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Out of all the winter gear you own, the stuff that goes on your head is imperative for an enjoyable skiing or snowboarding experience. However, your choice of eyewear will provide both comfort and protection against the elements, which can change rapidly in the mountains.
The first thing you’ll want to know is what actually makes a pair of ski goggles a smart buy. Look out for great ventilation, an anti-fog layer coated in the glass, polarization, a wide field of view, color variation, and even defense against harsh UV rays. Below, we’ll take a look at some reviews for the 10 best ski goggles this year and show you what performs ahead of the pack.
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | ZIONOR X |
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Best Value | ANTOBAG Upgrade |
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Premium Choice | Dragon X1 w/Bonus Lens |
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OMID V1 Polarized Ski Goggles |
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Oakley Flight Deck XM |
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Light Protection: | UV400 |
Frame Material: | TPU |
Our best overall ski goggles have to be the ZIONOR X Ski Goggles, which we’ve found to do it all. Firstly, there are dozens of lenses to swap in and out for any color preference or time of day. It’s got a clever venting design, where additional air can escape outside the top-front of the mask area. Plus, it comes standard with UV and anti-fog layers to keep things manageable.
The field of view has plenty of room for awareness as well. There really isn’t anything wrong with this product in terms of performance. The only issue here is that the design has a couple of odd-looking “buttons” on the side. We aren’t sure if this was for aesthetics or if it has a function, but it doesn’t seem to be necessary. Otherwise, we can’t recommend it enough.
Light Protection: | 100% UV protection |
Frame Material: | Silicone |
With a tight budget, we recommend the ANTOBAG snow goggles for their excellent features at a low cost. They integrate an interchangeable lens, as well as anti-scratch and anti-mist coatings into their package. However, there is no mention or ability to buy different types of lenses. You’ll have to look on their full page to see their product line.
Still, what you get for the money directly competes with the ZIONOR X model but at a lower price point. They even use the same airflow design on the front of the polycarbonate body. The only downside to it is that snow or rain can get stuck in there and clog the area.
Light Protection: | N/A |
Frame Material: | Plastic |
If you’re looking for the coolest-looking goggles designed with an almost frameless shape, these are the ones to get. The price really isn’t worth it if you solely need the functionality, as there are plenty of cheaper options, but this has an interesting changeable lens feature that lets you see incredible clarity and contrast.
The changeable lens comes standard with an aggressive anti-fog coating, as well as a durable outer shell. Dragon throws in a promotional lens for visual enhancements too, but it does fall short if you need it to fit your glasses. It doesn’t have any polarization, which is a shame considering the hefty price.
Light Protection: | 100% UV Protection |
Frame Material: | N/A |
OMID’s V1 goggles are the best choice for those who need polarization without passing the price point that most people would say is too much to spend. The entire top area of the frame has a wide vent for easy moisture reduction. On the other hand, it’s not great for rain or snow because they can clog the outside.
The brand has a few extra magnetic lenses that can be applied, which actually differ in polarization extremity. They have better color production in contrasty conditions, though, which is a benefit that other models don’t always offer. Likewise, it has high optical clarity for visibility.
Light Protection: | N/A |
Frame Material: | Plastic |
As a big name in the outdoor eyewear industry, Oakley has top-of-the-line products that maximize optical quality with great-looking aesthetics. The Flight Deck XM is specialized for those who want the truest vision when on the slopes and has a wide field of view for seeing everything around you. The price of this is a bit too high for its limited features, though, because it doesn’t have a variety of lens options to switch between conditions. It also doesn’t have a good storage option, as there is only a soft pouch for keeping it protected when not in use.
Light Protection: | UV400 Protection |
Frame Material: | Polycarbonate |
As the second model from ZIONOR on our list, this alternative style is still affordable and provides dozens of kinds of lens options. When it comes down to it, this model matches its “pro” version with most features, except for the venting slots and a more modern design that gives it a wider view.
Unlike other listings, this one shows the range of adjustability in the strap. The minimum is 20.5 inches, and the max is 31.5 inches. The vertical holes on the side are illustrated as a way to keep your glasses in place, which others have not shown thus far.
Light Protection: | UV400 |
Frame Material: | Polycarbonate |
The OutdoorMaster Ski Goggles Pro has almost everything needed to be a great pair for the slopes, with an option to swap out the lens element depending on whether you’re riding in the dark or during the middle of the day. They sell almost 20 different styles for any occasion or aesthetic preference.
These goggles don’t mention anything about its air circulation but seem to have enough when looking at both the top and bottom of the frame. It still doesn’t have any polarization, though, which means light may reflect off of any water or shiny objects.
Light Protection: | 100% UV Protection |
Frame Material: | Silicone |
As a well-known name within the optical attire industry, this product fell below our standards of what we think is a smart buying decision. It does have both a medium and large size but lacks the ability to accommodate glasses.
The package includes lens-cleaning fluid, which is a nice bonus, but generally, that should be used in moderation so that the outer and inner layers are not damaged over time. Overall, this can easily be replaced by our previous picks that throw in a hard case and interchangeable lenses. Fortunately, they’re normally half the price of what this currently costs.
Light Protection: | UV resistance |
Frame Material: | Polycarbonate |
Although this isn’t a single pair of goggles, we thought we would throw this in because, at its price point, you would be able to get triple the number of products for a family that wants to spend the least money possible. You could also get these as spares for your group if you’ve already put down some money on the nicer equipment.
The fact that it has a UV400 rating seems too good to be true, and they don’t have the extent of attributes that the higher-ranking models consist of. They’re quite tight as well, so they are better suited for those with small heads or children over the age of 8. Similar to the next on our list, they just aren’t practical for serious winter enthusiasts.
Light Protection: | None |
Frame Material: | Thermoplastic polyurethane |
At the bottom of our list are the SixYard snow goggles, which are pretty much only a good option for those who want a backup pair. They come at a low price, and for a good reason. These don’t have much to offer in terms of features and really only protect your eyes from wind, snow, or rain. There is some protection for glare, but it has no UV rating or specification, nor any coating or effective airflow vents for excessive condensation.
The strap has no adjustability, so you’ll have to go elsewhere to accommodate a larger head size. If you spend a little bit more, you can get our “best overall” selection, which will get you much further with practical use. They’re still better than nothing at all, though.
Our list of ski and snowboard goggles consisted of various choices, whether for budget-minded individuals or those who want the best of the best. ZIONR X had what we consider to be the best overall choice because of its flurry of useful add-ons and a reasonable price. You can get something almost the same for less if you go with ANTOBAG’s goggles, which are a great choice for anyone and are at a low enough cost to be a backup pair too.
The highest-end choice has to be the Dragon X1, which has the nicest design. In conclusion, if you’re looking for something that will perform well, you don’t need to break the bank for outdoor gear. Hopefully, you found our 10 best ski goggles for this year to be an amazing guide, and we hope you have fun on the slopes!
Featured Image Credit: Amazon
Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
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