Ski goggles vary widely between price, performance, and style. If you’re struggling to make sense of all the different lens technologies, UV ratings, and ventilation systems, our How to Choose Ski Goggles guide will help you determine which lens and goggle combination will work best for you and the conditions you typically ski.
When choosing ski goggles, it’s important to keep the following factors in mind.
Anyone who’s spent significant time on the mountain knows how important it is to have good helmet-goggle integration. If your goggles don’t fit well with your helmet, you could end up with a foggy view, a freezing forehead, or any number of issues that could distract from an otherwise great day of skiing.
One of the more common ways goggles integrate with helmets is via a clip on the rear of the helmet’s shell. This clip is made to fit over the back of your goggle strap, keeping it from slipping off the helmet. Goggles also typically feature a bead of silicone along the inside of the strap. This prevents the strap from shifting or sliding on the surface of the helmet.
It’s also important to make sure the shape of the goggle frame integrates well with the shape of the helmet. If the top of your goggle frame isn’t flush with the brim of your helmet, cold air can slip through the gap, which can be painfully chilly. One of the best ways to ensure a perfect fit is to buy goggles and helmets made by the same company. Most goggle and helmet companies, like Smith and Giro, take measures to ensure the curve of their goggles and the curve of their helmet brims are compatible. If you’re buying a helmet and goggles from two separate companies, inspect the frame of the goggle and the brim of the helmet beforehand to make sure the curve of each is complementary.
Full frame is the classic goggle design and consists of a lens fully wrapped in a frame. This goggle style has its pros and cons. For one, having a frame that fully wraps the perimeter of the lens makes it easy for the manufacturer to put vents into the frame. Secondly, it creates a sturdy, dependable casing, holding the frame in place for consistent protection and a clear view. However, as some goggle manufacturers have discovered in recent years, having a full frame can also impact your field of view.
Frameless goggles are a relatively new development. Rather than being surrounded by a plastic frame, these goggles feature a lens that extends all the way to the perimeter of the goggle. This increases the field of view, giving the skier more extensive peripheral vision, which helps with fast decision making and route finding through trees and tight chutes.
OTG goggles are designed specifically to be worn with prescription eyewear. Typically, they feature a larger interior volume to accommodate glasses and cutouts in the face foam to accommodate glasses arms. OTG goggles allow for the comfortable and fog-free use of glasses, so you don’t have to sacrifice vision for protection.
Goggles with interchangeable lens technology allow for quick and easy swapping between lenses of varying VLT% or color. This is especially helpful when a storm rolls in and the light gets flat or the sun comes out after a dark, cloudy morning. Smith Optics’ quick-release system and Oakley’s Switchlock Technology are both examples of this increasingly popular feature.
Spherical lenses are built on a base curve in both the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) axis. Cylindrical lenses are built on a base curve only in the X axis. Spherical lenses usually come in larger sizes, and because of their bubbled shape, they typically provide an enhanced field of view.
Cylindrical lenses have a lower-profile design because they don’t bubble out as much. But even though the surface area of cylindrical lenses is not as great as spherical lenses, they still provide a wide view and plenty of depth perception.
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) refers to the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens and reach your eyes. Sunny bluebird days call for a lower VLT%, as this strong tint will cancel much of the glare, while cloudy or stormy days call for a higher VLT%, letting the maximum amount of natural light through. For maximum versatility from a single lens, consider staying within 20-40% VLT. This mid-range rating will keep your eyes protected while allowing you to distinguish minor details and changes in contrast. Learn more about VLT% range on our Smith Goggle Lens Guide.
UV protection is measured in the percentage of UV radiation a goggle lens blocks out. This is an important factor to keep in mind, given the amount of damage UV rays can do to our eyes. For maximum protection, lenses should block 99-100% of both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light rays. Many modern goggle lenses—especially polarized ones—will offer full protection in these categories.
Ventilation is an essential aspect of ski goggles, as it prevents lenses from fogging. Lens fog is caused by perspiration getting trapped inside the goggle and condensing against the interior of the lens. With proper airflow circulating through the goggle, lens fog happens far less often. Vents are created by putting narrow holes or slits in the goggle lens or frame. The idea is to make vents that keep air flowing, but without letting an excess of cold air in or affecting the skier’s view.
To further prevent fogging, many goggle companies also add a hydrophilic lens coating and surface treatment to their goggles. This helps disperse moisture over a wide surface area to prevent fog from building up.
Having goggles that properly fit your face is a key factor in reducing lens fog and ensuring a comfortable fit. Most goggles come in varying sizes, which are indicated by the manufacturer. Manufacturers like Smith and Giro offer goggles in a variety of face widths and forehead sizes that are suited for the anatomic features of both male and female faces.
Some faces, however, still don’t adhere to the different sizes offered by goggle manufacturers. These skiers may find there is a small gap between their nose and the foam seal above it. Though it might seem inconsequential, even a small gap can let in cold air and moisture, potentially ruining your day. In this case, Asian fit goggles, which are offered by some manufacturers, are especially useful. They feature added foam lining at the bridge of the nose, forming a more complete seal around the skier’s face.