Caught in a whiteout when carving off-piste? No problem – get the right ski goggles and you'll be ready for any run, whatever the weather. With the latest models sporting cutting-edge anti-fog and photochromic lens technology, the best goggles will guarantee crystal clear vision whether you're carving turns or nervously slow-ploughing down the beginner slopes.
How to buy the best ski goggles for you
Why do I need ski goggles?
In short, for better visibility and your own safety. All UV light is amplified with altitude which limits your visibility and makes the glare reflected from the snow even stronger. Harmful UV light can seriously damage your eyes, too, so goggles are essential for filtering the UV light to protect your eyesight.
Another factor is weather – you could wake up to blue skies and be hit with a blizzard by midday. This makes it a lot harder to stay on track and safely make your way down the piste. To combat changing conditions you'll need goggles with specialised lenses and tints. These will create stronger contrasts which will make it easier to see lumps and bumps in the snow. Goggles also come in lots of different colours to suit light conditions. But don't worry, we'll go into more detail about that later.
Plus, you're going to fall victim to an epic wipeout at some point, it happens to the best of us. And there's the risk of getting hit by falling debris, too. Ski goggles are important because they'll protect your eyes and face from injury. Just make sure they're securely in place and you're good to go.
What features should I look for?
A basic pair of ski goggles will shield you from the elements, filter out harmful UV light and have an anti-fog ventilation system. While basic goggles are ideal for first-timers or kids, they just won't cut it if you're venturing past the beginner slopes. We'd recommend getting snow goggles with a few extra features to really get the most out of your ski day.
What do the lens category and VLT figures actually mean?
All goggles have a lens category, from 1 to 4, which tells us how much light is blocked by the lens. There's also a Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage which shows how much light is allowed to pass through the lens. Put simply: dark lenses (category 4 and 10-30% VLT) are ideal for bright blue bird days because they block the most light. While paler lenses (category 1 and 50-70% VLT) are perfect for low-light conditions as they allow more light to pass through the lens.
What types of lenses are there?
- Cylindrical lenses are shaped like a quartered cylinder - they curve horizontally across your face but are flat vertically. They're the cheapest type of lens and also the most flexible which makes them perfect for no-fuss lens changes.
- Spherical lenses have a bubbled effect. They curve vertically and horizontally to mimic the shape of your eye. This gives you better peripheral vision with no blinds-spots or distortion. They're also less prone to fog up because of their large surface volume.
- Polarised/mirrored lenses have a chemical coating to block the blinding glare that's reflected from the snow. This helps to improve visibility and reduce eye fatigue. But, while ideal for sunny, or slightly overcast days, mirrored and polarised lenses are dark, so they'll impair your vision in low-light conditions.
- Goggles with interchangeable lenses will equip you for all weather conditions. You simply pop the lenses out of the goggle frame and then firmly press them back into place. There's loads of lenses available and with the latest quick-change systems, swapping lenses is a doddle.
- Photochromic lenses have a special chemical coating which transitions colours in seconds to suit changing light conditions. They're expensive but are great for skiing enthusiasts that encounter loads of weather conditions and don't want to juggle between a stash of interchangeable lenses.
What size should I get?
Whether you're looking for goggles large enough to cover your tired eyes from après-ski or want to kit out your kids, there'll be a size and shape to suit you. Really, choosing the perfect pair comes down to the size of your head and personal preference. But our biggest tip: try them on with your helmet to make sure they're fully compatible and that you've got the right fit.
But there's still a couple of things you should be aware of when you're choosing your size. Firstly, oversized goggles are great for edge-to-edge peripheral vision but they can overwhelm small faces and may be incompatible with your helmet. Secondly, you need to be wary of choosing a pair that's too small. It's the ultimate skiing faux pas to have a gap between your goggle and helmet - called a gaper. Naturally you don't want your awesome skiing skills to be let down by your poor fashion choices.
How do I look after my ski goggles?
Wiping your goggles clean with your sleeve just won't do if you're looking to keep them in prime condition. After all, they're a pricey purchase and deserve to be treated with a little care. Simply wait for the goggles to dry and wipe clean with a soft cloth - even the soft-case that comes with your goggles will do. We'd also recommend keeping your ski goggles in their protective case (not on your head) when you're not using them. This will stop the lenses getting scratched and the chemical coating getting damaged. Most goggles come with a case, but if not, the Anon Case is a great investment to keep your eyewear safe.
The best ski goggles to buy
Oakley Flight Deck: The best rimless ski goggles
£159, Buy Now from Amazon
Perfect for those looking for an on-trend, bug-eyed look, the Flight Deck was inspired by the edge-to-edge design of fighter pilot's visors. Oakley's super-size, spherical Flight Deck delivers unrivalled peripheral vision with no distortion for a wide-open view of the mountain. And surprisingly, despite its size, it's fully helmet compatible, too.
At this price point we think a spare lens wouldn't go amiss but you're getting a lot of tech for your money. The Torch Iridium lens has the latest Prizm technology polarisation which finely tunes colour to give a stronger contrast and stunning visual clarity. And with a 11-20% VLT, it'll have you covered in bright and cloudy conditions. But you might want to invest in another lens if you're skiing in overcast conditions all the time. Plus, with Oakley's highest level of permanent F3 anti-fog coating, your vision should stay picture-perfect from dawn till dusk.
Key details – Lens: Prizm Torch Iridium; Lens shape: Spherical; Spare lens: No; Helmet compatible: Yes
Julbo Aerospace Zebra: The best photochromic goggles
£168, Buy Now from Amazon
If you're after a high-tech, all-in-one goggle, Julbo's Aerospace with the patented photochromic Zebra lens deserves to be your go-to pick. The category 2-4 lens adapts to changing light conditions in seconds to optimise visibility and keep every little detail looking in focus and crisp - plus, the colour vibrancy is brilliant. It's also available in other photochromic variations, like Zebra Light, Snow Tiger and Chameleon. So we're sure you'll find a lens that suits the terrain you're most exposed to.
