The numbers on the “swimming skills” of children living in Germany are still frightening. According to a survey by the German Life Saving Society (DLRG), in 2022 every fifth child between the ages of six and ten could not swim. Only 57 percent of the 500 parents or caregivers surveyed described their children as “safe swimmers.” The results of this survey cannot be blamed on the corona virus alone. The long list of children who are willing to learn in daycare and primary school in swimming schools is only slowly being processed. And at the latest then the question of swimming goggles arises. When looking for swimming goggles for children, there are a few things to consider. In this article we explain what these are and why swimming goggles are not just swimming goggles.
The Futura by Speedo is a classic suction cup goggle. The seal is soft and flexible, should fit comfortably around the little ones’ eye sockets and keep the chlorine water away from their eyes. The lenses are blue tinted and coated to provide additional protection from glare and, most importantly, from dangerous UV rays. The Speedo Futura Biofuse has a flexible, gel-like frame and is specifically designed for swimming in indoor pools, quarry ponds and the sea. The nose bridge cannot be adjusted. The headband can be adjusted to the head size relatively easily using a small, somewhat inconspicuous button on the side. According to the manufacturer, this is enough for children aged six to 14.
The most important things at a glance
We don’t know how Arena came up with the name “Spider” for a pair of swimming goggles. It’s basically not important. In any case, the Spider Junior comes in a handful of two-tone designs with a glitter effect that should please boys and girls aged six and over. Important. The silicone headband of the suction cup glasses can be easily adjusted by the children themselves at the back of the head to the desired and most comfortable size. The nose bridge cannot be adjusted for this. According to the manufacturer, however, it should adjust itself. As with the other models presented here, the glasses protect against UV rays. In addition, they are unbreakable.
The most important things at a glance
This model is the only swimming mask in our small comparison. Swimming masks have larger lenses and thus give the little swimming beginners a larger field of vision. Disadvantage: They are less flexible than their somewhat smaller suction cup competitors, especially in the important areas of the forehead and eye sockets. If they don’t fit right away, there is hardly anything that can be adjusted or corrected. Since moisture in the goggles (and thus in the eyes) should be avoided at all costs, especially in the chlorinated water of indoor and outdoor pools, a swimming mask must fit directly. The headband of the Sealkid II can also be adjusted. Nevertheless, this swimming mask is rather unsuitable for smaller and still insecure water rats.
The most important things at a glance
This eye protection for little swimmers comes from Italy. Cressi offers two versions of its suction cup glasses, which have been christened “King Crab” in a rather unassuming way. One should be suitable for children between the ages of two and seven. Older children up to the age of 15 choose the slightly larger version. What both have in common: The headband is easily adjustable and can be adapted to the head size. The “King Crab” is available in seven colors. One model stands out with slightly blue-tinted lenses, which create a kind of sunglass effect and are intended to soften reflections. So that the goggles can withstand as many visits to the swimming pool as possible and remain intact in the sports bag, they come in a transparent hard shell box.
The most important things at a glance
We end the swimming goggle comparison with a somewhat unusual lens geometry. Instead of the usual oval-round shape, the eyes of the Hydropulse from Speedo are hidden behind full-vision lenses that are slightly wider and designed with an edge. That makes a sleek impression. Of course, you can’t swim any faster than that. The blue-tinted smoke lenses are designed to protect the eyes from sunlight or other bright light. The double silicone band is easy to adjust behind the head with a bit of routine. The Speedo Hydropulse is a swimming goggle that is available for both children and adults. Speedo even “presents” the big ones with mirrored glasses.
The most important things at a glance
First and foremost, swimming goggles (not just for children) should be waterproof. The so-called sealing lips must be soft and flexible so that they can adapt to the shape of the eye socket and suck. However, not in such a way that the swimming goggles press uncomfortably on the facial bones. The best swimming goggles are the ones you least feel. Of course, the field of vision of the glasses should be as large as possible. Not only the size but also the shape of the glasses is decisive for this. The perfect swimming goggles also grow with their wearer for a few years. This is made possible by flexible nose bridges and easily accessible and quickly adjusted headbands, which are usually made of silicone. Important: Stay away from swimming goggles that are not marked with a notice of 100 percent UV protection.
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