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The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Looking for the best ski goggles or a pair of snow goggles for snowmobiling, hiking, or exploring winter storms? We've got you covered with our list of the best goggles.

After countless laps in a variety of conditions, GearJunkie's testers know what they're looking for in a pair of goggles; (photo/Jason Hummel)
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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 youโ€™re looking for:

Table of Contents

The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Best Overall

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
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Pros

  • Easy to quickly change out lenses
  • Anti-fog interior lens design

Cons

  • Lenses are easily smudged while swapping due to the frameless design
Best Budget

Smith Range

Specs

  • Best for A pair of all-around goggles if youโ€™re on a tight budget
  • Lenses 1
  • Frame size Large
  • Lens shape Cylindrical
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Pros

  • Economic price tag
  • Wide field of view
  • Available in Low Bridge Fit for lower nose bridges or wide or high cheekbones

Cons

  • Doesnโ€™t include a bonus lens
  • Not a quick-switch lens design
Best Field of View

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
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Pros

  • Excellent peripheral vision
  • Easy lens-changing system

Cons

  • Expensive
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Best Womenโ€™s-Specific

Anon WM3 MFI Womenโ€™s Goggles

Specs

  • Best for All light conditions and easy face mask integration
  • Lenses 2
  • Frame size Small to medium
  • Lens shape Cylindrical
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Pros

  • Comes with a bonus lens
  • Face mask integration
  • Good venting

Cons

  • On the expensive side
Best Budget Women's-Specific

Smith Drift

Specs

  • Best for Skiers looking for great value and a womenโ€™s-specific fit
  • Lenses 1
  • Frame size Small/Medium
  • Lens shape Cylindrical
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Limited field of view
Best Photochromatic Goggles

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
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Pros

  • Great in low-visibility conditions
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Not ideal for those with smaller faces
Best Goggles for Backcountry Touring

Julbo Aerospace

Specs

  • Best for Backcountry skiing
  • Lenses 1
  • Frame size Large
  • Lens shape Spherical
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

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
The Best Ski Goggles of 2023

Pros

  • User-friendly lens-change system
  • Good airflow and fog prevention

Cons

  • Not ideal for small faces

Ski Goggles Comparison Chart

Ski GogglesPriceLensesFrame SizeLens Shape
Smith I/O Mag ChromaPop$2702MediumSpherical
Smith Range$801LargeCylindrical
Smith 4D MAG ChromaPop Goggles$3202MediumSpherical
Anon WM3 MFI Womenโ€™s Goggles$2802Small/MediumCylindrical
Smith Drift$811Small/MediumCylindrical
Julbo Cyrius Photochromic Goggles$2601LargeCylindrical
Julbo Aerospace$3001LargeSpherical
Anon M4 MFI Toric Goggles$3202LargeToric
11 pairs of snow goggles
Just a portion of the goggles we tested while searching for the best snow goggles; (photo/Sean McCoy)

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

Female skier testing ski goggles
To keep the snow out, make sure your goggles and helmet are compatible. There shouldn’t be a gap between the goggles and your helmet; (photo/Jason Hummel)

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.

Morgan Tilton testing the Smith Range
Senior Editor Morgan Tilton testing the Smith Range; (photo/Jason Hummel)

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%.

Skier looking out with goggles on
A spherical lens is more expensive but offers a wider field of view; (photo/Jason Hummel)

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.

testing the Julbo Aerospace Snow Goggles
Sean McCoy testing the Julbo Aerospace Snow Goggles; (photo/Sean McCoy)

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.

Skier carving in variable light conditions
A photochromic lens can make things easier as it can react to varying light conditions; (photo/Jason Hummel)


FAQ

What color lens is best for ski goggles?

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.

What are the best ski goggles for low light?

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.

Are photochromic ski goggles worth it?

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.

testing the Smith I/O MAG ChromaPop Snow Goggles
Sean McCoy testing the Smith I/O MAG ChromaPop Snow Goggles; (photo/Jason Hummel)
What is the best lens shape for ski goggles?

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.

How long do ski goggles last?

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!


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