Why It's Important to Maintain Your Goggles
The worst thing that can happen before you dive into the water is scratched or damaged goggles. Both chlorine water, saltwater, and the sun's UV rays are harsh on your gear, and without proper maintenance of goggles, they quickly lose their most important functions. Fortunately, it only takes a little effort to reverse this trend. Here's exactly why it's worth taking good care of your gear:
- Protects against harsh environments: Chlorine water, saltwater, and the sun's sharp UV rays wear down the materials, but proper care of goggles keeps the important silicone edge soft and tight.
- Preserves your anti-fog coating: You protect the delicate film on the lens, avoiding frustrations and always maintaining optimal, fog-free vision.
- Increases your safety and comfort: When you can see clearly underwater, you feel much more secure and focused in the water.
- Saves you money: By taking good care of your goggles, you significantly delay wear and tear and avoid having to invest in new ones all the time.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Goggles?
When you invest in a new pair of goggles, you naturally expect them to stay tight and comfortable season after season. At Watery, we've tested hundreds of goggles, and we know exactly what extends their lifespan. No matter which pair of goggles you choose, the equipment always requires maintenance to perform optimally.
Daily care of goggles makes all the difference. To extend their lifespan, remember these quick tips after each swim:
- Always rinse in cold fresh water.
- Avoid touching the inside of the lens.
- Let them air dry away from direct sunlight.
- Store them safely in a case.
When you explore our large selection of goggles, you'll quickly notice that even the most durable materials perform best when treated correctly. Read on below, where we dive into exactly how and why you perform these steps, so you can easily keep your vision crystal clear and comfort at its peak.
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Always Store and Transport Goggles in a Case
The worst thing you can do after a good swim is to toss the goggles loosely among wet towels and heavy gear in your swim bags. Without proper storage, you quickly risk getting ugly scratches on the lens, and the straps can easily get caught and become slack. To ensure the best protection, you should always use a dedicated goggle case. When choosing the right model, there are four things you should particularly look for:
- A hard or semi-hard shell that can withstand pressure when the bag is squeezed in the changing room.
- A soft inner lining that protects the delicate lenses and anti-fog coating from friction.
- Practical ventilation in the form of small drainage holes that allow moisture to escape, effectively preventing mold.
- A sturdy zipper that keeps the goggles securely in place during transport.
We particularly recommend our own Watery Pro Pavati case for maximum durability or a classic Arena case, both of which deliver superb fit and security for your gear.
Avoid Touching the Inside of the Lens
When you take off your goggles after a good swim, you should never touch the inside of the lens, because almost all modern models have a thin, factory-applied anti-fog coating, which is very delicate. Touching the inside of your lenses often results in these three consequences:
- You rub away the protective film, causing the goggles to fog up constantly in the future.
- You transfer invisible grease and dirt from your fingers, leaving a blurred view.
- You create friction with the towel, making it impossible to avoid scratches on the glass.
To ensure proper maintenance of goggles, you should instead simply rinse them in cold fresh water after use and let them air dry completely on their own. Always keep fingers and towels away from the inside.
Use Anti-Fog Spray as Part of Regular Maintenance
Even though your new goggles come with an effective factory-applied surface treatment, this coating will inevitably wear off over time. Chlorine, saltwater, and frequent use slowly degrade the inside of the glass, but with proper maintenance, you fortunately don't have to discard your gear. An anti-fog spray offers you many advantages in maintenance, here are 3:
- Extended lifespan: You significantly extend the lifespan of the goggles and avoid buying new ones just because the original coating fades.
- Crystal-clear vision: You maintain your fog-free goggles throughout the swim, allowing you to fully focus on your technique in the water.
- Easy application: A single spray before you dive in is all it takes to maintain the protective effect.
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Adjust the Straps Carefully to Avoid Wear
Once you've found the perfect fit, it's a really good idea to leave your straps alone. Many swimmers have a habit of pulling and tugging at the adjustments before every swim, but constant changes unnecessarily wear down the material. Over time, the silicone becomes loose and fragile, which can eventually cause it to snap during your training. Therefore, make sure to adjust the goggles correctly once and for all, so they fit snugly and comfortably without pinching. If the worst happens and the material gives way, you fortunately don't have to replace the entire goggles. You can easily buy new straps for goggles, so your gear is quickly ready for use again.
Find a Dedicated Spot for Your Swim Gear
To ensure optimal protection of your swim gear, it's a really good idea to give it a dedicated spot in the bag or at home. By dedicating a specific compartment or shelf to your gear, you avoid it ending up at the bottom of the swim bag, where it can easily get crushed under wet towels and heavy swim fins. This simple rule of proper storage naturally applies not only to your goggles but to all gear that protects your eyes underwater. Whether you're packing a pair of classic diving goggles for the holiday or prefer to explore the sea with a larger diving mask, you significantly extend the lifespan by keeping the gear free from pressure and sharp objects.
How should you best store your swimming goggles after use?
For best results, always store your swimming goggles in a dedicated case after use. Choose a hard-shell case with a soft inner lining and small drainage holes to protect the delicate lenses from scratches. The ventilation holes also let moisture escape quickly, helping prevent mold and mildew from forming on the silicone edges.
How do you clean the inside of your swimming goggles?
To clean the inside of your swimming goggles, simply rinse them gently with cold fresh water and allow them to air dry. Avoid wiping or touching the lenses with your fingers, as this can easily damage the sensitive anti-fog coating and leave behind grease, dirt, and permanent scratches on the lenses.
How can you best prevent your swimming goggles from fogging up?
Keep your swimming goggles fog-free by regularly refreshing the inner coating with an anti-fog spray. The original factory coating will gradually wear away from exposure to chlorine and saltwater. Just a couple of sprays and a quick rinse before each swim helps restore the coating and keeps your vision crystal clear.
How do you prevent the straps on your swimming goggles from breaking?
To prevent the straps on your swimming goggles from breaking, avoid adjusting them once you've found the perfect fit. Constant pulling and readjustments before every swim put unnecessary strain on the silicone. Over time, repeated stretching causes the material to loosen and become fragile until it eventually snaps.
Former elite swimmer and founder of Watery.ie
With his extensive experience in the water, Daniel knows exactly how you can best take care of your gear for the most optimal experience. It's this hands-on experience with proper care and maintenance of goggles that underpins the advice in this guide.
Read more about Daniel and Watery here