We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Activity + Adventure Winter Sports The 10 Best Ski Goggles For an enjoyable day on the slopes, choose a pair of goggles that will protect your eyes and won’t fog up. By Douglas Schnitzspahn Douglas Schnitzspahn Award-winning writer Doug Schnitzspahn is a leading voice in outdoor, travel, and conservation journalism in North America. He works as the editor-in-chief of Elevation Outdoors magazine and a freelance writer for publications including National Geographic, Mens Journal, Outside, and Fatherly.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on December 13, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Tips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja If you have ever gone skiing or snowboarding, you know why a solid pair of goggles are an essential piece of equipment. On the mountain, you hit the elements face-first. Sometimes you ski in fog, other times in bright sunlight. Head downhill at any speed and the wind whips into your eyes. When you’re in the action, you must make quick decisions in a snowy, all-white terrain that can lose definition as the light changes. Goggles don’t just protect your eyes — they up your game. So, how do you choose the best goggle for you? “The two most important things I look for are fit and function,” Kevin Jordan, a Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) National Alpine Team Member says. “Does the goggle fit your face? I have a narrower face so I need goggles that are not as wide as others. By function, I specifically mean the lens. I try to find a lens that will work for me in a variety of weather conditions.” Selecting the right pair of goggles requires a bit of research to figure out the perfect style and lens for your location, skill level, and time of year. “Spending a little more helps guarantee you can see on the darkest storm days — it can be a day maker or breaker,” Peter Smart, owner of Extremely Canadian, a private ski instruction and guiding service that operates out of British Columbia says. Whether you’re brand new to skiing or a seasoned expert, consider a high-quality pair of ski goggles that will improve your visibility for a full day on the slopes. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Sweet Protection Connor Rig Reflect Goggles at Amazon $290 Jump to Review Best Field of View: Smith4D Mag Goggles with ChromaPop Lens at Amazon $340 Jump to Review Best Photochromic Lens: Atomic Four Pro HD Photo Goggles at Evo.com $184 Jump to Review Best Ventilation: Smith I/O Mag Goggles at Amazon $270 Jump to Review Best Value: Goodr Apres All Day Snow Goggles at REI $75 Jump to Review Best Large Frame: Oakley Flight Deck L Snow Goggles at REI $226 Jump to Review Best Interchangeable Lens System: Zeal Lookout Goggles at Amazon $319 Jump to Review Best for Smaller Faces: Anon M4S Cylindrical Goggles at Amazon $320 Jump to Review Best to Wear With Glasses: SALE Dragon DX3 OTG Goggles at Amazon $70 $49 Jump to Review Best for Kids: Giro Buster Snow Goggles for Kids at Amazon $55 Jump to Review Best Overall Sweet Protection Connor Rig Reflect Goggles PHOTO: Amazon $290 at Amazon $220 at Backcountry.com View on Sweetprotection.com Why We Love It This pair provides incredible definition in a wide range of conditions, an easy-to-operate lens interchange system, superior range of vision, and a good dose of style. What to Consider This pair only comes with one lens. A high-performing pair of ski goggles truly helps you see the world better. The RIG lens technology in the Sweet Protection Connor RIG Reflect Goggles gives you near-superpower vision — in hazy flat light, they help you see bumps and quick changes in slope and in bright sun, they cut down glare. But it's the full range of view that these Norwegian goggles impart that really makes the difference. The big, frameless toric lens, which curves both horizontally and vertically, prevents warping and makes you feel like you aren’t wearing lenses at all, especially as you glance up and down. That better vision makes you quicker to react and safer overall. The gore fabric in the ventilation system, which is meant to breathe the same way as a good ski shell, lets moisture out but not in, preventing fog. The interchange system is also easy to operate: simply push in the soft frame and pop the lens out. And while the pair works best with a Sweet Protection helmet, it also fits well over other standard helmets. Price at time of publish: $220 The Details: Medium frame size | Toric lens | Interchangeable lenses Best Field of View Smith4D Mag Goggles with ChromaPop Lens PHOTO: Amazon $340 at Amazon $320 at Nordstrom $340 at Walmart Why We Love It These goggles deliver sharp vision even in low-light conditions, vent well, and deliver an impressively wide field of view. What to Consider You may have trouble fitting them underneath non-Smith helmets. One of the best ways to figure out the best gear to use on the mountain is to take a look at what professionals are using. You’re sure to see experts sporting the Smith 4D Mag Goggles on pretty much any mountain. “It’s my go-to goggle,” Smart says. “It comes with two lenses: one for our few sunny days to block the harsh rays