The Best Ski Goggles

I've been reviewing winter sports equipment for over 15 years. When I'm in the mountains, I test goggles in as many conditions as possible. I evaluate fit, the comfort, breathability and, most importantly, visibility. Not all faces are the same shape, so I always seek the opinion of fellow skiers while also asking the experts which designs they prefer, including WIRED's senior innovation editor Jeremy White. I've only once managed to drop a lens—mid-change—from a particularly high chairlift.

All ski goggle lenses are categorized from 0 to 4, with 4 being for the brightest conditions possible. A 0 is a clear lens; a good all-around lens will usually cover categories 2–3. Another measure of lens application is the visual light transmission percentage (VLT). This figure shows you the amount of light the lens lets through to your eyes. The higher the percentage, the more light can pass through, which helps with visibility on cloudy days. For sunny days, you want to restrict the light reaching your eyes.

What color you pick is a matter of personal preference—lenses now come in a wide range of colors! In general, dark or mirrored lenses work best in sunny conditions, while colors like amber or rose increase contrast in lower-light conditions. Photochromic lenses automatically adjust to light levels in categories 1–3, although the speed with which the lens changes color differs between brands.

• When it's extremely sunny: Choose a category 3–4 (8–18 percent and 3–8 percent VLT).
• For bright conditions: Choose a category 3 (8–18 percent VLT).
• When conditions are mixed: Opt for an all-round lens with category 2–3 (18–43 percent and 8–18 percent VLT).
• When visibility is poor: Choose a yellow- or rose-colored lens tint with category 1–2 (43–80 percent and 18–43 percent VLT).

• Interchangeable lenses: These let you easily swap out different-colored lenses to suit changing light conditions. The best designs use strong magnets and enable you to change the lenses in seconds, even wearing gloves.
• Ventilation: Look closely and you'll see vents on the top, sides and bottom of your goggles. These are designed to keep a steady stream of air flowing, and minimize the chance of fogging. The larger the vents, the more air flow can get to the lenses.
• Antifog coating: Antifog lenses are treated on the inside with a hydrophilic chemical to prevent them from steaming up. The secret to maintaining the antifog properties of your goggles is to never touch the inside of your lenses, even if you feel you absolutely must wipe them. Do not!
• Mirrored lenses: These look cool but also reflect more light than standard lenses, reducing glare in bright conditions.
• Polarized lenses: These filter vertical light to reduce glare more effectively than standard mirrored goggles and offer increased clarity. Be warned, though—polarized lenses might make icy patches harder to see.
• Helmet compatibility: Given that most skiers are now sensible enough to wear helmets, look for a model that fits your lid seamlessly. This avoids any cold spots on your forehead and pressure points across the bridge of your nose. Buying the same brand of goggle and helmet is one way to ensure a seamless fit, or you could try one of the latest all-in-one helmets, which have goggles built in.

Choose a lens shape: Cylindrical lenses look flat and are curved around the face on the vertical axis. These are cheaper to manufacture than spherical lenses, and when used on a large pair of goggles can offer a vast field of view. Spherical lenses are curved both vertically and horizontally and give the goggles a bug-eyed look. Spherical lenses help to open up more of the view, especially the up and down aspects. You'll pay more for spherical lenses, but they can be truly impressive.

From an aesthetic point of view, cylindrical lenses are more popular, but the latest (and most expensive) toric lenses offer a compromise. This hybrid lens combines a sweeping widescreen cylindrical style with a tightly curved spherical section at he edges. These do a great job of increasing the amount of peripheral vision, especially when looking down the slopes in front of you.

Oversize goggles: Oversize goggles have been popular for a decade, and while there's been a shift back to a thick framed ’90s style for some, large goggles do offer bold looks and the biggest possible field of view. Don't worry, however, if you have a small head and face, as all our best-buy options also come in a smaller size boasting the same proportions and features.

Children’s goggles: 100 percent UV protection is obviously the most important factor when choosing goggles for your kids, but comfort is also key, so look for designs with soft fleecy padding around the face. Given how much abuse kids goggles tend to receive it can be tempting to buy the cheapest pair. But cheap goggles have poor antifog coating, which means a higher chance of your kids not being able to see properly—and complaining. Grumpy kids means less time for you on the mountain.

OTG (over-the-glasses) goggles: An essential for people who wear glasses, these ski goggles have extra space for your spectacles, with cut-out sections in the foam for the arms so they're not pressed uncomfortably against your face. Some OTG goggles won't fit large-framed glasses, so it's worth trying before you buy. If you can't wear contact lenses, another option is to invest in a prescription insert, which clips inside compatible goggles.