Technology
Swim goggle technology
Anti-fog coatings
An anti-fog coating is a hydrophilic layer on the inside of the lens. Instead of condensing into droplets that scatter light, moisture spreads into a thin, even film the swimmer can see through. Our in-house nano anti-fog coating is applied over a hardening layer on the inner lens surface, on our own coating line in Suzhou.
Why it matters
Clear vision is the first thing a swimmer judges a swim goggle on. How long a lens stays clear depends on the formulation, how it is applied, the lens it sits on and how the swimmer cares for it, so anti-fog belongs in the specification rather than being assumed.
Options you can specify
- Eyeline in-house nano anti-fog coating
- A US-developed hydrophilic coating from a specialist supplier
- Anti-fog on clear, tinted and mirrored lenses (inside surface)
- Care instructions and packaging inserts matched to the selected coating
What to confirm for your model
- The test method and results for your exact lens and coating configuration
- Care instructions approved for the selected coating
- Supporting documents for any chemical or environmental claim on your packaging
Gasket profiles and materials
The gasket is the soft seal between the frame and the face. Its profile decides where the swim goggle meets the eye socket and how headband tension is spread around it. We develop gasket profiles from 3D facial geometry across Asian and Western face shapes, then confirm fit on samples worn by the intended swimmers.
Why it matters
Fit and seal decide whether a swimmer keeps wearing a swim goggle. A profile that suits a racing swimmer on a short set is not the one a fitness swimmer wants for an hour, and a range sold in several regions may need more than one fit.
Options you can specify
- L-profile gasket: sits closer to the face; used on selected racing, hybrid and open-water models
- C-profile gasket: a deeper contact area with more cushion; used on selected training and fitness models
- TPE or silicone gasket material, depending on the model
- Gasket color matched to, or contrasting with, the frame
Our current default TPE gasket specification is 40 Shore A; model-specific material and customer approval control the final configuration.
What to confirm for your model
- Fit and seal on samples worn by your intended swimmers
- The gasket material and hardness for the selected model
- Color approval against an agreed master sample
Wide-vision curved lenses
Curved lenses wrap further around the eye than flat lenses, which extends sightlines toward the sides. We mold lenses on Japanese all-electric injection molding machines, and on selected models the lens is over-molded into the frame rather than glued or snap-fitted, so the frame can sit closer to the face.
Why it matters
Wider sightlines help with sighting in open water and awareness of other swimmers in a busy lane. Field of view and optical distortion have to be judged together, on the finished lens, because a wider curve is only useful if the view stays clear.
Options you can specify
- Lens curvature, set by the model family you start from
- Clear, tinted or mirrored lens finishes
- Flat optical zone on corrective-lens models, for accurate lens power
- Over-molded lens-to-frame construction on selected models
What to confirm for your model
- Optical results and sample review on the finished lens
- Lens tint and color consistency against an agreed standard
- Which models in your range use the curved lens geometry
Headband and buckle systems
The headband holds the swim goggle in place and sets how firmly the gasket seals. Depending on the model, it uses a split or single strap and a low-profile quick-adjust buckle that lets the swimmer change tension with one hand.
Why it matters
Strap tension is the part of the fit a swimmer controls. An adjustment that is easy to make and holds its setting keeps the seal consistent without overtightening, and a low buckle sits more comfortably under a swim cap.
Options you can specify
- Split or single strap layout
- Quick-adjust low-profile buckle on selected models
- Strap color and logo print
- Strap material, depending on the model
What to confirm for your model
- Buckle retention for the intended use, from racing starts to lap training
- Strap and buckle position with a swim cap on
- Logo print position and durability on the strap
In-house mirror coating
We apply mirror finishes on our own vacuum-coating line in Suzhou using physical vapor deposition (PVD). The finish reflects part of the incoming light and changes how the lens looks from outside; the tint of the lens underneath also affects how much light reaches the swimmer.
