Heading to the slopes this season and the next? Lucky you!
But along with having the best ski jacket, the best helmet cameras and the best ski base layers, another important factor to consider in your arsenal of skiwear equipment is your ski goggles.
No, ski goggles might not be mandatory by law. But they sure are essential for your comfort levels and performance while on the slopes. How else do you expect to protect your peepers from UV rays, flying snow and the ever-changing elements?
Choosing the best ski goggles is no easy task. Especially when there’s a never-ending lineup to sift through. So, what should you look out for when it comes to your ski goggles?
According to the extraordinaires behind sports performance equipment company, Oakley, skiers should be aware of two main characteristics in their ski goggles: performance and style. The spokesperson said: “Performance encompasses things such as safety, optics, fit, quality of materials — everything that makes a goggle a reliable product on the mountain. The style appeals to a different need: being visible and recognizable on the slopes, but also allowing the rider to add a personal taste to their outfit.”
But aside from spec appeal and protection elements, today’s ski goggles go one step further. Want your lenses to come with a scratch-free coating? After a pair that uses special technology to help your sight stay fog-free? Or how about ski goggles that can automatically adapt to changing light conditions, without having to manually change the lens yourself? Take your pick. Plus, if you are a glasses wearer, you’ll need a pair of goggles that are compatible with frames.
To find the best ski goggles on the market for 2024, keep scrolling.
Ski goggle FAQs
Do you need to wear ski goggles on the slopes?
Though the level of protection needed depends on altitude and weather conditions, you should always wear a form of eye protection on the slopes.
UV rays are stronger at higher altitudes and reflect off the snow. Without ample protection, you risk damaging your eyes or suffering from snow blindness. Goggles offer protection against UV rays, snow, debris and wind while improving your vision by reducing glare.
At lower altitudes on particularly sunny days, it can be useful to have a pair of lightweight sunglasses on you as an alternative.
Do ski goggles help protect your eyes from UV rays?
Absolutely. High-quality ski goggles are capable of blocking 100 per cent of UVA, UVB and UVC rays. Many goggles come with interchangeable lenses which can offer different protection depending on weather conditions.
For example, mirrored goggles can reflect sunlight and protect your eyes from bright snow, while goggles with a yellow/orange film improve contrast and depth perception in low light and flat conditions.
How to measure your head to find out your ski goggle size
Simply grab some measuring tape and measure the circumference of your head. Ensure the tape is roughly an inch above your eyebrows and ears, then measure to the widest point at the back of your head.
Shop below
Oakley Line Miner M Snow Goggles
The Line Miners were created to provide a wider field of vision and crystal-clear quality for all manner of alpine retreats. No matter what the season serves up, the cylindrical-style design will allow you to see your fellow skiers and snowboarders as they pelt it down the mountain with a side-to-side periphery.
The snow goggles have been engineered to slip onto your helmet and suit a range of face shapes, securing with a silicone strap and triple-layer foam lining that is one of the most comfortable tested as well as moisture-wicking. The fit is enhanced by the flexible chassis that conforms to the contours of your face. The lightweight design means that the only thing you need to worry about is the run at hand.
The beauty of the Oakley ski goggles is that you can switch up the lenses based on the visibility and weather. But for those who prefer not to carry around multiple attachments or want one more hard-working easy option, the Line Miner comes with the all-conditions Prizm Iridium lens that suits sun and clouds alike and even low visibility. It was created to shield UVA/UVB and UVC rays with 100 per cent protection.
There are a range of colourways as well as limited-edition designs. The Lunar New Year style caught our eye with its graphic strap design but there are logo-adorned varieties in all shades from minimal black to sleek snow-ready white.
Buy now £143.00, Oakley
SunGod Snipers
How on-piste do these look? The certified B Corp, SunGod, knows how to do ski goggles with a conscience. Placing sustainability at the heart of its business, the SunGod Snipers come with interchangeable lenses, so you can suit your view depending on the weather.
And they have peripheral vision, are kitted out with 100 per cent UV protection and a triple layer scratch defence - so you can look after your goggles year after year, after year. If they were to ever break, SunGod would fix them thanks to their lifetime guarantee.
Green not your shade? Why not try the other five hues they come in, ranging from orange to black, plus you even have the option to customise your own.
Buy now £115.00, SunGod
Bollé Torus Neo
Heard of the French brand Bollé? The company is known for creating some of the most advanced outdoor accessories and its ski goggles are no different. If you’re wondering what pair to choose, we’d suggest Bollé’s pink-tinted Torus Neo goggles, which are available in five different colours.
Along with looking pretty great, Bollé’s offerings come with 100 per cent UV protection — which is super important when you’re up at high altitudes — and toric lenses so you can enjoy second-to-none optics with a peripheral view as you make your way up and down mountains.
Always suffer with goggles that fog up? Not anymore you don’t. Bollé’s Torus Neos optimise air flow and also comes with a clever magnetic eye latch design. Meaning? Quick lens changes are guaranteed and they’ll stay put no matter how many jumps you make.
