How to Choose Ski and Snowboard Goggles

Goggles offer you better eye protection than sunglasses when snowboarding or skiing. At first glance, it may not be apparent why goggles range so widely in price—from $25 to over $200. Here's how to make sense of the technology and find the right pair for your needs.

Why Wear Goggles?

The superior coverage offered by goggles versus sunglasses protects you from a number of on-the-mountain hazards:

• At high altitudes, the atmosphere is thinner and filters less ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• The sun's reflection on snow is brighter and more intense.
• Wind can make your eyes tear and blur your vision.
• Ice particles can get into your eyes, especially when descending fast.
• Twigs and branches can hit your eyes when dropping through the trees.

Shop REI's selection of ski goggles or snowboard goggles .

Goggles by Price Range

Here are the features you can typically expect at various price ranges:

How important are each of these features? Let's take a closer look.

Lenses and Ventilation

The quality and features built into lenses represent the biggest difference between basic and high-end goggles.

Lens Shape

There are 2 common lens shapes: flat and spherical. REI lists this information in the product specs on REI.com. Be aware though that some manufacturers use proprietary terms on their own websites to describe these 2 basic shapes.

• Flat. The lens curves left-to-right across your eyes and face, but the lens surface is vertically flat (between the nose and forehead). Flat-lensed goggles are priced lower and work fine, but the flatness can cause more glare and slightly reduces peripheral vision.
• Spherical. This lens, too, curves across your eyes and face, but it also curves vertically. Curved spherical lenses give better peripheral vision, less distortion and less glare but their cost is higher.

How to Avoid Fogging

When warm air (your body heat) meets cold air (the outside temperature), condensation can form. Goggles use a variety of approaches that can help you avoid fogging.

Double lenses: These are used nearly universally since they do not fog as fast as single-layered lenses. Sealed properly, they create a thermal barrier (like storm windows) that is even more resistant to fogging. An anti-fog coating will help any lens to ward off fogging.

Anti-fog coatings: These are integrated into virtually all mid-level to high-end goggle lenses to help deter fogging.

Vents: The top, sides and bottom of goggles are the keys to help control fogging. Wider vents generally create better ventilating airflow than smaller venting holes. The trade-off is that it means your face may get cold, particularly in extreme climates.

Fans: A few high-end goggles include small, battery-operated fans to help disperse moisture. Fans with different settings can be adjusted for standing in a lift line, riding the gondola or going down the slope.

Tip: If you're not wearing a helmet, don't put your goggles on top of your head. Rising heat from your body escapes through your head and cap, and goggles sitting on a head will trap this moisture.

Anti-fog products: These can be used on lower-end goggles without a coating or old goggles that are starting to fog.

• An anti-fog solution can be applied to the lens before hitting the slope. Just let it dry and you're ready.
• A fog cloth is a soft, lint-free cloth with inhibitors that help deter fog on the lenses and removes smudges.
• A fog eraser is a sponge on one side to blot and absorb moisture, and a soft chamois on the other side to dry a goggle lens.

Tip: Wiping snow off of your goggles can actually lead to more moisture and fog. It could also scratch the lenses. To avoid scratches, use goggle sack or a lens-specific cloth to blot (not wipe) any moisture off of the lens.

UV Protection

There are 3 types of ultraviolet (UV) rays—UVA, UVB and UVC. A lens rated for 100% UV protection protects you from all of them. Fortunately, such protection has become the standard on virtually all goggles sold today. This is good because too much sun and UV rays can sunburn your eyes, lead to cataracts, eye fatigue or other eye conditions. Remember, even when it's cloudy, UV rays are bouncing off of the snow.

Selecting a Lens Color

Note: VLT (visible light transmission) figures provided by goggle manufacturers.

Your lens color serves to filter and emphasize the colors in your vision. Goggles are offered in a variety of popular colors. In addition, some goggles have photochromic lenses that adjust to different light conditions. Other goggles provide interchangeable lenses so you can swap out different colored lenses for changing light situations.

The amount of light that reaches your eyes through the lens is called the visible light transmission (VLT). This spec is determined by the lens tint.

• Lighter lenses have a higher transmission and percentage where more light passes through the lenses.
• Darker lenses have lower light transmission and percentage where less light passes through the lenses.

Lens Features

Mirroring: Mirrored lenses have a partial or full lens coating on the outside of the outer lens. This reflects more light and thus allows in less light (by between 10% and 50%) than non-mirrored goggles. They're like a one-way mirror where you can look out, but no one can see into your eyes

Polarizing: A polarizing filter's primary function is to reduce glare from sunlight on snow or water. Some manufacturers, such as Smith and Bollé, insert a polarized film between 2 thin lenses. Oakley uses a method they call infused molding. This combines a liquid infusion process to combine the lens material and the polarizing filter.

