Ski Goggles: Buyer's Guide
for Skiers and Snowboarders
The last time I bought ski goggles, I walked into a mountain resort shop, looked at the three models they had in the case, and picked one at random.
Which was really dumb of me. Why? 1) They don't fit very well. 2) The lens color was all wrong for the cloudy Vermont mountain where I was skiing. 3) They're not compatible with my helmet. 4) They cost too much.
If you want to avoid my experience, read these tips for getting great eye protection, no matter what winter sport you're into:
Shop before you get to the mountain. Try a well-stocked sporting goods store, ski and boarding shop or specialty optical store. You'll probably pay less, and you'll have more time to make a smart decision.
Yodai, by Adidas, has a prescription lens insert so you don't have to wear your eyeglasses.
Try on as many as you can. And take them outside (with the clerk's permission), to see how well the lenses work in natural light. If you're buying clear lenses for night skiing or riding, test them in a dark room with one light bulb on. You want to make sure they'll be distortion- and glare-free when you look at lights along the trail or the half-pipe.
Choose the right lens tint. Weather, terrain and activity all come into play here.
- In low light and fog, yellow, gold and amber lenses filter out blue light, emphasizing shadows in the snow so you can see bumps better. They also work well in moderate light.
- Rose lenses are excellent on low-light gray days.
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In bright light, dark tints (especially green) will keep your eyes more comfortable.
Mainline from the Smith Optics Slider Series. You can change between three sets of lenses, depending on activity and lighting conditions. Six other lens sets are also available. - Polarized lenses block reflected glare off the horizontal plane and are great when it's bright out. But they may not be ideal near the end of the day when long shadows appear in the snow, because they are usually made with a darker tint than most sun lenses.
- Mirror (or "flash") coatings will block some, but not a lot of glare. They are usually more of a cosmetic than a practical feature.
- For night riding and skiing, use only clear lenses.
Insist on ultraviolet light protection. UVA and UVB are the rays to guard against. Too much exposure to UV on a short-term basis can give you a painful sunburn on your eyes, called photokeratitis. Long-term, UV rays can damage your eyes permanently and lead to forming a cataract and other eye diseases. Look for goggles and sunglasses that block at least 95 percent of these rays, which bounce off the snow and into your eyes even on cloudy days.
Look for good peripheral vision. Newer, lower-profile styles fit better with a helmet and look more rad than traditional styles with large lenses. But if you choose the low-profile look, make sure you have enough peripheral (side) vision — some skimp out on that.
Ideally, you should be able to see 180 degrees from side to side, to help you avoid skiers and riders. If you prefer sunglasses, choose a wrap style with the least amount of distortion at the sides that you can find.
Make sure they fit. Take the time to adjust the strap to your head. If the strap is a complete pain to adjust, or if the buckle doesn't stay in adjustment, move on. Some styles have softer, more rubbery buckles that won't dig into your scalp. Wider bands are more comfortable than narrower ones. And foam inserts keep out wind, ice and dirt. The foam should be thick enough to help cushion your face if you fall, but not so dense that it encourages fogging. The salesperson should be able to help you make this judgment.
If you wear glasses, make sure the goggles will fit over them. Many optical stores, especially those near ski areas, will make up prescription inserts for goggles, so you won't need glasses at all.
Wrap-style sunglasses and ski goggles can't always accept prescription lenses because of the curvature of the frame. An optician will know which frames are prescription-suitable and will be able to order and fit them for you.
Look for anti-fogging features. Choose goggles with double lenses that discourage condensation from forming when the warm air of your breath makes contact with the cold lens. Anti-fog coating inside the goggles helps, while vents along the sides, top and bottom clear the warm air out of the inside of the goggles.
Wider vents tend to do this better than narrow vents or tiny vent holes. But the drawback of wide vents is that your face will get cold in a harsher climate.
At least one manufacturer has placed a tiny fan in its goggles; it sucks air from the side vents and sends it out through the top vents. It's light, has two settings for different conditions, and runs on two AAA batteries. Sounds worth a try if fogging is a big problem for you.
Make safety a priority. Most goggles and sunglasses made for fast-moving winter sports have polycarbonate lenses; this material is much more impact-resistant than glass or regular plastic. Also, the more flexible the frame and lens, the less likely the lens will break or pop out in a bad fall. Foam inserts at all impact points are important.
As for sunglasses, look for polycarbonate or other impact-resistant frame materials rather than metals. Adjustable rubber earpieces and nosepieces will keep them on better when you're tackling bumps and might be more comfortable than hard plastic ones that don't adjust.
Top: Supersonic S with polycarbonate lenses and top and side venting has a lower profile and is helmet-compatible. Bottom: F501M offers a wide field of vision, with full peripheral venting and helmet compatibility. Both have double lenses with anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings and are by Uvex Sports.
What else? A scratch-resistant coating will help your goggles and sunglasses last longer, especially if you like glade runs where there's a lot of brush or tend to fall a lot. Always keep your eyewear in a soft pouch or lined case when not in use.
Some ski goggles have nose guards designed for warmth and to protect your nose in a fall. However, a warm nose might contribute to fogging, and landing on a hard nose guard might be just as bad for your nose as landing on the snow's surface. So consider your skiing or riding style before buying this type of goggle.
Understand the return policy. Most stores will take returns only on undamaged goggles, so be sure not to scratch the lenses the first time out. Bring an older pair so you can use them for the rest of the day if you don't like the new ones.
Some manufacturers will replace your lenses (usually for a fee) if you send them the goggles or sunglasses. Optical stores can usually replace lenses, too.
See you on the slopes! 
[Page updated October 2009]
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