Best Ski Goggles 2023

Whether you’re blessed with bluebird days or cursed with clouds, when you head for the mountains this winter, a pair of the best ski goggles is essential not only to provide you with the best visibility, but also to protect your eyes from UV damage.

When the sun shines in the mountains, the light is reflected off the snow, greatly increasing the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light you’re exposed to. Interestingly, UV is also more intense at altitude, so it's important that your goggles can block as many harmful UV rays as possible without reducing or restricting your vision.

Man freeride skier running downhill on sunny Alps slope.

But as any skier knows, to enjoy those epic powder days you need snow, and lots of it, and with snow comes clouds and a whole new set of visibility issues. Thankfully, a pair of quality goggles are available with interchangeable lenses and variable tints that help improve visibility and amplify the light on overcast days, helping you see the moguls, rollers and cliff drops before they find you.

Read on to discover our list of the best goggles for the ski season ahead. We’ve covered all budgets, found a superb example for kids and even those with smaller heads, while also highlighting the latest in lens technology that really makes a difference on the slopes. And to help with our expert decision making, we asked Ian Smith, Patrol Director at Killington Mountain, Vermont, for his invaluable advice.

Burton

Lens shape: Toric or cylindrical | Number of lenses: 2

The M4 has been around for a couple of seasons, but remains one of the most fully featured and impressive designs money can buy. Admittedly, you’ll need plenty of cash to enjoy them, but you get two superb quality lenses, a universally stylish design, the quickest magnetic lens system, hard and soft carry cases and an ingenious magnetic face mask.

We opted for the toric lenses (seven variable VLT lens options are available), but you can also choose cylindrical lenses, or mix and match them on the same frame. The standard M4 goggles are large, but the new M4S has a medium fit, so between the two, most adult heads will be catered for. 14 magnets and two thumb grips on the lenses mean you can swap out lenses in seconds, even while wearing gloves, and we’ve yet to hear of anyone who's lost a lens during a fall.

But the final word goes to the simply brilliant magnetic face mask that connects seamlessly to the underside of the goggle frame and keeps the chill off without any unpleasant fogging. These masks should be compulsory.

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Giro

Lens shape: Toric | Number of lenses: 2

The Giro Contours are proof that you don't have to own a pair of hugely oversized goggles to enjoy a superior view of the mountains. These are still large frames (The Contour RS is available for smaller faces), but with the new Expansion View design, the goggles fit closer to the sides of the face, keeping the frame out of the wearer's peripheral vision.

Combined with a hybrid toric lens shape and you’ve got an IMAX worthy-view. You’re also supplied with a spare low-light lens, as well as your choice of 12 other lenses, including those designed for conditions ranging from extreme sun to clear skies at night. The lens quality is, as we’ve come to expect, superb, and the magnet fastening system makes swapping simple.

It's also worth noting that these fit seamlessly with any Giro helmet. And while it's by no means the most important consideration when choosing goggles, the Contours are gorgeous and on offer with some seriously funky straps, including a limited edition design from rock ‘n’ roll gods Fender.

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evo

Lens shape: Spherical | Number of lenses: 1

Lightweight, stylish and overflowing with features designed to make your time in the mountains as enjoyable as possible, this premium unisex frame has been engineered with a combination of Adaptive Foam and something Salomon calls Custom ID Fit—essentially small creases in the frame—that mold the goggle to a wide range of face and head shapes.

They’re not ideal for small faces, but the majority of wearers will be impressed by how well they fit. The standard lens supplied is a category 2, which is suitable for a wide range of conditions, and the spherical shape certainly lets you see plenty of the trail ahead. You can also buy a multitude of alternative lenses for every conceivable level of visibility, including photochromatic, although we were unable to test these.

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Dragon

Lens shape: Cylindrical | Number of lenses: 2

Dragon's first pair of goggles to feature a magnetic lens system is a real doozy. Using simple magnetic contact points on the lens and frame and a single latch, swapping out these lenses is a swift, remarkably fuss free exercise, and the locking latch keeps the lens secure, so it won't simply ping off if you take a tumble. And speaking of slams, we’re impressed by the well-protected ventilation that refuses to get clogged up even if you do take a powdery face plant.

Dragon's injection molded cylindrical Lumalens color-optimized lenses are some of the best in the industry, and we appreciate the fact they’re OTG compatible, have a superb anti-fog coating and that they supply a spare lens for low light, making it great allrounder.

