The figures 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 one in five children 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 coronavirus alone. The long list of daycare and primary school children willing to learn in swimming schools is only slowly being processed. And then at the latest the question of swimming goggles arises. When looking for swimming goggles for children, there are a few things to consider. In this article we will explain what they are and why not all swimming goggles are the same.
The Futura from Speedo is a classic suction cup goggle. The seal is soft and flexible and should fit comfortably around the little one’s eye socket and keep the chlorine water away from the eyes. The lenses are blue tinted and coated, providing additional protection from bright light and, above all, dangerous UV radiation. The Speedo Futura Biofuse has a flexible, gel-like frame and is expressly intended for swimming in indoor pools, quarry ponds and in the sea. The nose bridge cannot be adjusted. The headband can be adjusted comparatively easily to the head size using a small, somewhat inconspicuous button on the side. According to the manufacturer, this is enough for six to 14 year old children.
The most important things at a glance
We don’t know how Arena came up with the name “Spider” for 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 up. 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, it should adjust itself. As with the other models presented here, the lenses protect against UV rays. They are also shatterproof.
The most important things at a glance
This model is the only swimming mask in our small comparison. Swimming masks have larger lenses and give little beginner swimmers a larger field of vision. Disadvantage: They are more inflexible than their slightly smaller suction cup competitors, especially in the important areas in the forehead and eye socket areas. If they don’t fit right away, there’s hardly anything that can be adjusted or corrected. Since you should definitely avoid moisture in your goggles (and therefore in your eyes), especially in the chlorinated water of indoor and outdoor pools, a swimming mask must fit directly. The headband can also be adjusted on the Sealkid II. However, this swimming mask is rather unsuitable for smaller and still unsure water lovers.
The most important things at a glance
This eye protection for little swimmers comes from Italy. Cressi offers its suction cup glasses, which were not entirely immodestly named “King Crab”, in two versions. One should be suitable for children between two and seven years old. Older children up to 15 years of age choose the slightly larger version. What both have in common: The headband is easily adjustable and can be adjusted to the size of your head. The “King Crab” is available in seven colors. One model stands out with its slightly blue-tinted lenses, which create a kind of sunglasses effect and are intended to reduce reflections. So that the glasses can withstand as many visits to the swimming pool as possible and stay intact in your sports bag, they come in a transparent hard-shell box.
The most important things at a glance
We end the swimming goggles 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 have an edge. That makes a sleek impression. Of course, you can’t swim faster yet. The blue-tinted smoked lenses are intended to protect the eyes from sunlight or other bright light. The double silicone band can be easily adjusted behind the head with a little routine. The Speedo Hydropulse are swimming goggles that are available for both children and adults. Speedo even “gifts” the adults with mirrored lenses.
The most important things at a glance
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First and foremost, swimming goggles (not just for children) should be tight. The so-called sealing lips must be soft and flexible so that they can adapt to the shape of the eye socket and suck in. But not in such a way that the swimming goggles press uncomfortably on the facial bones. The best swimming goggles are the ones you feel the least. Of course, the field of vision of the glasses should also be as large as possible. The decisive factor here is not only the size, but also the shape of the glasses. The perfect swimming goggles will grow with its wearer for several years. This is made possible by flexible nose bridges and headbands that are as easily accessible and quickly adjusted as possible and are usually made of silicone. Important: Stay away from swimming goggles that are not marked with 100 percent UV protection.
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