RS Recommends: The Best Ski Goggles to Buy This Winter
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It can be tempting to keep using those old ski goggles, but upgrading your mountain eyewear can make a big difference. Bad goggles — whether foggy, too bright, or too bulky — can become dangerous and dampen your performance. The best ski goggles, on the other hand, let you safely shred your hardest with protection against glare, snow, wind, and lens fog.
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If you haven’t shopped for ski goggles in a while, you’re in luck. The best ski goggles are now very advanced, boasting incredible visibility, interchangeable lenses, and anti-fog technology. Plus, unlike some mountain gear, high-end ski goggles can be appreciated by everyone — whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
The only downside with all the advancements in ski goggle tech is that it can be hard to choose the right pair. To help protect your eyes on the slopes, we’ve rounded up some of the best ski goggles that you can order online.
What Are the Best Ski Goggles?
There are a lot of ski goggles out there, but we think these lead the pack. From crystal-clear Oakleys to quick-change goggles from Anon, read on for the best ski goggles to buy right now.
Editor’s Pick: Smith I/O Mag ChromaPop
Budget Pick: Goodr Snow G
Upgraded Pick: Smith 4D Mag
Great Lens System: Anon M4 Toric
For Glasses-Wearers: Giro Method
1. Smith I/O Mag ChromaPop
These Smith I/O Mag goggles are hard to top. The lenses are spherical and use Smith’s ChromaPop color filtering system, translating to a wide field of vision, heightened detail, and natural colors. Swapping lenses is also very quick with the Smith MAG system, and you get both low-light and bright-light lenses included with the goggles.
The MAGs’ frame is also very high-quality with a slightly flexible build and tri-layer padding for softness. Smith has also accounted for fogging with 5X anti-fog technology, as well as a rugged hydrophobic lens coating to keep your vision clear of moisture and any other grime.
$216 $270 20% off
2. Goodr Snow G
Goodr made a name for itself with stylish, durable, and extremely cheap active sunglasses. Then they brought the same philosophy to the snow with these Snow Gs, whose price tag — a mere $75 — made us do a double-take. But you wouldn’t know how affordable they are from wearing them. The lenses do a great job of filtering light, reducing glare, and keeping fog at bay. Plus, that price includes two lenses that can be swapped in seconds with a magnetic system. In a world where almost all good ski equipment costs an arm and a leg, the Snow Gs are a breath of fresh air.
$75
3. Smith 4D Mag
If you’re looking for some higher-end goggles, check out these 4D Mags, also from Smith. The comfortable frame all but disappears from your vision, in part thanks to a unique curve at the bottom of the lens. Called BirdsEye Vision, this curved lower lens creates a significant increase in your vertical field of view (which is great for looking downhill). You also get Smith’s ChromaPop lens technology which reduces light while increasing detail. If you want to swap lenses, that’s easy too with a quick-change lens system and ten different ChromaPop lenses to choose from (you’ll need to buy these separately).
To prevent fogging, the 4D Mags feature a hydrophilic, micro-etched surface that absorbs and disperses moisture. This etching is smart, as some anti-fog treatments can be wiped off over time. Yes, the 4D Mags are on the pricey side, but we think they’re worth it.
$256 $320 20% off
4. Anon M4 Toric
With an industry-leading lens-changing system, these Anon M4 goggles are ideal for runs with mixed weather and variable lighting. Lenses are attached using powerful magnets and can be swapped out in seconds (really) without removing the goggles.
Quick-change lenses aside, the M4s are still some of the best ski goggles. You get a very wide field of view thanks to their toric (spherical) shape, as well as a porous inner lens surface to combat fogging and a streamlined, comfortable design that integrates with helmets. One warning: the M4s are on the larger side, so go with a different pair if you have a small face.
$319.95
5. Giro Method
For any near-sighted skiers, we recommend these Giro Method goggles. They feature an OTG (over-the-glasses) design that lets you wear prescription specs under the goggles. But glasses accommodation isn’t the only strong suit with the Methods. Thanks to a low-profile frame and large cylindrical lenses, you get excellent visibility — especially on your periphery. They also feature a solid EVAK vent system to combat fogging, as well as a plush feel with tri-layer foam and a microfleece contact layer.
How to Choose the Best Ski Goggles
Although not as technical as skis or ski boots, there are still a few things to know about ski goggles before pulling the trigger on a new pair. Here’s what to look for while shopping for the best ski goggles online.
Lens: Instead of simply reducing light, the best ski goggles enhance detail, reduce glare, and protect against harmful UV rays. In other words, you want ski goggles that reduce light while still letting you see everything as you fly down the mountain.
Shape: The shape of ski goggles dictates their field of view, or how much you can actually see while they’re on, which is something every goggle strives to increase. In general, the best ski goggles are tall and wide with little frame to speak of.
Fit and Comfort: They’ll likely be on your face for hours, so comfort is a top priority with ski goggles. Check for ample padding, a flexible frame, a soft yet sturdy strap, and a lightweight build. Also, if you wear glasses, make sure they’ll fit over your specs (in a pair of goggles’ description, this might be noted as “OTG” for “over-the-glasses”).
Some brands also offer slightly smaller women’s goggles, which is helpful if you have a small head or face, but overall ski goggles are a unisex product.
Anti-Fogging: Goggle fog is one of the more annoying inconveniences on the mountain. But it’s easily prevented. The best anti-fog ski goggles use lens treatments and/or venting systems to keep your lenses clear — even through sweaty runs and backcountry treks. Most high-end goggles have some tech in place to prevent fog, but some do it better than others.
Lens Changing: Being able to quickly switch lenses is a big plus for most skiers and snowboarders, especially if your mountain is prone to weather changes. Some modern ski goggles take this very seriously with lens-changing systems that let you swap lenses quickly, sometimes without taking off your goggles.
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