The Best Ski Goggles For Women

Buying Guide

Skiing is a great wintertime activity. It gives you a chance to enjoy beautiful natural scenery while also getting a good workout. But if you’ve spent any time on the slopes, you know that snow only intensifies the sun’s UV rays, leading to eye fatigue and putting your vision at risk.

An occasional hour or two on the slopes probably won’t have a huge impact on your long-term eye health, but increased UV exposure can take its toll. UV rays can age every part of the eye, from the cornea to the eyelid. But in the short term, intense exposure to sunlight can also cause a condition called snow blindness, which is a form of photokeratitis. Photokeratitis is eye damage that usually appears about six hours after UV exposure and can last up to 48 hours. While it’s generally not serious and heals on its own, snowblindness can be painful.

As with a day on the beach, eye protection is an essential part of skiing. But skiing can be an extreme physical activity, which means the sunglasses that work so well on the beach just aren’t going to stay on. Even if you do manage to get through the day without your sunglasses falling off, their design isn’t quite as effective at keeping the chilly air away from your eyes.

That’s where a good pair of ski goggles can help. Like safety goggles and swim goggles, ski goggles are designed to cover your entire eye, including the periphery. They might not form as airtight a seal as safety or swim goggles, but the right ones will help keep chilly air and snow out as well as UV rays.

You can find a variety of styles of ski goggles, including bright lens colors. Some ski goggles even use a sophisticated magnet system that lets you remove the lenses and easily replace them with another set of lenses, typically sold separately. This can be a fun way to change lens colors and styles or even switch to polarized, clear or photochromatic lenses based on the day’s needs.

• Since sun protection is a top priority with ski goggles, check to make sure the lenses feature broad-spectrum UV protection. Lenses labeled as UV400 block close to 100% of UV rays.
• Durability is important in any gear you’re using on the slopes. This is true of your eyewear, as well. Look for goggles with double-layer lenses to ensure they’ll hold up.
• To keep your goggles on your face while you’re skiing, a strap can be a big help. Look for one that’s adjustable and securely fastened to the goggles for a worry-free day on the slopes.
• If you wear prescription eyeglasses, make sure you choose a pair of ski goggles you can wear over them.
• The difference in temperature between the interior of your goggles and the air outside can cause the lenses to fog up. Double-layer lenses help with that. Some are also coated with anti-fog protection or have ventilation built in.
• Scratches can block your vision, becoming especially noticeable when contrasted against the bright landscape in front of you. Look for lenses that have scratch protection built in to help maintain the integrity of your lens surface over time.
• If you wear a helmet while skiing, keep that in mind as you’re choosing goggles. You’ll want a goggle strap that fits easily beneath your helmet without making you uncomfortable.
• Comfort is an important consideration, especially if you plan to be on the slopes for hours at a time. Look for ski goggles with a material flexible enough to conform to your face while also being durable. Also, note how the strap is constructed to make sure it will be comfortable against the back of your head.