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SunGod

Lens shape: Cylindrical | Number of lenses: 1

Popular with younger skiers and riders for a few years now, what makes these affordable goggles worthy of our attention is the fact that you can custom build them yourself via the website—choose the frame color, strap design and most importantly, lens type. Lots of brands have a few strap designs available, but there's 30 patterns here, including limited edition designs.

There's eight high quality 4KO Snow Lens tints, with most VLT percentage ranges covered, so bluebird days, thick cloud coverage and everything in between is well-catered for. If you’re worried about the size, the spherical lens Snipers have the same customizable options with more modest dimensions. Swapping lenses isn't as user friendly as some, but it's not a disaster. Finally, they come with a lifetime guarantee, and SunGods will repair your goggles for free, which is refreshing given how little they cost.

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POC

Lens shape: Cylindrical | Number of lenses: 1

Founded in 2005 in Sweden, POC has a proven track record in creating high quality gear for ski racing. They’ve successfully distilled that race-first technology into the Nexal Clarity (there's a Comp+ version for competitive skiers) to produce a plush, highly cushioned goggle with an epic widescreen field of view.

Look closely and you’ll notice two unusual protrusions that sit over the wearer's cheekbones. Rather than being a fashion statement, these ‘zygomatic bone covers’ reduce UV exposure and wind burn, which makes perfect sense when conditions turn and you don't want to risk fogging by tucking a neck warmer under your goggles.

We love the ventilation toggle that increases airflow considerably, and the frame outriggers—plastic rings holding the straps—are deliberately shaped to create a seamless fit with any POC helmet. These goggles are big, but the Nexal Mid Clarity offers the same features on a smaller scale.

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evo

Lens shape: Cylindrical | Number of lenses: 1

They grow up so fast, don't they, but that's no excuse not to make sure their eyes are safe on the mountain. Anon's youth collection of goggles feature technology trickled down from the adult designs, just without the high price tag. So with the Tracker 2.0 you get a pair of goggles that fit seamlessly with the vast majority of helmets, are OTG-friendly for glasses wearers, come available in a range of lenses for various conditions and swap in and out easily with magnetic connection points.

They also include the same magnetic facemask integration (MFI) as mentioned above with the adult M4S, so you can keep your kids warm and comfortable for longer, even in bad weather, which means more skiing for you.

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Julbo

Lens shape: Spherical | Number of lenses: 1

Skinning up to pillowy untouched backcountry powder takes effort, and most goggles will fog up as temperatures rise. The photochromatic spherical lens used here, however, can be pulled a full centimeter away from your face, allowing all the heat to escape. Even if you’ve never left the marked trails, it's a boon on a chair lift after a strenuous run.

The photochromatic lens (Cat 1-3) adjusts quickly and offers great visibility in all but the most extreme conditions, although we would still like a spare lens included, especially for the price. The Aerospace is also available with Twiceme app integration, meaning you can load your medical details onto the goggle strap and they can be easily accessed by a first responder in case of emergency.

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Oakley.com

Lens shape: Cylindrical | Number of lenses: 1

If you want to spend big on a pair of signature Oakley goggles, then you won't be disappointed by the Flight Deck collection, but if you’re hoping to get the best possible vision without spending a fortune, it's hard to look past the Line Miner. Available in large, medium or youth sizes, they have an understated design for modern goggles, with a low profile cylindrical lens wrapping close to your face for an expansive view and virtually universal helmet compatibility.

We counted 36 different Oakley Prizm lens combinations available, plus a generous number of jazzy signature models from big winter sport names such as Sage Kotsenburg and Henrik Harlaut. Anyone not familiar with Prizm lenses are in for a treat—they’re one of the best when it comes to enhancing color and contrast, thus enhancing the terrain in various conditions.

True, they’re not the flashiest of choices, and the lenses are tricky to swap, but they’re built tough, work well and fit everyone, which explains why they’re so popular among skiers young and old, beginner or professional.

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Smith 4D Mag Goggles

Lens shape: Spherical | Number of lenses: 2

Ski Patroller Ian Smith recommends Smith goggles, and once you've worn a pair of their flagship design you'll soon understand why. Starting with the spherical ChromaPop polarized lenses, you're treated to an exceptionally wide field of view with color and contrast dialed up to 11 to make every contour, crust and chute as clear as possible. You do pay heavily for the privilege, but Smith also supplies a low light and sunny day lens to complete the package, and they're fitted with magnets for simple chairlift lens changes.

The base of the lens has a tighter curve than most spherical or toric lens designs we've worn, and this has the benefit of extending your field of vision down without distracting distortion. The lenses also feel extremely durable, which adds some comfort given the cost of spares ($125).

