Winter Snow Goggles

Goggles buying guide

Fit first

A goggle should fit your face and your helmet. If you have a lower nose bridge or wide or high cheekbones, Smith makes Low Bridge Fit versions of several frames (Squad MAG, Stash XL, 4D MAG XL and I/O MAG XL), and Powster and Randompow make Asian-fit goggles; Powster pitches its Asian fit at medium to wide faces. Frames come in sizes too: Smith's adult frames run from Medium to Large, Pit Viper's French Fry comes in Small and Large, and the Smith Rascal and RAUO Dreamer are made for kids.

Pick lenses for the light

VLT (visible light transmission) is the share of light a lens lets through. Dark, low-VLT lenses are for bright sun, such as Pit Viper's Category 3 Smoke at 14%; light, high-VLT lenses are for flat light and snowfall, such as its Category 1 Yellow Snow at 64%; and clear Category 0 lenses are for night skiing. Many goggles here include a second lens: Smith's MAG goggles come with a bright-light and a low-light ChromaPop lens, Pit Viper's Proform goggles add a bonus low-light lens, and XSPEX and Powster include a low-light or clear lens. Julbo's Lightyears has a photochromic REACTIV lens that changes across categories 1–3.

Lens changes, glasses and helmets

Magnetic systems make lens swaps quick: Smith MAG, Pit Viper's Magic Magnets, XSPEX MAGNETX and Lock-Cam, Salomon's Sentry Prime Sigma and the Powster goggles. If you wear glasses, look for OTG under Specs: the Smith 4D MAG XL and I/O MAG XL Low Bridge Fit, the Smith Rascal and the Powster and Randompow goggles are OTG. You can try goggles with your helmet at any of our three stores (helmets).

Questions

Do you have Asian-fit or low-bridge goggles?

Yes. Smith's Low Bridge Fit versions are made for a lower nose bridge or wide or high cheekbones: the Squad MAG, Stash XL, 4D MAG XL and I/O MAG XL here. Powster and Randompow make Asian-fit goggles, and Powster pitches its fit at medium to wide faces.

Which lens should I use in flat light?

A light, high-VLT lens, such as a Category 1 lens (Pit Viper's Yellow Snow lets through 64% of light). Smith's MAG goggles include a low-light ChromaPop lens for these days, and Julbo's photochromic REACTIV lens adapts as the light changes.

Can I wear goggles over my glasses?

Look for OTG (over the glasses) under Specs. Here the Smith 4D MAG XL and I/O MAG XL Low Bridge Fit, the Smith Rascal for kids and the Powster and Randompow goggles are OTG. Or bring your glasses in and try goggles on.

What does VLT mean?

Visible light transmission: the percentage of light the lens lets through. A low VLT is for bright sun: Pit Viper's and Salomon's Category 3 lenses here let through 10.5–15%. A high VLT suits flat light and snowfall: their Category 1 lenses let through 44–75%.

Will these goggles fit my helmet?

Most goggles fit most helmets, but the gap at the forehead matters. Smith designs its goggles to work with Smith helmets. Bring your helmet in and try goggles on with it.

Do you have kids' goggles?

Yes, including the Smith Rascal (youth small, OTG) and the RAUO Dreamer (kids' one size). Pit Viper's French Fry also comes in a Small, for smaller heads.