The Best Ski Goggles of 2024-2025

Looking for a more moderately priced goggle with a super comfortable fit and a dependable, sharp lens across light conditions? Consider the Giro Revolt ($130). GIRO launched this silhouette with input from the brand’s team riders, and we found the Revolt to be a solid contender. The lens design is a cylindrical shape with VIVID technology, which GIRO co-developed with ZEISS, a German manufacturer of optical systems.

In snowy environments, flat light conditions are blocked out and the blue, which improves contrast, is let in. Yet UV protection is still present. How? VIVID lets blue light pass through to the user — with wavelengths on the visible light spectrum between approximately 410 and 480 nanometers — while it filters out other wavelengths between 600 and 800 nanometers.

While we were stoked that two lenses were included — one for sunny conditions and the other for overcast days, the latter of which we loved and offered excellent clarity — they were not the easiest to switch out on the fly. The lens snaps into place at the top, bottom, and sides and inevitably, our fingerprints are all over the lens by the end.

Be sure to have a goggle wipe handy. Work your way around the frame with patience. Also, take care to not let your hands slide: We did and ripped the edge of one of the vents. We made sure to swap lenses at the beginning of the day or while taking a break from the lift. 

The frame is pliable with a thick 0.5-inch cushion that hugs the face. There are two small vents on the underside and a row of five vents up top, which helped to prevent fogging action. The top and sides of the lens look frame-free, like a vanishing edge pool, whereas you can see a slender portion of the frame along the bottom, a stylish detail. 

After comparing countless goggles side by side across several seasons, Senior Editor Morgan Tilton found the Giro to be one of the most comfortable fits out there. The frame never pushes into the nose bridge, upper cheeks, or forehead. Nor does the goggle battle with helmets — of which we’ve tested many types — or present gaps. The Giro remains seamless and pressure-free against the face no matter how many other accessories and layers are bundled around the frame on a pow day or during a blizzard.

We really like the traditional style of the goggle strap on the Revolt, with two sliding buckles that alter the circumference without disconnecting the strap. The interior has two continuous horizontal strips of sticky silicone to help latch onto your helmet or head, too. There’s no dearth of fun colors with more than 10 options on the menu.

We keep coming back to the Anon M5 Goggles ($300) on the nastiest storm days because of their crisp low-light optics, remarkably easy lens swap, and detachable face mask. The M5 is a premium goggle that comes with a top-shelf price tag, but we think you get a lot for the investment: In the package, two lenses cover the full spectrum of lighting conditions that you’ll encounter while skiing.

We were thrilled by how easy it was to swap lenses with Anon’s Magna-Tech system. The lens attaches to the frame with nine strong magnets. Popping the lens out is as simple as prying it off with the corner of a finger. When you hover the other lens over the magnets, the whole thing snaps together in perfect alignment every time. It’s the easiest lens swap we’ve come across.

The M5 comes with excellent flat toric lenses, a shape that combines the benefits of a toric and cylindrical lens, delivering a massive field of view. They’re not prone to scratches, thanks to the hydrophobic and oleophobic coats, which provide smudge, scratch, and moisture resistance on the exterior face of the lens. 

The pair we tested came with the Perceive Sunny Red (14% VLT), which had us covered on the brightest spring days down to partly cloudy conditions. The spare Perceive Cloudy Burst (59% VLT) did remarkably well in poor lighting conditions and on stormy days. It vastly enhanced our vision and depth perception.

Gear tester Bergen Tjossem found that Anon’s proprietary contrast enhancement technology, called Perceive, added significantly more contrast and vibrancy than the naked eye without making the landscape look artificial. It enhanced the subtleties in the snow’s surface in low light conditions.

No other goggle brands in this guide have designed a goggle-compatible magnetized neck tube and face mask. As the most unique feature of the M5, the face mask snaps to the underside of the goggle frame to create a gap-free seal. Unlike wearing a traditional Buff over your nose and underneath your goggle frame, your breath is directed away from the lens so it doesn’t fog your lens. Considering how much we liked the compatible face mask and the large frame, we continued to grab the M5 for cold stormy days at the resort and for the backcountry.

