Snow Goggles

Yes! Snow goggles are a must-have for skiing and snowboarding. Goggles provide crucial protection for your eyes, both from the elements and potential hazards. First, goggles shield your eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are intensified at higher altitudes and reflected off the snow. Ultraviolet protection offered by the best snow goggles prevents snow blindness and long-term eye damage. Second, goggles act as a barrier against the cold, wind, snow, and ice particles, ensuring clear vision and preventing irritation. Finally, goggles offer facial impact protection in case of falls or collisions, safeguarding your eyes from branches, skis, or other objects.

When choosing ski and snowboard goggles, there are several factors to consider beyond just looking cool. Ultraviolet protection is essential to shield your eyes from harmful rays at high altitudes. Make sure your goggles offer 100% UV protection. Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is another key consideration. This acronym, usually expressed as a percentage, refers to the amount of light that passes through the lens. Heavily tinted lenses have lower VLT percentages. These are ideal for bright sunny days. Higher VLT lenses, more lightly tinted, are better for low-light or overcast conditions.

Lens technology also plays a role in clarity and contrast, with polarization reducing glare and anti-fog coatings preventing condensation. Lens shapes (spherical, cylindrical, or toric) are also important, as are fit and comfort. When testing a pair of snow goggles, ensure a snug fit with your helmet and good ventilation to prevent fogging. Finally, consider features like interchangeable lenses for varying conditions and OTG (over-the-glasses) compatibility if you wear prescription glasses.

Ski and snowboard goggles are fundamentally the same, providing essential eye protection for snow sports enthusiasts. Both prioritize features like UV protection, good ventilation, and a comfortable fit with your helmet. While snowboarders might prefer slightly wider frames for enhanced peripheral vision and skiers may opt for a more focused view, these differences are minimal, and most ski and snowboard goggles are essentially interchangeable.

We’ll try to answer more specific questions below, but if you’re hoping to choose a pair of snow goggles, you can simply take our free, 30-second “Help Me Choose Snow Goggles” quiz! It will ask questions about your sex and age, the weather conditions you’ll be skiing or snowboarding in, and whether or not you wear prescription eyeglasses under your goggles to help you narrow down your options.

Snow goggles should fit snugly against the face, all the way around the eyes. The adjustable straps should be tightened just enough to hold the goggles in position, but not so tight that they cause discomfort or reduce breathability. The foam padding should rest against your face, creating a seal that keeps out wind and snow. When you move your head from side to side, the goggles should stay in place. There should also be no gap between the top of your goggles and your snow helmet. Above all, make sure your goggles are comfortable!

In snow goggles, the acronym VLT stands for visible light transmission. This refers to the percentage of visible light that passes through the lenses of your goggles. Higher VLT percentages (>25%) are more lightly tinted and will allow a high level of light through. These lenses are good for dusk, dawn, and cloudy days. Lower VLT percentages (<25%) will allow less light through, and are best for bright, sunny days.

UV (ultraviolet) protection is crucial in snow goggles because sunlight is more intense at higher elevations (where you’ll likely be skiing and snowboarding) and also because the stark white surface of snow is extremely reflective. It redirects up to 80% of UV radiation, significantly increasing your exposure to harmful rays while skiing and snowboarding.

Goggles are important not only because they ensure visibility on the slopes but also because prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to serious eye problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration. A pair of goggles with 100% UV protection is crucial. These goggles will filter out these harmful rays, ensuring clear vision while on the slopes and preventing vision problems associated with UV exposure in the long term.

The three basic snow goggle lens shapes are cylindrical, spherical, and toric. Let’s break them down.

