New Zealand Ocean Swim Series

    Swim Tips – Looking after goggles

    Provided by oceanswims.com

    Every time we sell a pair of goggles in person, we lecture the buyer… well, most of the time…  on looking after those goggles. Maybe we should include a printed sheet with every pair. It’s not just a matter of keeping them clean. There’s also a need to keep them in good running order, the anti-fog quality of the inner lens continuing to work and providing you with clear vision. There is one thing that’s guaranteed to destroy your vision, however, and that’s allowing your goggles to become dirty, greasy and scratched.

    So, this is our advice…

    Goggles are the most personal item of your swim gear. More personal than your togs, even. They deserve respect and care. You should keep your goggles in a case (most goggles come in a case) when you’re not using them. If you leave them bashing around in your swim bag, they’ll be scratched and they’ll become covered in dust and grease. Keep them clean, and keep them protected.

    Before you swim

    When you are dry, and when your goggles are dry – this means, before you enter the water, before you get wet, and before your goggles get wet – you should spit on the inside of the lenses (just saliva, if you don’t mind) – then wash that around the inside of the lens. Then rinse the goggles in the water. It’s important that this be done before you get wet and whilst the goggles are dry.  Why? We don’t know. We do know that water in your mouth changes the quality of your spit and the process won’t work. Ditto with the goggles. If they are wet, it doesn’t work.

    After you swim

    Wrap your goggles in your towel or something similar. When you get them home, rinse them in fresh water, leave them to air dry, then store them in their case. Every now and again, wash them gently with detergent, then rinse and leave to air dry before storing in their case. You could also use something like Goggle Goo, which oceanswims.com sells from View. That’s good, too, for cleaning and for restoring the anti-fog quality.

    3 comments
    Sid says 29 January 2013

    Having had a career in the Optical Profession I have learned that so called anti fogging is a very fragile coating which will not survive ANY rubbing or surface handling…… Goggles fog up because (invariably) the interior air is (body temp?) is warmer than the water or air temp. Saliva contains liquid which has a lower surface tension and once manufacturing/ moulding residue is removed becomes an excellent anti-fogging agent – takes about 5 or 6 sessions of licking to achieve this and is my choice for competitive pool goggle (small rimless Monte Barra or similar) where long term comfort or 20/20 vision is not the priority..
    In conclusion the large clear rimmed Blue Seventy goggle is my undisputed choice for Open Water swims, over any other available!!!! In addition to aforementioned discussion, The excellent wide angle offers little peripheral visual restriction and no other treatment than some drops of Dish Washing liquid + luke warm water (to help dissolve the salt) rinsed inside an out and just shaken freely (no no touching or rubbing) and left to air dry. Just simple dip or after donning “drown with sea or lake” – get your aiming point +/- predicted cross track influences and goforrit….

    Ngaire Clarke says 29 January 2013

    Thank you for the tip, very much appreciated

    runshortie says 2 February 2013

    I disagree, with the price of some goggles and the ” anti fog” I should just be able to put them on and swim.

    Cheaper goggles are better for this.

    Never touch the inside of the lenses with your fingers. it distories the anti goggles.

    Always buy a new pair and test them before a big race.

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