I particularly enjoy the warm, inside pleasures that come with snowy days, such as cuddling up with a puzzle or binge-watching my favorite television series, having endured more than 20 years of Canadian winters. But for those who love snow sports, winter is also the greatest—and sometimes the only—time of year to grab your snowboard or skis and head to the slopes. Make sure you have the greatest gear before you glide down a mountain, and ski goggles are a great way to achieve so.
Ski goggles shield your eyes from debris, wind, UV rays, snow, and ice, among other things. According to experts, they are also a must for any snowboarder or skier.
Continue reading to learn all you need to know about choosing the best ski goggles for your upcoming day on the slopes, including suggestions and shopping tips from Jackie Cerra, the marketing manager at Mountaincreek Ski Resort in Vernon, New Jersey, and Marcin Rojek, a Senior Buyer at Paragon Sports in New York City.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy should I trust NBC Select? How did I choose the finest ski goggles? The best ski goggles? How to shop for ski goggles?
Our top picks
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Best overallSmith 4D Mag XL
$undefined$340.00REI
Learn more
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Best budget pickGiro Unisex Verge Zoom Snow Goggles
$undefined$39.99Dick’s Sporting Goods
Learn more
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Best splurgeOakley Line Miner Pro L Snow Goggles
$undefined$299.00Backcountry
Learn more
How I picked the best ski goggles
When selecting the best ski goggles, I considered the following elements based on professional advice:
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Goggle Components
: Rojek says that ski goggles usually consist of a few key elements. All goggles on the list include the following:
-
An
elastic strap
for securing the goggles, which he says is usually coated with materials like silicone in order to prevent them from slipping while on your ski helmet. -
A durable, flexible
frame
made from foam or fleece, to soften the part that sits against your face. -
A
viewing lens
, which Rojek says comes in different types and tints to address differences in brightness or weather.
-
Materials
: According to Rojek, ski goggles lenses are mostly made of polycarbonate because of its durability and lightweight feel, along with its strong resistance to impact. The frames are usually made of more flexible plastics like polyurethane, which can bend easily without breaking. Cerra adds that goggles also typically include foam to cushion the goggles against your face for maximum comfort. All goggles included on this list are made from a flexible plastic material and have a foam cushion. -
Lens features
: Although lenses will differ across ski goggles, Rojek says good-quality lenses will usually have built-in UV protection, along with anti-scratch or anti-fog coatings. Cerra also says that lenses are usually made from a high-quality polycarbonate plastic to make sure they re shatter-resistant. I only included goggles that shield from UV rays and have anti-fog properties.
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The best ski goggles in 2025
The NBC Select team’s professional shoppers’ personal favorites and expert selections are included in the list below.
Best overall:
Smith 4D Mag XL
Smith 4D Mag XL
- Wide field of view
- Locking lens
- Weatherproof magnets
- Medium/large fit
According to Smith, these extra-large goggles have a 25% broader field of view than normal Smith lenses because they provide a birds-eye view of the slopes. According to Rojek, who enjoys these goggles because of their locking mechanism and replaceable, waterproof magnets that help firmly anchor the lenses in place, the broader view is caused by the glasses’ bottom curvature. In addition to being anti-fog, the goggles are composed of a sweat-wicking face foam. Additionally, the business claims that its own Chromapop lens technology improves the color and clarity of your eyesight when skiing. Cerra also appreciates that the goggles have two lenses, one for strong light and one for low light, each with a different tint.
Spherical lens goggles in a plastic material
Best cylindrical goggles:
Smith Frontier Goggles
Smith Frontier Goggles
- Affordable
- Compression foam layer
- Good ventilation
- Nothing to note at this time.
Bianca Alvarezi, an associate correspondent for NBC Select, is an avid skier who enjoys wearing these goggles on the slopes. The brand claims that the lenses use compression foam to provide a comfortable fit and airflow technology to promote ventilation while you’re skiing to help prevent fogging. Smith claims that the goggles come with a lifetime warranty and are made to be used in any weather.
Type: goggles with a cylindrical lens | Material: plastic
Budget pick:
Giro Unisex Verge Zoom Snow Goggles
Giro Unisex Verge Zoom Snow Goggles
- Wide view lens
- Soft face foam
- Affordable
- Nothing to note at this time
The NBC page After years of skiing, Ella Morrissey has experimented with a variety of goggles. Her favorites, though, are these Giro shoes, which she claims fit her head flawlessly. She appreciates the goggles’ excellent visibility and how the foam insulation around them protects her eyes even after using them for hours. “The visibility is excellent and keeps the snow and sun out of my eyes whether I’m skiing during the day or at night,” she explains.
Type: goggles with a cylindrical lens | Material: plastic
Best splurge:
Oakley Flight Deck XL
Oakley Flight Deck XL
- Spherical lens
- Anti-fog lenses
- Easy to change lenses
- Not magnetic
According to the brand, Rojek enjoys these Oakley goggles because of its huge, spherical lens form, which was modeled after pilot visors and is intended to increase one’s field of vision. The lenses feature Oakley’s High Definition Optics technology to help your vision adapt to the light and snow conditions on the mountain, and they include an anti-fog coating for maximum clarity. The firm claims that even though this pair isn’t magnetic, the lens may be replaced quickly and easily while maintaining a full seal to prevent snow or cold from entering. In addition, the goggles come with a storage bag and cleaning aids for the lens.