and a perfect storm lens with ChromaPop technology to enhance contrast and natural colors and make it easier to see on tough days. It maximizes the goggle lens to give you the most visibility while on the mountain. And the magnet system makes it super easy to swap between lens storm and sun lens while on the chairlift.” The peripheral vision on these goggles is superior to other models thanks to the bird’s eye construction Smith uses to expand vision on the lower outer edge. Beyond the two lenses that come with this pair, you can choose extra sets from a wide range of replacement lenses to fine tune your view according to the day’s forecast. Price at time of publish: $224 The Details: Medium frame size | Spherical lens shape | Interchangeable Lenses | 2 lenses included Best Photochromic Lens Atomic Four Pro HD Photo Goggles PHOTO: Evo $184 at Evo.com View on Atomic.com Why We Love It The highly effective photochromic lens means this eco-conscious goggle adapts to conditions on the fly — without having to change lenses. What to Consider The cylindrical lens offers a wide view, but doesn’t necessarily enhance your periphery. Some skiers won’t have the patience or storage space to manage a bunch of lenses on the mountain. The beauty of a photochromic lens is that it changes tint automatically as the light changes. That’s nice for a day that starts out stormy and clears to bluebird, and even more convenient when you ski in and out of shadows and sun on different aspects of a mountain. The photochromic lens here morphs in a hurry, so you don’t have to worry about swapping lenses quickly. Beyond the lens properties, these goggles offer impressive ventilation. The foam frame fits most faces securely and a hydrophobic coating shucks off water, so you don’t have to deal with any fogging or view obstruction. As a bonus, they’re designed to wear over glasses and are constructed with 30-35 percent recycled materials. Price at time of publish: $230 The Details: Medium frame size | Cylindrical lens shape | Interchangeable Lenses | 2 lenses included The Best Ski Gear of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Ventilation Smith I/O Mag Goggles PHOTO: Amazon $270 at Amazon View on Smithoptics.com $275 at Evo.com Why We Love It This pair is perfect for use in wet and/or foggy conditions. What to Consider They don’t have as wide a range of vision as other top performers. These goggles were designed to keep moisture and fog out, so you can focus your attention on enjoying the day. The tapered construction on the spherical lens means you not only get clear, natural vision but also a snug fit without sacrificing the distortion a curved lens can create. While they’re compatible with most standard hoods, you will likely get the best fit if you also pair them with a Smith helmet, eliminating any gapping, which, from a practical level, also keeps airflow moderated. Beyond the shape, lens technology here is just as high-quality as other Smith goggles. The ChromaPop lens — which makes colors “pop” and was first developed to give golfers better vision on the green — truly brings out definition and the goggles come with a bright-light and low-light tint lens that can be switched back and forth in a snap thanks to the brand’s magnetic fastening system. Price at time of publish: $300 The Details: Medium frame size | Spherical lens shape | Interchangeable Lenses | 2 lenses included Best Value Goodr Apres All Day Snow Goggles PHOTO: Goodr $75 at REI View on Goodr.com Why We Love It They offer impressive performance and are easy to switch lenses. What to Consider Neither of the lenses are polarized or photochromic. For a high-value pair of goggles that offer style and comfort, the Goodr Apres All Day design is the perfect choice. While the lenses may not be photochromic or polarized, they do offer UV 400 protection along with anti-fog and no-slip capabilities. This set comes with two interchangeable lenses (one for sunny days and one for cloudy), which both offer high definition when skiing over bumps and in the woods. Goodr is also committed to sustainability — the brand purchases carbon offsets to make up for 100 percent of the carbon its business puts into the atmosphere. While they may not be the most technical pair of ski goggles out there, they’re a great choice for new skiers, infrequent skiers, or those who want to spend half of their day in the comfort of a warm cabin. Price at time of publish: $75 The Details: Medium frame size | Cylindrical lens shape | Interchangeable Lenses | 2 lenses included Best Large Frame Oakley Flight Deck L Snow Goggles PHOTO: Amazon $226 at REI View on Oakley.com $90 at Evo.com Why We Love It They provide perfect symmetry and a comfortable fit for those with bigger heads or wider faces. What to Consider That wide lens can be harder to fit under standard helmets. The key to a good pair of goggles is how it fits your face. Wide faces need more ample frames and, while many brands do offer larger (and smaller) sizes in some models, none of them look as natural as unisex design from Oakley. With a broad, frameless lens, these goggles gives you enough peripheral vision to hit the slopes with confidence. Also one of the more stylish pairs of