Swim Goggles (Best for small faces)

Finding a good pair of swim goggles can be tricky. However, the task is even harder if you are an adult with a small face.

Swim goggles come in all shapes and sizes. At the end of the day, the “best swim goggles” are the ones that fit your face well. This can be hard to find if you have a small face.

As a general rule, the best swim goggles for small faces have a small lens height. A small lens height will take up less area on the face, sit above the cheekbones, and, as a result, give better suction to reduce leakage.

Besides a small lens height, it can help to choose a pair of goggles that have an adjustable nose bridge to help achieve a better fit.

However, after multiple tests of different goggle types for small faces, in my experience, the lens height proved to be the most critical to performance overall.

Below is an image of what I refer to as the “lens height”. If you have a small face, it can really help to look for a lens height that is relatively narrow, or small.

In this article, I will look at what a ‘small face’ is when it comes to swim goggles. I will explain if an adult should opt for a junior-size swim goggle if they have a small face and give examples of the best swim goggles for small faces, sharing my own personal experiences.

What Is A ‘Small Face’ When It Comes To Swim Goggles?

There is no definition of a “small face” with exact measurements I can find, but you should consider a smaller fitting pair of swim goggles if you feel that:

• Your swim goggles feel heavy on your face.
• Your swim goggles feel bigger than your face.
• Your swim goggles feel like they are always in the way.

Getting the right fit goggles will really improve your enjoyment in the pool, whether you are leisure swimming or fitness training.

As a reference point, I consider myself to have a small face and I have included my facial dimensions below.

My current favourite pair of goggles that work very well with these dimensions are the Speedo Adult Unisex Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Swimming Goggles

My Favorite Goggles For My Small Face

Speedo Adult Unisex Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Swimming Goggle

Can I Use Junior Swim Goggles If I Have A Small Face?

It is possible to use junior swim goggles as an adult if you have a small face. This is certainly an avenue worth investigating if you are struggling to find a pair that suit you.

From my experience, I have tried junior swim goggles as an adult and found them very uncomfortable.

Most junior swim goggles have a very short and narrow lens that is so small it often sits on the eyeball of adult swimmers. This is a very uncomfortable position.

In hindsight, from my experience, the junior swim goggles I tried were a pair of basic Adidas goggles that had a hard seal around the lens and a nose bridge that was not adjustable.

Therefore, with these specific junior goggles, I could not adjust the goggles to fit the width of my face and with the hard lens seal, I could not achieve a comfortable fit.

If you are considering purchasing a pair of junior goggles for a small face, a good option is the “Speedo Junior Unisex Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Swimming Goggle”.

These goggles have a soft seal around the edge of the lens which takes the pressure off the eyeball giving a more comfortable fit.

Do Swimming Goggles Come In Different Sizes?

Faces come in different sizes and as a result, there are many swim goggle sizes out there.

You might be lucky enough to pick a shape and size that works for your face straight away and you stick with that pair for your full swimming life.

Typically, however, there is the need to experiment with different goggle sizes and lens shapes.

It can really help with comfort and fit to get a pair of swim goggles that are fully adjustable, i.e. have an adjustable nose bridge.

How To Check The Fit Of Swimming Goggles?

When searching for a perfect pair of swimming goggles to fit your face, there are some basic steps you can take to ensure the goggles fit and work well.

It is rarely possible to try a pair of goggles before you buy, so before spending the cash or taking a dip, check the fit using the following guide.

1. Check The Suction Of The Eyecups

This is a fundamental check to do to ensure that your goggles fit and will work well.

Press the goggles onto your eyes and allow the eyecups to stick to your face. If there is light suction, (which is what we are looking for), the goggles will remain on your face for a few milliseconds without falling off.

Of course, they will fall off after a few seconds due to gravity, but you should feel them suck on your face and for a short period remain in place.

If the goggles do not suck on your face or you do not feel any suction, then this means that the goggles are too big for you or they don’t fit well. As a result, the goggles will not perform well for you and will let water in.

2. Nose Bridge

The nose bridge of the goggles is really important to pay attention to in order to get a comfortable and reliable fit.

Ensure that the goggles fit nicely on your nose, with the spacing between the goggles matching your eye spacing well.

It can be an enormous advantage to have goggles with an adjustable nose bridge, as you can adjust the fit of the goggles to your face.

3. Head Straps

The goggle straps are there to keep the goggles in place. The watertight seal is created by the suction of the eyecups, not the tightness of the straps.

The goggle straps will help keep the goggles in place while swimming and turning, therefore the goggle straps should be just tight enough to do this without leaving marks on your face or pulling on your head.

To learn more about how to wear swim cap and goggles I have covered this in detail in this article, How Do You Wear Swim Caps And Goggles?

Here is a fantastic video that covers the three key steps to take when checking if a pair of goggles will fit your face.

Examples of the Best Goggles for Small Faces

Below are some of the best swim goggles for small faces.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right pair of swim goggles, particularly for adults with smaller faces, can be a bit of a challenge. However, considering factors such as the suction of the eyecups, the fit of the nose bridge, and the adjustability of the head straps can significantly improve the comfort and efficiency of your goggles. Opt for pairs with soft seals around the lenses and adjustable features for the perfect fit.

Remember, a well-fitted pair not only enhances your swimming experience but also boosts your performance and confidence in the water.

Happy swimming!