Unveiling the Vision: Choosing the Right Swimming Goggles and Lens Colours

Swimming goggles are an essential accessory for any swimmer, providing clear vision and protecting your eyes from chlorine, saltwater, and UV rays. However, with the variety of lens colours available, it can be challenging to determine which one suits your needs best. In this blog, we'll explore different lens colours and delve into why you would choose clear, smoke, tinted gold, or tinted blue lenses for your swimming goggles.

Clear Lens swimming goggles are a popular choice for indoor swimming, low-light conditions and open water swimming in the surf. They offer maximum visibility by allowing more light to pass through the lens. Clear lenses are ideal for early morning or late evening swims when lighting may be limited. Additionally, they are beneficial for swimmers who prefer unaltered vision without any tint.

Volare offer two models of swimming goggles in a clear lens, the Kirra Socket Goggle, which is a low profile, highly adjustable socket goggle ideal for surf, competition. We also offer the super popular Noosa Goggle which is a larger open water goggle that offers a wider field of vision.

• Visibility: Clear goggles allow swimmers to see underwater and have a better view of their surroundings. This can be important for surf swimming, where there may be waves, currents, and other swimmers or objects in the water. Clear goggles provide unobstructed vision, allowing swimmers to navigate safely. 

• Safety: Surf swimming can be challenging, especially in areas with strong waves and currents. Wearing clear goggles allows swimmers to spot potential hazards, such as rocks, coral, or other obstacles, and avoid them more easily. It can also help swimmers stay aware of the water conditions, such as changes in wave patterns or incoming sets. 

• Protection: Swimming goggles provide a barrier between the eyes and the water, protecting them from irritants like saltwater, sand, and other debris. Clear goggles allow swimmers to enjoy the benefits of eye protection while still maintaining a natural field of vision.

• Comfort: Some swimmers prefer the fit and feel of clear goggles compared to tinted or mirrored ones. Clear goggles typically have a soft silicone or rubber seal that forms a tight but comfortable seal around the eyes, preventing water from entering. The clear lenses also allow for better light transmission, which can be beneficial in low-light or overcast conditions.

• Versatility: Clear goggles are versatile and can be used in various swimming environments beyond surf swimming. They are suitable for indoor pools, open water swimming, triathlons, and other aquatic activities. By choosing clear goggles, swimmers have a pair that can be used in different settings without compromising visibility or functionality.

• Anti-Fog Swim Goggles: All Volare swim goggles feature an Anti fog coating, avoid touching the inside of your lens, rinse in fresh water after each use and air dry in the shade.

Smoke Lens Swimming Goggles provide excellent glare reduction and are suitable for outdoor swimming in bright and sunny conditions. They effectively reduce the intensity of sunlight and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Smoke lenses offer a neutral tint that maintains the natural colour perception of your surroundings while providing a more comfortable visual experience in bright light. 

Volare offer two models in a smoked lens, the Kirra Socket Goggle, which is a low profile, highly adjustable socket goggle ideal for surf, competition. We also offer the super popular Noosa Goggle which is a larger open water goggle that offers a wider field of vision.

• Glare reduction: Smoke lenses have a tint that helps reduce glare from the sun or bright lights. This can be particularly beneficial for outdoor swimming, especially on sunny days when the sun's rays reflect off the water's surface. The tinted lenses help minimise the brightness, allowing swimmers to see more clearly and comfortably.

• UV protection: Smoke lenses often provide some level of UV protection. Prolonged exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays can be damaging to the eyes, so wearing goggles with smoke lenses helps shield the eyes from UV radiation. This protection is particularly important for swimmers who spend a significant amount of time in the water, where UV rays can reflect off the surface and intensify exposure.

• Privacy: Some swimmers prefer smoke lenses for the added privacy they provide. The darker lenses make it more difficult for others to see the swimmer's eyes, which can be desirable for those who prefer a greater level of anonymity while swimming.

• Aesthetics: Smoke lenses can also be chosen for their aesthetic appeal. The darker tint often gives a sleek and stylish look to the goggles, which some swimmers find visually appealing.

Tinted Gold Lens Swimming Goggles are designed to enhance contrast and improve visibility in both indoor and outdoor swimming. The gold tint filters out blue light, reducing glare and providing a warm, soothing effect on the eyes. This lens colour is particularly beneficial in variable light conditions, such as swimming in partially cloudy or hazy weather, as it enhances clarity and depth perception.

