Buying Ski Goggles

Before you go out and buy your next pair of ski goggles, you'll want to read this buying guide. Having a quality pair of eye protection is important if you ski or snowboard a lot. Use this guide to help you find a high-quality pair of ski goggles. There are many things to keep in mind such as the eye protection from uv rays, the type of goggle (with or without a face shield), and the fit. This of course can be a lot more in-depth than that and this article will illustrate that point.

You want to have a high-quality pair of ski lens before you start your next winter sport. Knowing what to look for will keep your eyes safe! To assist you in doing so, we have compiled a comprehensive article on ski goggles from some of the top brands as well as tested the top ski goggles.

What To Consider When Buying Ski Goggles? 

Before you dive into the world of snow goggles, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Ski goggles are extremely important to have on the slopes. Not only are they a great way to protect your eyes from the brutal cold, but they also provide basic protection from the sun. Ski goggles are the best way to prevent your eyes from getting irritated, sunburned, or even snowblind.

This is something that will happen when you ski snowboard or even play in the snow.

Buy a pair that will not steam up, fog up, or leak. If you want to ski without worrying about your snowboard goggles, then you should purchase a high-quality pair of ski lenses which will work better in cold weather and should have fog prevention functionality. Anti fog is by far one of the greatest features to look out for when it comes to your lens selection.

A pretty common question we get asked is if ski and snowboard goggles are the same, read our full report here.

Most goggles accommodate both double lenses and single lenses in an attempt to develop prescription snow goggles that function in all weather conditions – even if there is low light or if you want to try night skiing.

In addition to this, the face foam needs to provide a thermal barrier from the cold wind while offering uv protection based on changing weather conditions as well as the light conditions when you ski snowboard or spend time in the snow.

Choosing The Right Size Goggle

It's important to choose a goggle that fits you well, so it stays comfortably in place on your face. One of the most important factors to pay attention to is the size. Generally, women's goggles are smaller than men's goggles. You want the goggles to fit just right with just enough room to move your eyelids up and down. They should not be tight. There should be enough space for your eyelids to move up and down without any discomfort while you ski snowboard or spend time outside in the snow.

Of course, another thing to consider is the lens shape. Are you looking for spherical lenses, cylindrical lenses. If you wear prescription glasses, this will also need to factor into your choice of snowboard goggles.

Types Of Ski Goggles

The first types of ski goggles were not very stylish, and many were uncomfortable. They weren’t very popular, and they were only used by professional skiers. Goggle use has changed and now, more and more skiers and boarders are wearing ski goggles. Whether you ski snowboard or simply enjoy time out on the snow, your goggles need to offer sufficient protection from UV rays while being able to adjust to low light, cloudy vision and even bright conditions. Changing weather conditions can impact your vision, and result in eye fatigue.

 

It is important to wear a pair of great ski goggles to protect your eyes from bright sunlight and snow as you ski. So, whether you are hitting the slopes as a beginner or as a veteran, you will want to take a look at some of the different types of goggles out there. First, you will want to decide what type of goggles you enjoy the most. If you like a larger and more open type of goggles, then you may like a goggle that has a bulbous type lens. If you like a more compact and aerodynamic look, then you may like a goggle that has a smaller lens and no bulb.

Picking Your Correct Lens

Factors that Affect Lens Selection

When purchasing goggles, here are some key features to consider:

• Lens color: Do you want a tinted lens or mirrored lenses? The mirror coating reflects the light from the snow’s surface onto the lens, producing less glare on the eyes. The light conditions play an important part when it comes to this factor.
• Frame color: Do you want a standard frame color or a bold color?
• Lenses type: Are you looking to have your lenses with an anti fog coating or photochromatic lenses?
• Goggle type: Are you looking for a goggle that is open to the outside or a go

There are a few things to take into consideration when buying ski goggles. The first one is polarized lenses. You want different lenses for different light conditions to ensure you won’t get snow blindness. For dark cloudy skies, you will want lenses with the least polarization, while the most polarization will be necessary for bright sunny days. The other thing to consider is lens tint. There are four main tint options- green/blue, yellow/tinted, amber, and black. They all serve different purposes but should be chosen based on your skin tone. If you are pale, then the green/blue tint is the best option for you.

What Are The Coatings?

The coatings are an important part of a ski goggle because they protect the eyes from bright sunlight or a bright, snowy day. There are multiple lenses available and goggle manufacturers have done this with good reason. Each lens type has been designed to offer the best possible vision while out on the slopes. Before we dive into the different colored lens coatings, we need to mention the anti fog coating that we believe to be non-negotiable when it comes to snowboarding goggles. Without anti fog, you may find your view obstructed very quickly which is dangerous on the slopes. Next, there’s the mirrored lenses and non mirrored lenses debate – and this is about more than the way it looks. Scratch resistant coating is also important when it comes to lens features. Interchangeable lenses are another great evolution when it comes to eye protection.

The different types of lens coatings for ski goggles are:

• Clear lenses: Clear lens goggles have a color scheme that is just the clear lens. They are always designed to be used in bright, sunny conditions.
• Grey: Grey lens goggles for skiing have a color scheme that consists of a light grey color and light-yellow color. They are typically used in bright, sunny conditions.
• Brown: Brown or bronze ski goggle lenses are ideal for sunny days and bright conditions as the brown tint increases the contrast and reduces the glare. Do not wear this dark lens in overcast weather as you will not be able to see.
• Photochromic lenses: Photochromic lenses is able to darken according to ski conditions. They lighten in poor lighting and darken in bright light conditions. Photochromic lenses have revolutionized the world of snowboard goggles.

