What is the Difference Between Sports Goggles and ...

While engaging in your favorite sports and activities is always fun, it is still important to remember to think about protective eyewear. Each year, both adult and junior athletes eyes are injured by debris and fast-moving objects while playing their sport, including eye injuries ranging from short-term pain to long-term vision effects.

Avoid Eye Injury with Sports Goggles or Sports Glasses

The good news? You can prevent most of this from happening to you or your child with special eyewear designed for sports use. But how do you know which prescription sports glasses or sports goggles option to pick? The choice is a lot easier than you might think. Here’s what you need to know about the difference between sports goggles and sports glasses.

Differences Between Sports Goggles and Sports Glasses?

When it comes to the basic job of sports goggles and sports glasses, they both do the same thing in that they help you see better while performing your favorite activities. And they’re both made of durable materials that make it easier to stand up to movement and other conditions involved with being active.

However, the shape and fit of the two designs are entirely different. Sports goggles are intended to protect the eyes from fast-moving objects, dust, debris, water, and more. In contrast, sports glasses are a bit looser and are designed for events that don’t include the potential of the elements we just described, but there’s still a need for better vision.

What Are Sports Goggles?

Sports goggles are a specific type of eyewear designed for protecting the eyes during specific activities. They generally fit close to the face with either a strap or band, but they can also be worn as part of a helmet or face mask.

What Are Sports Glasses?

Sports glasses are similar to sports goggles in that they sit close to the face, but they have more of a traditional spectacles style to them. They can also be made into sunglasses or transition lenses to help protect against damaging UV-rays and reduce overall glare for better vision.

Both sports goggles and sports glasses are made from durable materials with polycarbonate lenses designed to specifically hold up to impacts and debris. And they both can be created with either regular or prescription lenses depending on your vision needs.

Which One Should You Wear?

The most common reason why someone would prefer sports glasses over sports goggles is comfort. Some adults just prefer a tighter fit, which is why they opt for goggles. With children, goggles are often easier to keep on their faces when moving around since most have a sturdy strap on the back that is adjustable.

The second reason? The activity they’re going to be involved in. Some sports have specific guidelines that dictate whether you must wear glasses or goggles. For example, skiing and swimming usually need the advanced protection of specific sports goggles like our prescription swim goggles and our ski goggles, where someone golfing could get away with simple sports glasses or sunglasses.

Should Kids Wear Them?

At this point, you’re probably wondering what parents have to say when it comes to protecting their child’s vision during favorite activities, like swimming and sports.

Most parents agree that the activity itself is generally what determines whether you need sports goggles or glasses. Goggles are often better for highly physical activities like high-impact sports which include soccer, football, baseball, etc. Likewise, sports glasses are generally sufficient for other activities such as golf fishing bicycling, and similar everyday hobbies.

Which Type Should Your Kid Wear?

Selecting the right one for your child’s needs is often dependent on their vision correction needs and the requirements of their sport. Some coaches and leagues also prefer one option over another, so finding out the exact rules for your situation before buying a pair is important.

Alternate Between Sports Glasses & Sports Goggles if Necessary

One last note, some parents choose to get one of each for kids who play multiple sports and lead a more rambunctious or active lifestyle. There are pros to each, but many times kids will alternate between them depending on their activity level. These also work great for school and day to day life for kids who prefer a sportier look or have trouble leaving their glasses on while in school or unsupervised.

Shop the Best Sports Glasses and Sports Goggles

If you’re looking for the right sports goggles or sports glasses for your child, then you’ll love our wide selection of options at Goggles and More. We have everything necessary for both adult and junior athletes to protect and correct their vision while enjoying the activities they love most. Shop our extensive inventory of sports glasses and sports goggles - available in your custom prescription - today!

Prescription Swim Goggles – Sports Goggles – Ski Goggles

Leader in Prescription Goggles and Glasses

Kids RX Swim Goggles – Adult RX Swim Goggles – Prescription Sports Goggles - RX Ski Goggles

This entry was posted in Uncategorized on November 1 2022.

How do you improve your performance in your sport? Perhaps the glasses you're wearing are the culprit. You shouldn't wear your regular glasses or trendy sunglasses when playing sports. Typically, those glasses aren’t made for sports. They’re fragile and prone to breaking especially if take a hit or an impact during the game. Depending on the material, the lenses can break and are likely to dislodge, which increases the risk of injury to the eyes. When it comes to competing at your best, prescription sports glasses are a must-have piece of equipment.

