The 5 Best Ski Goggles of 2023
Goggles are one of the most important pieces of ski and snowboard equipment. All the ski and snowboard goggles will render some basic protection from wind and cold, but beyond the basics, there are a number of key features to consider while choosing to buy ski goggles.
We have detailed some of the key features to consider before buying ski goggles and have listed some of the best ski Goggles available in the market here. We hope our product specification and buying guide will help you in choosing the best ski Goggles for our readers.
Best Ski Goggles
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Ski Goggles – [2023]
- OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles PRO
- Smith Optics I/OX Goggle
- Wildhorn Roca Snowboard & Ski Goggles
- POC Sports Orb Clarity Goggles
- Oakley Men’s Flight Deck Snow Goggles
Best Ski Goggles Reviews
#1. OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles PRO
- Goggles with frameless design
- Interchanging lens system
- Swap for different weather conditions
- Able to wear glass under the goggles
- Universal helmet compatibility
- One-year warranty
The goggles have been designed for ultimate performance and comfort. Its interchangeable lens system allows the snowboarders to enjoy a wide range of extra lenses. It is possible to swap them for day or night and for different weather conditions. The user gets to choose between 20+ different lenses and the additional lenses are available separately.
The goggles feature an over the glass design, the ski goggles PRO features an OTG design that allows the users to wear the lens under the goggles. All of the lenses are ANTI-FOG coated and render 100% UV 400 protection.
The goggles have universal helmet compatibility. Its extra-long elastic straps ensure excellent helmet compatibility with all helmets and they are suitable for both teens and adults. The customers also get to enjoy a one-year warranty from the manufacturers and a friendly customer support service.
#2. Smith Optics I/OX Goggle
- Quick-release lens change system
- Bright light and low light Chroma pop performance lenses
- Spherical carbonic lens
- TLT lens technology for clear vision
- Medium fit and responsive fit frame design
- Quick fit strap adjustment system
- Integration technology to reduce fogging
- Patent porex filter
The goggles feature a medium fit and a responsive fit frame design. Its quick-fit strap adjustment system features a clip buckle and a 3-layer face foam. It is compatible with helmets and its AirEvac integration technology reduces fogging.
The goggle features ultra-wide silicone backed strap and a rotating outrigger positioning system. It’s patent porex filter prevents optical distortion at times of changes in elevation.
The shipment includes a microfiber goggle bag with replacement lens sleeve. The goggles are available in Asian fit and it is possible to interchange the lens in the goggles according to the outdoor weather conditions.
#3. Wildhorn Roca Snowboard & Ski Goggles
- The design includes N45 magnets and clip locking system
- Goggles quickly customize in seconds
- Unlimited style and effortless performance
- A lens with anti-fog and anti-scratch coating
- Features easy side clip locking system
- Made of a thermoplastic urethane polymer
The goggles feature a wide view panoramic spherical dual-lens design with anti-scratch coating and anti-fog design. It allows the user to see the terrain clearly in any light condition without distortion. It also protects the eyes from glare and from harmful UV radiation. Unlike the other magnetic lenses on the market, Roca features an ease side clip locking mechanism. This helps to hold the lens in place even during a crash. The frame is of extremely durable Thermoplastic urethane polymer material with a soft touch and an anti-slip coating.
#4. POC Sports Orb Clarity Goggles
- Excellent field of view
- Innovative frame construction
- Clarity lens
- Optimized contrast for all-day skiing
- Specters mirror coating on the lens
- Dual compound frame
- TPU for flexibility and strength
It features unique specters mirror coatings to complement the clear lens. There is base tint and they are applied for all three distinct weather conditions. The lens is integrated with the Grilamid orb frame to render a maximized field of view along with a simple and quick lens changing system. The lens thus offers an excellent vision and performance irrespective of the outside weather.
#5. Oakley Men’s Flight Deck Snow Goggles
- Material: Plastic
- Rimless lens design
- Excellent peripheral vision
- Anti-fog coating on the lens
- Discreet frame notches at the temples
- Rigid lens subframe attachment
- Prism lens for unprecedented control of light
- High definition optics
The rigid lens sub-frame attachment helps with fast and easy lens changing capability. Its flexible O matter face place helps with airflow and comfort. The prism lenses help in controlling light transmission thus maximizing contrast and enhancing visibility. Its high definition optics renders 100% protection against UV and other harmful rays of the sun.
Some Important Aspects To Consider while Buying Ski Goggles
One of the biggest differentiators between goggles is their lenses. There are a number of important aspects to consider while choosing the ski and snowboard goggles, with the right lens type, lens color, glare protection, and fog prevention. Let us discuss some important aspects to consider while buying the best ski goggles.
Types of Ski and snowboard goggle lenses:
There are two major types of lenses while choosing the ski and snowboard goggles. They are,
- Cylindrical or flat lenses: These lenses have a horizontal curve and they remain flat vertically. The cylindrical lenses offer good performance at the lowest price point.
- Spherical lenses: the spherical goggle lenses, on the other hand, curve both horizontally and vertically around the face and this gives the google a bubbled look. Beyond the look, there are also significant advantages for wearing a cylindrical lens, such as reduced glare, better peripheral vision, less distortion and less fogging.
Ski and snowboard goggle lens color and tint:
There is nothing worse or dangerous than having a cloudy vision on a snowy day or being blinded when it is bluebird and sunny. There are dozens of ski and snowboard goggle lens colors to choose from and this varies from brand to brand. Though the color match may not fit the jacket better, each color will filter the light differently and also offers a number of unique advantages in certain light conditions and weather.
