When hitting the slopes, good vision is necessary to have not just a great day out, but a safe one too. Ski and snowboard goggles, therefore, are one of the most important parts of your kit as they enable you to keep on gliding during cloudy, low light and glary conditions.
The latest pairs by Oakley, Smith and Anon boast interchangeable cylindrical and spherical lenses and anti-fog technology, with many costing under £100. By reviewing the best ski and snowboard goggles for flat light, glasses and more to buy from Amazon, John Lewis, Decathlon and eBay, we've put you in the desirable position of knowing which way is down and which piste conveniently links up with the bar.
Quick List - Top Ski and Snowboard Goggles
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With a variance in lens type and tint as well as the different features each brand chooses to include, deciding on the right pair can be a tricky affair. So before you peruse the top 10, have a gander through this simple buying guide that will have you shredding through the snow in no time.
The lenses are hands down the most important part of goggles. Not only do they protect your eyes from the wind, snow and sun, but if you choose the right ones, they will also enhance your skiing or boarding experience tenfold.
There's no beating around the bush – when it comes to the two types, spherical lenses are better than cylindrical ones. Appearing rounded and quite bug-like in appearance, spherical lenses curve both horizontally and vertically to offer a greater surface area and an unimpeded peripheral view.
The curve of spherical lenses reduces glare through the elimination of flat spots which catch the light. Through the increased surface area inside the goggle, they also alleviate fogging, which every mountain lover can attest to detecting. Their downside, however, is that they are considerably pricier.
If your family ski holiday is already costing an arm and a leg or you're a newbie to the snow, then cylindrical lenses will do just fine. The biggest difference between the two is that cylindricals only curve horizontally. They're also set back into the frame of the goggle, which makes them more prone to fogging and glare.
Just behind the type of lens you choose, tint is right there in importance. This is a super crucial one to consider, especially when the clouds are closing in or the sun is at an angle where glare is everywhere.
In overcast and low-light conditions, look for rose, yellow, amber, green and blue tints to give you optimal clarity and contrast. Opt for dark tints like black, grey, brown and dark coppers on those special bluebird mornings where the sun is peering over the peaks and you just know it's going to be a beautiful day.
You may be thinking, how in the world can I predict the mountain weather? Here, you have three options. One is to get a middle-ground lens tint to cover all weather conditions, within reason. The second is to buy multiple pairs of goggles (which can get expensive) and the third is to buy goggles with interchangeable lenses.
The visible light transmission (VLT) is an important percentage that instructs how much light filters through each lens. It must be known, however, that not all goggles come with a VLT, though it is certainly welcome when they do.
Measured on a scale of 0 to 100, any lens with a VLT of 60% or more is considered a flat light lens to cope with those particularly clouded-in mountain days. For evenings in the middle of winter and nighttime skiing, you'll need an ultra-clear lens with a VLT of at least 90%.
All of the previously mentioned tints that are for clear weather skiing should have a VLT of 5-20%. If the skies are a mix of cloud and sun and you're stumped as to which way it's going to go, then look for tints with a VLT of 20-60% for a mid-point on clarity and light.
Every skier and snowboarder who is committed to the mountains will tell you that interchangeable lenses are the only way in the modern day. A feature of premium and mid-range goggles, the ability to swap one lens out and quickly fit another between runs can be a serious lifesaver.
For the most part, the best in the business are equipping their models with toggles and magnets that make swapping out lenses a swift and straightforward process. If you're lucky, you could even receive two lenses to give you a headstart on building up your collection for all-weather shredding.
Unique features help you to sift through the pack and find your perfect pair. With each brand putting worth in certain aspects of their goggles over others, this can be a great way of making sure that your prior set of requirements have been fulfilled.
In terms of foam, you can either look for nice and chunky double-layered stuff for comfort or slimmed down foam for lightness. These days, anti-fog coatings are fairly standard in the industry so make sure your goggles have it, while non-slip silicone on the strap will keep them fixed in place.
The best goggle brands even feature their own cutting-edge lens technology. By enhancing colour and contrast, these lenses are premium by nature and by price. Finally, extras like cleaning cloths and protective cases are a nice touch that ensures your goggles hang around for a few ski trips, at least!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oakley Flight Deck XM Goggle | ![]() | Unrivalled Tech and Suitability for Glasses Wearers | |
2 | Anon M2 Ski Goggle | ![]() | Features Two Magnetic Interchanging Lenses | |
3 | Smith Skyline Snow Goggle | ![]() | Medium-Fit and Rimless With Good Peripheral Vision | |
4 | Oakley Men's Line Miner Goggle | ![]() | Slimmed-Down Cylindrical Goggles for Skiers | |
5 | Atomic Count 360° Ski Goggle | ![]() | As Light as Air With Interchangeable Lenses | |
6 | Smith Women's Riot Goggles | ![]() | A Women’s Low-Light Pair to Increase Contrast | |
7 | Wedze Kids' and Adult Ski Mask | ![]() | Priced-to-Sell Spherical Goggles for the Whole Family | |
8 | Giro Cruz Snow Goggle | ![]() | Red Lenses for the Speed Demons of the Slopes | |
9 | Bollé Kids' Rocket Goggle | ![]() | A Great Starter Pair for Aspiring Young Skiers | |
10 | lugik Kids' All-Weather Ski Goggles | ![]() | Budget Toddler Goggles for All Weather Conditions |
Consistently topping the charts since they hit the scene in 2014, Oakley's Flight Deck is one of the most popular ski goggle styles worldwide. Designed for smaller head sizes, the Flight Deck XM is a slightly slimmed-down version of the original XL. The stock lens is a torch tint of just 17% VLT for maximum glare protection.