This frame felt like a big cocoon on our faces, and it provided a big field of vision. We also found the M5 was comfortable to wear all day thanks to the high-quality triple-layer face foam. They’re big, though — individuals with smaller faces should check out the smaller but otherwise identical M5S for a better fit. But despite the huge coverage, the frame’s ventilation and the lens’s anti-fog treatment kept the big windshield fog-free. That’s what we’d expect from a $300 pair. 

While the lenses are fairly scratch resistant, if that’s a priority, check out the Giro Revolt. Otherwise, the Anon M5 is an outstanding pair of goggles for skiers and riders looking for good storm protection, excellent optics in any lighting conditions, and a stylish look. Skiers and riders willing to shell out a little bit more for these premium optics will be thoroughly pleased.

Read Review: Lightning-Fast Lens Swap: Anon M5 Ski Goggles Review

Easily the most distinctive-looking goggles on our list are the POC Nexal Goggles ($230). They’re designed for speed, and they’ve got the feature set to match. For starters, going fast requires a helmet, and the Nexal is designed around helmet integration. The outriggers on each side of the frame kick the strap up and out of the way of the helmet’s ear pads, so that there isn’t any awkward interaction or gaps.

They also distribute the pressure nicely across our faces for all day comfort. Their Clarity Highly Intense Cat 2 lens category is designed for pulling out the textural nuances during high speed competition, which benefits any level of athlete.

The Nexal also sports unique zygomatic bone covers: The lower edges of the frame have big, protruding cushions that cover your cheekbones. We appreciated the extra protection when it was really cold and windy, and they helped keep the frost nip at bay. Skiers need to see the minute textural differences in snow and ice to ski fast and safely. That’s where these lenses shine, without a doubt.

We tested POC’s Highly Intense Partly Sunny Blue Cat 2 lens (22% VLT). Also included was the Clarity Intense Cloudy Coral Cat 1 lens (49% VLT). We had no problem spotting subtleties in the snow’s surface on dark, stormy days.

Like most low-light lenses, it wasn’t fun when the sun came out full blast, but we were at least protected from harmful rays thanks to a modest mirroring and 51% of visible light blocked. Both cylindrical lenses are made by Zeiss, a manufacturer of high-quality glass for camera lenses, scopes, binoculars, and lenses. As expected from a premium pair of goggles, the optics were excellent.

It’s not the easiest lens swap we’ve encountered, but it’s far from the hardest. Once we practiced a few times, it was easy to swap between the two lenses in under thirty seconds, mostly without touching the lens itself. We noticed that even between the two lenses, there was a gap in coverage for certain light conditions.

We were wishing for a little bit more protection on the sunniest spring days in Colorado. Users wanting to cover the full spectrum for any conditions will need to shell out another $60 for a Cat 3 lens. 

Read Review: Cheekbone Protection, Crisp Optics: POC Nexal Clarity Ski Goggles Review

Enamored by the aesthetic, we also really enjoyed the performance of the Dragon NFX Mag OTG ($280). They’re big, nearly frameless, and clean-looking — a design that a lot of skiers will be excited about. Their medium shape should fit most faces, and we found them versatile with and without a helmet. We also appreciated the noticeably plush triple-layer padding and cozy fleece outer layer.

Out on the mountain, the primary Lumalens Gold Ion lens (13% VLT) was impressively crisp and vibrant in bright and even partly cloudy conditions. Dragon’s contrast enhancement tech, Lumalens, undoubtedly gave us an edge over simpler lenses we’ve tested. We were able to spot subtle changes in the snow’s surface in soft snow, icy conditions, and everything in between. We felt confident going full send.

NFX Mag utilizes a big cylindrical lens that provides a good field of view, especially side to side. We did notice some slight color distortion at the top and bottom of the lens, however. It wasn’t bothersome once we got used to it, but it may annoy some users. The lens change system is unique, and it took us a few tries to figure it out. Plus, we got our oily fingers all over the lens.