Why it matters
A mirror lens cuts glare in outdoor pools and open water, and the mirror color is often the most visible part of a brand's colorway. Coating in-house lets us develop a finish with you and run it through production without handing the lens to another supplier.
Options you can specify
- Mirror color, specified together with the base lens tint
- Clear or tinted base lens
- Anti-fog coating on the inside surface of the mirrored lens
- Mirrored and non-mirrored versions of the same model within one range
What to confirm for your model
- Light transmittance for the tint and mirror combination
- Color acceptance criteria and an approved master sample for production
- Coating adhesion and abrasion results for the selected finish
OEM and ODM development
We support private label, OEM and ODM swim goggle programs. Our in-house design and engineering team works directly with tooling and production in Suzhou, so the technologies on this page can be combined into a specification for a catalog model or a new design.
Why it matters
When design, mold-making, molding, coating and assembly sit in one facility, a change agreed in CAD reaches the mold and the production line without passing between suppliers. That shortens the loop between a sample comment and the next sample.
Options you can specify
- Private label: your colors, lens finish, logo and packaging on a catalog model
- OEM: production to your drawings, materials and quality requirements
- ODM: a new swim goggle developed from your brief through CAD, prototypes and mold trials
What to confirm for your model
- Tooling and design ownership, set out in the supply agreement
- Sample stages and approval points for your program
- Minimum quantities and lead times, confirmed in your quotation
Anti-fog
Anti-fog options compared
| Option | Coating type | How it works | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyeline nano anti-fog | Hydrophilic nanoparticle coating, developed in-house | Bonded over a hardening layer on the inner lens; spreads condensation into a clear film | Internal comparison data and care instructions for your lens configuration |
| Supplier-developed coating | US-developed hydrophilic coating from a specialist supplier | Hydrophilic film on the inner lens that spreads condensation instead of beading | Supplier documentation and test results for your lens configuration |
Anti-fog performance depends on the lens, coating application and care. We confirm results for the exact configuration you plan to order.
Questions
Technology questions from buyers
What lens construction options does Eyeline offer?
Lens options combine geometry, molding, coating and assembly. We make curved and flat lens designs, mold lenses on Japanese all-electric injection molding machines, apply PVD mirror coatings on our own coating line and, on selected models, over-mold the lens into the frame rather than gluing or snap-fitting it.
Lens tint and color consistency are controlled against agreed color standards and master samples. Field of view and optical results should be reviewed on the finished configuration you plan to order.
How do curved wide-view lenses differ from flat lenses?
A flat lens limits how far a swimmer can see to the sides. A curved lens wraps further around the eye, extending sightlines toward the periphery, which helps with sighting in open water and awareness of other swimmers.
Curved lenses are harder to make: the mold has to hold tighter tolerances, and anti-fog and mirror coatings have to be applied evenly on a compound curve. We review optical quality on the finished lens, because lens shape alone does not establish field of view or freedom from distortion.
Do you make corrective-lens (optical) swim goggles?
Yes, in two catalog models. The visible difference from a standard swim goggle is the area directly in front of the eye, which has to be flat rather than curved for accurate lens power. From the outside, the difference is hard to see.
The gasket, frame, strap and anti-fog options follow the same specification choices as our standard models.
What anti-fog options does Eyeline offer?
Two hydrophilic coatings: our own nano anti-fog coating, developed and applied in-house, and a US-developed coating from a specialist supplier. Both spread condensation into a clear film rather than droplets.
Comparison data from our internal tests is available on request. Results depend on the lens, coating application and care, so we confirm them for the exact configuration you plan to order.
Related
Go deeper on specification and evidence
How Swimming Goggles Are Made: Inside Eyeline's Factory
Read the article
ISO 18527-3 for Swim Goggles: Tests, Reports, and Buyer Checks
Read the article
Types of Swim Goggles, Explained: Eyeline's Ten Categories
Read the article
Quality and compliance documents
Start a project