Are you looking for the best ski or snowboard goggle? Than you may have realized that the choice in goggles is endless these days. A good goggle is crucial and provides visibility in a snow-covered world. The best goggle for you is ultimately a personal choice, but we'd like to offer some tips to consider in your decision.
What size ski or snowboard goggle?
Goggles come in three sizes: small, medium, and large (S, M, and L). The size you need depends on the size of your head. Men usually need size M or L, while women need size S or M. If you're unsure about the size, it's helpful to look at the size of the helmet you have. If you have a small helmet (XS or S), you need a small goggle. If you have a size XL or L, choose a large goggle.
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What to consider when fitting a goggle?
After purchasing your goggle, try it on at home. But how do you know if the size of your goggle is right? Here are some useful tips for fitting:
- Always try the goggle with the helmet you will be using.
- Put on the helmet and fasten it. Adjust the interior if needed for a comfortable fit. Then put on the goggle.
- If your helmet is pushed backward or your nose is pressed, the goggle is too big.
- If there's a large gap between the upper edge of your goggle and the helmet, also known as a 'jerry gap,' the goggle is too small.
- If the goggle sits comfortably on your face without much space between the upper edge of the goggle and the helmet, then the size is perfect.
Weather conditions (VLT)
We start with the term VLT, which stands for 'Visible Light Transmission'. This refers to the amount of light that reaches your eyes through the lens. VLT is expressed in percentages. The higher the percentage, the more light the lens allows through, and vice versa. On sunny days, use a lens with a percentage of less than 20%. For dark days, use a lens with a high percentage between 50% and 80%. Anything in between is considered all-around and suitable for conditions between sunny and dark days.
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Sunny days
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Cloudy to sunny days
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Dark days
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<20%
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20% - 50%
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>50%
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Do you need three different goggles to be prepared for all conditions? In our experience, that's not necessarily the case. Some people are satisfied with an all-around lens for cloudy to sunny days. But if you want an optimal viewing experience in all conditions, you can choose goggles with changeable lenses or a lens that adjusts to the amount of light.
When buying a storm lens for bad weather, it has a high VLT. Keep in mind that you can see through the lens, and your eyes are visible. The lens allows a lot of light through, making it more transparent than a lens with a low VLT.
Goggle with changeable lenses
With goggles featuring changeable lenses, you simply choose the lens that suits the situation best. This way, you have one goggle with, for example, two lenses—one for sunny weather and one for bad weather.
How you exactly change the lens varies by brand and sometimes by the type of goggle. Some lenses click into the frame, some are secured with a lever in the frame, and some are magnetic.
Goggle with photochromic lenses
You can also opt for goggles with a photochromic lens. A lens that adapts to the amount of light, making it suitable for both sunny and cloudy days. When purchasing goggles with a photochromic lens, it is important to consider the VLT range. This will help you determine the optimal functioning range of the goggle.
Lens shape: cylindrical
Many goggle lenses have a cylindrical shape. The lens is flat (vertical) with a curvature around your face (horizontal). Due to the lens shape, there is a slight distortion at the top and bottom of the glasses. A cylindrical lens gives a classic look and appears slimmer than a spherical or toric lens.
Lens shape: spherical
A spherical lens has vertical and horizontal curvature. The curvature matches that of your eye, ensuring that light reaches your eyes in a straight line. This provides a larger field of view with minimal distortion.
Lens shape: toric
The toric lens is a combination of the cylindrical and spherical lens. The vertical curvature is less than that of a spherical lens and more than that of a cylindrical lens. This combination results in minimal distortion.
Polarizing glasses
Actually, all goggles in our webshop are 100% UV-resistant and equipped with an anti-fog coating (a coating that helps prevent condensation). Furthermore, all brands have developed their own lens technology that enhances contrast, among other features. More information about a specific lens's technology can be found in our webshop's product information.
What not all goggles have are polarizing lenses. The lens is then coated to absorb glare. With a lot of sunlight, you won't be bothered by annoying glare. Especially when slopes are icy, polarizing glasses offer a much calmer view.
OTG goggles
'OTG' stands for 'Over The Glasses,' which is the solution for eyeglass-wearing winter sports enthusiasts. OTG goggles are specially designed to fit over glasses, allowing you to ski or snowboard with your prescription glasses while wearing goggles for safety.
Check out all our OTG goggles.
Visor helmets
If you go winter sports with prescription glasses, a visor helmet is also an option. The helmet is equipped with a visor, eliminating the need for goggles. There is usually enough space under the visor for glasses. The downside of a visor is that the bottom usually fits less tightly to your face. This can cause more exposure to the cold, and if you encounter powder snow, it can get into the visor. For this reason, we prefer goggles. And for winter sports enthusiasts with prescription glasses, an OTG goggle.
Snowcountry tip!
Are you buying goggles online? Keep in mind that the lens of the goggle you receive may not always APPEAR to have the color you expected! The lens color depends on the background color. You'll only see the chosen color when you use it outdoors in the snow.
Here's an example. The same glasses twice, once against a dark background and once against a light background. Exactly the same glasses but with a completely different appearance.
Are you unsure if you've received the correct goggle lens? Check the color on the packaging and compare it with the lens you ordered in our webshop.