So they look great, have a wide range of high performance lenses and are made to last, but Smith has also made them available in large, small and a Low Bridge design to suit the maximum range of face shapes, and the frame itself has a generous amount of flex which provides a supremely comfortable, verging on the bespoke, fit.

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Backcountry

Lens shape: Cylindrical | Number of lenses: 1

While $150 can hardly be described as chump change, the build quality, fit and superb lenses make it feel like you're getting an absolute bargain from Sweet Protection. We tested the category 3, RIG Topaz lens with a 12% VLT, which should cover your bases across a good range of conditions, while handling flat light and sunshine with aplomb.

Other lens variants are available with VLT between 4-25%, each featuring super tough 3mm thick RIG (Retina Illumination Grading) lens technology. This has been engineered to do wonders for contrast, helping to filter out the light frequencies that tend to flatten out the terrain.

The lenses also come with oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings to repel water and minimise fingerprint smudges, which will come in handy as replacing lenses is relatively old-fashioned, and doing it without touching the lenses takes some skill.

They fit really well with a range of helmets including POC and Giro, and there's plenty of foam where it counts to keep you comfortable. This goggle is also available in a Low Bridge fit, designed to sit better on the faces of people with a lower nose bridge.

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Bolle

Lens shape: Toric | Number of lenses: 2

Joining the likes of Smith, Giro and Anon at the premium end of the market, the Bollé Torus Neo is a hugely impressive toric shaped goggle with quick-release magnetic lenses that offer exceptional color enhancement.

The magnetic lenses are held in place by a small latch at the top. Flip it up and you can easily swap them out without touching the lenses. The catch is robust, and gives peace of mind, but our sample was quite stiff, requiring two hands to open, so not one for swapping out on the chairlift.

At 5.9oz the Torus Neo is light, there's a generous about of padding around the face and loads of ventilation, with gaps even in the top corner of the lenses. Don't worry, this doesn't in any way mean your eyes will be watering when gunning down the mountain.

But the real pull here is the Volt+ lenses, which offer a remarkable level of depth perception with colors and contrast that really pop. Bollé claims they have 30% more color enhancement than standard lenses, and while it's hard to quantify stats like these, we can tell you that while wearing them, there's a wonderful vibrancy to our vision, not dissimilar to being in a Pixar movie. And we mean that in the best possible way.

Our sample, in Carmine Red Matte, came with two lenses, one Cat 3 for good weather, and a superb pink tinged Cat 1 (51% VLT) that does remarkably well in poor flat light conditions. There are five options in total, two with standard for $50 less, but we can't recommend the Volt+ lenses enough.

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VALLON®

Lens shape: Spherical | Number of lenses: 1

We adore the retro look here and in particular the extensive choice of stripy 70s style straps, but don't be fooled by the vintage looks—these goggles are anything but old fashioned. They have a generous spherical lens with good field of view, lots of foam padding for comfort and a medium-large fit that will suit most faces, both male and female.

The Zeiss lenses are as good as we would expect for the price, and the standard tint is a Cat 3 (15% VLT) which are ideal for good weather days. Spare lenses cost a very reasonable $37, although currently there are only two options available: Smoke, a 13% VLT suitable for bright and sunny conditions, and Orange, a 36% VLT for poor visibility.

Ventilation is good, we experienced very little fogging and they fit well with a range of helmets. They don't feel as premium as some, but they do look gorgeous and offer great visibility, which is sure to be enough for many resort skiers.

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To help us better understand the importance of finding a good pair of goggles, we asked Ian Smith, who has served as the Patrol Director at Killington Mountain, Vermont, for the past 12 years.

"On the mountain, the option to change lenses fast is very important and having the right lens for the conditions makes all the difference." Explains Ian. "First thing in the morning when we’re doing set-up, I need a clear lens as it's still dark out, but as the sun comes out, I like to switch to a darker blackout lens."

"First and foremost, it's vital to find a frame that fits your face well," explains Smith. "Once you know which style works for your face—and remember to test with your helmet too, to ensure a seamless fit with no gaps—you can choose the lenses to suit a variety of conditions. I like a polarized lens to reduce glare on surfaces that might be icy."

"Caring for your goggles is important as lenses will scratch easily," he notes. "I never take them off my helmet and put them on my shelf at base when I’m not using them, but I keep the spare lenses in a soft cloth case to avoid damage. Hard cases are a great idea if you’re going to be traveling with them too."

