on the inside of your goggles to wipe water away as this removes the anti fog coating. “If your goggles start to fog you can use an anti fog wipe or spray,” she recommends.

“Swim caps can protect your hair from chemicals and reduce drag in the water,” Folise says. “Rash guards with UV protection can also be worn to protect skin from the sun when swimming outdoors.”

It’s important to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket in or around water. “The National Drowning Prevention Alliance has great information on life jacket usage,” Folise tips off.

A polarized goggle lens is specifically designed to filter out glares from light reflecting off flat surfaces.

“Polarized goggles are good for outdoor swimming and triathlons,” Folise explains. “Polarized lenses are based on preference. If you’re swimming outdoors, you would want a polarized lens or a lens that has UVA and UVB protection.”

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.