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Before you go skiing or snowboarding, it’s important to set yourself up for a good day out. Getting the right pair of goggles can make your snow experience so much more enjoyable and keep you safer on the mountain. Snow goggles are an essential piece of equipment for anyone hitting the slopes, as they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, wind, and snow glare. However, getting the perfect pair for you can be a challenge with so many brands, styles, fits and lens options so here's a guide to help you navigate the goggle wall.
Find The Right Fit
When trying on goggles, they should feel snug but not too tight. You want a full seal around your face - especially along your cheeks, across your forehead, and over the bridge of your nose. If you feel pressure on your temples or a gap near your nose, try a different frame size or shape.
What is Asian or Low Bridge Fit?
If you find that goggles often leave a gap over the bridge of your nose or sit too low on your face, look for models labeled as Asian Fit or Low-Bridge Fit. These frames have additional foam padding around the nose area to create a better seal and more comfort for flatter facial profiles.
I wear glasses and need my goggles to fit under my goggles.
OTG models (over the glasses) are made just for you. These goggles feature extra internal space, cut-outs in the frame at the temples to accommodate your glasses arms, and sometimes slightly deeper frames so your glasses fit without pressing into your face.
Here’s a breakdown of common fit categories:
- Small Fit - Designed for youth, smaller adult faces, and some women-specific models. These are lower profile with a narrower frame width.
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Medium Fit - The most universal size, made to fit the majority of adult and older youth faces. This size is often unisex and strikes a balance between field of view and face coverage.
- Large Fit - Built for maximum peripheral vision and lens surface area. Popular for their style and improved view, but only ideal if they sit flush against your face without gaps or discomfort.
Lens Colour & Tint
Your lens colour can make or break the day, especially in bad weather conditions
- Yellow, Rose or Clear lenses are great for low light or whiteouts.
- Other darker lenses are ideal for bluebird days.
- Every lens colour filters light differently, so don’t just match your jacket - match when you ski and what you need.
Lens Shape
Spherical Lenses
- Curve both vertically and horizontally (bubble shape).
- Offer better peripheral vision, less distortion, and reduced glare.
Cylindrical Lenses
- Curve around the vertical axis only.
- Offer a lower profile and are generally more affordable.
- Are more on trend for a cleaner look.
BRAND LENS TECH
Smith – ChromaPop™
Smith’s ChromaPop™ lens tech is built to help your eyes detect true colour more easily by filtering out specific wavelengths of light that cause colour confusion. The result? Sharper contrast, more natural colours, and crystal-clear clarity in both bright and low light.
It’s ideal for the varied and often unpredictable conditions in the New Zealand mountains, where shadows, sun, and cloud can all happen in a single run.
Bonus: Most Smith goggles come with a free ChromaPop low-light lens, so you’re ready no matter the weather.
OAKLEY - Prizm™
Prizm™ is Oakley’s top-of-the-line lens technology, engineered to dramatically enhance contrast and visibility on snow by fine-tuning individual colours.
What that means for you: clearer terrain, sharper definition in ruts and rollers, and less guesswork when navigating ice or powder.
Each lens is tailored for specific weather conditions—from Prizm Black for bright, sunny days to Prizm Iced Iridium for low light and stormy whiteouts—so you can choose a lens that fits your riding style and home mountain.
Oakley Bonus Lens: Oakley has historically not supplied bonus low light lenses with their goggles until recently. Check out the new Pro goggles and Flow Scape models that now come with a bonus low light Prizm lens.
DRAGON - Lumalens®
Dragon’s Lumalens® tech delivers ultra high-definition optics across the entire spectrum of lighting conditions. It works by balancing visible light, enhancing contrast, boosting colour vividness, and reducing eye fatigue—all in real time.
Whether you're lapping groomers at Cardies, ducking into trees at Treble Cone, or hitting powder in Japan, Lumalens gives you sharp, bright visuals and all-day comfort. The clarity in flat light is especially impressive.
Snow Goggle Quick-Change Lens Systems
Many brands now offer glove-friendly tech so you can switch lenses with next to no dexterity needed.
- Magnetic Systems – Super fast and slick (Smith, Dragon, Oakley, Anon
Do You Need Two Lenses?
If you’re a bluebird-only rider, one good lens might do the trick. But if you ride no matter the weather, having a sun lens (low VLT) and a low-light lens (high VLT) is a game changer. Luckily, most high-end goggles now include both and have easy change out systems.
Goggle Care
Once you have your goggles it is important you look after them to enjoy many seasons out of them.
Always allow them to air-dry naturally after riding and never wipe the inside lens while it’s wet, as this can damage the anti-fog coating. If moisture builds up, gently shake them out and let them dry in a warm, well-ventilated space.
Storage: Store your goggles in a soft pouch or protective case when not in use to prevent scratches, pressure marks, and lens damage from other gear. Avoid leaving them face-down or exposed to heat sources like car dashboards or heaters, which can warp frames and degrade lens coatings.
Lens: If the outer lens needs cleaning, use a microfiber cloth and light pressure only - never paper towels, gloves, or clothing. With the right care, your goggles will deliver clearer vision, less fog, and reliable performance season after season, so you can focus on the ride, not your visibility.