If youre planning to buy a pair of ski goggles, dont just grab the first pair you see. The one-size-fits-all approach isnt going to cut it here. There are a few important things to consider when making this investment, but dont worryits not complicated. Weve got a quick guide to help you through it.
If you wear prescription glasses, you know how important clear vision is, especially during active sports. Ski goggles can definitely provide the vision correction you need.
In this guide, well walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the best ski goggles for your specific needs.
Lets start by understanding what ski and snowboarding goggles do and the conditions that make them most effective.
Why Do We Need Ski Goggles?
While many people think of ski goggles as just a stylish accessory, there are much more practical reasons to use them. Theyre not just about looking good on the slopestheyre crucial for your safety and can actually help you perform better. Heres what ski goggles do:
- Ensure clear visibility, especially in snowy or sunny conditions when regular sunglasses just wont cut it.
- Keep your vision fog-free in certain environments.
- Provide the right contrast needed for changing terrains.
- Shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.
- Protect you from potential injuries.
So, ski goggles are an important part of your gear that can make a big difference in your safety and comfort on the mountain.
Now, lets dive into how different styles and designs can suit different wearers.
Who Will Be Wearing the Glasses?
When choosing a pair of ski goggles, the first thing to consider is who will be wearing them. Mens and womens facial structures are different, so a pair of goggles that fits an adult wont necessarily be comfortable for a child. Make sure to pick goggles based on who will be using them.
- Choosing Ski Goggles for Children: When selecting ski goggles for kids, durability and comfort are key. Childrens goggles are generally made with sturdy materials to withstand knocks and rough handlingkids can be pretty unpredictable! Adjustable straps and vibrant designs are also important to keep kids interested in wearing them. Since kids should always be wearing a helmet too, the goggles must be helmet-compatible. Check out our top picks for kids ski gogglesthey come in a variety of designs and can be fitted with a prescription insert, so you dont need to worry about special prescription lenses!
- Choosing Ski Goggles for Men: Men usually look for goggles that offer a balance of functionality, resilience, and style. Wider face shapes are best served with larger frames, which provide a secure and comfortable fit. For guys who prioritize performance and functionality, features like impact-resistant lenses, anti-fog coatings, and adjustable straps make a big difference. Our list of favorite mens ski goggles can help you narrow down your choicesall options are made from shatter-resistant polycarbonate material, so you can ski without worrying about damaging your goggles.
- Ski Goggles for Women: Womens ski goggles are designed with a more feminine style and smaller frames. They should fit well with different head sizes and hairstyles. Like men, women value features that improve visibility and comfort, like ventilation systems, anti-fog coatings, and UV protection.
Ski Goggle Options for Prescribed Vision
When it comes to any sport, clear vision is crucial, and thats especially true for snow sports. Changing terrain and varying light conditions can make it necessary to have sharp, distinct vision on the slopes. Many people wear glasses or contact lenses, which can feel intimidating for snow sports. Thats where prescription ski goggles come intheyre an excellent solution for those who need vision support.
There are a few options for getting prescription vision in your ski or snowboarding goggles:
- Prescription Lenses: Prescription lenses can be seamlessly integrated into certain ski goggles, so you dont have to wear glasses underneath. These goggles are tailored to fit your specific prescription, providing clear vision without compromising performance or appearance. Just keep in mind that if your prescription changes in the future, you may need to replace the lensesor sometimes even the entire goggle setdepending on the brand and model.
- Prescription Inserts: Prescription inserts are a popular choice among skiers. They offer a practical and durable solution by allowing you to insert them into your regular goggles. You can use different prescription strengths with these inserts, making them versatile and budget-friendly. If your prescription changes, you can simply replace the insert rather than buying new goggles entirely. Most prescription snow goggles from places like Sporteyes come with adjustable inserts, and theres a good range of styles to choose from.
- Over-The-Glasses (OTG) Ski Goggles: OTG goggles are designed for skiers who prefer to wear their prescription glasses under their ski goggles. These goggles have a larger frame and an interior thats spacious enough to comfortably fit over your prescription glasses without affecting the goggles fit. Our collection of OTG goggles often features adjustable straps or expanded outriggers to ensure a secure fit over your glasses.
OutdoorMaster OTG Ski Goggles
OutdoorMaster OTG Ski Goggles provide clear vision and anti-fog protection, designed for comfortable fit over glasses during winter sports.
