Alpine Accessories

How to choose the proper ski and snowboard goggle!

There are four main features you have to consider when purchasing goggles for skiing or snowboarding.

  1. Frame size
  2. Foam
  3. Lens shape and tints
  4. Straps

Goggle frames come in different sizes.

Small frames normally fit kids, medium frames fit teens and most women, and the larger frames normally fit most men. It’s best to have the largest frame that fits because it offers the best protection and best field of vision. Also some frames are made of a softer plastic to contour to your face while others are harder to protect your lens from damage better.

Over The Glasses goggles (or OTG), fit over prescription glasses have extra space to accommodate your glasses and are contoured at the sides for the arms of your glasses to nest into, so the arms do not dig into your temples.

Foam of the goggle provides comfort and prevents fogging.

Foam is designed to allow air flow, ventilation, and offer a more comfortable fit around your face. Goggles can either have one, two, or three layers of foam and normally the more foam the better the air circulation and the more comfortable it’ll be. If you choose a goggle that has multiple layers of foam the outer layer will be softer and denser for comfort, while the inner layer will be coarser to increase breathability so your goggles don’t fog as easily.

Foam of the goggle provides comfort and prevents fogging.

Foam is designed to allow air flow, ventilation, and offer a more comfortable fit around your face. Goggles can either have one, two, or three layers of foam and normally the more foam the better the air circulation and the more comfortable it’ll be. If you choose a goggle that has multiple layers of foam the outer layer will be softer and denser for comfort, while the inner layer will be coarser to increase breathability so your goggles don’t fog as easily.

Goggle lens protect your eyes from the sun and the wind.

Most inexpensive goggles for skiing or snowboarding have lenses made of softer, less scratch resistant plastic while higher priced goggles use more expensive materials like polycarbonate for scratch resistance and durability. Some goggles have a single lens which we recommend you stay away from these because they tend to fog and capture moisture easily. Instead go with a goggle that has a double lens which puts a layer of air in between the lenses which aids the inside lens from fogging.

Next you have to choose your lens shape whether you want cylindrical or spherical. Cylindrical lenses are shaped in one direction, up and down, which can cause some distortion when looking through them. Spherical lenses are shaped just like your eyes in both directions, up and down, and side to side. This shape offers less distortion but they are more expensive to produce so they are normally only offered in more expensive goggles.

Protect Your Eyes In These Goggles!

Kids need to protect their eyes from the wind and sun when outdoors. These ski goggles are made just for children. Medium frame ski goggles will fit most women and teens. Large guys or very smart ladies with big heads will have a more comfortable fit with the large frame snowboard goggles. If you must wear glasses get the OTG goggles.
Small Frame Goggles | Medium Frame Goggles | Large Frame Goggles

Polarized lenses are also an option and they will help with eye fatigue and cut down glare. Your goggle should have one hundred percent UV protection to keep harmful rays away from your eyes. While almost all goggles have anti-fogging protection, in less expensive goggles the protection is sprayed or wiped on which can come off when you clean your lens. More expensive goggles have the anti-fog coating baked on which makes for a more durable surface and will last longer. When picking out a lens you’ll notice there are many different tints available. A dark tint will work best in bright light, while a light tint such as yellow or orange works best in low light conditions and a clear lens works best at night. Some goggles have Photochromic lenses that adjust automatically to the light while other goggles you can adjust the tint by the touch of a button.

Goggle Lens Care

Now that you’ve got your lens let’s take care of it by cleaning it with a very soft cloth and dab your lens clean instead of wiping. Always clean with plain water.

Goggle straps help with the fit over your ski or snowboard helmet or hat.

Many people wear helmets on the slopes and though most goggles have straps that are helmet compatible, different features may be beneficial. If you wear a small frame goggle and have a large helmet, the goggle can be lifted off your face and let air in. In this case some goggles have outriggers or pieces of plastic that extend from the goggle’s frame that help the strap extend out from the frame ensuring a proper fit even when worn in conjunction with a larger helmet. Some goggles have a small band of silicone rubber applied to the inside of the strap, resulting in a firmer grip and prevention of the strap sliding on the helmet. Also some goggles feature dual adjustment sliders to ensure that the sliders will be on either side of the helmet’s clasp. And lastly some goggles have wider straps than others do.

As you now know there are many factors to consider when picking out the proper goggle. Frame, foam, lenses and straps are all important components of the goggle as a whole. By determining which features are important and desirable, you will be able to pick out a pair of goggles that you will be happy with for many years.

Ski Goggle Types

  • Kids and Youth: Goggles that are small sized frames which normally fits kids 12 years old and younger.
  • Medium frames: Medium framed goggles fit teens and ladies best. Men can wear a medium frame but normally has a smaller field of vision.
  • Large frames: Fits men best. Some women can wear a large frame because they like a large field of vision.
  • Interchangeable lens: These goggles include 2 lens, one for sunny days, and one for overcast days that can easily be switched.
  • Photochromic lens: These goggle have lens that automaticaly adjust the tint depending on the light.
  • Over The Glasses goggles are designed for people who need to wear glasses on the slopes.
  • Some goggles fall into 2 categories. Example: a medium frame with two lens.

More about goggle sizing: Normally a small frame goggle fits kids and youth, medium frames fit teens and ladies while large frames fit men. Some people prefer a smaller frame goggle because it looks better on their face but keep in mind a larger frame goggle offers a better field of vision which is important as you go down the slopes.

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Do You Have the Correct Gear?

Get the right boot fit to match your foot, ability, skier type and the corresponding ski model you choose. Get the correct boot and you will feel the difference. Get the correct size skis for the best performance and experience. Getting the correct ski pole will make your pole plants more efficient and help you make your turns.