The lens features Oakley's latest Prizm technology which, by all reports, is the best on the market to date, offering unrivalled clarity and definition. With quick-interchange tech and compatibility with most prescription eyewear too, this is a seriously solid pair of goggles for the dedicated mountain crew.
Including a green lens at 22% VLT and a cloudy pink one at 53%, Anon have covered most bases on the slopes weather-wise. The M2 also has their latest Magna-tech change system to make ultra-light work of swapping out lenses when required.
Both of the lenses have Anon's high-definition SONAR lens technology to enhance contrast on all aspects of the mountain, too. This is a slick and surprisingly well-priced pair of goggles for both men and women who desire the latest technology to maximise shred time.
The Smith Skyline is a medium-fit goggle that's a great option for both men and women to wear. The rimless construction coupled with the spherical lens and anti-fog coating will go a long way in maximising peripheral vision.
The black lens has a VLT of just 12% and features Smith's latest high-end ChromaPop technology. By filtering light at two different wavelengths, ChromaPop reduces glare and maximises definition, helping to expand the mountain conditions that the lens will do well in.
The Line Miner has been designed for men who are looking for a premium cylindrical goggle. Oakley has made a real effort to pull the goggle in as close to the face as possible while keeping plenty of peripheral vision.
This style of goggle tends to suit skiers more than snowboarders as skiers are generally looking for a sleek model to complement their hurtling rates. Engineered to fit a wide variety of head shapes and faces and packed with the latest tech, the Line Miner is a premium goggle for the speed-hungry.
Atomic's Count 360° is a premium ski goggle for both women and men who are looking to get as much riding in as they can and need a reliable and stylish pair to get them there. Super sleek, the Count 360° comes with a green-tint lens for good weather riding.
They also feature an interchangeable spherical lens system purposed with making your mountain time as seamless as it can be. Also in the mix is an ultra-thin live-fit frame that's so light and refined, you'll forget they're even there.
The Riot is an affordable goggle model from Smith. With an oversized cylindrical lens and stylish design, they're intended for young women who desire some of the Smith steeze without the higher price tag to match.
The stock lens is yellow with a VLT of 65% to suit low light conditions specifically, though Smith is also currently stocking a couple of Riots with darker lenses for the sunnier days as well. With plenty of great features and extras thrown in, this is a very smart mid-range pair of cylindricals that will look the part and perform well too.
If you're a bargain hunter looking to snap up a deal for an upcoming holiday, then this pair of goggles has got your number. They've been designed for both adults and children with small and large sizes to choose from, so you can kit everyone out at once.
The spherical lens will give you a wider range of view that does away with blind spots and the potential for missing a fellow skier at speed, plus they're glasses-compatible. Decathlon's Wedze doesn't carry the same weight as the cooler, more renowned brands, but this is a hot deal on a solid pair for those not concerned about labels.
Giro is a popular sports brand that is a dominant force in the mid-range ski mask market. Branded as being a goggle that gets the job done without breaking the bank, the Cruz is a decent first pair for adults.
Designed to be unisex, they feature a double-layer of foam with a microfleece facing for a super cushy fit. The strap has anti-slip silicone strips while the amber scarlet lens has been coated in an anti-fog film to keep your riding on point. Again, the lens is cylindrical which, as we now know, is not the best.
Designed for children from six years of age, Bollé's Rocket goggles are a very decent pair for their price. Let your kids pick their favourite colourway from the seven desirable styles to make sure they admire and appreciate their new protective gear.
Each of the seven colourways features the same rose-tinted lens, making these another pair suitable for most weather conditions, alongside a helpful anti-scratch treatment. A slight downside is that the lens is cylindrical, which is a good indicator of why the goggles are priced so low.
It's almost ludicrous how easily kids pick up skiing. Their bendy limbs and fearless attitudes bring on this progression and they're never too young to start. Lugik's goggles are for toddlers aged 1 to 3 years who are hitting the slopes for the first exciting time.
They feature an amber-tinted lens that's rated 3 on a 1-5 scale of light and dark. This makes them a solid choice for both sunny and cloudy conditions. Sure, they are budget in construction, but considering the gentle slopes kids start on, they will suffice just fine.
There's no escaping the fact that where snow settles, the air is cold. To make sure you're adequately prepared for whatever the mountains throw at you, we've linked a few more ski-specific articles including gloves for adults and kids as well as snow boots for getting around the resort in comfort and style.
Getting the most out of your riding requires the right gear from the get-go. There's little point in heading out to the mountains and on your first riding day realising that your kit isn't up to the challenge. So here's hoping you were able to find a quality pair of goggles to make your ski holiday or season a memorable one.
Author: Connor Macanally
No. 1: Oakley|Flight Deck XM Goggle
No. 2: Anon|M2 Ski Goggle
No. 3: Smith|Skyline Snow Goggle
No. 4: Oakley|Men's Line Miner Goggle
No. 5: Atomic|Count 360° Ski Goggle
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