After enduring a quick learning curve, we got the swap down to a few seconds, but we kept the cleaning bag handy. The NFX uses magnets around the lens and frame, paired with a spring-loaded “Swiftlock” lever to secure the lens in place.

While it’s not the easiest magnetized swap out there, the lens is more secure than some other magnet-only designs. If that’s important to you, the 100% Norg Goggle offers the most powerful, easiest magnetic-swap lens system we’ve tested. The Anon M5 Goggles magnetic lens system is also really easy and strong.

Our second lens, the Lumalens Amber (VLT 54%), also employs Dragon’s impressive contrast enhancement tech but otherwise it’s a basic orange tint. It worked great in low light, but we’d be more psyched on some mirroring to add versatility when the sun popped out given the price point.

The NFX gives a special shoutout to glasses wearers with a true “OTG” design, meaning the goggles are designed to fit comfortably over glasses. Those users may still want to test the fit with their spectacles before going all in, but we were satisfied with the goggles-over-glasses configuration.

While this design has triple-layer foam against the skin, there’s a unique vent system, called “armored venting,” that’s located in front of the foam. Perforated and durable, if ice or snow does build up, you can essentially bang the goggle against your hand to get all the elements out without the risk of a tear to the face pad. Not to mention, the foam has a hypoallergenic microfleece liner, and the strap is backed with silicone.

We’re also pumped about the anti-fog coating for super-sweaty days in the backcountry or power days. In terms of value, the NFX Mag OTG are slightly more expensive than we’d expect compared to our other favorite goggles at this price point. But skiers stoked on the fierce aesthetic will be pleased with these solid all-arounders.

The Sweet Protection Durden RIG Reflect Goggles ($150) have a minimal frame, a large field of vision, and exceptional lenses. After two years of regular use, Editorial Director Sean McCoy’s pair was still in excellent condition and free of scratches. Throughout, we’ve experienced minimal fogging and fair vision even in flat light conditions. The design simply works well and meets the demands of the day, season after season. Repetition is more than fine in our book.

This lens has the brand’s RIG (Retina Illumination Grading) technology, which bumps up contrast, reduces eye fatigue, and allows natural color perception rather than distortion. Sweet Protection is based in Norway. As one of the world’s northernmost countries, the sun has a longer distance to travel through the atmosphere, which alters the colors of natural light, explained Sweet Protection Director of Design and Development Ståle Møller: It’s an excellent location to test how the sunlight and eyes work together.

Based on the same transmission curve, there are eight Sweet Protection lens options optimized for different light conditions including three variants with a VLT of 12% in the S3 category. Meaning, several pairs with different color options are all solid contenders for cloudy to sunny conditions, and a prime choice for a range of days across a ski season.

Albeit a low-profile goggle, we found that the size feels rather large, which could be a drawback for smaller face structures. If you’re looking for a goggle that fits a smaller or medium face pretty well, check out the Smith I/O Mag ChromaPop.

A bundle includes a no-slip silicone-reinforced strap, a microfiber carry bag, and a two-year manufacturer’s warranty. While only one lens is included with the Durden RIG Reflect Goggles, the lenses are interchangeable. To integrate well with a helmet, the strap is mounted to the exterior of the goggle frame. Lamination on the frame’s vent foam also increases the durability.

If you’re a backcountry skier, you’re going to need a pair of solid sunnies that are technical and adaptive. We have endured many harsh imprints on our face from ski touring sunglasses while wearing a ski helmet. And then there was one that all but eliminated every pinch and squeeze: the Smith Bobcat ($245) with a soft, pliable yet super durable frame.

We’ve slammed into tree branches with this forgiving pair and the nose piece easily clicked back into place. No harm or foul. But we were even more thrilled with Smith launched the first-ever Chromapop photochromic lens for the Bobcat just in time for winter.

That new photochromic lens offers a VLT range of 12-67% — an ideal tool for touring in and out of gladed terrain, changing light and when you’re moving across snow during sunrise or sunset. Better yet, Smith throws in an additional clear lens, which you can’t get through ski season without if you plan on uphilling at your local hill after work or heading out for dawn patrol.

