No fog, no glare, 100-percent clear vision—here are this season's best specs to help you hit the slopes with a perfect view the whole way down.
Hitting the slopes? Here are the season's best goggles for fog-free, crystal clear vision.
Say goodbye to clunky-feeling frames and easily-clouded lenses. While it’s not news that snow-gear technology is getting sharper than ever, this season offers a few pairs of ski and snowboard goggles that have (almost) blown us off the chair lift.
Yes, we’re talking serious anti-fog technology (one pair actually has built-in fans to eliminate condensation!) and face-fitting, anti-pinch padded frames here. Plus, professional skiers and snowboarders put their tried-and-tested stamp of approval on the best pairs, wearing them in the fastest (and toughest-to-see) conditions to work out any product kinks. And with heightened color contrasting lenses? Ditching your old pair for a new one will make everything you see look just as good as it did when you upgraded your TV from standard to HD.
So here are the 10 best ski and snowboard goggles of the 2012-2013 season. They’ll keep your vision so sharp, you’ll never have to worry if it’s snow or hard ice up ahead.
When two professional athletes help design a goggle, you know it's going to be good. The Julbo Meteor, designed by US extreme skier Glen Plake and French freestyle skier Enak Gavaggio, has everything you’d want in a comfy goggle—padding, a soft strap, and high-tech lenses that Julbo is known for. Order with Camel lenses — designed just for the mountain — which feature photochromic, anti-fog, and polarized treatments so you won’t need interchangeables, even if you do like to switch up the terrain. ($200, julbousa.com)
When you need to see other skiers merging from behind or are making sharp turns on a tree run, choose the Oakley Canopy with the oversized lens to enhance both your peripheral and downward vision. (Read: You’ll see further and wider.) The lens also has anti-fog technology and dual-vented lenses to keep things clear. And glare? Forget about it. The inner frame is textured to reduce that annoying gleam from the sun and snow. ($200, oakley.com)
If you've ever rode the best powder all day but ended with a face-ache because your goggles just don’t fit right, you know there’s nothing worse après-ski. Scott has solved that problem with their Fit System. Integrated in the Off-Grid goggles, the Fit System has two pads on either side of the nose area. These adjustments have four positions, and by changing them up, the entire cheek and nose area can be manipulated for a custom fit on your face. Simple. No more goggle pain. ($130, scott-sports.com)
If you ever worry about your goggles falling off during an intense wipeout, worry no more. The silicone-ribbed strap on the Arnette Skylight will keep these goggles securely in place as you fly through the trees. Its larger frame-lens combo also provides an unobstructed view on the mountain, so you see clearly where you’re riding, and an anti-fog lens coating and vents mean no fogging no matter how hard you’re riding, either. ($120-$160, arnette.com)
You won’t fly down moguls if your goggles constantly fog up the whole time. Smith has you covered. The I/OX Turbo goggle has two silent built-in turbo fans with high and low settings—placed at top center of the goggle frame—to blast away moisture. Along with the fans, the inner lenses are laced with the leading anti-fog power, and each lens is made from a micro-etched surface that absorbs moisture, which means—because the technology is literally carved into the lenses—you never have to worry about wearing out any anti-fog coating. ($275-$335, smithoptics.com)
If you want the clearest image of where you are on the mountain (or simply want to take in the sweet views from the chair), Gordini has fitted their GLC goggle with RX-ready optics from Carl Zeiss Vision. The goggles also use supreme air circulation technology with vents in both the lens and the frame, so you’ll stay fog-free even as you work up a sweat. And in addition to features for clarity, the GLC is comfortable. The frames have a tight seal without any added facial pressure, plus memory face foam and a fleece lining help the goggles fit every face without air gaps. ($100, gordini.com)
Its tough to ride when daylight’s running low and the change in light makes it impossible to see the bumps ahead of you. That’s why POC's Iris 3P goggles blend your slope-time from day to night with partially polarized lenses—they filter glare, but let in enough reflection so you can differentiate snow from ice and level terrain from dipping terrain. The color-boosting lens also enhances contrast, so you can see clearer. And an anti-scratch, anti-fog treatment, as well as oil and grease resistant treatments, protect the specs from your grubby hands. ($190, pocsports.com)
With their anti-fogging technology, the Bolle Quasar’s lenses and frame will stay clear and dry —even in backcountry whiteout conditions. The inner lens has an anti-fog layer that makes it impossible for moisture to build up in one spot and block your vision. The frame also has a waterproof air-flow system with vents that promote breathability. Plus, these frames are designed to fit large face sizes, so most guys won’t have to worry about restricted vision or awkward fit.
($140, bolle.com)
Redesigned for this season, the Zeal Optics Level goggle has amped up visibility by increasing the frame and lens size, and also switched up its color palette with textured designs — think custom patchwork, textile inspired patterns like denim and wood, and linear figures. The goggle has a large peripheral, but still fits every face comfortably while the lens provides 100% UV protection. No fog here, thanks to a permanent anti-fog infusion technology that can’t be wiped off. But they’re not just cool-looking. You’ll have top eye protection on tough wipeouts with high density, hard-to-break lenses, too. ($129, zealoptics.com)
The best part about Giro specs? The company uses anatomic measurements and rider input to design its goggles, meaning that it only produces a pair once it has feedback from many, many trial runs. The Giro Onset, like most goggles, is completely helmet-compatible—but unlike others, this pair has been tested and retested to ensure safest fit. Plus, Giro has expanded its field-of-view for the rider with a new, minimal frame design complete with frameless zones so you can spot that skier coming up on your left. ($125-$150, giro.com)
Page Title:
Best Anti-Fog Goggles for Skiing and Snowboarding