The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Modern ski goggles are wonders of technology. Unlike years past, there’s no reason to suffer through fogged goggles or obscured vision. And with advanced features like photochromic lenses, contrast-enhancing light filtration, and easy lens interchange, you no longer have to squint or strain to see.

Our team has tested dozens of pairs of goggles over the past two winters to bring you our favorites. We break these down into multiple categories to help you choose the best snow goggles for your needs and budget.

Even the best goggles will suck if they don’t fit your face. Be sure to check out our tips on how to buy goggles in our comprehensive buyers guide, or compare models in our comparison chart. And if you have some questions, take a look at our list of frequently asked questions.

Otherwise, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for:

The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Ski Goggles Comparison Chart

Ski Goggles	Price	Lenses	Frame Size	Lens Shape
Smith I/O Mag ChromaPop	$270	2	Medium	Spherical
Smith Range	$80	1	Large	Cylindrical
Smith 4D MAG ChromaPop Goggles	$320	2	Medium	Spherical
Anon WM3 MFI Women’s Goggles	$280	2	Small/Medium	Cylindrical
Smith Drift	$81	1	Small/Medium	Cylindrical
Julbo Cyrius Photochromic Goggles	$260	1	Large	Cylindrical
Julbo Aerospace	$300	1	Large	Spherical
Anon M4 MFI Toric Goggles	$320	2	Large	Toric

Why You Should Trust Us

Our team of ski gear testers has more than 40 years of combined experience on the slopes. We remember the days of garbage goggles that would fog in the slightest snowstorm (AKA the 1980s) and really appreciate the incredible capability of modern goggles.

For this review, we’ve tested dozens of pairs of goggles over more than 10 years. Our latest outing included a full week at Crested Butte, where we skied for a full week and tested goggles back-to-back. And as snow goggle technology advances, so does this article. We update this article multiple times each year. Thus, you will find the latest information when it’s time to invest in a new pair of shades.

When we test goggles, we consider the overall fit, field of vision, comfort, shape, lens quality and clarity, light transmission, and size as well as the adjustability of the lens and strap.

We also examine the technology of the lens including ventilation, scratch and impact resistance, hydrophobic and antifog treatments, light adaptivity (also known as photochromic lenses), and polarized glare protection.

In addition to our field tests, we consider the most sustainable, innovative, legacy, popular, and award-winning products on the shelf today. This collection of ski goggles includes a broad range of options to fit a variety of budgets, skiers, and needs.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose Ski Goggles

With so many goggles on the market, how’s a skier, rider, or sledder to choose? Hold on tight as we run through a few key elements of snow goggle selection.

Fit

This should be a top consideration for ski goggles. If you wear a helmet, definitely try on the goggles with your helmet on. You don’t want a significant gap between the helmet and goggles, or you’ll get cold air blasting your forehead. The helmet should form a close fit with the goggles all the way across the face with no gaps.

Also, make sure the goggles fit your face well and aren’t too big or small for comfort. It’s really best to try on a few models to make sure you’re happy with the fit, both to your face and your helmet.

Finally, ensure the strap is long enough to fit around your helmet and face without too much pressure.

Lens & Light Transmission

The lens is the most critical piece of your goggles. Lenses protect your eyes from the harsh sun, stinging wind, and flying objects.

One of our testers once planted a pole into a tree and then skied into the other end of their pole right between the eyes. Their Julbo Aerospace goggles protected their head and eyes. It hurt, and nearly knocked them out, but it would have been a lot worse without them.

Many lenses come in categories 1-4, with 1 being nearly clear for very low light and 4 being super dark for very bright sunshine.

• Category 1: Nearly clear for very low light
• Category 2: Approximately 43% to 18% of light passes through the lens
• Category 3: Close to 8% to 18% of light passes through the lens, making it suitable for use in sunny conditions
• Category 4: Super dark for very bright sunshine

Most goggles fall in the 2-3 category, with many photochromatic models offering a range from 1 to 3. Very few models come in 4, which is intended for only the brightest snow conditions.

But what does VLT mean? Some goggles use another measure, called “visible light transmission,” instead of categorization. These goggles denote the percentage of visible light the lenses allow to pass through as their VLT. The higher the number, the more light gets through the lens.

The best lenses for sunny days have a VLT between about 5% and 20%. For low-light conditions, look for lenses with a VLT between 60% and 90%.

Shape

When evaluating lenses, consider the shape. Most are cylindrical or spherical:

• Cylindrical lenses curve in a flat plane across your face. This means the lens is flat in the vertical plane. These lenses work well but offer less field of view than most spherical lenses and tend to have slightly more glare. They’re usually the less expensive choice.
• Spherical lenses have three dimensions of curve and look a bit like a cross-section of a sphere. They cost more to manufacture and therefore have a higher price on the shelves. But for the money, you get a better field of view, less glare, and less distortion.

Color

Finally, you get to choose the color of your lens. Most goggles will have lens colors appropriate for their category, with lighter lenses colored yellow or rose and darker lenses angling toward brown, gray, or copper. Try a few on and see what you like, and try to look into daylight when evaluating the color.

Interchangeable Lenses

Many modern goggles have interchangeable lenses, which allow you to switch lenses depending on light conditions. Consider if a brand sells replacement lenses, which could be a cheap way to replace goggles that get scratched (which they all do eventually).

Also, consider if the goggles come with a second or third set of lenses for varying light conditions.

If you plan to regularly change lenses, we recommend paying a bit more for a pair with an easy, quick-change design. It makes mid-mountain changes doable and limits the possibility of damaging the goggles.

Venting & Features

All goggles have some type of venting, and most work pretty well. Consider the foam over vents and if it will ice up or hold moisture on a powder day, as that’s a likely way to get fogged goggles. Higher-priced goggles tend to have better foam around the face and over vents.

FAQ

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