Importance of wearing sports glasses

Each year, about 25,000 athletes have sports-related eye injuries that require medical attention according to Prevent Blindness America. The good thing is that nearly all of these injuries are avoidable if you are equipped with the right eyegear for sports. No matter how old you are or what sport you play, your eyes need protection. The right sports glasses or goggle can prevent up to 90% of sport-related eye injuries!

Benefits of sports glasses

Sports glasses are created specifically for the rough-and-tumble world of sports and other adventures. They’re tough, flexible and stay put.  Eye injuries can be prevented, or at least mitigated, by using protective eyewear like sports glasses. Sports glasses tend to have a high-wrap for a secure, snug fit and can be secured to the wearer's face with a strap to provide a goggle-like fit. This keeps them in place while you're running or in high-motion sport activities. They are more comfortable to wear and more stylish than traditional eyeglasses.

When a child wears prescription sports glasses, they are able to see the field or court more clearly, which improves their performance. They have enhanced ability to concentrate on specific details, recognize faces, and calculate distances. Plus, they can focus on the game – not their glasses!

See the difference for yourself when we put everyday glasses to the test against Rec Specs!

Key Features you need for a sports glasses

• ASTM F803 impact rating - The ASTM F803 standard is the most stringent of its kind in relation to protective eyewear, and it has been established to ensure that athletes in a variety of sports that include high-impact activities are protected. Volleyball, tennis, paddleball, badminton, squash, racquetball, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, and soccer are some of the sports that are included in this category.
• Polycarbonate lenses - Lenses made of polycarbonate material are extremely resistant to scratches, making them ideal for contact sports. The frames are normally made of polycarbonate or plastic with excellent impact resistance, and they have rubber padding anywhere they come into contact with your face.
• Comfort and stability - If you have an extreme sport, you'll want a pair of frames that wraps snugly around your face. Rec Specs goggles are lightweight and fit comfortably underneath most helmets. The Rec Specs strap features a double slide and is easily adjustable.

So, now you know the importance of sports glasses, where do you start?

Here are some of our favorite Rec Specs Sports Glasses Collection below. Independently tested to ASTM F803 impact standards for sports, Rec Specs sports glasses will keep your eyes safe. They are strong and flexible, and they are made to take a hit. A great way to play on the court or field without getting hurt!

Sport Shift

The Sport Shift frame comes in at No. 1 on the list. This one-piece frame with detachable temples and goggle attachments was developed with multi-sport athletes in mind.

Sport Shift was made for athletes who do more than one sport and like to switch from a frame to a goggle as they do so. Sport Shift lets you change your prescription sports glasses, so they work best for your activity. You don't have to buy multiple pairs because you get all the features and benefits in one frame that can withstand impact.

Helmet Spex

This is one of the most popular sports glasses for kids. The Helmet Spex frame keeps goggles and other head gear in place. This frame keeps comfort and vision at their best.

The eye-rim has venting grooves to let more air in. Helmet Spex comes with a skull cap that you have to wear over your goggles and under your helmet to keep them in place.

Maxx Air

Our next level sports glasses are ideal for high-intensity sports. T The 9-point ventilation system is designed to get rid of fog quickly and keep your vision clear for the best performance, allowing you to perform at your peak. Maxx Air is not only suitable for children, but also adults.

Slam Goggle

The Slam goggle has been a fan favorite for years because it provides excellent protection while also being highly functional and long lasting. The shape works equally well for both men and women. For sizing adults and kids.

Maxx Series

Certified protection lets you play like a pro. One of our most popular frames is the Maxx Series. There are a lot of fun colors and styles to choose from, and they meet or exceed ASTM F803 standards for impact resistance for sports like basketball, tennis, soccer, squash, and more. There are both frame and goggle styles, and you can choose from different colors to match your team. Made to protect, look good, and give you the confidence to play hard on the court.

Talk to your eye doctor or optometrist about Rec Specs if you or your child plays sports. These frames are light and flexible enough to let you play safely and see clearly.

Want to find out more about Rec Specs sports glasses?

Check out all of Rec Specs' high-performance sports glasses for kids and adults. Check out our store locator if you want to find Rec Specs in the eye care professional shops closest to you.

Have you tried these glasses on? If so, tell us in the section below for comments.

Please follow and like us: