Every single time we think snowboard goggles have peaked, along comes another round of fresh eyewear innovation to progress things even further. Goggles, it’s fair to say, have never been so functional, never offered such a first-rate visual experience, as they do right now. Everything from the clarity of lens to the simplicity of switching up the lenses has been optimised to the extent where there’s arguably never been a better time to invest in some gogs.
Whether you’re a snowboarder looking for some brand new, state of the art, snowboarding goggles or a skier searching high and low for some superb ski goggles, you have, we assure you, definitely come to the right place.
“Goggles, it’s fair to say, have never been so functional, never offered such a first-rate visual experience, as they do right now”
Oh, and before you get your knickers in a twist about us discussing ski goggles on the hallowed turf of Whitelines – be sure to get some perspective on your way out. They’re the same goggles and we’re all, when everything’s said and done, just human beings wanting to protect our eyes. Well, some of the Tory voting skier scum aren’t but you get the idea.
If you want to know more about what to look for in a snowboarding goggle, or want to know more about why they’re important, we’re about to outline some important things to remember. If, however, you want to get on with the business of reading up on our favourite goggles for winter 2023/24, be sure to scroll on further down the page. You’ll know when you get there.
“Whatever the conditions in the mountains are doing, you’ll ideally want a lens colour on your face suited to the light level around you”
Right, why are snowboarding goggles important then? Well, in a nutshell, they protect your eyes from the elements. Think falling snow, wind, and harmful UV rays from the sun. They also shield your eyes from tree limbs and whatnotwhat not, and stay on your head far more securely than sunglasses (they’re strapped on brother).
Serious about seeing where you’re going on the mountain? Serious about not contracting ‘snow blindness’ (a painful, sunburnt cornea, condition caused by overexposure to ultraviolet light)? Then get serious about getting some goggles on your face, already. Don’t be a martyr.
What else? Well, there are the lenses. Let’s talk about lenses. Whatever the conditions in the mountains are doing, you’ll ideally want a lens colour on your face suited to the light level around you.
“Most goggles these days come with a spare lens included, so you shouldn’t have to stress too much when it comes to acquiring your low-visibility lens option”
Keeping it short and sweet, lighter lens tints have a higher VLT (Visible Light Transmission) because more light passes through them. With that in mind, yellow, gold, and amber lenses are good choices on cloudy, low-visibility, days. Right at the other end of the spectrum, darker lens tints have lower VLT because less light passes through the lens. This makes them ideal for those bluebird days when it’s all “sun’s out, guns out.”
Most goggles these days come with a spare lens included, so you shouldn’t have to stress too much when it comes to acquiring your low-visibility lens option. What’s more, because it had become increasingly clear our caveman brains weren’t cut out for lens swapping fiddliness – goggle brands have made it increasingly easy to switch things up; implementing things like magnets and incredibly simple lever systems into their designs.
Other things to think about when buying your goggles include the shape, the anti-fog properties, and the level of comfort they provide when pressed against your face all day. The majority of the best goggles around these days have smartly-implemented ventilation, anti-fog coating, and triple-layer foam padding; meaning you’re a lot less likely to get lost in the mist and / or finish the day with sore, red, marks around your eyes. That one’s never an ideal look at the après.
Right. That’s enough ‘intro to goggles’ chat for one day. Let’s get on with the show.
