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With three more laps to go in the freestyle race, I was in first place. No one would take that blue ribbon away from me. I practiced all year long for this, and it was finally paying off. Well, I was right about one thing...no ONE took the first place ribbon from me. But my darn goggles did! As I made my flip turn going into the last and final lap, my goggles started taking on water, irritating the brown out of my eyes. Before I knew it, this distraction caused me to slap the pool's edge at second place, instead of the first place I so deserved. Don't let this happen to you. As silly as it sounds, pick your goggles wisely.

The first thing you need to decide on when choosing a pair of goggles is the function of them. If you are looking for a pair to use when training, comfort comes first. Speedo Sprint has a good variety here. They are more compact, so if you would rather have something with a bit more stiffness, there are types that have a non-adjustable nose-piece. The piece is also further down the end of your nose so that it does not hurt your nose.

Racing goggles are typically smaller than training ones. This is so they don't slow you down. To speed you up a little more, some goggles, such as Swedish ones, don't have padding around the eyes at all. These are generally not good to wear if you are practicing, as they can be very uncomfortable after a while.

The next thing to consider when buying a pair of goggles concerns your eyesight. Prescription options are available, such as Rx models. The only problem with these custom made goggles is that they are more prone to leakage. However, U.S. Divers boasts that their innovative technology has enabled their brand to be "absolutely watertight".

There are three main styles of goggles that many people choose over others. The aforementioned swedish style, foam gasket style, and the hard rubber, silicone or other gasket type style. The gasket is the main difference of the three. It is a piece in between the goggle and eye area that ensures a more comfortable fit and seal.

The swedish style goggles have no gasket, as they are built for more speed. This makes them somewhat cheaper and sometimes very uncomfortable. Foam gaskets are primarily for comfort. Sometimes they help the goggle fit better, but other times, depending on the shape of the goggle, can have a less satisfying fit. The alternative gasket style goggles last longer than their foam counterparts because the material is more solid. So depending on what you are looking to use the goggles for, the choice is yours.

Other features to look for when shopping for a good pair of goggles are:

-Shatter resistance
-UV protection
-Anti-fog seals
-Hypoallergenic soft silicone seals
-Silicone double length head-strap for a more secure fit
-Adjustable nose-pieces
-Neoprene foam gaskets
-Racing frame

When you are finally ready to purchase a pair that fits your needs, you should always make sure that the goggles fit you properly. You want them to be snug enough so that they don't fall off, yet not so tight that they tear you to fish food. You don't want to lose a race like I did because of an unfit pair of goggles.

Learn more about this author, Kelly A. Mello.
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