I'm living proof that we often create our own problems and then struggle to deal with them. Every time I'd get out of the pool with bloodshot eyes, I'd spend ages trying to get them back to normal.
My eyes are sensitive, I wear contact lenses, I use anti-fog spray, and I have goggles for swimming that would start leaking by mid-workout. As a result, my weakened body (thanks to a lingering cold) couldn't handle it and gave me a nasty conjunctivitis. That was the final straw for my old goggles.
After consulting with my coach on what kind of goggles I needed, I headed to the nearest swimming store. It was the Arena store, which just so happened to be within walking distance. I tried out almost every pair, and I fell in love with this model.
Of course, I started by checking out their website. But honestly, it was overwhelming! There were so many options, and I had no idea what I was looking for.
What I needed was something that would sit comfortably and fit well, something that would stay put, and something with a decent color.
Something that would sit comfortably and fit well
Something that would stay put
Something with a decent color
I explained all this to the salesperson, and then I felt like the heroine of a fable, trying out over a dozen different models. But in the end, only one pair fit the bill – the Air Bold Swipe Mirror.
The packaging was a bit weird. It was just a cardboard box with some text and a sticker. And they included a branded pouch that you can see in my photos.
I love how they're designed to pop out easily, no need to break the box. It's all super straightforward.
The Arena goggles - the price. Well, it wasn't the most budget-friendly option, to say the least. You can check the price right there on the box:
To my delight, there was a discount or promotion on them. I'm not even sure what it was, but it didn't matter - they ended up costing me $2,000 less. I've attached the receipt.
Inside the box, I found a massive instruction manual and a little insert telling me what to do if the goggles started fogging up (more on that later).
I wanted the black ones, and they do look great. The Arena stickers on the lenses were a nice touch initially.
There's something satisfying about carefully removing those stickers, almost like taking off the protective film from a brand-new phone.
The rose-colored inserts blend in seamlessly with the goggles and don't draw attention to themselves. The color makes them unisex, and I can totally see an adult man wearing them.
One thing that caught my eye is the brand logo on the side.
The rubber inserts around the edges have a textured surface, which helps with a better fit.
I'm really impressed by the anti-fog coating on these glasses. The special logo on the lens tells you it's got this feature. How long it'll last, I'm not sure.
So, how does it work? My first few workouts went smoothly without needing to activate it. But here's the thing: to reactivate the anti-fog coating, you need to swipe your finger five times along the inside of the lenses while they're in water. And, supposedly, it should work again.
And, as you can see from the instruction manual, it's all pretty straightforward.
I've seen people use DO/POST to show the difference before and after using a product. I'll do the same and highlight the benefits of these glasses.
1. Lens width and quality
One of the key benefits of these new goggles is the much larger lens and wider peripheral view. That means the goggles sit comfortably on the bony part of your face, rather than putting too much pressure on your eyes. Of course, you'll still get a bit of a face mark after a couple of hours in the water, but that's just part of the deal.
The quality of the lens itself is a total game-changer. As someone who wears contact lenses and has less-than-perfect vision, I'm blown away by how clearly I can see with these goggles. I can even spot the trash at the bottom of the pool now - which is more of a reflection on the pool's cleaning schedule than the goggles themselves, I suppose!
2. Ergonomics
Thanks to the side panel that's similar to honeycomb, the goggles kind of suction-cup onto your skin, keeping water out. That means I can swim the entire workout without having to take them off. I'm also a fan of the side clip - my old goggles had a rubber strap that would slip out when I put them on, but these new ones have a fixed clip that looks like this:
Old goggles
The new ones have a fixed clip that looks like this:
New goggles
The main difference is that the old strap would slip out when you put them on, but these new ones have a fixed clip that's much more secure. The adjuster is also much easier to use - you just slide it along to get the perfect fit.
Now, let's take a look at how the goggles sit on my face. They're not the most elegant design, I'll admit, but that's not what matters most to me. What matters is that they protect my eyes - and trust me, I've had my fair share of conjunctivitis in the past. It's not exactly the most pleasant experience, so I'm happy to sacrifice a bit of style for functionality.
These sunglasses with UV filters are a lifesaver when I'm out on the open water. I've had them in the pool before, and it's not the most ideal situation - there's already not a lot of light, so it's not like you need to worry about glare. But when I'm out on the lake or at the beach, it's a total game-changer. The water can be so bright it's painful to look at, but with these sunglasses, it's a whole different story. I'm definitely going to put them to the test again.
How to choose sunglasses for swimming.
My advice is to try them out in-store, so you can get a feel for how they fit. For me, it's not about how they look - it's about how they perform. And that's what matters most. I need sunglasses that are going to stay put, but not feel too tight. I want to be able to see clearly, without any pressure on my nose. And if they happen to look good too, that's just a bonus!
Happy swimming, everyone! I highly recommend these sunglasses.
I've been using them for a week now, and I'm blown away by the value for money. The build quality is top-notch, and the ease of use is seamless. I've had zero issues with the goggles fogging up, and the customer support has been excellent. The return policy is also very reasonable, just in case you need to send them back. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with these sunglasses, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a great pair of goggles for swimming.