The day has finally come to put your trusty pair of ski/snowboard goggles to rest. Maybe you ran into a tree branch, stepped on them at the Apres, or finally get to treat yourself to an upgrade. I ski hard, especially in the trees and find myself in need of a new set of goggles (or at least lenses) every few ski seasons.
I love ski/snowboard goggle shopping. I get to test out a new lens tint and technology while changing up my style at the same time. Ski goggles have improved so much in the last decade that I can see contours in the snow better in flat light with my goggles on, than with my naked eye.
Although goggles are a huge style piece and statement on the mountain. Buying quality goggles that fit you right and have the right lens for the conditions will greatly increase your enjoyment on the hill for years to come.
I’ve created this guide so you know exactly what to look for when you’re shopping around for your next set of ski/snowboard goggles.
If you already know what you’re looking for in a pair of goggles and just want some of this seasons best goggle recommendations, you can check out my top picks for the best ski goggles here.
Table of Contents
Buy Quality
Skiing isn’t cheap. With all the money and time you’ve invested in travel and lift passes to ride your favourite hill, the last thing you want is a goggle malfunction. Foggy, scratched, or improper goggles will greatly impede your riding and put an end to the fun very quickly. The most important action you can take to ensure you have an awesome ski day, every day, is to invest in a in a decent set of goggles. Quality goggles have a number of features that greatly reduce the chance of fogging. Firstly, the lenses are dual paned and have an anti-fog coating. The space between lens panes allows for airflow and the anti-fog coating will suck up any moisture that builds up throughout the day inside the lens. Good quality goggles will have vents on the top or thin foam that allows for airflow between the goggle and the helmet. It’s important that you find a goggle that fits your face and rests properly on the bridge of your nose. I would also recommend, if possible, to buy the same brand helmet and goggles. Most companies make the integration between their goggles and helmets seamless allowing for optimal ventilation. Some quality goggle brands I’d personally recommend are SMITH, Anon, Spy and ZEAL.
Choose The Right Lenses
Choosing the right lens shape for your ski goggles is extremely important because it will affect your field of view. The field of view is the range of unobstructed vision you will have when the goggles are on your face. In my opinion, the larger field of view the better. I’ve got a big head and always like to run with the largest set of goggles possible so I can have optimal peripheral vision at all times.
Lens Shapes
All lenses have a different shape which improves or impedes your optics, field of view. It is important that you decide on a lens that matches the style you like and the field of view that you prefer.
Cylindrical
Cylindrical goggles are flat vertically but curved horizontally across your face. Cylindrical goggles do not match the shape of your eye and are not 3 dimensional so the optical clarity is worse than Toric or Spherical lenses. However, Cylindrical lenses can be made really wide creating awesome peripheral vision and the largest field of view of the goggle types. In terms of style, I think Cylindrical looks the coolest (especially if you wear your goggles under your helmet).
Spherical
Spherical lenses came on the scene in an effort to improve on the Cylindrical lens. They are curved horizontally and vertically to create a bubble looked (Think Bollè). The shape of the lens better matches the shape of the eye allowing light to come through the lens the same way it comes through the eye. The Spherical shape has the best optics of the three shapes and a reasonable field of view. Spherical lenses cannot be made as large as cylindrical lenses without looking ridiculous, so their peripheral isn’t quite as good as a pair of Cylindrical goggles.
Toric Lense
Toric is a mix of the Cylindrical and Spherical lens. It has a tighter curve mirroring the shape of your face. The design allows for a great balance between optics and field of view. Toric lenses are my personal favourite!
Pick At Least 2 Lens Options
Having 2 lenses is an absolute necessity. Most high quality goggle manufacturers will allow you to choose two lenses when purchasing a goggle frame. Regardless of where or how you ride I would always recommend a ‘low light’ lens for cloudy or stormy conditions and something mirrored/tinted for those sunny days!
