Swimming goggles that don’t fog up – is there such a thing?
21.5.2025
Translation: Julia Graham
Pictures: Siri Schubert
Do you get frustrated when your goggles constantly fog up when you’re swimming? I certainly do. Italian manufacturer Cressi has now developed a pair of goggles with lenses that are designed to give you a permanently clear view. Here’s my review.
If you often swim with goggles, this may sound familiar. They start to fog up after a few minutes, and now everything is bathed in milky white.
If you’re committed to your laps and only interested in the black line at the bottom of the pool, you might not care. But as soon as you incorporate intervals into your training and want to check your watch, it starts to pose a problem. Or when someone waves to you from the other side of the pool and you can’t tell who it is. Or if you want to get your bearings in open water.
As with anything, there are simple and inexpensive solutions, such as rinsing your goggles regularly. But that irritates me because sometimes they don’t fit properly and water gets in. Another hack is spitting in your goggles. Personally, I think it’s disgusting, but for some people, it’s just part of their routine. Alternatively, you can spray your goggles with an anti-fogger before swimming. However, this only works if you don’t forget (again and again).
Cressi specialises in diving and swimming sports and has now developed goggles designed to not fog up: the Cressi Clear. The brand kindly provided me with a pair to test out.
According to the manufacturer, the anti-fogging feature is achieved by applying an anti-fog treatment to the lenses, which doesn’t just wear off after a few weeks. It’s not clear to me at first glance how this works. But never mind that. I want to know how the goggles perform in practice.
First impression: comfortable with a wide field of vision
The Cressi Clear are slightly larger than standard swimming (competition) goggles. This is what gives them a wider field of vision. When I put them on for the first time, I immediately notice the silicone seals. They’re soft and don’t pinch.
Meanwhile, the straps are easy to adjust thanks to the small button on the side. Simply press and pull the strap to customise the fit.
In the water it went swimmingly
First I try out the goggles in an unheated, 50-metre outdoor pool. There’s a big temperature difference between the air and water, which should make the goggles fog up in no time at all. But they don’t. I swim 1,500 metres, incorporate some 50-metre intervals, dive occasionally and still have a clear view at the end of my training session.
As this is often the case with new goggles, I go swimming again in the following days. The results are the same. Next, I swim in the sea, then I test them out in a lake. The goggles remain clear every time. After swimming with them for a few weeks, it’s too soon to say how the anti-fog properties will hold up in a year’s time, but so far they haven’t lessened.
The fit makes a positive impression
With smaller swimming goggles that fit tightly around the eye sockets, I often look like an overtired raccoon lady hours after swimming. This may be due to the shape of my head and eyes, but with the larger Cressi goggles, I don’t get any pressure points. And they’re comfortable to wear.
I also appreciate the wide field of vision, which makes swimming feel freer and more natural. The UV protection that’s built into the lenses is another plus point, as I mostly use goggles for open water swimming.
Cressi’s instructions state that the goggles should only be rinsed with clear water to maintain the anti-fog treatment. In other words, avoid washing-up liquid, toothpaste (another popular anti-fog hack) and anything abrasive. As the goggles work well without adding anything else, this isn’t necessary.
Another advantage of these swimming companions is that they come with a hard plastic case. This prevents the lenses scratching and restricting your vision.
In a nutshell
See clearly even during longer training sessions
The Cressi Clear swimming goggles deliver what their name promises. They don’t fog up even during strenuous training sessions. The size is a matter of taste, but I appreciate the fact that they don’t pinch and offer a wide field of vision. These goggles aren’t designed for competitive swimmers but you might like them if you take swimming seriously.
The soft, flexible silicone seal and the easy-to-use adjuster give them extra plus points. Given they’re adjustable, it’s also easy to replace the silicone strap if it gets brittle or you want a different colour.
Pro
- Don’t fog
- Comfortable fit
- Wide field of vision
- Built-in UV protection
- Easily adjustable and replaceable straps
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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