Built with Smith’s Chromapop lens technology, there’s an enhanced color and clarity without distorting natural tones, which we found to be true. We previously tested the Photochromic clear to gray lens ($100) with these glasses, with a VLT of 20-85%, and while that lens offers the greatest range it lacks the Chromapop technology, as well as that darker range of protection during sunnier moments.

When we’re touring on a bright bluebird day, we like the ChromaPop Opal Mirror Lens with a consistent 12% VLT. While we haven’t test it, there’s a sweet ChromaPop Glacier Photochromic Copper Blue Mirror Lens option, too. Swapping out the lens is almost alarmingly easy given how much the frame can bend. Each shield quickly pops in and out.

Coverage feels sweeping and wide but without swallowing our cheeks, even for smaller faces. Nor does the lower corner of the lens ever dig into our skin, which we’ve experience on multiple other sunglasses while skiing. Taking a closer look at the specs the width is 135mm, height is 59mm, and temple length is 130mm.

If you’re like us and have no previous record of measuring your face, know this: Even the most sensitive testers didn’t feel any pressure on their temples with the length of these arms. And thanks to the grippy, ergonomically shaped nose pads, these glasses do not slip down, even when we’re profusely sweating and booting up a ridgeline or couloir.

What’s more, our lenses nearly never fog up while working hard in these glasses. The only time we’ve noticed a swamp effect is if we’re on an endurance roll, high heart rate, sweating and come to a sudden stop. We might need to wave the glasses in the air while regrouping but never have those moments not been recoverable. The Bobcat has vents for airflow and apparently the magic is that simple.

We appreciate that this investment includes a large firm carry case to keep the kit well-stowed. Even better: this ski protection is a piece you can wear year-round and is the perfect mountain biking companion. The only drawbacks we can find for this design are the expense — although, it’s a sweet package deal — and we noticed that our mirrored lens is showing breakdown wear and tear after only one winter and summer season.

As careful as we’ve been with our lens, we wear these glasses during serious output, so they’re bound to get messy but take it from us: Try to not touch the glass with your bare fingers.

What stuck with us about the Bollé Torus Neo ($300) is their clarity and fog-free performance throughout a range of conditions over months and months of testing — even on a rainy inbounds day in Austria.

These are oversized toric lenses (the shape is like a slice off the side of a donut rather than strictly cylindrical like many other goggles), so they won’t work for everyone, especially smaller `faces. But if the fit works for you, they deliver maximum field of view with a Volt lens that does wonders in low light. They also come with a higher-light transmission lens as well for the deepest, darkest days on the hill.

We loved the super-secure lens interchange system that keeps your lens locked in until you’re ready to change it. Magnetic systems can be great, but the lever-lock system used here nearly guarantees you won’t pop the lens out unless you really mean to, which is a novelty compared to other designs. There’s a tiny latch at the top of the goggles, between the brows, that opens and closes on the lens. The latch carries the brand logo, so it’s low-profile and doesn’t obstruct your vision.

The brand also rolled out a sustainable version of this model, the Bollé Eco Torus ($140) with a Sunrise lens, which allows 22% visible light transmission (VLT) for mixed weather. Surrounding the same lens technology, the strap and frame are made from mostly recycled and bio-based materials.

That strap is 65% recycled polyester with 100% recycled patches while the frame and adjusters are 48% bio-based, made with renewable castor oil. The tradeoffs with the traditional Torus? You can’t swap out lenses, so you’re sacrificing versatility. Ultimately, after spending months in the Torus Neo in conditions ranging from spring rain to midwinter storms, we came away super impressed.

The award-winning 100% Norg Goggle ($250) features the brand’s proprietary 3DPlane Molded Lens Technology, which is both a shape and structural reinforcement of the lens that allows it to sit flush in the frame. Impressive industry-wide, the invention received a 2022 ISPO AWARD for Design and Innovation. The 3DPlane Molded Lens Technology was first created for motocross and mountain bike eyewear in 2019.

