Everything you need to know about buying ski goggles
From learning about lenses to top tips on fit, the lingo behind the latest ski and snowboard goggle technology will help with choosing the right pair for you.
Articulated hinges/outriggers
The way the strap is attached to the goggle frame can make a difference to the fit with a helmet – when they're joined by a plastic hinge that moves, rather than directly to the frame, the flexibility means pressure can be spread more evenly across the face. That's partly why it pays to try out potential new goggles with your helmet.
Face foam
Foam forms a seal between you and the goggle frame, to protect against impact and the elements, and to wick moisture away from the skin. There’s typically more than one layer of foam with another layer of soft fleece next to the skin. These layers work together to provide a weather-tight seal and improve fit and comfort. Some foam layers even have extra technology to help stop goggles steaming up.
Frameless
Some goggles have a much chunkier frame around the lens than others, while on some the frame is all but invisible from the front. This trimming down of the frame isn’t just about style as it can help give wider peripheral vision even in smaller-sized goggles for smaller faces.
Helmet compatibility
All the goggles we review are compatible with helmets, but it's a good idea take yours with you when shopping because some frame shapes will fit it better than others. Also look out for a rubbery coating inside goggle straps to help grip on the helmet. Many goggle manufacturers now make helmets too, designed to work well with their goggles - vents may line up for example - but another brand may fit just as well and fit your head better.
Lens change system
When goggles come with two different lenses for different conditions, they need to be easy to swap in and out. Whether the system involves sliders or buttons on the frame, magnets, pins, or simply peeling back the frame, practise in the shop before you buy to see if you're happy with how easy it is and the time it takes to make sure the lens is solidly in position. Some of the most technical systems are easy to use while you're wearing them, which saves time. Even if the goggles don’t include more than one lens it’s often still possible to buy spare lenses for different conditions – but again it’s worth checking how easy it is to swap lenses.
Lens colour
As well as different coloured frames, most goggle models are available in various lens colours to suit different weather conditions. We’re all different and which colour works well for one person may not be the best for another, so it can pay to try goggles on before buying to check the colour works for you and that it’s comfortable for your eyes. Yellow works well on cloudy days for some people while others can find it tiring and may prefer rose or blue, for example. Darker colours such as brown are good for sunny days, allowing less light through the lens. A lens's VLT (Visible Light Transmission) rating tells you how much light comes though. The lower the number, the more suitable for sunny days. Extra lens treatments such as polarisation or mirroring cut glare from the light reflected off bright snow, particularly valuable on sunny days. Many goggles now come with two lenses suiting different conditions, and the latest technology is superior lenses that tailor the colour that gets through the lens. For example, some may allow a certain amount of blue light through, to boost contrast and definition in all conditions. Some may enhance red and blue, while others can work to boost colours across more of the range. They’re all working to help us see more clearly in the mountains, and it can really make a difference in challenging conditions when visibility is limited. Another benefit of modern lens technologies is that they can reduce eye fatigue.
Lens shapes
There are two basic lens shapes. Spherical (rounded) lenses match the shape of the eye by curving both horizontally and vertically to give a more natural view. The latest toric versions vary the curves to give an even more realistic view. Cylindrical (flatter) lenses curve around the face side to side. They are lower-profile than spherical lenses, and generally cost less, but peripheral vision may be distorted, in particular when looking down and up. The latest toric lens shaping takes the idea of distortion-free vision to the next level. The curve and thickness of the lens can vary, with the aim of giving the clearest, most realistic view possible.
Photochromic
Since some people find changing lenses a faff, photochromic lenses that change quickly from light to dark and back as you ride have become more popular. As they've developed, the speed at which they change has improved and can happen within seconds. Electronically-activated photochromic lenses are now being introduced, which allow you to rapidly change the lens tint on demand.
UV and anti-fog protection
All the goggles we review screen out 100 per cent of harmful ultra-violet A and B rays (UVA and UVB) and have lens coatings that help prevent fogging and scratches. Some have extra anti-fog features such as venting to prevent fog inside the lens, or a coating that repels water and dirt to keep the lenses clear of fingerprints and water for longer. Protect the coatings by taking goggles off your helmet to store in their bag at the end of the day, and only cleaning them with a lens cloth; the included goggle bag usually doubles up as a cleaning cloth. Take care when cleaning the inside of the lens as this is where the anti-fog coating is and rubbing can damage it. It’s best to let the inside dry naturally, but if necessary, dab rather than rub the lens.
Venting
Extra vents on the frame and/or the lens can help air flow through goggles as you ride, to help prevent steaming up. The double lens featured on all but the most basic goggles helps too.
