Snowboard Goggle Buying Guide
Snowboard Goggles
Buying Guide
Getting started
Getting started
Snowboard goggles are an important piece of snowboarding gear that provide comfort and safety on the mountain. If you can't see, you can't snow.
While all goggles offer basic protection from wind, snow, and UV rays, there are many other features and functions to consider when choosing new snowboard goggles.
This guide will give you a concise explanation of everything you need to know to buy the best goggles for you.
Flat Lens Goggles
Flat Lens Goggles
Plano lenses (cylindrical) are curved horizontally from ear to ear, but flat vertically from nose to forehead.
This can result in increased glare and reduced peripheral vision compared to spherical lenses, but flat lenses offer good performance at a relatively low price.
spherical lens goggles
spherical lens goggles
Spherical lenses are curved both vertically and horizontally to fit your face, providing greater peripheral vision and reducing optical distortion and glare. Larger lenses provide greater peripheral vision and therefore improved visibility.
Spherical lens goggles are more expensive due to their improved optical performance, but the performance is worth the price. They also tend to have large, eye-catching designs.
Snowboard goggle frame size
Snowboard boot structure and terminology
We will explain the frame sizes of snowboard goggles.
Goggle frames come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and lens replacement options, but their primary function is to hold the lenses securely in place, keeping your face comfortable and moisture-free.
When choosing goggle frames, it's important to know that fit varies by brand. Before choosing a new pair of goggles, consider your head size and face shape. Frames that are too small can cause uncomfortable pressure on your nose and face, while frames that are too large can obstruct your field of vision, resulting in an unsatisfactory fit and poor functionality.
Choosing the right size goggles can help you avoid these issues.
Small Frame Goggles
Small Frame Goggles
Smaller framed goggles are suitable for younger people and adults with smaller faces.
Medium Frame Goggles
Medium Frame Goggles
Medium-sized goggles fit most people, both men and women, comfortably and without feeling bulky. They're also a good choice for those who plan to wear a helmet while snowboarding. This size allows the helmet to fit snugly and securely without getting in the way.
Large Frame Goggles
Large Frame Goggles
Larger framed goggles offer a wider field of view and better peripheral vision for improved self-awareness on the mountain. They are suitable for riders with larger heads, but may not be suitable for those with smaller faces or who wear helmets.
Snowboard goggles with interchangeable lenses
Snowboard goggles with interchangeable lenses
Changing your goggle lenses can make the difference between a day at the lodge and a day enjoying the powder.
Being able to easily change lenses is important, whether for changing light conditions or to dry the lenses after use. Removing and changing lenses can sometimes feel like rocket science, but it all depends on the lens-to-frame interface of your goggles.
While most goggles fall into the standard interchangeable lens category, more advanced designs feature quick-change lenses, offering more convenience at a higher price.
fixed lens goggles
fixed lens goggles
Fixed lens goggles use a single lens that cannot be removed. This type of design is found in children's and most budget-friendly models.
Standard interchangeable lens goggles
Standard interchangeable lens goggles
Many goggles on the market fall into this standard interchangeable lens category.
These goggles range in price, but all models feature fully removable lenses, which allow you to swap out lenses with different visible light transmittance (VLT) and tints depending on the lighting conditions.
Removing the lenses takes some practice and can be tricky, so if you're looking for a fast and reliable lens change, we recommend looking at goggles in the quick-change category.
Quick Change Goggles
Quick Change Goggles
Featuring advanced lens and frame technology, quick-change lens goggles offer users the convenience of quickly changing lenses in the field, which is especially useful when the weather changes suddenly on the mountain.
Quick-change technology requires minimal effort to operate and typically comes at a higher price, but the added features make it well worth the price.
Snowboard Goggle Lens Color and Tint Guide
Snowboard Goggle Lens Color and Tint Guide
Weather and visibility on the mountain can change dramatically from day to day, and sometimes even hour to hour. There's nothing worse than unclear visibility when snowboarding. One minute it's sunny, and the next it's complete whiteout. Having lenses optimized for different conditions means you can keep on snowboarding while everyone else heads to the lodge or their car.
Lenses come in a variety of colors and tints, each with its own Visible Light Transmission (VLT).
VLT rates the amount of light a lens allows through and is expressed on a scale of 0-100%. Goggles and lenses with a VLT rating closer to 0% block more light, while lenses closer to 100% let more light through for improved visibility in low-light conditions. Lenses often have a general-purpose VLT rating in the middle range, providing good visibility in a variety of conditions.
For strong sunlight on sunny days
VLT 0-20%
For strong sunlight on sunny days
VLT 0-20%
These lenses are ideal for riding on sunny days or in strong sunlight. They offer excellent protection from harmful UV rays and usually come in dark tints or colors, and often have a mirrored coating on the lens surface.
For cloudy and changing light conditions
VLT 21-54%
For cloudy and changing light conditions
VLT 21-54%
Lenses for cloudy or variable light conditions offer the broadest range of UV protection and visibility of the three categories, performing well in all conditions and making them ideal for a single lens for a wide range of lighting situations.
Lenses in this category use advanced technologies like Smith's ChromaPop and Dragon's Lume lens technology to improve visibility in a variety of lighting conditions.
For night and low light conditions
VLT 55-100%
For night and low light conditions
VLT 55-100%
These lenses offer optimal visibility at night or in low light conditions. They have a high VLT value, making dark environments appear brighter and improving visibility and depth perception.
Amber, yellow, and clear lenses are included in this category for their high performance and improved visibility in low light conditions.
How to care for your snowboard goggles
How to care for your snowboard goggles
Avoid placing your goggle lenses on hard surfaces. Lenses are fragile and easily scratched, so protect your goggles by placing them foam-side down or strap-side down.
- Use only the provided goggle bag or a microfiber eyeglass cloth to clean the goggle lenses. Store your goggles in the provided bag to protect the lenses from scratches.
Do not expose your goggles to high heat, such as a boot dryer or car dashboard, as heat can physically distort the lenses and cause them to malfunction.
Always dry your goggles thoroughly before storing or using them again. Storing them wet can cause significant fogging of the lenses the next time you wear them.