Well-known in the moto, cycling, and dirt bike scenes for top-notch goggles and sunglasses, 100% launched the brand’s first-ever snow goggle in October 2022, after two years of development. The result is a rimless design: The lens looks like the edge of a waterfall and garners ample compliments for looking futuristic and cool. We found the lens to provide exceptional clarity while our surroundings looked tint-free and natural.

This frame is so flexible it can twist in our hand but the lens doesn’t pop out, remaining durable yet pliable, and enhancing comfort. A dense 0.5-inch layer of dual foam lines the frame, which is lined with microfleece for against-skin contact, wicks moisture, and is comfortable. Inside the adjustable goggle strap, a center line of slip-resistant silicone helps keep the strap in place. 

Loaded with technology, the lens is made from Ultra HD, a polycarbonate material that’s molded to prevent any optical distortion. The composite is shatterproof and impact-resistant — which we found to be true. This lens design is super durable. As far as lens options, there are five: S0 VLT for overcast (80-100%), S1 VLT for partially cloudy (43-80%), S2 VLT for fairly sunny (18-43%), S3 VLT for super sunny (8-18%), and S4 VLT for extreme sun with reflection off of water (3-8%).

For clarity, the mirrored surface has a technology called HiPER, which filters out the color wavelengths that produce grayness in order for the user to see greater contrast, a key in lower light conditions. The lens is also extremely scratch, smudge, and moisture resistant thanks to a hydro and oleophobic coating that’s applied to the surface. The lens’s dual pane construction allows air between the two surfaces to prevent fog-ups.

Among the most impressive traits is the quick lens interchangeability system, called Gravit8, which is among the fastest magnetic designs we’ve ever tested. On the ski lift, a fingernail quickly pops the lens out. To reset, you can practically let the lens go mid-air to let the shield fly into the frame, locking it in place.

There are eight strategically placed, super-powerful magnets around the rim. The goggle includes a spare lens, which comes in a tight sleeve, and magnetizes onto the goggle chassis for dual protection of both lenses during storage. Brilliant.

The padding certainly feels comfortable against the skin. Our primary tester has a small-to-medium face and noticed times when the Norg was a bit roomier than preferred — especially when powder was flying into the face or getting stuffed up the nose, it’d be ideal to not have the frame creeping downward on the nasal cavities. But we ended up wearing the Norg most of the time despite the size, thanks to the excellent clarity and comfort.

Overall, we were blown away by the clarity and field of vision in this lens and goggle design, as well as the magnetic design for super rapid lens attachment. We’ve never changed our lenses more seamlessly. For a broader fit range, the goggle is available in the 100% Norg Alt Fit Goggle, which has an increased lower foam for a lower nose bridge, higher cheekbones, and to eliminate gaps on the face.

For a slightly smaller frame than the Norg, check out the 100% Snowcraft Goggle ($180), which fits a small or medium-sized face. The lens is a traditional pop-out style, so it requires a bit of extra time to change but the frame feels pliable and easy to slide into place along the lens. All considering, the Snowcraft is an equally well-performing eye shield loaded with a handful of the same benchmark technologies as the premium Norg.

Read Review: 100% Norg Goggle Review: Dialed, Sharp Lenses That Live Up to a Lot of Hype

The Zeal Cloudfall ($199) stood out from the crowd in their fog-free ride. The brand’s proprietary Everclear Anti-Fog system infuses “anti-fogging molecules” into the lenses, rather than utilizing a coating that can easily smudge or rub off. We were left impressed with just how long we could wear the goggles before fog crept in — quite possibly the best in the test. That plus the versatile light protection and the great price point make this a solid contender.

In a medium size, the Cloudfall has a big, spherical lens that provides an exceptional field of view deep well into the periphery. Both of the included lenses provided crisp, clear optics, and enhanced the contrast of the snow’s surface. We had no problems spotting the subtle changes in snow hardness, even as the lightning shifted. 