Buy now £96.00, Decathlon
Tog24’s Megeve Cat 3 Lens Goggles
You don’t have to set aside a small fortune to enjoy great ski goggles. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pair, look no further than Tog24’s Megeve Cat 3 Lens Goggles which will set you back just under £50. The wearable goggles offer up maximum UV protection, so even the bright UV rays won’t put you off your ski game.
Did we also mention they come with an anti-fog coating, a moisture-wicking insulated fleece to rid sweat before you’ve even noticed it? Plus they’re helmet-compatible. Best suited for medium-to-large faces, you really can’t go wrong with these £45 beauties.
Buy now £56.00, Tog24
Oakley Flight Deck™ M Mikaela Shiffrin Signature Series Snow Goggles
Light up your ride and look powerful in Oakley’s Flight Deck Mikaela Shiffrin Signature Series Snow Goggles, which take inspiration from the colours seen in the Northern Lights in winter. The much-loved Flight Deck goggles are no stranger to Oakely’s line eyewear lineup.
However, this year, they come in a much-needed (and appreciated) mid-sized fit. Along with maximising your field of view so you won’t miss a trick, and being designed with the brand’s Ridgelock Technology, you can change lenses both quickly and easily without the harsh conditions penetrating your view. If these goggles are good enough for six-time World Cup Slalom Champion Mikaela Shiffrin, we’re sold on them too.
Buy now £199.00, Oakley
Dragon X2s Fade Pink
Along with the pretty in pink shade, the patented frameless technology and the super anti-fog coating, Dragon’s X2s Fade Pink are on the pursuit to put your sight first. Launched in 1993, Dragon has one mission: to push our own boundaries while keeping the impact our adventures have on land and sea in sight.
And its X2s Fade PinkDragon’s X2s live up to this set of criteria. Pop, safety grab, 360 and 180 your way down the slope while these goggles guard against the elements. The frames offer 100 per cent UV protection so you can ski even when it’s sunny, they come with a triple layer of face foam that’s crafted with a hypoallergenic micro fleece lining and they are even kitted out with a swiftlock lens changing system, making changing your lenses effortless.
Buy now £165.00, Blue Tomato
Salomon RADIUM PRO SIGMA
These RADIUM PRO SIGMA unisex goggles from Salomon are worth giving some serious consideration to, especially if you plan on hitting the slopes hard and want a pair of specs that can work just as hard as you. The high-performance frameless goggles combine comfort and style while meeting all the must-have requirements needed to enjoy your ski sessions.
From the anti-fog coating to the ventilation, your eyes will be able to see clearly and comfortably no matter how long you plan on skiing. Plus, the 100 per cent UV protection, the custom ID fit and the hard case and microfiber goggle bag ensure your goggles stay up the job piste after piste.
Buy now £169.98, Cotswold Outdoor
Vallon Stairways
Ski goggles don’t get much more retro than these 80s-inspired Vallon StairwaysTM. From the off-white colour to the striped strap design, these goggles are bound to make a style statement while on and off the slopes. However, much unlike the ski goggles of the 80s, these 21st-century offerings come with some much-needed technical details.
This includes: the 100 per cent UV protection, the dual-layered anti-reflective smoke lens, the hard-coated anti-scratch feature and the triple layer of foam. So you can enjoy comfort for your eyes, no matter the conditions. If you love bringing nostalgia to the slopes without compromising on high-performance wear, make Vallon’s Stairways ski goggles your go-to.
Buy now £119.98, Vallon
Wedze G500 I ski goggle
Another brand that proves you don’t have to pay top whack for ski goggles is here. Wedze’s all-weather G500 I ski goggles look good and do good. Along with being compatible with prescription glasses, you can also change the lens on these goggles depending on the weather you’re experiencing.
The wraparound lens gives you a brilliant field of vision so you can see what — and who — is around you at all times. While the 100 per cent UV protection lenses, which come in S1 and S3, mean they are suitable for sunshine or shade. While these ski goggles don’t come with all the fancy product designs, they do boast the most important features. Think: anti-fogging and a double whammy of double-density foam.
Buy now £49.99, Decathlon
MessyWeekend Clear XE2
Performance and style go hand in hand with MessyWeekend where the brand has slick eyewear that will make you stand out on the slopes.
The Clear XE2 caught our attention because - as the name suggests - they provide a clear viewing experience with a frameless design so you can tackle any hurdles - be it a tree or a snowboarder - that appears in front of you with no obstruction.
There are two lenses provided in the purchases and they clip on through a simple magnetic fastening and remain anti-scratch, anti-fog and provide UV protection - an all-important feature to protect your skin and vision.
Opt for the slick grey colourway or the sophisticated black and you’ll have a set to see you through your mountain exploits season after season.
Buy now £90.00, MessyWeekend
Verdict
Championing style, sustainability and ski-friendly goggles, we think the SunGod Snipers come out on top. The easy-to-change lenses mean you can wear these goggles through sunshine and shade, while the overall design allows you to enjoy a peripheral view.
But the real icing on top of the cake? The fact they come with a lifetime guarantee. So no matter whether you hit the slopes season after season or just every other year, you can rest assured you’ve got a pair of goggles there to protect every performance.