Lens tint
Google lens tint is expressed in a stat called VLT (Visible Light Transmission. VLT is written as the percentage of light which the lens allows to pass through to the eye. A blindfold would have a VLT of zero and glasses frames without lenses would have a VLT of 100%.
For Sunny Bluebird days you are going to want to go with a VLT of 5-20%
For cloudy flat light days you are going to want a goggle with a VLT of 40-80%
For the majority of days on the slopes I will be wearing a lens that has a high VLT percentage. Typically mountains (especially Whistler) are not bluebird all the time so it really pays to have a great low-light lens.
Anti-Fog Coating & Dual Pane Lenses
High quality goggle lenses are designed with two panes of lens glass and an anti-fog coating. The space between lens panes allows for airflow and the anti-fog coating will suck up any moisture that builds up throughout the day inside the lens. To ensure the anti-fog property of your goggles functions for many years you need to ensure you maintain your ski goggles properly!
The Most Important Snow Goggle Features
Interchangeable Lenses
Having a quick and easy interchangeable lens system is super important when you’re on the hill. Mountain weather changes quickly and having the ability to swap lenses in and out as needed is a game changer when the weather is acting up! Many manufactures are using magnetic systems like the Smith MAG, which makes putting on and pulling off lenses simpler than ever before.
OTG Goggles
If you have glasses and don’t wear contacts, you can purchase OTG (over the glasses) Goggles. Over the glasses goggles are made with extra ventilation to keep your glasses from fogging and have extra space allowing for a pressure-free fit around the temples. you’ve found the goggles for skiers and riders with prescription lens needs. The Smith Prophecy OTG goggle is an awesome investment for those that prefer to wear their eyeglasses all day long!
Vents
Most goggles have some sort of venting system or thin foam on the top or around the frame. These vents are crucial stimulate airflow and keeping goggles fog free all day long. If you buy the same brand goggles and helmet the vents on the goggles will usually match up well with those on the helmet optimizing the flow of air.
Goggle Fit & Comfort
You can’t really measure the fit of goggles like you can with a helmet. However, the size of your head will give a good indication of what size goggles will work best for you. If you wear a small helmet or you’re buying a goggles for a kid look for a goggles small or medium frame. For those with big brains wearing large helmets opt for a bigger frame size.
Everyone’s face will be a little bit different so if you want to get the perfect fit try a few on at a local shop before buying online. Before I bought my latest pair of Smith IOS goggles I tried on a friends pair and new I loved the feel immediately.When trying goggles on make sure the foam feels comfortable and fits wall along your face and the bridge of the nose. You want to make sure there are no pressure points. If you feel pressure on or around your eyes the goggles are too small. If there are gaps in the foam or the goggle is eating up your nose then the goggles are too big.
For flatter faces shape many brands carry ‘Asian Fit’ aka low bridge fit. These model goggles feature more foam on the bridge of the nose allowing for less gaps.
Make sure you wear your balaclava, gaiter or whatever sort of mask or beanie you wear when skiing or snowboarding. The thickness of your favourite beanie or balaclava may have an effect on the fit of the goggles around your eyes.
Style
Picking your favourite style of goggle is the fun part! There are so many goggle manufactures out there that you should have no problem finding the look you want and the fit and lenses that you need. In my opinion the main determinant of goggle style is the lens shape and if you wear the goggles over or under your helmet.
Goggles Over or Under Your Helmet?
This is a classic debate among skiers and snowboarders. Some people prefer the look and feel of wearing goggles underneath their helmet with a beanie, and others despise having their goggles anywhere but on their helmet. Over the years there has been some serious on-mountain debates and animosity between parties who wear their goggles over and those who wear them under their helmet.
Personally, I think wearing goggles under your helmet looks more stylish and allows skiers and riders to display sweet stickers on their helmet. However, I’ve never been able to get comfortable with having my goggles inside my helmet. I’ve tried many times but I simply like the feel of the goggles resting high and around my helmet.
