Reviewed: the best ski goggles for 2020
Modern goggles are superb, offering incredible clarity of vision and improved definition that unquestionably improves snow sports in the mountains. Developments in optics mean the lenses can make a big difference in challenging conditions, like those dreaded flat-light days.
That said, fit and comfort are still key, and we’re all different – so finding the right frame shape and lens colour is deeply personal. This means it’s definitely worth trying the goggles on first to see which is most comfortable for your face shape and also which lenses your eyes prefer.
All the goggles we’ve reviewed offer a minimum of 100 per cent protection from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays, as should be expected, to look after precious eyes. They also all come with a fog-preventing double lens as standard, which has an anti-fog treatment on too, along with some type of scratch protection for the lenses to keep them in prime condition for longer.
Another useful standard is silicone-lined straps to help to keep the goggles securely in place and most of those featured have this benefit.
Want to understand more about goggle essentials like lens shape and colour, or find out what photochromic lenses can do, to choose the best for you? Check out our buying guide.
Best for the small faces
Bollé Laika, £119
With a compact frame that works well for a smaller visage, these still have an impressively wide field of view
Spherical double lens with a breathable insert to stop condensation build up and keep vision clear // Tough scratch protection on the outside of the lens protects against scrapes // Vents direct airflow across the inner surface of the lens to ward off frustrating fogging // Rose gold lens is great for mixed conditions with some sun and cloud // Pink tint is designed to increase depth perception and definition; great for dull days
bolle.com
Best for fit with wide helmets
Cébé Fateful, £89
Hinges on the sides ensure these easily fit over a huge range of helmets, including large ones, and the XL frame works well for bigger faces too
The spherical lens gives a distortion free view, even towards the outer edges // Minimal frame design maximises the width of view, making it easy to take in the whole majestic mountain vista // Amber lens improves contrast; great for overcast days // Gold mirror finish reduces glare when sunny // Also available with a more expensive photochromic lens that changes tint according to light conditions
cebe.com
Best for styling it out
Roxy Feenity 2-in-1, £115
An innovative lens system means gives two looks in one – completely frameless or showing off this slim, patterned frame
Two different-sized cylindrical lenses give two different looks // The smaller lens, for sunny days, shows off the design of the frame // Swap to the larger one and the frame is hidden. This large lens is great on cloudy or snowy days // Distortion-free vision thanks to lenses designed in conjunction with leading optics manufacturer Zeiss // On the downside, the strap does not have silicone beading to help it stay in place
roxy.co.uk
Best for fog-free days
Scott Vapor Light Sensitive, £150
A massive amount of venting in addition to the usual double lens and anti-fog coating gives this firey-lensed pair exceptional fog-fighting power
Huge foam-covered vents in the sides of the spherical lens maximise airflow to dramatically cut the chance days being spoilt by fogged-up goggles // Scott’s Light Sensitive Amplifier lens filters out the colours of light that eyes don’t need in order to improve contrast and optimise clear vision of the terrain ahead // To boot, they’re photochromic, and automatically change tint depending on how cloudy or sunny the conditions
scott-sports.com
Best for quick lens changing
Smith 4D MAG, £250
Ready to ride, whatever the winter conditions – the high-end price buys two lenses in the box, and a really easy magnet-based interchange system
Quick lens changing thanks to an easy to locate lever on either side // Eight magnets make it a cinch to pop the new lens in // Includes one dark lens for bright conditions and one light lens for when it gets overcast // Both feature Smith’s ChromaPop technology, which improves colour perception // The lens curves under towards the frame on the bottom edge, improving downward vision as well as increasing the overall field of view // Goggle strap has a buckle helping fast fit adjustment over hat or helmet
smithoptics.com
Best for customising your look
SunGod Vanguards, £110
With pick-your-own frame, lens and strap, these offer the ultimate in choosing a unique look, and they’re guaranteed to last too
This is pretty cool – unusually, SunGod’s lifetime guarantee includes replacement if you break them in a big crash // Choose from a wide range of colours of lens, frame and strap to get a design that perfectly suits personal preferences // Alternative options of each can be ordered separately, for switching things up around different outfits or light conditions // Big, frameless lens design and SunGod’s contrast- and clarity-enhancing 4K0 cylindrical lenses give a huge, well-defined, field of view
sungod.co
Best for novel tech for less
Wed’ze G520 I, £50
At an extremely reasonable price and with the option of different lenses for cloudy or bright days thanks to an innovative idea, these are a surprising snip
A unique approach for providing goggles that work in a variety of conditions // A rose double lens for dull, overcast or snowy days is attached to the frame at all times // The pink lens tint improves depth perception, making it easier to pick out bumps on flat light days// When the sun shines a darker single lens can simply be clipped on over the top // Ventilated frame helps prevent fogging // Available in small and large sizes // Larger size fits over glasses
decathlon.co.uk
Best for clean lines
Oakley Fall Line XL, £180
This new, bigger, addition to Oakley’s minimally framed Fall Line range is great for those of us that can rock a larger fit
Flat, cylindrical lens for a clean, modern style with a super large fit // Rimless frame design increases the field of view // Prizm Iridium lens improves contrast and reduces glare, making it easier to see undulations in the snow // // Sapphire lens colour is perfect for a mixture of cloud and sun // Signature model of Canadian pro snowboarder Mark McMorris, the first to land a backside triple cork 1440 // Little notches inside either side of the frame allow them to be worn over prescription glasses // Also available in standard-fit XM
oakley.com
Best for double-lens tech made super slim
Atomic Count 360 HD, £160
Count on these, thanks to next level lens construction that ramps up clarity, fog prevention and field of view
Laminated double lens construction with no air gap gives clearer vision by damping down reflections and refractions // Eliminates the chance of between-lens fogging and won’t distort when atmospheric pressure changes // Spherical high-definition mirror lens improves definition and depth perception by enhancing blue and red light // Minimal frame along with the lens construction helps gives massive peripheral vision // Frame is extra flexible for instantly comfortable fit
atomic.com
Best for panoramic vision
Dragon PXV, £160
The impressively wraparound lens combines a coolly distinctive look with maximum peripheral vision in these large-fit lookers
Dragon’s Panotech lens uses toric lens curvature, giving the distortion free view of a spherical lens with the look of a cylindrical lens // The big, frameless design offers a huge field of view // PXV’s come with two lenses; one for bright days and one for less than perfect, cloudy days // Dragon’s Lumalens technology enhances contrast, clarity and depth perception, illuminating the terrain ahead and reducing eye fatigue
dragonalliance.com
Best for freestyle flair
Giro Method, £149
Clean lines in this freestyle-orientated pair combine with killer optics
Reduced frame thickness means the lens sits closer to the face to expand the peripheral view and make it easier to spot landings in the park // Giro’s Vivid lenses allow contrast-enhancing blue light through but not harmful UV light for a more defined view // Injection-moulded cylindrical lens reduces distortion // Come with two Vivid lenses, one for low light and one for brighter days // Giro’s Adapt straps allow for an easy style switch – spare straps £25
giro.com
Best for supreme comfort
Salomon S/Max Sigma, £230
Supercharged adaptive foam inside adapts to a range of face shapes, making these sofa-sinking comfy
Come with two lenses, a darker one for blue-bird days and a lighter version for when it’s not so nice // Both have Salomon’s Sigma technology which enhances contrast to give great depth perception even if the weather is closing in // A lever above the nose allows for easy lens swapping // The frame is shaped to expand the field of view downwards, to help with reading the terrain ahead // Hard case included as well as the usual goggle bag – extra protection for these shiny new eye protectors
salomon.com
