According to a study by JAMA Ophthalmology, each year approximately 30,000 people go to the emergency room due to a sports-related eye injury. Out of those, basketball is responsible for the greatest number of eye injuries.
Luckily, most eye injuries can be prevented through wearing proper eye protection. In the United States, there are many organizations combining their efforts to decrease the amount of kids affected by eye injuries. However, parents are the ones who must know what to look for when shopping for kids' basketball goggles. You want your kid to be comfortable, but more importantly, protected and able to give it 100% on the court.
To prevent your kid from becoming one of the 30,000, check out what to look for when buying kids' basketball goggles.
Goggle Tech
Material
One of the most important aspects when shopping for kids' basketball goggles is the material they are made of. You want to go for a lightweight plastic frame, not metal. And for lenses, polycarbonate lenses are thin, light and extremely impact-resistant compared to regular plastic lenses. They also offer 100% UV protection and are up to 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses. They're great for even the most active kids.
Padding
The best-quality basketball goggles for kids incorporate padding in strategic places, helping to absorb impacts while holding the goggles in place. The second function of padding is to keep air flowing around the eyes and prevent fogging.
Sizing
Comfort and sizing are also key. The basketball goggles you are choosing for your child must fit tight and secure around their head and face, making sure it covers the entire eye socket. However, you also don't want them to be too tight that they're causing discomfort, nor too loose that they're not staying on.
Type
Look for kids' sports goggles! Believe it or not, not all eye protection is created equal—there are a lot of excellent options designed for specific age groups.
Technique
Once you have the perfect pair of basketball goggles, it's important to teach your child how to properly put them on and take them off. Every time they come off the court they should be removed, adjusted, and put back on. Kids need to know how to loosen and tighten them, so they are properly fitted back to optimal placement on the face every time.
Our Top Pick
For a more complete list, check out our list of the best basketball goggles.
Wiley X Gamer
Shop Wiley X Gamer
If your kid just doesn’t feel comfortable with a strap attached, don’t worry. We have an excellent option for you. All goggles in Wiley X's Youth Force Collection include the temples, temple straps, and a goggle strap, so your kid can decide how they want to wear them. They're also all safety-rated for the ultimate protection. Comfort, safety, and versatility—you can have it all and a bag of chips! Check out the rest of the Wiley X Youth Force Collection for all your fit and sizing options.
Does Your Kid Need Prescription Basketball Goggles? SportRx has Them for You!
Need prescription kids' basketball goggles? Done. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. An answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, Contact Us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build the best prescription kids' basketball goggles.
Ditch risky online shopping with the See Better Guarantee. Let your kid try their goggles for 45 days. If neither of you are satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get the pair of prescription kids' basketball goggles at SportRx today!