Choosing the Right Size
Lets talk about how to pick the right size for your ski goggles. Everyones face is a bit different, so its important to consider the variety of sizes these goggles come in.
Heres a quick overview of what works best for different groups:
Remember, these arent strict rulesthey can vary a bit, but they give you a good starting point.
i. For Kids/Tweens:
Goggles for young children are often sized by age range. For example, they might be recommended for ages 3 to 7 or 7+. Manufacturers recommended age ranges can sometimes be a bit small, so if your child is on the bigger side for their age, it might be better to go up to the next age range to give them some room to grow. If youre not sure which size to pick, you can always measure your childs face to help you decide. A good rule of thumb is to measure the width of their face (from temple to temple) and the depth (from the middle of the cheekbone to just above the eyebrow).
ii. Small Fit:
Small adult goggles work well for tweens or teenagers with a smaller face. Most kids over the age of 10 can fit into the Small size. Small is also a good fit for petite adults.
iii. Medium Fit:
A Medium size is ideal for teenagers with frames that are starting to look more like adult ones and for average-sized females. Males with smaller faces can also try a Medium fit.
iv. Large Fit:
A Large size is designed for adult male faces and for females who prefer a bit more space. It fits well on most adult faces.
v. Extra Large and Above:
An XL size is for larger frames that need extra room. Its also great for those who like the oversized look.
vi. Alternative Fit:
Alternative fit goggles are perfect for those with lower nose bridges, higher cheekbones, and deeper profiles. They come with special adjustments like higher nose pads and curved temples to ensure a better fit.
Now that weve covered the sizes of snow goggles, lets take a look at the different shapes and which ones would be best for you.
Selecting the Right Shape of Ski Goggles
There are various ski goggle styles, each offering different features and benefits depending on the skiing conditions and personal preferences. Heres a quick rundown:
i. Cylindrical Ski Goggles:
Cylindrical ski goggles have a lens that curves horizontally around the face but remains flat vertically. This design is especially helpful in bright, sunny conditions as it prevents distortion and glare. Plus, theyre generally more affordable compared to other options.
ii. Spherical Ski Goggles:
Spherical ski goggles feature a curved lens that mimics the shape of the human eye. This design offers a more natural field of vision, reducing distortion and enhancing peripheral vision.
iii. Toric Ski Goggles:
Toric ski goggles are a hybrid between spherical and cylindrical designs. They have a low-profile shape and provide excellent peripheral vision. The lens is flat in the vertical plane (y-axis) but starts to curve towards the x-axis, which helps eliminate glare and avoids the bug-eye look that some other goggles have.
Each of these styles has its own set of advantages, making them suited to different skiing needs and preferences.
What Lens Material is Right for You
Depending on your activity, the lens material is an important consideration. There are two main options:
i. Polycarbonate Lens:
Polycarbonate lenses are known for their durability and resistance to impact, making them ideal for intense activities like snowboarding and skiing. Theyre lighter than glass, naturally provide UV protection, and have been a popular choice in the industry for decades.
ii. Trivex Lens:
Trivex lenses offer superior visual quality compared to other materials, with clearer, sharper, and more vibrant colors. Theyre also impact-resistant and lightweight, providing good protection from ski-related debris and injuries.
Understanding the differences between these lens types can help you choose the best one for your needs.
Julbo Cyrius Goggles for Men & Women Photochromic
Julbo Cyrius Photochromic Goggles provide versatile, adaptive lenses for men and women, offering clear vision and UV protection for all weather conditions.
How to Choose the Right Lens Tint
When picking out snowboarding or skiing goggles, its important to consider the weather conditions you might encounter. Different light conditions call for different lens colors to enhance your experience on the slopes. Heres a breakdown:
i. Low Light Conditions:
In cloudy or foggy weather, lighter-tinted lenses like yellow, rose, or amber can help improve visibility and depth perception.
ii. Bright Light Conditions:
For sunny days with lots of glare, darker tints such as grey, brown, or mirrored lenses are great. They reduce glare and eye strain from the snows brightness.
iii. Polarized Lenses:
In bright light, polarized lenses cut down on glare and reflections from water, ice, and snow, which can really help with sight and comfort. However, these lenses can make it harder to see ice. If youre skiing in icy conditions, you might want to avoid fully polarized lenses. Some manufacturers offer semi-polarized lenses that still provide the benefits without the glare problem.
iv. Photochromatic Lenses:
Transition or photochromic lenses automatically adjust to varying light conditions, giving you the best comfort and visibility whether its sunny or overcast. These are ideal if you often ski under changing weather conditions.
v. Interchangeable Lenses:
Interchangeable lenses let you switch between different lens colors and technologies to match the weather throughout the day. This flexibility ensures you have the best visibility and comfort, no matter what the conditions are.