The different lenses and the corresponding lens color are selected based on how much light is being reflected off of the snow and other forms of flat light. A good pair of lenses are a must when it comes to snowboard equipment, have visible light transmission and needs to offer helmet compatibility and have an adjustable strap. Once again, we need to stress the importance of an anti fog coating. A key thing to remember is always store your goggles in a quality ski goggle case when you are not using them, to protect the delicate lens coating. A scratched pair of goggles becomes pretty annoying pretty fast and costs money to replace if you store your goggles carelessly!

What Are The Different Kinds Of Ski Goggle Frames?

There are a number of different frames available from which you can choose from when purchasing a pair of ski goggles.

There are a number of different benefits to each type of frame, but it is up to the wearer’s personal preference to determine which style they prefer.

Ski goggles are generally made of one of three types of frames, which are frameless, hard plastic, or soft plastic. The hard plastic frames are typically more durable and will not bend in cold temperatures. The soft plastic frames can be more comfortable and come in different colors and shapes. These frames house the goggle lens and need to be carefully selected to ensure that no air flow gets in.

These snow goggles need to offer more peripheral vision and be helmet compatible goggles.  Next, prescription snow goggles are worth looking into to ensure that you can take on the slopes and take in all of the views.

Spherical Lenses vs Cylindrical Lenses

Spherical goggle lenses have what is described as a bubble look. This is because of the horizontal and vertical curves in the lens. It offers minimal glare and allows you to have better peripheral vision due to a greater surface area. In comparison, flatter lenses are called cylindrical lenses. They result in a distorted view and are the cheaper lens option and doesn’t accommodate peripheral vision. When it comes to choosing between the two, spherical lenses is the better option by far.

High End Ski Goggles vs Basic Goggles

There are many types of ski goggles on the market today that have been created by top brands. Some are very basic and inexpensive, while others are much more expensive and well-designed. There are a few things to consider when purchasing a pair of snowboarding goggles. The first thing to decide is if a pair of goggles is a long-term investment or a short-term purchase. The difference between the two is their durability. Basic goggles will be inexpensive and might last for a few seasons. Durable goggles will last for years and years. The second thing to consider is the price of the goggles. Durable goggles might be more expensive but will also last much longer than basic goggles. Another thing to consider is the technology of the goggles, obviously the more expensive goggles offer a more premium quality level.

Regardless of the snowboarding goggles you choose to buy, the way you look after them will contribute to the durability. To start with, a soft cloth is a must when it comes to cleaning. Don’t let ice melt on and dry after your snow day to prevent water marks. IF marks do happen to occur, don’t use harsh, abrasive chemicals to clean them. Water works best, just be sure to dry them properly after cleaning.

What Ski Goggle Works Best If I Wear Prescription Lenses?

Of course, in addition to the most obvious differences, people with impaired vision that wear prescription glasses need to decide if they want to wear contact lenses or if they are looking to buy a pair of prescription goggles or prescription inserts.

If you choose to wear your goggles over the glasses, also known as OTG goggles, looking at a wider frame and adjustable straps should be top of the list. You also need to consider whether these prescription goggles require single lens or the ability to allow for changing lenses. Interchangeable lenses offer a more customizable approach to goggle lens and OTG goggles. Naturally, we recommend not wearing goggles over the glasses as it can impact the fit and affect your depth perception.

The point of this protective wear is to ensure that you are able to see. You need to communicate any vision impairments you may have with your nearest ski store, or speak to your optometrist if you are planning on hitting the slopes soon.

Conclusion

The importance of choosing ski goggles correctly is the same as it is for many other protective items. The goggles are there to protect your eyes from any flying debris or accidents that could cause eye injury. There are different types of goggles that are designed for different types of activities – all with the backing of some of the top brands. Some goggles are designed to keep the wind and debris down; others are designed to provide full-face protection; and others are designed for seeing. The goggles you choose should depend on the activity you're doing. We hope that this article helps narrow down you search and equip you for your next snow day adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's your number 1 tip for buying ski lenses?

It's very important that your ski goggles fit your face well. If the goggles don't fit you properly, you'll experience fogging or inadequate vision. A good frame will help keep your goggles from sliding off your face even when you're on a fast run.

What is the difference between polarized and non-polarized lenses?

A pair of regular ski goggles is made up of either a glass or polycarbonate lens. Non-polarized ski goggles have only one filter which only blocks out horizontally oriented light waves.  On the other hand, Polarized snow goggles have a filter which is 90 degrees perpendicular to the one in non-polarized glasses.  This filter blocks out light waves that are oriented vertically, horizontally and at 45-degree angles.  So, in short, polarized goggles offer you a wider range of uv protection.

What is the best place to buy ski goggles?

A great tip is to buy them from a reputable retailer such as Cheap Snow Gear : Ski Goggles Online. Reputable retailers offer shipping insurance on products, so if the goggles are damaged during shipping, you'll be entitled to a full refund. We recommend looking out for Oakley Flight Deck, they are one of the best options currently available.

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.