Wearing your goggles under your helmet doesn’t pose a safety concern as long as you don’t have big plastic strap adjusters on the back. If you are planning on repping your goggles under your helmet make sure that you have a set with plastic strap adjusters on the side. Other than a thin beanie, balaclava, or gaiter, you don’t want anything between your head and your ski helmet.
Best Overall Ski Goggles 2022/2023
All the goggles below are still amazing, but if you want to see my updated list of the best goggles in skiing for 2024, CLICK HERE.
Smith 4D Mag
I’m a huge sucker for Smith goggles and that’s why they are first on the list. My Smith IOS Goggles have never let me down! This year Smith has taken things to the next level with the 4D MAG goggles. It’s a drastic improvement on the the IOS and has the sharpest optics and largest field of view EVER. These goggles have a magnetic change system, amazing lens technology and extremely comfortable foam for the face. All goggle purchases include two lenses! If you match your smith goggles with a SMITH Helmet, you can say goodbye to fog and hello to perfect visibility all the time!
Smith Squad MAG
The Squad MAG in my opinion is the most stylish goggle on the market. Something about cylindrical frames just looks so fresh! The Smith Squad MAG lenses are fabulous and have chromapop technology, an amazing anti fog inner lens, and magnetic change system. If you want to maximize style and optics on the slopes, opt for a pair of these bad zucchinis!
Anon M4
Anon got it right with the M4 Goggles. They feature toric lenses that offer amazing optics an extremely wide field of view and a simple quick-change magnetic lens system. If you try these goggles on you are going to fall in love with the comfort of the thin and close fitting sweat wicking foam. If you buy the Anon M4 Goggles you get an additional lens and a free MFI facemask. This facemask technology is next level and allows you to keep your face completely covered without fogging up your goggles whatsoever!
Spy Marauder Elite
The Marauder Elite is another Toric magnetic snow goggle masterpiece that offers the utmost in comfort and visial experience. The lens is very low profile and delivers crystal clear and distortion free optics. According to Spy, their ‘Happy Lens’ technology boosts mood and alertness and enhances color and contrast. I didn’t feel any wild mood swings after taking these goggles off but I can confirm that the fit and function is spot on!
Zeal Lookout
Zeal is a lesser known goggles manufacturer that has mastered the art of on-snow optics optimization. The Zeal goggle share very similar technology to the above goggles but, have one specific feature that makes them very special. Zeal Lookout Goggles feature Observation Deck Technology (ODT). ODT basically means that the goggle lens is angled slightly downwards so you can have a greater field of vision when you are looking downhill!
Best Pick For Women
Anon WM3
Ski goggles have always been made unisex. However, women have different face shape than men so goggles often don’t fit them as well. Anon solved this problem by creating an amazing pair of goggle frames designed specifically for women. The Anon WM3 Goggle brings the wide field of view and low-profile style of a modern cylindrical lens to sleek women’s specific frame that is made to fit smaller faces.
The Best Budget Ski Goggles
Outdoor Master Vision XL Toric Goggles
Outdoor Master Goggles are the best bang for your buck goggle on the market. For under $100 you can get the features of the big boys for a fraction of the price. The Vision XL Snow Goggles have a Toric lens shape, triple layer foam, color optimization technology, anti-fog coating and an interchangeable magnetic lens system. Outdoor Master goggles rock and are ideal for someone who skis and snowboards more casually and doesn’t want to drop the big bucks on the newest and greatest. Outdoor Master is the current supplier for the US Ski Team. If you’re interested in purchasing anything from the Outdoor Master website use code JAMES10 for 10% off your purchase!
There is a perfect goggle fit, style and lens for everyone! Hopefully this guide helped you gain a deeper understanding about goggle lenses, fit features and function so you can be an educated shopper and buy yourself the perfect set. Have fun goggle shopping!
Let me know if you have any Q’s about goggles in the comments.
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