What Coatings Should Your Ski Goggles Have
The coatings on ski goggle lenses are key to their performance. Make sure your snowboarding goggles have the following features:
i. Anti-Fog Coating:
Temperature differences between the inside and outside of your goggles can cause fogging. Anti-fog coatings prevent this by absorbing moisture and distributing it evenly across the lens surface, which helps avoid foggy spots and ensures clear vision. This is especially important in cold and humid conditions.
ii. Anti-Scratch Coating:
For maintaining clear and long-lasting vision, anti-scratch coatings are essential. They provide a protective layer that resists scratches, abrasions, and impacts, helping to keep your goggles looking good and performing well over time.
Heated Frames for Enhanced Visibility
To combat fogging in extreme weather conditions, consider using ski goggles with heated frames.
These innovative goggles come with heating elements built into the frame or lens, which help maintain a consistent temperature across the surface to prevent condensation.
The internal temperature regulation provided by heated frames keeps your vision clear, ensuring safety and comfort even in the coldest conditions. Whether youre skiing through fog or enduring a snowstorm, heated frames can make a big difference in maintaining your performance without interruptions.
Ensuring Ventilation
Ski goggles can sometimes be a bit bulky, especially when they offer lots of features.
But that doesnt mean you should sacrifice ventilation. Breathing in the mountains can be challenging, and your ski goggles shouldnt add to the struggle.
Heres what you should look for:
i. Double-Layered Lenses:
Many ski goggles feature lenses with a small air gap between them, which helps prevent that stuffy feeling. This design improves insulation and reduces heat transfer from your face to the lens, creating a barrier against fogging.
Odoland Ski Goggles Set with Detachable Lens, Frameless Interchangeable Lens
Odoland Ski Goggles Set with detachable, interchangeable lenses, providing clear vision and protection for all weather conditions. Frameless design for a wider field of view.
ii. Vents:
Ventilation is key for keeping your goggles comfortable. Vents around the sides allow warm, humid air from your body to circulate out, while fresh air comes in from the outside.
iii. Fans:
Some ski goggles now come with built-in fan systems that actively move air around. These fans draw in fresh air from outside and expel the heated, humid air, helping maintain clear vision even in damp conditions.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Now that weve talked about the importance of choosing the right lens tint, shape, and ventilation system, there are a few other key factors to consider when picking out ski goggles. Heres what you should keep in mind:
i. Helmet Compatibility:
For safety and protection, its important that your ski goggles work well with your helmet. You dont want any gaps between the goggles and the helmet, as these could increase the risk of injury in a fall. Make sure the goggles and helmet fit together snugly for a comfortable and secure setup.
ii. Padding:
Comfort matters, especially when youre on the slopes for hours. Look for ski goggles that have good, breathable padding made from soft, hypoallergenic foam. This type of padding should fit your face nicely and help absorb any moisture that builds up.
iii. UV Protection:
Dont overlook the importance of UV protection. Since skiing often happens at high altitudes, your eyes are more exposed to harmful UV rays. Choose ski goggles with 100% UV protection lenses to safeguard your eyes from damage like cataracts and snow blindness. Investing in this feature will help keep your eyes safe in the long run.
Also Read: What are the Best Budget-Friendly Ski Gear Brands?
Choosing Ski Goggles by Affordability
When choosing ski goggles, its important to think about the features you really need, especially in relation to their cost. Goggles can vary widely in price, from budget-friendly options with basic functions to more expensive models packed with advanced features.
Think about the type of adventures you plan to have and the conditions youll be facing. Features like ventilation, anti-fog coatings, UV protection, and high-quality lenses are particularly valuable as they can make a big difference in performance and comfort over time.
You might also want to consider the brand when selecting your goggles. Lets dive into this a bit more.
Choosing Ski Goggles by Brand
When choosing ski goggles, its important to consider factors like a brands reputation, quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. At SportEyes, we only carry top-selling brands that have proven themselves in the industry. Were proud to offer all-time favorites like Smith and Bolle, as well as other great options such as JULBO, SPY+, and UVEX. Our goal is to ensure that our customers get the best value for their money.