Best Ski Goggle Reviews 2020

When it comes to the cost of your new ski goggles, this is going to depend on a variety of factors, such as lens type, frame material, color options, etc. To give you numbers, if you opt for budget-friendly goggles, these usually cost around $25; moderately priced goggles usually cost around $40-$45, while high-end ones can go up to $200 in some cases or even more, if the technology used in making them is really advanced.

Products at the higher end of this scale will usually have spherical lenses, allowing for a better field of vision and a more comfortable fit. They also tend to have easy-to-use interchangeable lenses or photochromatic lenses, making the product suitable for a variety of weather and lighting conditions. Pricier products also tend to include useful features such as quick-fit silicone straps, 100% UV protection, and goggle bags.

Products at the lower end of this scale work just as well; however, they tend to include fewer features. If you only ski now and then or will only be skiing in one type of weather condition, then a lower-cost pair of goggles will work just as well. Cheaper ski goggles are available on the market as well ($15 or less), but be aware that these products won’t be as durable or have high protection and will be more prone to scratches.

The features you’ll want included in your new ski goggles will depend entirely on your own personal preferences, face shape, and where you’ll be skiing. There are a few features we recommend keeping an eye out for, however, to ensure you select the best possible product for you!

Here are some important features to look out for and think about:

• 100% UV Protection
• Gender and Face Size
• Frame Size
• Lens Type and Shape
• Changeability of the Lenses
• Ventilation
• Helmet Compatible
• Wide Silicone Strap

When searching for a pair of high-end ski goggles, we recommend choosing a product that has 100% UV protection. This will give you ease of mind whilst skiing down the slopes and prevent you from damaging your eyes and surrounding areas. It also means you don’t have to carry around a bottle of sunblock with you, which is always a plus!

Further, consider who the goggles are actually for. Ski goggles designed for women are often a lot narrower than those designed for men, with a much smaller frame. This is because women tend to have smaller heads and faces than men, and therefore require less surface area coverage. Kids’ goggles are usually designed with simple, inexpensive lenses to keep the cost down and for easy use. This said, it’s very important that you select the right type of goggles for your gender and face size.

Aside from your face size, for the more fashion-conscious skiers out there, it has become increasingly popular to wear oversized goggles with large frames, which are great for large faces too. Small-frame goggles, however, are much narrower in design and are both shorter and shallower than other frames—great for smaller faces or those who like the small-frame look.

If, however, you’re somewhere in between, medium-frame goggles may be the best fit for you. If you wear prescription glasses, then you may want to consider purchasing OTG goggles instead. These have a deeper, wider, and taller frame that will allow you to comfortably wear your glasses underneath the goggles without discomfort or added pressure. Some OTG goggles even have an electric fan built in to prevent fog!

You’ll also want to have a little think about the type of lenses you want in your new ski goggles. Lenses can vary depending on the light conditions you’ll be skiing in and your own personal preferences. Here is an overview of the different types to look for:

• Polarized - Ideal for reducing glare from both the sun and the snow, preventing your eyes from becoming tired whilst sliding down the slopes. They also don’t sacrifice visibility when skiing in low-light conditions.
• Photochromatic - Perhaps the most versatile of all the lenses, as they can automatically lighten or darken depending on the light conditions where you’re skiing. Their clever design will adjust depending on the level of UV radiation, making them perfect for a variety of light conditions.
• Mirrored - Either slightly or fully reflective on the outside of the goggles, blocking additional sunlight in particularly bright conditions. They’re also great at reducing glare, as they reflect light away from the lens. If you’ll be skiing in overcast weather, however, then these goggles may not be suitable.
• Non-mirrored - Have no reflecting properties whatsoever, so will allow all light to come through the lenses. These goggles are best suited for overcast weather or nighttime skiing, as they will cause too much glare on bright, sunny days.

Another thing to consider when shopping around for your perfect ski goggles is the shape of the lens itself. The shape of the lens you choose will affect your field of vision, as well as your peripheral vision. Goggles with spherical lenses work well, as the lens shape matches the curvature of your face and eyes. This means you’ll have a less distorted image whilst skiing and a clearer, sharper field of vision. Although these products are often more expensive, they offer you far better optics than other lens designs. Flat lenses, or cylindrical lenses, offer a far more limited field of vision in comparison to spherical lenses, as well as a poorer peripheral view. They are also far more likely to cause glare.

Another useful feature to look out for in your new ski goggles is helmet compatibility. This means that the goggles won’t get in the way of your helmet or prevent you from fastening it securely. A helmet is an incredibly important part of skiing and is something that shouldn’t be compromised. Therefore, we highly recommend selecting a product with this feature.

Finally, we recommend looking for ski goggles with a wide silicone strap. This will make the product much more comfortable, secure, and durable. Products with this feature are much less likely to slip and shift in use and will keep your field of vision clear at all times.

Ski goggles are particularly susceptible to scratch and scuff. If you care for them properly, however, you can reduce the likeliness of this happening dramatically. It’s a good idea to invest in a ski goggle case or choose a product with this feature included. Most goggles get scuffed when they’re chucked loosely into your bag, therefore, a case will reduce the likelihood of this occurring.

When it comes to cleaning your goggles, you’ll want to wipe the outside of the lenses with a cotton cloth or a product built specifically for this purpose. Paper towels or napkins can scratch the outside of the lenses very easily and affect the product’s overall visibility. You should never wipe the inside of your goggles, as they’re often treated with an anti-fog coating. By wiping the inside of the goggles, you will remove this protective layer; therefore, it’s best to give your goggles a little shake to remove any water.

You’ll also want to consider whether or not you want goggles that will allow for lens changes. If you’ll be skiing somewhere where light conditions can vary throughout the day, then a pair of goggles with an easy lens change may be what you’re after. Easy-to-change lenses will allow you to swap goggle lenses on the go, and this can be completed in a matter of minutes.

More difficult lenses will still allow you to swap and change, but will require you to snap the tabs on the lens to remove it from the frame and then snap a new one in place. These products are usually much cheaper than easy-to-use lens-swap goggles, but will require more time and precision.

Finally, think about whether or not you require ventilation in your new ski goggles. This feature will help control the climate inside the goggles themselves, allowing air to flow in and out of the product to prevent moisture and fogging. Goggles with low to minimal ventilation are suitable whilst skiing but may fog when the user isn’t moving. High-ventilation goggles, however, will give you an unbeatable level of ventilation whether you’re on the slopes or at the bar.