goggles out there, the Oakley Flight Deck L Snow Goggles provides ventilation to prevent fogging as long as you get a proper face seal. While you may want to invest in extra lenses to cover a wide range of light conditions, the definition provided by the standard lens is impressive on its own. Price at time of publish: $216 The Details: Large frame size | Spherical lens shape | Interchangeable Lenses The 6 Best Ski Helmets to Stay Comfortable and Prepared on the Mountain Best Interchangeable Lens System Zeal Lookout Goggles PHOTO: Amazon $319 at Amazon View on Zealoptics.com $179 at Evo.com Why We Love It The lens interchange system is easy to operate, secure, and user friendly. What to Consider The two-tone tint may be distracting as you get used to them. Zeal’s Rail Lock is one of the most easy-to-use lens change systems that allows users to quickly slide the lens in and lock it into place via grooves on the frame. The lens technology here is impressive, too. With the included Polarized Automatic + RB lens, you won’t need to change lenses as often since this photochromic rose tint adjusts automatically according to light conditions. The lens is also polarized (providing sharp definition to cut through the glare when the sun pops out) with outstanding peripheral vision and no fogging when snow starts to fall. Price at time of publish: $319 The Details: Medium frame size | Cylindrical lens shape | Interchangeable Lenses | 2 lenses included Best for Smaller Faces Anon M4S Cylindrical Goggles PHOTO: Amazon $303 at Amazon View on Burton.com Why We Love It These goggles may be small, but they perform just as well as bigger models — and integrate with an (included) cozy face mask. What to Consider For the best fit, they should be paired with an Anon helmet. If you have a smaller face, it can be difficult finding a quality pair of goggles that seal well and prevent fogging. This high-performing unisex goggle is designed for smaller wearers with a triple layer foam that creates a comfortable seal — without pressing too hard into the face and leaving painful red marks — and the low-bridge fit makes sure there is no gap at the nose. “I have been using Anon goggles for the past five years and love the magnetic lenses and fit,” Tim Kenney, Ski and Ride School Director at Eldora Mountain Resort and a PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain Education Staff member says. “The magnetic lens makes switching from high light to low light super easy and I can do it on the fly since an extra lens easily fits in a pocket.” To complete the fit, the goggles come with an MFI face mask that attaches to the goggles via a magnet. This system is made to breathe better than a standard neck warmer or gaiter, so your breath won’t fog the goggles. Price at time of publish: $320 The Details: Small frame size | Cylindrical lens shape | Interchangeable Lenses | 2 lenses included Best to Wear With Glasses Dragon DX3 OTG Goggles PHOTO: Dragon $49 at Amazon View on Dragonalliance.com $75 at Evo.com Why We Love It These stylish goggles were designed to wear over prescription frames or sunglasses. What to Consider They may not be comfortable for those with larger faces or heads. Wearing glasses under goggles can be a pain — but a manageable one. Designed specifically with more space for those specs, these goggles keep fog at bay and fit well thanks to a nice combination of foam and micro-fleece for comfort, plus a venting system that even works in the rain. The LumaLens — which comes in a variety of color waves — imparts decent definition in a wide range of conditions, especially on bright days. And the style is enough to give you some on-slope confidence and flare. Price at time of publish: $70 The Details: Medium frame size | Cylindrical lens shape Best for Kids Giro Buster Snow Goggles for Kids PHOTO: REI $55 at Amazon $55 at REI Why We Love It They’re affordable, cute, and still serve up the protection you want for younger skiers. What to Consider They only come in one size, so your child may need to try them on before purchasing to ensure a proper fit. These ski goggles provide the high-quality protection you want for your child without a high price tag, meaning you won’t be too upset if they get lost (or when your child inevitably grows out of them.) The pair comes with an interchangeable lens system in a cylindrical shape and wide view that helps to keep them safe by enhancing visibility. If your kid is spending serious time on the mountain, these are an easy-to-use choice that offer high-quality performance and fit over most glasses as well. They also come in two fun, vibrant patterns that your child will actually want to wear and you’ll be able to easily spot them as you race down the mountain, too. Price at time of publish: $55 The Details: Medium frame size | Cylindrical lens shape Tips for Buying Ski Goggles Prioritize your field of view Since goggles fit around your face, they can limit your range of vision. This can be problematic on the mountain where you need to be aware of natural objects like trees as well as other skiers and riders around you. If you are the type who wants to do tricks, it’s also important to be able to see where you are headed as you twist