And we love the Aerospace's nifty SuperFlow ventilation system which allows you to pull the lens a cm away from the frame for maximum airflow and minimal fogging. This will keep you comfortably steam-free whether you're on the ski lift, bombing down the piste or mountaineering. Our only bugbear is that it's tricky to pull the hinges out, especially when you're half way down the mountain, but it's easy enough to snap the lens back into place.
Key details – Lens: Zebra; Lens shape: Spherical; Spare lens: No; Helmet compatible: Yes.
Anon M3 MFI: The best interchangeable-lens ski goggles
£153, Buy Now from Amazon
For a quick-change lens system, the Magna technology on the Anon M3 goggles is tough to beat. Using eighteen rare earth magnets across nine connection points, the lenses instantly snap into place in the frame. And they're surprisingly easy to change, too - even with gloves on. But don't worry, they're built to withstand brutal wipeouts and won't pop off if you have a tumble. They've also used the Magna tech for a detachable face mask, so your face will stay toasty warm and shielded from the icy elements if and when you need it.
Anon's anti-fogging Integral Clarity Technology keeps fog at bay to optimise visual clarity. Plus, you'll be carving in comfort with the ultra-plush triple density face foam. So if you're feeling spendy, we can vouch for the fact that the M3 goggles are most definitely worth investing your hard-earned cash into.
Key details – Lens: Dark Smoke; Lens shape: Cylindrical; Spare lens: Graybird; Helmet compatible: Yes.
Bolle Volt: Best ski goggles for kids
£20, Buy Now from Amazon
Unless your kid is a skiing prodigy that's mastered the toughest runs in all weather conditions, the Bolle Volt goggles are ideal for kids. They're compatible for ages 6 and up and are fully helmet compatible. Their category 2 lenses, available in either pink vermillion or blue emerald, improve visual clarity in sunny and overcast conditions while the mirrored finish reduces some glare. They come in some funky designs, too, which we're sure will get your kids hyped to wear them.
Built for tumbles and falls, the goggles have an anti-scratch Carbo-Glas lens that won't shatter on impact. And with the P8 anti-fog coating and flow-tech venting there'll be little chance of a steamy decline. The dual density foam is soft and gentle, too, so you shouldn't get any complaints about the goggles pinching or being uncomfy. Overall, a great pair of kids ski goggles at a decent price.
Key details – Lens: Choice; Lens shape: Cylindrical; Spare lens: No; Helmet compatible: Yes.
Smith i/OX ChromaPop in Everyday ChromaPop: The best goggles for wearing over glasses
£199, Buy now from Snow + Rock
Skiing without crystal-clear vision is a disaster waiting to happen. So if you weren't blessed with 20-20 eyesight, over-the-glasses goggles are a necessity. And we think Smith's i/OX ChromaPop goggles are top of the class. Thanks to their large, rimless design there's plenty of space for your specs and you'll have better peripheral vision. The spherical Carbonic-X lens with the 5X anti-fog inner coating gets rid of all fog, so you won't have to worry about both pairs of eyewear steaming up.
We admit that they're expensive goggles but we think all the extra features make the price tag a little easier to swallow. After all, the interchangeable goggles come with two lenses in Everyday ChromaPop and ChromaPop Storm Rose Flash which is for low-light conditions. They both do a great job at blocking glare and thanks to the ChromaPop polarisation, clarity is optimised and colours appear much more vibrant.
Key details – Lens: Everyday ChromaPop; Lens shape: Spherical; Spare lens: ChromaPop Storm Rose Flash; Helmet compatible: Yes.
Bolle Carve: The best goggles for beginners
£45, Buy Now from Amazon
If you're a skiing novice then there's no need to spend a fortune on high-tech goggles. You'll probably be sticking to the beginner slopes and won't encounter too many tough conditions. So, for a reasonably priced, all-purpose goggle we'd recommend the Bolle Carve. The flow-tech venting system banishes all fog thanks to its directional airflow over the inside of the lens. Better still, the double lens creates a thermal barrier to keep the cold out.
Naturally, the goggles lack the subtle design details found on up-market models. We'd like a silicone backed head strap to keep the goggles in place, but you can't argue with the budget price tag. And there's a selection of different coloured lenses, too. For general use, we recommend the category 2 Vermillon Gun lens. It performs well in bright and slightly cloudy conditions and the mirrored finish helps to reduce some glare.
Key details – Lens: Vermillion Gun; Lens shape: Cylindrical; Spare lens: No; Helmet compatible: Yes.
Giro Roam: The best budget goggles
£60, Buy Now from Amazon
We know what you're thinking – two lenses for a bargain price must mean these goggles are sub-standard. You'd be wrong, though. The Roam goggles perform really well and even have a couple of features from Giro's premium line. They're perfect for general use, or to keep as a spare pair, and the two lenses mean that you're ready to tackle both bright and low-light conditions. The swappable lens system isn't as high-tech as the Anon M3 but that's to be expected for the price.
Giro's taken the classic framed look and given it a new spin with their Expansion View technology. The compact frame maximises your field of vision to give you better visual clarity without the added expense of making rimless goggles. And we like the medium, over the glasses fit and unisex design, too. Overall, you're getting a high-performance goggle with a guilt-free price tag.
Key details – Lens: Sun/all conditions; Lens shape: Cylindrical; Spare lens: Low light; Helmet compatible: Yes.
