Picking out the right swim cap and goggles can be tricky. If you’re new to swimming, it’s probably the first question that pops into your head. It can be overwhelming to browse the various swim 
equipment websites and try to decide on the perfect pair of goggles or the right style swim cap, and the added pressure to make sure you’re making a “good investment” can push some swimmers to buy outrageously expensive gear that doesn’t meet their needs.
Never fear, there’s a method to managing the madness!
Aside from choosing your swimsuit choosing your swim cap and goggles is the most important decision you’ll make. A good pair of comfortable goggles won’t necessarily improve your swim times. A bad pair will seriously hamper your ability to make it to the other end of the pool. Because you will have to stop to empty the water out of them halfway down the pool.
Choosing your Swim Cap and Goggles
After having bought more than my fair share of goggles that didn’t work, I have three recommendations for picking out your own pair. Buy your goggles somewhere that you can try them on before you buy them. If you can’t do that, then make sure that the online site you buy from has a fair return policy.
When looking for your Swim Cap and Goggles, choose comfort.
When you try on the goggles make sure they are comfortable. Check the eye area by pushing them against your eye sockets (where the padding will rest when you’re wearing them) and letting go. The padding should feel soft and pliable. Good goggles will have a mild bit of suction that keeps them in place for a few seconds. If your goggles don’t have this quality, they will leak. Also, make sure the nose piece is comfortable and not cutting into the bridge of your nose.
Check the adjustments.
Make sure the straps and nose piece are easily adjustable, and that they stay in place once you’ve adjusted them. Straps that slip and/or slide out of their clasps can ruin your workout.
Another choice involves lens color (dark or clear) and is mostly a personal preference unless you’re swimming outdoors. If you are swimming outdoors you might want to consider a darker lens to cut down on the brightness. You’ll probably also have the choice between anti-fog and non-anti-fog lenses. Most experts (swimmers themselves) agree that there’s really no fool-proof way of keeping goggles from fogging up. As a kid, I, and my teammates, swore by the spit-cleaning method, but as an adult I still use it. So this also comes down to a personal preference.
After the goggles, comes the choice of a swim cap. Swim caps reduce drag and protect your hair from chlorine. However, it’s important to note that no cap will keep hair 100% dry. Many view swim caps as optional, but these days, many swimming facilities are enforcing the mandatory cap rule. This is done to save the drains and filters, so it would be wise to carry one just in case.
Choosing a cap boils down to fabric and function, and the three choices are:
Latex
These durable caps are fairly inexpensive, easy to print logos on or write on (for those who participate in triathlons). The drawback is that they can be difficult to put on. Unfortunately, they won’t work for swimmers with a latex allergy.
Rubber
These caps are the most popular with competitive swimmers due to being easy to put on and offer a great alternative to latex caps. They come in a wide variety of colors. The downside is they’re more expensive than latex caps and can slip off the head more easily.
Lycra
Many swimmers prefer Lycra caps simply for the comfort factor. Since these caps are made of the same material that swimsuits are made of, they’re more flexible. They can also be a lot to get on and off. Lycra caps can be more expensive and won’t protect hair from chlorine. They also have a tendency to slip off more frequently than latex or silicone caps.
Choosing the right gear should help you focus 
on your workout and improving your times, rather than on making adjustments once you’re in the water. Just keep in mind that which swim cap and goggles you choose, you should take your time. Make sure they are the right swim cap and goggles for you!
BY
MARY GEBHART
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