Spherical lens goggles in a plastic material
Best interchangeable goggles:
Oakley Line Miner Pro L Snow Goggles
Oakley Line Miner Pro L Snow Goggles
- Two lenses included
- Multiple sizes
- Magnetic locking
- Pricey
Cerra always wears these Oakley goggles. “This particular model comes with two lenses, and their patented Prizm lenses are my all-time favorite,” she explains. The goggles also have a single-layer lens that Cerra claims is highly beneficial for any distortions, refractions, and reflections while skiing or riding, as well as the brand’s Switchlock technology, which makes changing lenses simple. According to Oakley, the glasses also provide 100% protection from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.
Material: bio-resin; Type: interchangeable lens goggles
Best for kids:
Giro Chico 2.0 Goggles
Giro Chico 2.0 Goggles
- Wide-view
- Double foam layer
- Lots of colors
- Kids sizes only
Rojek suggests these goggles as a fantastic choice for children because they come in a variety of entertaining colors and lens tints. According to the manufacturer, their double-layered foam offers comfort and cushioning on the slopes, and their cylindrical lens offers a wide vision without distortion. Along with being interchangeable with other suitable lens alternatives, the lenses also feature an anti-fog coating.
Type: Goggles with a cylindrical lens | Material: plastic
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How to shop for ski goggles
The type of goggle, the type of lens, the fit, and the cost are some factors to take into account when deciding which ski goggles are best for you.
Goggle types
-
Interchangeable Lens Goggles
: According to Rojek, many goggles with a higher price tag are interchangeable, meaning they allow you to swap out lenses based on factors like changing light or weather conditions. Of these, he says the most convenient are the models that include a magnetic locking system, which makes for easier interchangeability between lenses. -
Spherical Lens Goggles
: Spherical lenses are designed to mimic the natural shape of the eye, says Rojek. These goggles have a curved design that allows for a wide field of vision. -
Cylindrical Lens Goggles
: Rojek says cylindrical lenses have a flat shape and are typically sold at a lower price, making them great for skiers looking for budget-friendly options. -
Other-The-Glass (OTG) Goggles
: OTG goggles are designed to fit over prescription eyewear. They re made with extra space inside that better accommodates glasses frames, says Rojek. -
Low Bridge Fit Goggles
: Unfortunately, traditional ski goggles may not work for every face shape. If the other options aren t fitting well, Rojek suggests trying low bridge goggles, which are designed for lower or narrower noses and will likely fit you a lot more comfortably.
Lens types
Numerous lens kinds are available, all of which are made to withstand the diverse range of weather conditions that can occur when skiing. According to Rojek, the majority of goggle manufacturers will incorporate blue light filters into their more expensive models, which helps to create contrast on cloudy days. A few typical lens types are as follows, while lens tints (which help balance the brightness/contrast of varied weather conditions) will vary:
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Mirrored Lenses
: These lenses are built with a reflective coating on the outside that helps to reduce glare and reflect sunlight, says Rojek. They tend to have a darker tint, and are best for sunny days and areas with high altitudes. -
Polarized Lenses
: Polarized lenses (which are also found insunglasses
) help to significantly reduce glare from flat surfaces, says Rojek. They help to improve clarity and contrast, and Rojek especially recommends them for sunny days above the treeline, where he says there s less contrast due to the lack of trees on the slopes.
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Photochromic lenses
: This type of lens automatically adjusts its tint to match any changes in light, says Rojek. The lenses darken in brighter light to help shield from glare and UV rays, and brightens in dimmer light or cloudy/overcast weather.
Cerra advises bringing along a microfiber cloth for convenient on-the-go cleaning in order to maintain clear lenses while skiing.
Other factors to consider
Fit and Comfort: According to both experts, it’s critical to wear goggles that are comfortable for your face. Rojek advises customers to try on several lens sizes to determine which one best suits their facial shape. To ensure that your preferred pair of ski goggles works well with your gear, they also advise bringing your helmet when you go goggles shopping.
Price: Ski goggles can cost anywhere from about $40 on the lower end to over $350 on the higher end. Both experts advise taking your budget into account when choosing your goggles in order to locate the ideal pair for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Experts claim that in some goggles with replaceable lenses, the lens is fastened to the frame by magnets. In order to prevent slipping or falling off during skiing, a locking lens uses a locking mechanism to securely fasten the lens to the frame. Even though not all goggles with interchangeable lenses have a locking mechanism, Rojek thinks it’s getting much more popular and advises looking for them.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. Additionally, we take precautions to guarantee that all professional counsel and suggestions are given impartially and free from unreported financial conflicts of interest.
-
Marcin Rojek
is a Senior Buyer atParagon Sports
in New York City.
-
Jackie Cerra
is the marketing manager atMountaincreek Ski Resort
in Vernon, New Jersey.
Why trust NBC Select?
I write about wellness, lifestyle, skin care, and more as an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select. I also write about the finest hand warmers and thermal underwear. I spoke with ski and snowboard professionals for this article to learn everything you need to know about the top ski goggles, including product recommendations and tips on how to choose your own.
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