• Cylindrical lenses are horizontally curved, but vertically flat. This design was standard for ski goggles for many years, and it's still common in some models at lower price points. While they offer decent optics and a stylish “old-school” look, cylindrical lenses have some drawbacks. The flat vertical plane can cause visual distortion, especially at the edges of your vision. Cylindrical lenses also tend to create more glare because of the flat surfaces reflecting light.
• Spherical lenses are curved horizontally and vertically, mimicking the shape of the human eye. This curvature provides a wider field of view and significantly reduces distortion, giving a more natural, accurate visual experience to judge distance and terrain. Think of it like looking through a bubble—the image remains clear and undistorted no matter where you look. The curved surface of spherical lenses also minimizes glare, which is important in bright, snowy conditions. Finally, the shape of spherical lenses creates more volume inside the goggles, improving ventilation and reducing fogging.
• Toric lenses are somewhere in between. A toric lens has more curvature horizontally, less curvature vertically, but isn’t flat. This is the most optically-true lens choice because the lens closely follows the shape of your face. Still, the horizontal curve provides excellent peripheral vision and enough room between your face and the lens to minimize fog.

Snow goggle lens colors can correspond to tint or visible light transmission (VLT, see above), but you can’t judge a pair of snow goggles based purely on their lens colors. Platinum, black, and reddish hues often indicate lower VLT, and are good for sunny conditions, while colors like yellow, copper, amber, and rose often have higher VLT, and are good for cloudy conditions. That said, the color of your lens is a stylistic choice. You should purchase snow goggle lenses based on their VLT, not their color.

Snow goggles have interchangeable lenses to provide optimal vision in a variety of weather conditions, from dusk and dawn to overcast skies to bright, sunny weather. Different lenses are designed for different light levels and weather, such as flat light, heavy clouds, bright sunshine, or snowy whiteouts. Instead of having to carry multiple pairs of goggles, skiers and snowboarders can simply swap lenses, adapting to changing conditions throughout the day and maintaining clear visibility on the slopes. This versatility enhances safety and comfort on the mountain.

Children should wear kids’ snow goggles, but for adults, our snow goggles are one-size-fits-all and easily adjustable, so you don’t need to worry about sizing. However, it’s worth checking the goggles’ specifications to ensure that they’re OTG (over the glasses) compatible if you wear prescription glasses.

Snow goggles should fit snugly to create a seal against the elements, but not so tight that they cause discomfort or pressure points. A proper fit means the goggle frame rests comfortably against your face with the foam creating a complete seal, and the strap holds the goggles securely without feeling overly tight. You should be able to easily fit a finger between the strap and your head. Also check compatibility with your helmet to avoid any interference or discomfort. (If you’re using a retrospec snow helmet with retrospec snow goggles, you don’t need to worry about this.) There should be no gap between the top of your snow goggles and the helmet brim.

Fogging occurs when warm, moist air from your face hits the cold lens of your goggles. To prevent this, ensure proper ventilation by keeping the vents clear and ensuring a good seal against your face. Avoid taking your goggles off frequently or lifting them onto your forehead, as this introduces warm air into the lenses. Also, if you need to remove them, store them in a dry, cool place like a pocket or goggle bag. (Snow goggles like Zenith, Flume, and Traverse feature multi-layer anti-fog padding, you most likely won’t have to deal with foggy goggles when you shop retrospec.)

The vents on snow goggles are another feature that encourages airflow and minimizes fogging. These small openings, usually located at the top and bottom of the goggle frames, introduce cool outside air into the lens, allowing it to circulate. This regulates the temperature and humidity inside the goggles. As you ski or snowboard, your body will heat the air around your face. The vents will expel this warm, moist air from your face, and draw in cooler, drier air, preventing condensation and fogging.

The lifespan of snow goggles depends on several factors, including how often you use them and how well you care for them. With proper care and occasional use, a good pair of snow goggles can last several seasons. However, factors like frequent use, exposure to harsh elements, and improper storage can shorten their lifespan. Make sure to store your goggles in a room-temperature environment, free of excess moisture or direct sunlight. Generally, you should consider replacing your snow goggles every 2-3 years, or when you notice signs of wear and tear that affect their performance and visibility.