Let’s talk about custom-fit swimming goggles.

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There are two big problems with swimming goggles:

1. Fit - usually the cause of leakage

2. Fog - just damn annoying and blocks our view

Our ongoing search for the fog-free and leak-free swimming goggles has yet to yield the perfect pair, but thankfully the first issue (leakage) looks as if it is close to being solved with custom-fitting.

There is one big player in this world called Magic5, who have done a stellar job to create the market, and the majority of images used are from their website. But this article doesn’t reflect on their technology alone. It comes from years of experience swimming, working with professional swimmers using custom fit goggles, conversations with experts in the industry and good old customer reviews.

RECENT BREAKTHROUGH

Current custom-fitted goggles require facial measurements, usually but not exclusive to the eye-socket & bridge of the nose. This is made possible at-home by advancements in camera technology (namely camera phones), more understanding of facial dimensions (thanks to 3D motion capture technology and better algorithms) and a reduction in cost of rapid manufacturing techniques.

Using proprietary algorithms, new brands are converting those dimensions into fitted gaskets (typically) made custom to your face.

• Price: 60 to 200 Dollars

• Turnaround time: 1 to 2 weeks

All sounds amazing, so what’s the pros and cons?

PROS & CONS OF CUSTOM FITTED GOGGLES

Pros of custom-fit swimming goggles:

• Enhanced comfort: Look this is the reason you are buying the goggles, so if they don’t fit what’s the point. If you are left with red marks or pains after wearing, then send them back because this is the whole point of custom-fit goggles.

• Improved seal: A well-fitting pair of goggles can create a better seal around your eyes preventing water from leaking in. Custom fit goggles do solve this, but not entirely (see below).

• Better vision: You will likely find that when they fit perfectly you can see better when swimming. Not always the case, but when they sit right, the cracks on the swim floor clearly stand-out.

• Less distractions (better performance?): When seated right on the face there are definitely less distractions which can mean more focus on swimming, and possibly better performance. But buying a pair of goggles will not make you faster.

Cons of custom-fit goggles:

• Higher cost: Custom-fit goggles tend to be more expensive than standard off-the-shelf options, but for us that’s fine (& deserved). The manufacturing process involves creating a unique mold for your face & a post-purchase manufacturing process, which adds to the overall cost.

• Only one or two providers: This is a new concept so there aren’t many brands around, but more will come. 

• Sizing accuracy: While custom-fit goggles aim to provide the best fit, there's still a chance that the sizing might not be absolutely perfect. Factors like changes in facial structure over time or individual preferences could affect the fit (this warrants more discussion - see improvements below)

• Does not affect fogging: We have yet to find a non-fogging goggle.

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS

There was a Ph.D. completed in Loughborough University in 2005, yes 2005!, that examined custom fitting goggles. The author brings up some really interesting discussion points for future brands:

• How do we deal with skin sensitivity?

• How do we deal with skin compression?

• How do we deal with different racial skin types?

• Can we find the areas of least proprioception?

Future algorithms (unfortunately algorithms are usually proprietary so we don’t know if these are being used currently) will need to consider all of these for the perfect fit.

However, there is one major issue with custom-fitting, and that is fitting-to-a-moment!

Fitting-to-a-moment means dealing with the data you are presented with. For example, if we scrunch our face to the camera or have an expression like smiling then the goggles will be fitted to this pose. Now the question is, is that the pose you are using during swimming. Sounds trivial but can actually make a big difference. Also, what happens when we get fat, thin, get a scar, wear make-up, etc., etc.

These all sound very minor but can have big effects because we are looking for the optimum. I.e. the perfect, no discomfort fit, with zero leakage. Leakages happen with only minor (and we mean minor) gaps.

We think the only solution is to build elasticity (as in flexibility or formability) into the gasket, straps and lens. What does this mean in reality?

• Careful selection of materials or creating blended materials

• Building suspension into the system

• Less ambiguity on the correct fit (i.e. physical cues that they are not fitted correctly)

• Manual tightening or loosening of the gasket (even if it is by a few mm)

Whoever cracks this will achieve perfect fit every time, and with every facial expression and skin-type.

One thing we forgot to mention, is that we haven’t even touched upon the various styles of goggles and environments to swim in.

Learn more here 👈🧠👀

OTHER BRANDS TO LOOK AT:

• https://themagic5.com/pages/how-it-works

• We couldn’t find anymore, but we do know that Speedo and many other large brands have been looking into this for over 10+ years (check out the sponsor of the Ph.D. above ;)

Learn more about us

Thanks for your support!!!! 🙌💕

Dr Bryan & Peter

Kitradar Ltd nor its employees advocate the use of any products on this email. Please do your own research and consult a relevant professional and/or physician before consuming or using any products listed

None of the content is sponsored, we simply love the work they do and think it will spark a little bit of inspiration over your coffee break. If something is sponsored in the future we will let you know!

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