Volare offer two models of swimming goggles in a smoked lens, the Kirra Socket Goggle, which is a low profile, highly adjustable socket goggle ideal for surf, competition. We also offer the super popular Noosa Goggle which is a larger open water goggle that offers a wider field of vision.

• Visual enhancement: Tinted gold lenses can enhance visibility and improve contrast in certain lighting conditions. The gold tint helps to filter out certain wavelengths of light, making it easier to see underwater or in bright, sunny environments. This can be particularly advantageous for swimmers who compete in outdoor pools or open water settings.

• Glare reduction: Similar to smoke lenses, tinted gold lenses help reduce glare from the sun or bright lights. The gold tint has a soothing effect on the eyes, minimising the intensity of bright light and reducing eye strain. This can be beneficial for swimmers in sunny or high-glare conditions, as it enhances visual comfort and clarity.

• Style and aesthetics: Tinted gold lenses can give a unique and stylish look to swimming goggles. Many swimmers choose these lenses for their visual appeal and to stand out from the crowd. The gold tint adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall appearance of the goggles.

• Psychological benefits: Some swimmers believe that the colour gold has psychological effects, such as boosting confidence and promoting a winning mindset. Wearing tinted gold lenses may create a positive association for swimmers, enhancing their performance and mindset in the water.

Tinted Blue Lens Swimming Goggles are known for their versatility and suitability for a wide range of lighting conditions. They offer a cool, refreshing visual experience while reducing glare and enhancing colour perception. Tinted blue lenses are ideal for both indoor and outdoor swimming, providing adequate protection against bright light and maintaining visual comfort. The Noosa swim goggle with mirrored blue lens, features, a wide field of vision and super soft silicone seal and anti fog lens making it ideal for open water and pool swimming.

• Glare reduction: Tinted blue lenses are effective at reducing glare from the sun or bright lights. The blue tint helps filter out certain wavelengths of light, minimising the intensity of bright light and reducing eye strain. This makes them particularly useful for swimmers in outdoor settings with high glare, such as open water swimming or sunny pool conditions.

• Improved contrast: Blue lenses can enhance contrast and clarity in the water. The tinted blue colour helps to amplify certain colours and objects, making them more visible and easier to distinguish. This can be beneficial for swimmers who need to spot lane markers, buoys, or other objects in the water during training or competitions.

• Relaxing effect: Blue is often associated with calmness and relaxation. Some swimmers find that wearing tinted blue lenses has a soothing effect on their eyes, promoting a sense of calm and focus in the water. This can contribute to a more enjoyable swimming experience and potentially enhance performance.

• Aesthetics: Tinted blue lenses can give a cool and stylish appearance to swimming goggles. Many swimmers choose blue lenses for their visual appeal and to match their personal style or swimwear. The blue tint adds a touch of vibrancy and uniqueness to the overall look of the goggles.

Versatility: Blue lenses can be suitable for a wide range of lighting conditions. While they are particularly useful in bright, sunny environments, they can also provide decent visibility in indoor pool settings or overcast conditions. This versatility makes them a popular choice for swimmers who want goggles that can adapt to different lighting situations.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Lens Colours: 

• Lighting conditions: Consider the environments in which you typically swim. Are you predominantly an indoor or outdoor swimmer? Assess the lighting conditions to determine the appropriate lens colour for optimal visibility and eye protection.

• Glare reduction: If you swim frequently in bright and sunny conditions, opt for lenses specifically designed to reduce glare and minimise eye strain.

• Contrast enhancement: If you desire improved contrast and depth perception, select lenses with a tint that enhances the visual experience by highlighting certain colours and reducing colour distortion.

• Personal preference: Ultimately, your personal preference plays a role in selecting lens colour. Experiment with different options to find the colour that best suits your comfort and visual needs.

Choosing the best lens colour for your swimming goggles is essential to ensure clear vision, eye protection, and an enjoyable swimming experience. Clear lenses are ideal for indoor, low-light swimming or surf swimming, while smoke lenses excel in bright outdoor conditions. Tinted gold and tinted blue lenses offer enhanced contrast and versatile performance in various lighting conditions. Consider your swimming environment, lighting conditions, glare reduction, and personal preferences when selecting the lens colour for your swimming goggles. With the right choice, you'll be ready to dive into the water with enhanced vision and confidence.