Note: VLT (visible light transmission) figures provided by goggle manufacturers.

Photochromic: These lenses automatically change their tint level according to conditions and UV intensity. The more sun and UV rays, the darker the lenses become. If it's snowing or overcast the lens stays lighter. Indoors, they always stay light no matter the light intensity.

Note: VLT (visible light transmission) figures provided by goggle manufacturers.

Goggle Frames and Fit

Goggles generally come in unisex or kids' sizes, though many medium- to high-end models include women's specific sizes, too. Make sure to get goggles that fit your face. Manufacturers' sizing varies; some models are best suited for smaller or larger faces. Check the online product description for this information.

Most frames are made of polyurethane because it allows for some flexibility. In general, a more flexible frame is best for harsh use and cold temperatures. Again, the online product description will often give clues about a frame's flexibility.

Other fit considerations:

• Helmet: Virtually all goggles these days are compatible with helmets, but it's always a good idea to try on the goggles with your helmet to ensure a good, comfortable fit. For more on helmets, see the REI Expert Advice article on How to Choose a Snow Helmet .
• Strap adjustments: Make sure the goggle straps are adjustable and fit around your head and helmet. Most goggles have a single, sliding clip to make adjustments. Some higher-end goggles may have an open/close buckle with sliding clips on each side for adjustments. (Make sure the buckle doesn't poke into your head.) Some children's goggle straps have no adjustments at all. Wider straps are usually more comfortable than narrower straps.
• Padding: Foam padding keeps the goggle from pinching your face. It should be thick enough to cushion your face, make a good seal, keep out the elements but not be so thick that it promotes fogging. Higher-end goggles tend to use 2 or 3 layers of thin padding to create better venting.
• Peripheral vision: In general, a spherical lens offers better peripheral vision than a flat lens, and the larger the lens the better your peripheral vision becomes. Ideally, you should have 180º vision and a good view of your surroundings when zooming down a run.
• Fit: The fit should not be tight, but snug and comfortable.
• Goggles and your glasses: If you wear prescription glasses, look for goggles that are designed to fit over your glasses, often referred to as OTG (Over the Glass) styles. These have extra space to accommodate the glasses while avoiding pressure on your face from the temples and nosepiece.

Tip: You can also use an anti-fog treatment on your eyeglasses to help keep them clear under the goggles.

Shop REI's selection of ski goggles or snowboard goggles .

Goggle Care

Avoiding Scratches

Goggles are pretty durable, but the lenses require some thought and care to maximize their usefulness.

1. First, get a pair that has at least 1 scratch-resistant coating—2 coatings are even better.
2. Keep the goggles in a soft-lined sack when you're not wearing them.
3. Don't set the lenses lens-side down on a table or hard surface.
4. Don't leave them on a heater or vehicle dashboard.
5. Don't store them in sunlight.

Scratches usually are not covered under warranty, but some manufacturers do have replacement lenses you can purchase.

Cleaning

Check your instruction manual before cleaning—some common cleaners can damage lenses. Use a recommended cleaner and a very soft cloth—paper products and ski gloves can make scratches. Try to keep fingers and fingerprints off of the lenses to avoid oil, dirt and smudges. Most goggle storage sacks double as a cleaning cloth.

To clean:

• Shake off excess snow.
• Clear snow off of vents.
• Let any remaining snow melt.
• Use a soft cloth or anti-fog cloth to blot (not wipe) the lens dry.
• Put goggle back on and keep moving. Airflow will help the goggle stay dry.

Storage When Not in Use

When not wearing your goggles on the mountain, putting the goggles in a pocket will keep them dry and ready for use. But be sure to use an exterior pocket—an interior pocket, where there is body heat, can fog them. Make sure there is nothing in the pocket that could scratch them, including the pocket fabric. Be sure to use the storage bag.

Goggle FAQs

Q: Do ski goggles and snowboard goggles offer basically the same function and protection?

A: Yes, the differences are mainly cosmetic and reflect each brand's style and personality.

Q: What lens colors are best for bright, sunny days?

A: Brown, gray and copper-colored lenses all allow reduced VLT (visible light transmission) and thus excel on blue-sky days.

Q: What lens colors should I consider for snowy or overcast days?

A: Yellow, gold, amber, green or rose-colored lenses all offer increased VLT (visible light transmission) and make good choices on days with poor visibility days.

Q: What lens color should I use for night skiing?

A: Go with goggles that offer a clear lens option.

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