Eyewear is important to have for many reasons, such as being a way to help protect your eyes. While some might turn to sunglasses to do so, these items don’t always protect your eyes well. Because of this, you might want to try goggles instead. Goggles are designed to help protect your eyes from various types of things, such as snow, dust, and water. If you’re interested in learning more about goggles, you’ll want to check out this article. Below you’ll find information about them and the different types available.
What are Goggles?
Goggles, also known as safety glasses, are a type of eyewear that is used to help protect your eyes. These will vary in their designs and usage, although most goggles completely cover the eyes and can be secured to your head with the help of an elastic band.
The Construction of Goggles
Goggles are made in a very specific way to help ensure they stay secure to your head.
The Front
The front section of the goggles is exactly what its name implies – it’s the front area that usually contains the lenses.
The Eyepiece
The eyepiece is the part of the goggles that keep your eyes safe. This is either in the form of two lenses or one big lens.
The Endpiece
The endpiece of the goggles is what works to secure this item to your head. It comes in many different styles, although most goggles feature a solid strap made of elastic or rubber that wraps around your head. This strap either comes in a universal size or can be adjusted according to your preferences.
The Nosepad
The nosepad is the part of the goggles that rests on your nose. It is usually made of plastic or rubber to help make it comfortable to wear. Some models might also have a slight indentation in them at the nose section to help support the goggles on your face rather than using a separate nosepad piece to do so.
The Benefits of Using Goggles
Goggles come with many helpful benefits, some of which are listed below.
They Protect Your Eyes
One of the best benefits of goggles is that they can protect your eyes. Because of this, they are used for many different activities where your eyes might be impacted, such as carpentry work and swimming. This will not only prevent particles from getting in your eyes but help you to better see what you’re doing.
They Come in Many Different Styles
Another benefit you’ll find about goggles is that they come in many different styles. This not only includes the different types they are but the colors and designs on them. You’ll also find that goggles will vary in the types of lenses they feature.
They are Affordable
Goggles also tend to be very affordable. While some might be a little pricey, most are budget-friendly so everyone will be able to find something that works perfectly for their needs.
They are Durable
Goggles are also very durable. They are made of heavy-duty materials, such as polycarbonate and silicone. These not only help to keep your eyes protected but can withstand a lot of wear and tear that other eye-protection devices wouldn’t be able to do. Because of this, you can be sure that your goggles will last for many years.
They are Comfortable
Another benefit of goggles is that they are comfortable to wear. While at first glance, some might think that they irritate your face, goggles don’t. They feature comfortable foam coverings which rest against your skin. They also feature stretchy straps which help to keep the goggles secure to your head but without being a nuisance.
What to Consider Before Investing in Goggles
Before you buy goggles, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Below are some aspects to consider before investing in a pair.
Why You Need Them
It can be easy to invest in a pair of generic goggles for something. While this might sometimes work, it does not always. For instance, while a regular pair of goggles might work well to protect your eyes from debris made by power tools, they might not work well at keeping water out of your eyes if you’d like to go for a swim. Because of this, it’s important to consider why you need goggles so you invest in the right type.
How Comfortable They Are
Goggles should be comfortable to wear. Otherwise, they will only end up being a hassle and could even end up being painful to wear. To help prevent this, you should make sure the goggles come with features such as an adjustable strap and padding to ensure it’s comfortable to wear and will stay secure to your head.
If They Have Anti-Fog Lenses
Another thing to consider is if the goggles have an anti-fog feature. This feature prevents the lenses from being blocked which could be very dangerous in some situations. Because of this, it’s a good idea to make sure that the goggles you’re interested in have this safety feature.
The Strap Style
The straps that are built into goggles either come in a one-size-fits-all size or have an adjustable feature. Universal size can be helpful if you don’t want to spend time adjusting the strap. However, it might not be as tight or loose as one might want it to be. On the other hand, an adjustable strap allows you to pick how tightly or loosely the strap is, but you’ll have to spend a few seconds adjusting it. Due to these differences, it’s important to consider which will work best for your needs.
Different Goggle Types
Swimming Goggles
Swimming goggles are some of the most common goggle types. These goggles are usually a bit more compact compared to other types because they must be worn beneath the water. This will help you to better see where you are swimming while also making them comfortable and easy to wear. The eyepieces tend to be small, but they are curved so that they cover all areas of your eyes. Swimming goggles are connected with a strip in the middle which is placed over your nose. This piece is usually made of rubber or plastic. To help secure the goggles to your head, swimming goggles will feature anywhere from one to two straps you can use. However, these straps aren’t usually adjustable. Many swimming goggles also come with UV protection and have anti-fog lenses.