VLT or visual light transmission:
The extent of light that a goggle lens allows to pass through it is called visible light transmission. VLT is generally represented as the percentage of light that s allowed through the lens and this falls somewhere between 0% and 100%.
Some of the lenses perform much better in low light and in low visibility situations such as when it is foggy, when it is snowing or when the light is flat. The best snow goggles for flat light have a VLT ranging from 60-90%.
Some of the best Ski and snowboard goggles lenses for bright and sunny days have a CLT range of 5-20%.
Ventilation:
Almost all of the quality men’s and women’s ski goggles have some vents. More venting is better in order to prevent fogging. It is also important to check that the venting system is the goggle that is compatible with the shape of the helmet that one is wearing. It is important not to block the vents, otherwise, the goggle might get a little susceptible to fogging. Some of the goggles feature battery-powered fans that can move air and defog the goggles.
Ski and snowboard goggle frames:
There are dozens of different sizes and shapes of googles to choose and some may fit one’s face and style better than the others. The frame of the goggle has a very big influence on the fit and field of view that it might provide. While goggle frames come in different sizes and shapes and they have three jobs. They hold the lens in its place, it helps to keep the snow out and makes the wearer’s face as comfortable as possible.
Frame size:
Many adults comfortably fit into multiple sizes of goggles, but there are some basic guidelines. The size of the frame correlates with the size of the head. For those who wear a small helmet, should consider a small frame and those who wear a large and extra-large helmet should consider a larger frame. Medium-sized frames will generally fit most people. But it is good to note that goggles are generally unisex, apart from their color schemes and shape.
Face foam:
The foam of the snowboard goggle follows the curvature of the face without any pressure points. There should be no gap between the foam and the face for wind or snow to flow through. Users want a consistent and snug fit all around the perimeter of the goggle. If the goggles pinch the face or make the person feel uncomfortable, then they are not the ones. For flat face shapes, some brands have Asian fit goggles, that feature more foam on the bridge of the nose to compensate for different face shapes.
Strap:
Most of the ski and snowboard goggles feature an adjustable strap, and sometimes they feature a buckle or clip. The snowboarder should be able to tighten or loosen the strap so that they get the right fit on the head. Wearing a clip, buckle or a beanie should not jab the back of the head. It is important to keep in mind that, wider straps are easier to adjust and tend to stay put much better. Some of the children’s goggles don’t have adjusting straps. It is important to check for this feature so that they have room to grow.
Compatibility with a helmet:
While checking for the goggle fit, it is important to make sure if they work with one’s helmet or beanie, both for aesthetics and performance. It is important for the best ski google to fit smoothly on the face with the strap around the helmet. It is good to try another model if they don’t fit the face tightly. Some of the goggles have arms that extend out from the frame to position the strap out of the helmet. Almost all of the goggles are helmet compatible, but some large and spherical goggles have compatibility issues.
Lens technologies for ski and snowboard goggles:
Beyond the simple lens type and color, some of the goggle manufacturers apply a number of additional features to their goggles, in order to make them better in doing their job. Some of the best lens features are,
1. UV Protection: Almost all of the new goggles, have a 100% UV protection. The UC intensity of the goggle increases with altitude and protects the eyes of the wearer from the harmful UV rays. This prevents eye fatigue and also damage to the retina.
2. Mirrored lenses: a coating at the outside of the google reflects a greater amount of light than a non-mirrored lens. Letting a decreased volume of light means less glare and increased visual clarity in bright conditions.
3. Polarized lens: When the light gets reflected off certain surfaces, it reflects at higher intensity through angles that are perpendicular to the lens surface. As these lens act as a filter of vertical light, polarized lenses are able to cut glare much effectively than a standard mirrored lens. This improves the overall visual clarity and renders the best contrast and lens definition. A polarized lens is great for snow sports and it reduces eye strain and fatigue considerably.
4. Double lenses: Goggles with double lenses create a thermal barrier that reduced fogging significantly compared with the single lens counterpart. A single lens goggle won’t cut it for snowboarding or skiing. Double lenses are common on all new snowboard and ski goggles.
5. Anti-fog coating: These lenses have hydrophilic chemical treatment on the inside of the lenses and they are significantly reducing the tendency of the goggle to fog. Some of the coatings are more durable than others.
6. Photochromic lenses: These lenses automatically adjust to changing light conditions by darkening when exposed to strong UV light and lightening when there is less UV light. The main advantage of these lenses is that they will adjust to changing conditions making them highly versatile.
7. Prizm lenses: These lenses adapt to changing light conditions, by blocking strategic color wavelengths, so as to maximize contrast.
Ski and snowboard goggle care:
After making an investment and buying a pair of goggles, it is important to protect them in order to ensure that they last for many seasons as possible. Some basic tips to care for the goggles are,
- Never let the lens touch the table or any hard surface when one sets them down. Place them on the foam side with the lens facing up.
- It is important to use only a soft cloth or anti-fog cloth to blot the goggle lens dry. Wiping is pretty abrasive and can remove the anti-fogging coating on the inside of the lens.
- While staying off slopes, allow the goggle to dry thoroughly before storing it in the bag.
- Store the goggles in a soft sack when they are not in use. Most of the goggles come with a sack at the time of purchase.
- Do not dry the goggles in direct sun or in high heat, such as on the dashboard or by hanging it from the rearview mirror.
Final Words:
At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and it filters less ultra-violet rays. The sun’s reflection on the snow is brighter and more intense. Wind can make the eyes tear and blur the vision. Ice particles can get into the eyes and disturb the skier. Goggles are the best tools that protect the eyes of the wearer. We hope our guide helps you in choosing the best-fit google for snowboarding and skiing.
