Ski Goggles Demonstrate Authentic Performance During Slope Hours
Skiing down a mountain on a sunny day is pure bliss, but the glare from the snow can lead to dreaded snow blindness. Luckily, investing in the right pair of ski goggles can save your eyesight and improve your time on the mountain. But navigating the myriad options — and the numerous technical specifics — can be a headache. Fear not, we've done the legwork for you and tested out some of the best ski goggles on the market.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Smith I/O Mag
- Best Photochromic: Glade Adapt 2
- Best Cylindrical: Oakley Line Miner Pro M Snow Goggles
- Best Budget Pick: Flylow Perform Photochromic
- Smartest Design: Anon M4 Toric MFI
- Best Lens Change System: Zeal Lookout
- Best Toric: POC Vitrea
What to look for when shopping for ski and snowboard goggles
Lens Shape:Several lens shapes are available, each with its benefits and drawbacks.- Cylindrical lenses tend to be less expensive but may have more distortion.- Spherical lenses offer a wider field of vision and less glare while providing a more accurate view with minimal distortion.- Toric lenses are the least common, but they're a combination of cylindrical and spherical lenses, providing minimal distortion and a highly accurate field of view.
Trying on goggles before you buy them is essential as some shapes will feel better on your face than others.
Lens Type:You'll also need to decide between interchangeable lenses or photochromic ones. Interchangeable lenses come in various tints, allowing you to choose the degree of light transmission (VLT). Alternatively, photochromic lenses are tinted to suit varying light conditions and automatically adjust to UV levels. Some may prefer the convenience of photochromic lenses, but others may opt for the versatility of interchangeable lenses with specific VLT levels tailored to their skiing or snowboarding conditions.
Helmet Compatibility:Ensuring your goggles fit well with your helmet is more critical than you might think. Gap between the helmet and goggles can lead to safety concerns and poor ventilation, resulting in foggy goggles. Top brands usually have integrated helmets, ensuring a secure fit.
Sizing:Some goggles only come in one size, while others offer various sizes (small, medium, large). If you often have issues with goggles slipping down your nose, look for goggles designed specifically for low bridges or low profiles. For those who need to wear glasses under their goggles, look for frame notches that allow comfortable room for the arms to sit behind them. Consider OTG goggles that can fit over glasses.
Safety Features:High-quality goggles come with anti-fog coatings to prevent lens fogging, impact resistance to absorb shocks, and silicone grippers to keep the goggles in place on your helmet. Look for these features for added safety and comfort.
Meet the tester
Kristin Canning is a journalist and gear tester, currently stationed outside Denver. She's been snowboarding for two years and plans to increase her ski days this year to reach her goal of 30 days on the slopes. Kristin is familiar with quality gear and focuses on pieces that fit women well and are comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and technically sound. With years of testing various brands, she knows what makes an item stand out from the pack.
- When checking out the latest technology in ski goggles news, you may find the top pick for the best overall option is the Smith I/O Mag, which offers excellent performance and design.
- For sports enthusiasts seeking the smartest design in ski goggles, the Anon M4 Toric MFI stands out with its innovative toric lens shape, providing minimal distortion and a wide field of vision.
