The Best Ski and Snowboard Goggles

Buying Guide for Ski and Snowboard Goggles

Why buy a pair of ski and snowboarding goggles?

Whether a beginning skier or an expert snowboarder, it’s vital to protect yourself as much as possible on the slopes, as you’re exposed to the sun’s reflection (snow blindness), whipping winds, and harmful UV and UVB rays, which can damage your eyes. Goggles also shield the sun’s glare from distorting visibility while shredding a hill or learning the bunny slopes. And if you wear prescription glasses, you don’t have to go without—there’s a pair of goggles for you.

What should you know before purchasing ski and snowboarding goggles?

• Lens Shape: Think about whether you want cylindrical lenses offering a flatter profile or spherical lenses that curve across the face, and vertically, for better peripheral vision.
• Anti-Fog: Factor in anti-fog lenses into your purchase if you want to prevent fogging while skiing or snowboarding. Chances are, you do.
• Lens Tint: Tint emphasizes colors and encourages important contrast. Lenses come in light tint, dark tint, and clear for night use. Choose the best tint depending on the light and weather conditions.
• Glasses: Do you wear prescription glasses? Make sure the goggles you purchase work with your everyday eyewear.

How should a pair of skiing or snowboarding goggles fit?

Your goggles should fit snuggly, but comfortably, over any headgear (whether a helmet or beanie) and include adjustable straps to help secure the perfect fit. You’ll know they’re the right goggles if your cheekbones, forehead, and nose all fit inside, and you’re not bending the goggles to fit your headgear. Breathing should be easy and unaffected. The foam surrounding the lenses should be also tight and consistent all around so that no elements break through.

Our Picks for the Best Ski and Snowboard Goggles

Pro: These flexible, high-quality Lagopus goggles from ZIONOR are an excellent investment in comfort and safety. With important protective features for youths and adults, like a thermoplastic (TPU) safety frame and 100% UV protection, the entire family can tackle snow days with complete confidence (even if you wear prescription glasses). The included adjustable strap extends from 21 to 32 inches to fit a wide range of sizes, and a built-in ventilation system (cold air in, hot air out) prevents dangerous fogging to help maintain optimum visibility. Choose from tons of colors and lenses.

Cons: In the photos, the Lagopus goggles appear to have mirrored lenses, but they’re more see-through like regular glasses.

Bottom Line: This is a quality find for a great value. These goggles contain all the important features needed to protect your eyes for as long as you’re enjoying the ride.

 

Pro: OutdoorMaster, a popular brand among skiers and snowboarders, offers these tested-and-proven (by more than one million people), high-fitness goggles for men and women. Their superior, dual-layer glass lenses are UV-combatant and supported by a strong TPU frame with an anti-slip coating for easy handling. These goggles boast top-clarity visualization in snow and are ventilated for a fog-free experience. They’re also OTG compatible and fit over small to medium glasses. Your purchase includes a soft, stretchable cover to prevent lenses from damage and dust.

Cons: Some of the color lenses offered can make navigating cloudy days a little harder. You might want to go for a lighter color, like yellow, for darker skies.

Bottom Line: Comfy, stylish, and ultra-safe, these OutdoorMaster goggles are a vision in white, blue, black, amber—whatever color lens you need. Plus, they’re quality built and tested.

 

Pro: These Mag-Pro interchangeable goggles from AKASO come at a higher price tag, but it’s for good reason. With extra-large lenses, secured at 12 points with magnets and anchors, they offer excellent peripheral views and distortion-free clarity for a smooth, easy ride (even on a black run). Need a different tint for changing weather conditions? Easily detach your current lenses and replace them with another. These goggles, designed to fit any helmet, are anti-fog, with durable, double-layer lenses and outstanding air circulation and fit glasses up to 5.75 inches wide and 1.65 inches tall.

Cons: Any extra, detachable lenses are sold separately.

Bottom Line: Life is unpredictable and so are the slopes. Pack your favorite lenses to help ensure the best trip possible, especially as the demand for color and contrast can change.

 

Pro: Another worthy buy from ASAKO—this time, for kids three to 16 years old. These double-layer, spherical goggles provide kids with 100% UV protection and shielding from snow glare, which can affect their fun, performance, and eye health. Like quality adult goggles, these encourage excellent peripheral views and clean, crisp vision and contrast, and you won’t have to worry about foggy vision because these feature a high-performance hydrophilic internal coating. Your purchase also includes a soft, microfiber bag to keep goggles safe and scratch-free. For added fun, your little skier or snowboarder can choose from six bright colors.

Cons: The lenses, overall, are fairly dark and may not be optimal for night skiing.

Bottom Line: A funky, cool way to keep your little (or teen) explorer protected while they learn the ropes. You won’t spend any time worrying about eye safety or whether or not your child is comfy.

 

Pro: Looking for a sturdy pair of Amber-tint goggles? These Helix 2.0 unisex goggles are designed with a PERCEIVE technology lens for high-contrast vision and terrain-defining clarity, especially at night. The over-the-glass, anti-fogging goggles are coated to prevent smudging, scratching, and moisture buildup—all of which can easily ruin your ski or snowboard trip. Its dual-layer face foam, made from moisture-wicking fleece, encourages a snug, comfortable fit that prevents cold air from entering the wrong places, while internal air-circulation technology works to maintain crystal-clear vision. You’ll also get a free spare lens.

Cons: Though these are a premium option, they may better suit beginning and intermediate skiers and snowboarders.

Bottom Line: Whether you ski every day in the winter, or snowboard a few times a year, these Anon goggles will provide superior comfort and protection from sun, wind, and glare.

Final Thoughts

We hope you’re feeling extra prepared for the snow with any of these high-quality, safety-conscious goggles. With so many styles, safety features, and sizes, you and the family won’t have to trek to the nearest sporting-goods store.