Ski Goggles

How to choose your ski goggles?

Choosing your ski or snowboard goggles is first and foremost a matter of personal taste, but to make sure you pick the pair that truly suits your needs, here are a few useful tips and the main criteria to consider.

Which lens category should you choose for your ski goggles?

It’s important to wear lenses suited to the weather conditions in order to enjoy optimal visibility. This is essential for both your comfort and safety on the slopes.

Just like sunglasses, ski goggle lenses are categorised based on the level of visible light they let through.

• Category 0 goggles: very low light, ideal for night skiing
• Category 1 goggles: poor weather, foggy conditions
• Category 2 goggles: cloudy weather with occasional brightness
• Category 3 goggles: bright sunshine
• Category 4 goggles: intense sunlight on glaciers, high-altitude mountaineering

Which lens colour is best for poor weather?

When it’s snowing or visibility is low due to dense fog, go for lenses tinted yellow, orange or pink. These colours improve contrast and help you better read the terrain, even in flat light.

Polarised goggles: enhanced visual comfort

Polarised goggles are designed to block glare caused by sunlight reflecting off the snow. They reduce dazzle and enhance contrast, making it easier to see changes in the terrain.

Mirrored lenses: protection against glare

Mirrored lenses reflect part of the sunlight, which limits the amount of direct light reaching your eyes. They’re especially useful in bright conditions, particularly at high altitude.

Category 4 goggles: for extreme conditions

Category 4 goggles are the darkest and offer the highest protection against intense sunlight, such as on glaciers or during high-altitude mountaineering. However, be aware: they’re not suitable for variable weather or shaded areas.

Photochromic goggles

Photochromic goggles automatically darken or lighten based on ambient light conditions, adjusting from low to high protection in just a few seconds. The best of the best? photochromic category 1–3 goggles that cover the full range of light levels. That way, you always benefit from suitable protection and maximum visual comfort — whatever the weather.

OTG (Over The Glasses) goggles for glasses wearers

OTG goggles are specifically designed for glasses wearers. Their design includes enough internal space to accommodate your prescription glasses, providing greater comfort and a better overall skiing experience.

Anti-fog features and other useful options for your ski goggles

Many brands now offer goggles with a wide field of view, featuring oversized lenses that allow nearly 180° peripheral vision. This is particularly useful for snowboarding, but skiers will also appreciate the broader visual coverage! As for fogging, several technologies help prevent it. Some single-lens goggles have an anti-fog coating applied to the inner surface of the lens. Nearly all goggles on the market now come with a double lens, where the layer of air trapped between the two lenses acts as insulation and prevents fog formation.

Some tips and how to clean your goggles:

To avoid fogging up your ski goggles: when on the chairlift, avoid lifting your goggles onto your hat or helmet — instead, keep them in place on your face. Never wipe the inside of a wet goggle lens, as this can damage the anti-fog coating. Let it air dry instead.

What size ski goggles should you choose for your face?

Although ski goggles don’t come in standard sizes like clothing, there are generally three types of fit available on the market: narrow fit, medium fit, and wide fit. This way, everyone can find the perfect goggle shape to suit their facial structure for optimal comfort.

Oakley, Bollé, Julbo, Salomon… Which ski goggle brand should you choose?

Find the best ski goggle brands

Glisshop offers quite simply the largest selection of ski goggles on the market, with hundreds of models in stock all year round from top brands like Scott, Bollé, Cairn, Redbull, Bliz, Cébé, Julbo, Poc, Smith, Oakley, Marker, Anon, Giro, Salomon, Electric, Izipizi, Pit Viper and Atomic. You’re guaranteed to find the perfect goggles from our extensive range.

In short

• Choose your lens according to the weather (category 1 to 4, photochromic, polarised…)
• OTG goggles are designed for glasses wearers
• Well-fitted goggles improve comfort and reduce fogging
• Glisshop offers hundreds of models from top brands

FAQ – Ski goggles

What’s the difference between polarised and photochromic goggles?

Polarised goggles reduce glare from sunlight on the snow, while photochromic goggles automatically adjust the tint of the lens based on ambient brightness.

Can I wear ski goggles over prescription glasses?

Yes, OTG models are specifically designed to accommodate your frames and temples comfortably.

What lens colour is best for cloudy or foggy conditions?

Go for yellow, orange or pink tints — they enhance contrast and make it easier to read terrain features.

What’s the advantage of photochromic ski goggles?

Photochromic goggles come with a lens that automatically adapts to ambient light. They often cover multiple protection categories (usually from 1 to 3, or even 1 to 4), making them a very versatile option.