The two included lenses we tested — the 30% VLT Alchemy Mirror and the 65% VLT Sky Blue Mirror — covered the full gamut of lighting conditions we encountered on the mountain. We were protected from the harsh sun while wearing one, but had an edge in flat light while using the other. We did notice slight glare from the sun, however, despite the spherical shape.

We also tested Zeal’s impressive (and more expensive) Automatic+ photochromic lens, which changes its level of protection given the available lighting. It’s a great option for skiers that don’t like swapping lenses, skiers that plan on being outside all day through a range of conditions, or for fast-changing light. We were psyched on this lens in just about every lighting condition we encountered on the mountain.

The unique RailLock lens swap system is quick and easy after a few practice runs. It’s not the easiest lens attachment system among our favorite snow goggles, but we could swap lenses in under 20 seconds. While the lens was secured with two magnets and side rails, we found that the lens could pop loose with a big impact, which was surprising. We’d prefer a little more “lock” in the “RailLock.” Otherwise, we had a bunch of reasons to dig the Cloudfall.

Italian brand KOO Eyewear threw its hat into the high-end goggle ring with the debut of its new 2024 KOO Energia ($250). They certainly have a fresh aesthetic that’s part world cup racer, part retro — going for speed and style. Instead of picking between a cylindrical and a toric lens shape, KOO worked with Zeiss optics to create what they call a “first of its kind” hybrid of the two. Gear tester Bergen Tjossem noticed the toric-like big field of view and the lack of distortion, alongside the refraction characteristic of a cylindrical lens. 

Like other gold-star goggles we’ve tested, the Energia comes with two lenses: One is aimed at sunny stints and the other is for low light conditions. There’s certainly no lack of clarity between the two options. The Rose Gold lens we tested offered plentiful protection from the sun and albedo during the most intense solar days. They’re on the dark side of the spectrum but gave us clear enough vision to see the snow’s nuances, even when light clouds rolled in.

The second orange lens we tested is much lighter and works well for very low light conditions. We found ourselves squinting when the sun popped out unexpectedly, since it doesn’t sport any kind of mirroring. We tended to leave the primary lens installed, because it covers a much wider lighting spectrum.

We’ve swapped a lot of lenses over the years, and the system of the Energia falls somewhere in the middle in terms of ease. It’s a traditional lens swap compared to anything fancy involving magnets, hinges, or hooks. After a few practice swaps, we could change lenses in less than a minute. Given that the two lenses cover both ends of the lighting spectrum and are a bit clumsy to swap, we were left wanting an all-around lens that excels in both sunny and partly cloudy conditions that we could set and forget. 

While we were excited about the look and the anti-fog treatment, the Energia falls in the middle of the pack in most other aspects including the foam quality, fit, and durability. While we like the optics and aesthetic, we weren’t wowed by the value compared to our other top-choice snow goggles.

A solid package, the Anon WM3 Goggles ($280) has a traditional cylindrical lens style at a relatively good price, but it also comes with a bonus lens to sweeten the deal. The fit is women’s-specific and definitely better for smaller faces. The lens has a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating to shield fogging, nicks, and smudges. Anon also added high-tech magnets for a quick interchangeable lens system called MAGNA-TECH.

But that’s not all. The goggles’ MFI (magnetic face mask integration) system places magnets along the bottom rim of the goggles to seal the connection between the eyewear and a face mask. Our nose stayed warm, and we didn’t have to deal with a gaiter slipping down or ice on our fleece collar, all while having full face coverage.

While the MFI face mask is lightweight, we thought the layer made a nice difference in blocking out the cold. We wore the goggle-mask combo skiing in partially sunny and then mixed conditions and didn’t experience fogging.

Outfitted with Anon’s Perceive Lens Technology, the lenses have excellent contrast and provide crisper, clearer optics. Gear tester Mary Murphy tried lenses with a 34% VLT, plus a bonus lens with a 6% VLT for brighter days.

Overall, we love the top-shelf lens and it was built with great venting — tiny ports on the top and sides — and magnet quality: The lenses stayed in and the mask remained steadfast. With more size inclusivity, the goggles include a low bridge fit option, too.

