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 buyer’s 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:
Table of Contents
- Best Overall: Smith I/O Mag ChromaPop
- Best Budget: Smith Range
- Best Field of View: Smith 4D MAG ChromaPop Goggles
- Best Women’s-Specific: Anon WM3 MFI Women’s Goggles
- Best Budget Women's-Specific: Smith Drift
- Best Photochromatic Goggles: Julbo Cyrius Photochromic Goggles
- Best Goggles for Backcountry Touring: Julbo Aerospace
- Best of the Rest
- Anon M4 MFI Toric Goggles
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023
Smith I/O Mag ChromaPop
Specs
- Best for Excellent clarity, especially in variable and low light conditions
- Lenses 2
- Frame Size Medium
- Lens Shape Spherical
Pros
- Easy to quickly change out lenses
- Anti-fog interior lens design
Cons
- Lenses are easily smudged while swapping due to the frameless design
Smith Range
Specs
- Best for A pair of all-around goggles if you’re on a tight budget
- Lenses 1
- Frame Size Large
- Lens Shape Cylindrical
Pros
- Economic price tag
- Wide field of view
- Available in Low Bridge Fit for lower nose bridges or wide or high cheekbones
Cons
- Doesn’t include a bonus lens
- Not a quick-switch lens design
Smith 4D MAG ChromaPop Goggles
Specs
- Best for Skiers seeking the largest field of view on the market
- Lenses 2
- Frame Size Medium
- Lens Shape Spherical
Pros
- Excellent peripheral vision
- Easy lens changing system
Cons
- Expensive
Anon WM3 MFI Women’s Goggles
Specs
- Best for All light conditions and easy face mask integration
- Lenses 2
- Frame Size Small to medium
- Lens Shape Cylindrical
Pros
- Comes with a bonus lens
- Face mask integration
- Good venting
Cons
- On the expensive side
Smith Drift
Specs
- Best for Skiers looking for great value and a women’s-specific fit
- Lenses 1
- Frame Size Small/Medium
- Lens Shape Cylindrical
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable
Cons
- Limited field of view
Julbo Cyrius Photochromic Goggles
Specs
- Best for Skiers looking for high-end photochromatic lenses that perform in all weather conditions
- Lenses 1
- Frame Size Large
- Lens Shape Cylindrical
Pros
- Great in low-visibility conditions
- Versatile
Cons
- Not ideal for those with smaller faces
Julbo Aerospace
Specs
- Best for Backcountry skiing
- Lenses 1
- Frame Size Large
- Lens Shape Spherical
Pros
- Great ventilation and minimal fogging
- Durable
Cons
- Not the easiest lens-change system
Best of the Rest
Anon M4 MFI Toric Goggles
Specs
- Best for Quick lens changes and fog prevention
- Lenses 2
- Frame Size Large
- Lens Shape Toric
Pros
- User-friendly lens-change system
- Good airflow and fog prevention
Cons
- Not ideal for small faces
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 | $80 | 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.
Buyer’s 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
There is no best color for ski goggles because different colors work better in different conditions. In low or flat light conditions (like cloudy days and snowstorms), goggles with rose or amber lenses will help increase contrast the best.
For bright, sunny days, most skiers choose a darker lens and may opt for a gray color, although many will still retain a rose or amber tint. Night skiing requires extreme light transmission, so most skiers will choose a nearly clear lens, possibly with a yellow or rose tint.
Choose lenses with a high VLT for low light. For low-contrast situations, snow goggles with yellow, amber, or rose lenses will help enhance contrast.
For those who want a lens for varied conditions, photochromatic lenses are a great choice. They allow one pair of goggles to meet most needs without having to change lenses.
Spherical and four-dimensional lenses give skiers the biggest field of view, which equates to better vision at the edges of the goggles. They also give the least distortion compared with cheaper cylindrical lenses. Look for goggles that give you the widest field of view while still fitting your helmet well.
A good pair of ski goggles can last for several years with proper care. But as with most optics, the biggest risk is scratching the lens. To avoid scratching, only touch the lens with soft, clean microfiber or cotton material, and be careful when brushing off snow with rough gloves or jackets.
One benefit of interchangeable lenses is you can often buy lenses separately, so you can get replacements if you scratch your lens at a fraction of the cost of a new pair of goggles. Quality frames and foam should last for many days on the mountain!