midair. Goggles should offer a wide range of vision while still giving you what feels like normal vision thanks to smart optical designs. Pay attention to the lens shape and style In general, goggle manufacturers use three basic lens shapes — cylindrical, spherical, and toric — in order to give you a wide range of vision without distorting your view. The classic cylindrical lens curves off to the sides of the Y- or horizontal-axis, granting lots of peripheral vision, but not as much up and down visibility. The only problem is they can catch a lot of glare on sunny days. A big spherical lens, which curves on both the vertical and horizontal axes, gives a far wider range of vision to the side and up and down and that round shape reduces glare — but it can give you a bit of a distorted, fish-bowl view. The toric lens combines both designs, not only cutting down on glare and fog, but also providing more realistic vision since it doesn’t have the bubble shape of a spherical lens. In addition, many lenses come in different tints designed for different light conditions — from bright sun to cloudy days of flat light to night skiing under artificial lights. Polarized lenses cut glare and offer great definition on bright days. Photochromic lenses, on the other hand, actually transition from dark to light as the surroundings around them change. Since you encounter different light conditions while skiing and snowboarding, it makes sense to consider goggles with interchangeable lenses so you can adapt. “Too many people buy just one goggle that they use in all conditions. It's best to have at least two pairs of goggles and/or lenses: One for sunny days, one for cloudy days,” Kenney says. Think about ventilation and anti-fogging If your goggles fog up, your day can be ruined. And it’s very hard to defog lenses once moisture gets in. The key to preventing fog is to keep your goggles on your face at all times (don’t take them off on the lift), and the best goggles create a perfect seal against your face to block out moisture. Good ventilation between lens and frame and adding an anti-fog treatment on the lens can also help stop fogging. Don’t forget about helmet integration “People tend to buy helmets and goggles separately,” Jordan says. “This is still doable, but if you are specifically looking for new goggles, try them on with your current helmet to see if the new goggle frame fits your face and is compatible with your helmet.” Many brands make helmets that are specifically designed to be compatible with their own goggles, but you do not necessarily have to buy from the same brand in order to make your gear fit properly. Frequently Asked Questions Do you have to wear ski goggles when skiing? As with all outdoor sports, you need to take care of your eyes. UV rays are more intense in the mountains so if you ski without goggles, you run the risk of sunburn on your retinas, the extremely painful condition known as snow blindness. Furthermore, skiing and snowboarding are both fast, reaction-dependent sports and the better definition you get from specialized goggle lenses is key for making quick decisions about the terrain in front of you. Better lenses will reduce eyestrain and protect your eyes from possible injury as well. Are sunglasses or goggles better for skiing? While you can ski in sunglasses, they are no substitute for goggles. Even an inexpensive pair of goggles with few features is better to wear than sunglasses while skiing. Goggles protect your eyes from UV rays reflecting off the snow in a way sunglasses can’t. They also offer vision enhancements and tints that give you better sight definition and limit eye strain on the mountain. They keep out the wind, especially when you are going downhill at high speeds, and goggles are built to reduce fogging while sunglasses cannot since they are open to the elements and fog up in a hurry from weather and breath. Finally, goggles stay on your head: take a spill, and you can easily lose those sunglasses and/or hurt yourself. Can all ski goggles be worn over glasses? Goggles that are. denoted as “OTG” are designed with the space to accommodate glasses and still retain their abilities to enhance vision and stay fog free. While most goggles are large enough to fit over prescription glasses, you should always test your set-up before leaving for your ski trip to ensure your goggles still properly seal against your face. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Douglas Schnitzspahn is a lifetime skier and freelance adventure writer. He has put down tracks and sought out deep powder everywhere from Japan to Jackson Hole. To curate this list, he conducted extensive research and spoke to Kevin Jordan, a Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) National Alpine Team Member; Peter Smart, owner of Extremely Canadian, a private ski instruction and guiding service that operates out of British Columbia; and Tim Kenney, Ski and Ride School Director at Eldora Mountain Resort and a PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain Education Staff member. The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List and Expert Tips for the Mountain Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more