There are many different sizes and styles of goggles to fit as wide a range of faces as possible. Get the fit right and you’ll enjoy a much greater field of vision. Choose something too small for your face and you’ll feel like you have blinkers on.

Given most resorts now insist on helmets, it's important to check that your chosen goggles will fit properly and not leave an irritating, and potentially chilly, gap across your forehead. One way to ensure a perfect fit is to choose the same brand of goggles and helmet. All-in-one helmets and goggles are increasing in popularity, but that is a discussion for another time.

Often appearing to be completely frameless, oversized goggles are extremely popular due to their great looks and exceptional peripheral vision. Some, like the Sungods Vanguards, are huge, but most leading brands offer smaller versions with the same features.

While the majority of goggles are unisex, you can find smaller female-specific frames that don't sacrifice on features or performance.

You can find some very cheap, truly awful goggles for kids, and while they should offer 100% UV protection, they’ll do little else to keep young riders comfortable and happy all day. Look for designs that come with a spare low light lens as well as tough frames that can cope with the inevitable bashing and dropping.

Designed for people who wear glasses, these goggles will have extra space for your spectacles, and cut out sections in the foam for the arms, so they don't get pressed uncomfortably against your face.

There are two main lens shapes to consider: cylindrical and spherical. Cylindrical lenses look flat, are curved around the vertical axis and are generally cheaper to manufacture. The more advanced spherical lenses are curved both vertically and horizontally. These bulbous lenses are said to mimic the shape of the human eye, reducing distortion and creating a better field of view.

Some of the goggles recommended here have toric shaped lenses that combine the curves of spherical and cylindrical curves to create a low profile goggle with superb peripheral vision. While the amount of curve differs depending on the brand, they’re generally flat in the vertical plane between the eyes, and the cylindrical curve starts towards the edges where reflections and glare can cause problems.

Lenses are categorized from 0 to 4—the higher the number, the darker the tint. Category 0 lenses are for use at night, so unless you’re on patrol like Ian, these aren't very common. As a rule, a good all-round lens choice will cover category 2-3, while category 4 is reserved for searing brightness, often only found at high altitude.

It's also worth looking out for the visual light transmission (VLT) rating. This figure indicates the amount of light the lens lets through to your eyes. The higher the percentage, the more light can pass through. For sunny days you want as little light as possible getting to your eyes, and the opposite is true for cloudy days or nights at the resort.

Lens to use: Category 3-4 (8-18% and 3-8% VLT)

Lens to use: Category 3 (8-18% VLT)

Lens to use: Category 2-3 (18-43% and 8-18% VLT)

Lens to use: Category 1-2 (43-80% and 18-43% VLT)

Increasingly popular, especially in resorts with more than their fair share of sunshine, a photochromic lens starts clear indoors and darkens automatically when exposed to sunlight. Ingenious molecules in the lens surface are activated by the sun's ultraviolet radiation, causing it to darken to suit various conditions. The speed with which a lens can change, and the amount of light let through to your eyes, differs brand by brand, but look for a good range from categories 1-3.

Most leading goggle brands have developed their own speciality lenses, designed to help them stand apart from the competition by offering greater protection, enhanced visibility and contrast while in the mountains. Examples include Lumalens by Dragon which uses an ionized lens to maximize contrast and reduce eye fatigue and ChromaPop from Smith which manipulates the light spectrum and corrects color confusion by separating out red, blue and green light. Prizm from Oakley works to boost the colors you need while blocking out the ones you don't.

Premium ski goggles come with a host of features, but depending on how and where you ski, you may not need them all. Pick and choose from the best features available.

These let you easily swap out different colored lenses to suit changing light conditions. The best designs use strong magnets and enable you to change the lenses in seconds.

Good goggle lenses are pre-shaped and should be made of at least two layers with a silicone seal separating them like double glazing. This layer traps in heat and reduces the likelihood of fogging.

Anti-fog lenses are treated on the inside with a hydrophilic chemical to prevent them from steaming up. They require some upkeep, so always check the manual to find out how best to care for your goggles.

These help reflect more light than standard lenses, reducing glare in bright conditions, while also looking oh-so cool.

These filter vertical light to reduce glare more effectively than standard mirrored goggles and offer increased clarity, making them perfect for extreme snow sports.

The top, sides and bottom of goggles are designed to help control fogging, especially as you start working hard. The larger the vents, the more air flow can get to the lenses, but the tradeoff here is that you may get a cold face if the temperatures plummet.