Power Tool Goggles
Power tool goggles feature one large lens in the front that is bordered with a protective plastic edge. This design helps you to better see where you are using the tools while preventing debris from getting into your eyes. The lenses are also made of a very thick plastic which prevents the goggles from easily breaking or scratching. Power tool goggles feature a slight indentation in the front which allows them to gently rest on the bridge of your nose. This goggle type usually features a soft elastic headband you can adjust to help secure it to your head. Power tool goggles also are designed to stop the lens from fogging up which will prevent your sight from being blocked when using a powerful tool.
Cold Weather Goggles
Cold weather goggles are designed to help protect your eyes from cold weather elements. This includes snow, heavy wind, and rain which could make it difficult for you to see things. Many cold-weather goggles are also used for winter sports, such as snowboarding and skiing, as they help you to keep your vision clear when outdoors. In addition to this, cold weather goggles are designed to help protect your eyes from the pain, vision loss, and even light sensitivity which can be caused when your eyes are exposed to frigid temperatures for a long period of time.
Most cold-weather goggles are equipped with anti-fog lenses which have a special coating on them that works to dissolve any moisture that might develop on it. These goggles also have dual lenses which are very thick and help to fully protect your eyes from hazardous items. In addition to this, cold weather goggles help to keep your eyes safe from UV rays which can reflect off of the snow and cause your eyes to get sunburned, a condition known as photokeratitis. Because of their many features, cold weather goggles can be a little pricey compared to other types. However, they are extremely durable.
Motorcycle Goggles
This type is meant to help keep your eyes protected from debris that might be on the road when you’re driving a motorcycle around. These goggles come in numerous designs so you can match them with your bike. In addition to the many styles available, motorcycle goggles come with multiple features. One of note is curved lenses. This unique design allows you to fully see your surroundings which is important when you’re driving your motorcycle around. The curvature also keeps the lenses off of your face while still protecting your eyes which can make wearing them very comfortable. The curved lenses also tend to be scratch-resistant and anti-fog.
Many motorcycle goggles also feature a foam ring around the interior edges which helps to prevent it from pressing into your skin. It also helps to absorb sweat. To keep it in place on your head, these goggles tend to use an adjustable silicone strap.
Aviation Goggles
Aviation goggles are known for their vintage design as they were originally used by pilots in the late 1930s as a way to help protect their eyes when flying. This type resembles motorcycle goggles, although they tend to be covered in leather and feature wide lenses. The lenses are also anti-fog which helps to ensure that your vision stays clear. The lenses of this goggle type can also be tinted which adds a unique look to them. To help keep the goggles secure to your head, they feature an elastic strap that will contour to the shape of your head so they’re comfortable to wear.
Scuba Diving Goggles
Scuba diving goggles are designed to be used in deep areas of water. Unlike regular swimming goggles, scuba diving goggles act almost as a mask as they cover the upper half of your face, including your nose. The goggles also feature one big lens across the front rather than two separate lenses for each eye. The edge of the goggles also has a waterproof seal to stop water from seeping in which can help to keep your vision clear. Many also feature a large rubber strap in the back that goes around the back of your head. Some models might also add a few extra straps that go over the top of your head to help keep them better secured.
Welding Goggles
Welding goggles are a bit different from power tool goggles as they are designed to help protect your eyes not only from flying debris but sparks as well. Because of the exposure to extreme light when you’re welding, welding glasses are also designed to help protect your eyes from harmful light rays which could cause various eye conditions. Welding goggles feature two separate lenses on each eye which feature thick borders around them to help fully protect them. Some welding goggles also feature a mask that can be used to cover your entire face. Welding goggles feature air vents that encourage air circulation in the goggles so the lenses don’t fog up.
Laboratory Goggles
Another common type of goggles is laboratory goggles. These are used to help protect the eyes when doing experiments or when using hazardous materials. The lenses are extremely durable and completely cover all angles of your eyes to fully safeguard them. The lenses are also anti-fog which is an extremely important feature to have when doing experiments. While some come with straps to keep the goggles secured to your head, most usually have arms on the side so they fit like sunglasses. Because laboratory goggles are designed to be used with dangerous materials, some might also feature laser-protective coatings to keep your eyes safe from this bright source of light.
Lisa has a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Arts. She is an experienced blogger who enjoys researching interesting facts, ideas, products, and other compelling concepts. In addition to writing, she likes photography and Photoshop.