The performance of the Atomic Four Pro HD ($160) really shined in our testing as conditions shifted from stormy to bluebird, and it did it all at a reasonable price point. The lens is constructed with micro-crystals that enhance blue and red tones for great depth perception and visibility across a range of light conditions. Even though the main lens (which comes in six color options) does well in most conditions, Atomic adds value with an included clear lens, which comes in handy for extremely cloudy days or night skiing under the lights when you need maximum light transmission.

Atomic offers photochromic performance in the Four Pro HD Photo version of this goggle, so don’t be confused. You’ll see the price uptick to $230. Transition lenses have been around in eyeglasses for decades, tinting darker as light levels increase. “Photochromic” lenses in ski goggles are relatively new and bring the same concept to bear on the slopes with more modern lens tech: automatically responding to changing light conditions for more ideal moment-to-moment exposure and contrast.

You also get a near-frameless look thanks to the Four Pro HD’s ultra-thin frame that allows you to change lenses without smudging up the lens but give them an oversized fighter pilot aesthetic. They don’t just look big, however.

These are larger frames that might not be a great fit for smaller faces. We found the field of vision of the cylindrical lenses adequate except when looking down past the nose where there was some obstruction. For the value of the Four Pro HD, though, we’re willing to look past it.

Zeal Lookout ($269) remains a top-of-the-line goggle for the Boulder-based brand — and for good reason. For one, there are more than 30 combinations of frame and lens combos available for this model. The version we tested probably covers the most ground since it comes with a photochromic lens and a low-light backup.

With a huge menu, though, you’re bound to find an option that fits your style and needs. Plus, the frame size is an average, middle-of-the-road medium, so the design sits well on most face shapes.

If you want the Lookout with the photochromic lens, which automatically adjusts to light conditions as they change, make sure that the goggle you’re previewing says “Automatic+” or “Auto+,” which indicates the included lens is photochromic. The photochromic lens models are generally a $100 bump above the other options, so that’s another indicator. If you’re looking for a lower-priced option, there are plenty of other worthy models of the Lookout with a traditional non-photochromic lens.

We loved the simple but secure Rail Lock System on these goggles, which quickly swaps lenses by sliding the lens down where it locks in place. The process can be done fairly easily, even with gloves on. Editorial Director Sean McCoy also raved about the clarity and color accuracy of the high-end lens with Zeal’s Observation Deck Technology, which angles the lens downward to reduce glare and increase the field of view without distortion.

While the Lookout has a modern frameless style, they have a more traditional cylindrical shape, which we felt restricted the field of view a bit, despite having an average-sized frame. A cylindrical lens offers a lower-profile goggle. But if you prefer the generally wider field of view of the bubble-like spherical lens, the Zeal Cloudfall is similarly priced. It has the rail locking system, Observation Deck tech, and has similar lens options to the Lookout, but with spherical lenses and a bigger view.

Marker debuted the first version of these early “frameless” goggles a few years back. Coming in below one hundo, the Marker Smooth Operator Goggles ($90) work great as a pocket-stowable backcountry lens for touring when you want a goggle but don’t want the bulk of a stiff, oversized resort pair. That said, these are a totally viable resort goggle option, especially for folks who want a large field of view but don’t want the bulk and steep price tag of most large-lens goggles.

The main drawbacks our testing revealed: The alignment of the slim-profile Smooth Operator with a helmet brim is off. There’s also no ability to interchange lenses for evolving light conditions. And the minimalist design is comfortable at first on most faces but can create some pain points after a long day of lift-served runs.

Also, the size run matches a medium and large fit. If you’re looking for a small goggle frame, this isn’t the best grab. But for many people, this goggle is a solid contender for an economic option or backup eye protection.

We love the Smooth Operator as a secondary backcountry goggle, though, because they are flexible enough to stash in a large pocket if we’re traveling light. Even in a backcountry pack, they win for taking up less room than a stiffer traditional goggle. They also work well as an emergency backup pair to keep stashed in a boot bag for when we’ve left our primary goggles drying on the mantle.