Are Ski and Snowboard Goggles the Same?

For skiers and snowboarders, winter is the best season of all! This is because it is the time of year where skiers and snowboarders are able to have the most memorable and the best skiing and snowboarding experience – for obvious reasons of course.

With that in mind, preparing for the snowy slopes is a no-brainer and will ensure that you are able to have the safest, best possible time.  This preparation is more than just buying the latest gear and heading off into the sunset. You need to be fit enough to handle the slopes - it’s both a physical and mental game.

Another thought that may cross your mind, is whether or not certain gear can be used for multiple sports. For example, can you wear the same googles while skiing as you would snowboarding? This is actually a common question that many people ask, and the answer may surprise you.

Is There a Difference Between Ski and Snowboard Goggles?

Let’s get down to business, shall we? If you are wondering “are ski and snowboard goggles the same”, buckle up because you are about to find out.

But before we tackle this, let’s consider the things you will need to hit the slopes that can be used for both skiing and snowboarding purposes. This includes boots (although this can differ between the two), pants, a sweatshirt, gloves, and a helmet – not forgetting your goggles of course. For anyone hitting the snow, the correct eyewear can make or back the experience – bearing in mind that the snow along with the sun can wreak havoc on your vision.

In addition to this, goggles will protect your eyes from the wind, snow articles, and anything else that can become airborne and potentially land in your eye. It is the key to the success of your snow day adventures and needs to be carefully selected. Keep in mind you want to make sure you look after your goggles well to prevent scratches, however if they do get damaged check out how to fix scratched ski goggles.

All of this considered, will one pair of goggles work for both snowboarding and skiing purposes?

Are Goggles Necessary for Snowboarding?

Snowboarding is easily one of the extreme sports that anyone can do during the winter months. It involves riding down on a surface that is fully covered with snow using a snowboard. Since it is an extreme activity, everyone doing this should wear a set of protective gear. Each item has been designed with a purpose in mind and to protect a certain part of the body. Wearing protective gear prevents injury and ensures that you have the most fun possible.

When it comes to snow activities, the eyes tend to be the most prone to injury, which is why they use of goggles is non-negotiable when you take on the extreme sport. Snowboarding goggles is therefore an important part of your snowboarding kit. of the body parts that are very prone to injury in this sport is our eyes. That is why wearing suitable goggles is a must for snowboarders. Just think it this way, as you go down the snow-covered surface, harsh wind and some snow particles might hit your face and, in the process, potentially your eyes as well. If your vision is suddenly impaired, you may lose focus and an accident will more than likely occur.

In addition to this, the combination of white snow and sunlight can damage your vision as a result of the UV rays. A phenomenon known as snow-blindness may occur. Needless to say, looking after your eyes is an incredibly big part of snowboarding and the correct measures need to be taken to protect them.

To summarize everything, goggles can help you enjoy the activity and make it worthwhile while keeping your eyes well-protected. So, to answer the question “are goggles necessary for snowboarding”, the answer is most definitely yes.

Does This Mean That Ski and Snowboard Goggles Are the Same?

Going back to the initial question posed by this article, “are ski and snowboard goggles the same?”, it is easy to see why goggles would be important in both sports. The sole importance of goggles in any sport is to keep your eyes protected from potential injury and other forms of harm. In choosing goggles, there are few things that you can consider. You can choose a type of lens, color, size, shape, and tint.

Everyone who engages in these kinds of extreme sports should know and choose the right gear to suit their individual needs and preferences. No one likes to experience a bad day due to poorly selected snow gear. We are here to make sure that your snow day is as fun as possible by steering you in the right direction. The better the equipment, the safer it could be for you. So, choose wisely and choose the right one. We have put together a full ski goggle review page.

As we all know, skiing and snowboarding are two different sports. Because of that, there are pieces of equipment that will differ between the two as a result. However, are snowboard and ski goggles the same? Well, they are. You can buy one pair of goggles and use them for both skiing and snowboarding. Though skiing and snowboarding are different, they also have similarities. One of which is that both sports take place in snowy conditions. Aside from that, snowboarding was inspired by skiing – which also gave rise to other snow-related extreme sports. This is the reason why you can use the same goggles for both snowboarding and skiing.

For full info on goggles, see our handy ski goggles buying guide.

Can I Use Motocross Goggles for Skiing and Snowboarding?

Now that we know the same goggles can be used for skiing and snowboarding, it is only logical to wonder if other sports also of the same cross-use of goggles. The truth is, each sport has its own set of requirements and potential risks, and as a result, the kit may differ. While skiing and snowboarding share a lot of the same gear, snow sports and motocross do not. The first, and most obvious reason for this, is the sand versus snow differences.

The goggles used in snowboarding have a different purpose than those used in motocross. Motocross goggles need to offer protection from dust particles, dirt, and debris while skiing and snowboarding goggles offer protection from harmful UV rays as well as snow particles and wind. You also need to consider the helmet worn in each sport and how the goggles need to fit with the shape of each of them. Additionally, motocross goggles have a single-layer lens while snowboarding and skiing goggles have a dual-layer lens.

Dual-layer lenses prevent fogging that may arise due to the colder temperatures. Another difference between snow and dirt goggles is that the goggles used for skiing and snowboarding need to have a better and wider peripheral vision while motocross goggles are designed to keep your sight straight ahead. If you find yourself trying to determine if you should just use motocross goggles for skiing, rather rethink this and invest in a more suitable option to protect your eyes.

While trying to find an innovative way to use existing gear for purposes beyond what they were intended for, we advise against this. Things have been created for a reason and built to suit their purpose. Do not compromise your safety in an attempt to save a quick buck, it is not worth the risk. If anything should go wrong on the snowy slopes, it will not be pleasant and have you wishing you had been smarter in your choice of gear. Not only will it ruin a day that should have been fun, but it could also have some serious long-term consequences. Put your safety first and have peace of mind knowing that your snow day will be fun with no issues – none that would arise as a result of wearing incorrect protective eyewear anyway.

Can You Get Prescription Ski Goggles?

Without a doubt, the purpose of wearing skiing and snowboarding goggles is to ensure that you are able to see clearly while out in the snow. Now, if you are someone that wears spectacles, this can be tricky. Do you wear your glasses underneath the goggles or brave the slopes without them? Of course, if you are wearing contact lenses, this is not a problem you will be faced with.

However, if you do need to wear your glasses while out and about, the most obvious solution would be investing in a pair of prescription ski goggles – assuming it is even possible of course. Make sure your protect your specialized ski goggles in a case.

Good news – it is! Skiers and snowboarders alike can order prescription goggles to ensure that they are able to see every inch of the slope perfectly and clearly without trying to manage a goggle/glasses situation. This means that your goggles will provide the protection you need as well as the vision assistance you would normally get when wearing your spectacles.

You should not be compromising on your safety, especially when participating in sport. With so many brands offering prescription goggles, there is really no reason for you to have compromised vision while skiing or snowboarding. Some of the more prominent brands are Oakley, Dragon, and Smith. They have made, and continue to make, the best prescription goggles. If you are thinking about having a pair of prescription goggles made, we recommend speaking to your optometrist as they already have your history and will be able to give you the correct set of prescription lenses.

So, in closing. Skiing and snowboarding can make use of the exact same goggles as they have been designed to meet the needs of snowy conditions. If you are unsure about your choice of goggles, most stores will have a salesperson available to answer your questions and make the relevant recommendations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Poglianich          

Content Strategist

Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the ski and snowboard space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.