Are the slopes calling your name? If you’re a skiing enthusiast, you need a pair of reliable ski goggles to help you stay safe out there.
Cold winds, stray snow, and sun glare can seriously injure your eyes. Since ski goggles are larger than your average sunglasses, they’ll protect your face along with your eyes.
The importance of ski goggles cannot be underestimated, and there are many reasons to invest in a quality pair. Even if you’re on a budget, you can still find great options at affordable prices.
In this review, we’ll compare five of the best ski goggles under 100 dollars. Let’s take a look.
1. Best Ski Goggles Overall: WILDHORN Roca Snowboard and Ski Goggles
For all the ski goggles we found at this particular price point, the Wildhorn Roca ski goggles by far offer the most value for money.
The interchangeable lens system lets you swap lenses in less than 60 seconds, making the Wildhorn Roca goggles customizable and convenient. Many options are available for the interchangeable lenses, offering the best visibility and protection no matter the weather.
There’s also an integrated clip locking system with 6 magnets, giving the lenses a sturdy grip while you’re enjoying your time outdoors. The Aurora lens technology ensures 100% UV protection, and the panoramic design of the spherical dual-lens gives you a wide view.
The thermoplastic urethane polymer frame is further coated with an anti-slip coating to ensure proper comfort and fit. These goggles are made from high-quality, durable, and shatter-proof materials, so they can take a beating without letting you down.
Specifications
- Color: blue frame, blaze lens
- Items included: ski goggles, balaclava mask
- Frame material: thermoplastic polyurethane
- VLT (Visible Light Transmission): 24%
Pros
- Easy and quick to change the lenses depending on weather and light
- Many lens options available
- Panoramic spherical lenses offer a complete field of vision and clarity
- UV protection and anti-fog coating
Cons
- Part of the frame may obstruct your line of sight.
- If you want to ski at night or in very foggy environments, purchase backup lenses.
2. Best Runner-Up Ski Goggles: ZIONOR X4 Pro Magnetic Goggles
If our top pick doesn’t seem like the best fit for you, consider this next pair of goggles by Zionor. These goggles come with an easy lens-switching system with 8 spot magnets on the frame to keep the lens firmly in place.
Besides this, you get a choice between 17 different lens colors depending on your environment, the weather, and the time of the day you want to go skiing.
For maximum comfort, these goggles come with solid foam padding on the inside. The high-density foam has multiple layers, protecting your face from the wind and keeping you safe from the cold.
The polycarbonate lens and the strong construction of the frame ensure that the goggles stay intact, even when faced with impact. They are safety-coated to prevent fogging to improve visibility, and 100% UV400 protection cuts down on sun glare.
The goggles also come with an enhanced airflow system under the frame that improves ventilation. It also prevents the build-up of fog on the inside of your lenses.
Specifications
- Color: blue frame, grey Revo silver lens
- Items included: ski goggles
- Frame material: thermoplastic polyurethane
- VLT (Visible Light Transmission): 8.59%
Pros
- Long, adjustable straps
- Helmet-compatible.
- Ventilation system reduces fog
- 17 lens options
- Spherical lens for a clear, 180-degree view
Cons
- If you’re used to skiing in darker weather, you might have to order new lenses separately since the VLT is only 8.59%.
- The X4 Pro lenses are different from the X4 lenses, so make sure you purchase the right model for your needs.
3. Best Budget Ski Goggles: AKASO Goggles with Ski Mask
If you’re looking for complete protection for your eyes for the least amount of money, these ski goggles from Akaso are a great choice. They even come with a free balaclava ski mask.
The lenses on these glasses are interchangeable and magnetic, which means that they can be changed and swapped out easily according to your needs. They are kept in place with 8 magnets as well as 4 physical anchors.
The large, spherical lenses won’t distort your peripheral view or decrease the clarity of your sight. The lenses on the goggles are also made with a double-layer design and come with a hydrophilic coating on the inner side. This minimizes fogging and improves visibility.
A triple layer of foam helps to keep you comfortable and safe from impact.
The included balaclava mask is low profile and can easily fit inside your helmet. The stretchy fabric helps you maintain a warm body temperature by wicking moisture away from your skin. This can help you stay warm in even extreme temperatures.
Specifications
- Color: black frame, gray lens, blue coating
- Items included: ski goggles, balaclava mask
- Frame material: thermoplastic polyurethane
- VLT (Visible Light Transmission): 10.5%
Pros
- Comes with a balaclava mask for warmth
- Anti-fog layer inside the lenses improves visibility
- OTG (over-the-glass) style accommodates the wearing of glasses
Cons
- The VLT (Visible Light Transmission) on these goggles is only 10.5%, which might not be ideal for all weather conditions.
- The goggles have a blue tint on them, which may not appeal to everyone.
4. Best Ski Goggles Under $40: Zionor Lagopus X4 Complete Goggles
With a high-performance coating that blocks UV rays as well as prevents them from fogging up, these goggles from Zionor come with a 100% UV400 coating design.
The lenses include 8 magnets for simple replacement. The frame is black, while the strap is black with a white Zionor logo on the back. The lens is made out of polycarbonate material and has a VLT of 8.59%.
The spherical view design lets you view more than 180 degrees of terrain. People love the minimal visual interference as well as the vent channels around the frame that provide proper ventilation while reducing fog buildup.
The goggles are reinforced with Zionor special EDT (Enhanced Durability Tech) so that you have the best protection in case of an accident. The durable design of the goggles is sure to give these goggles a long life.
Zionor X4 Specifications
- Color: black frame, gray lens, blue coating
- Items included: ski goggles
- Frame material: thermoplastic polyurethane
- Lens material: polycarbonate
- VLT (Visible Light Transmission): 8.59%
Pros
- Convenient 8-magnet system for easy lens switching
- Great ventilation ensures breathability and reduces fog
- Spherical view design for a complete, panoramic view
Cons
- There is only one lens included with this package, which means that you will have to purchase more lenses separately.
- The VLT on the included lens is on the lower side, which means that you will have to look for a lens with a higher VLT for cloudy days.
5. Alternative Pair of Ski Goggles: WILDHORN Pipeline Ski Goggles
The last pair of goggles on our list of the best ski goggles under 100 dollars is another model by WildHorn: the Pipeline. If none of the other goggles above won you over, this choice stacks up well.
Just squeaking onto our list at $99.99, the Wildhorn Pipeline ski goggles are an excellent choice for people who are looking for quality. The anti-fog coating improves visibility, and a huge cylindrical lens keeps visibility high in all sorts of environments, weather, and terrains.
A ventilation system on the frame helps your face breathe and prevents moisture from fogging up the lens. Changing the lens is quick and easy, thanks to a system of magnets and clips.
With over 70 lens and frame color combinations, the Pipeline provides a highly customizable and high-quality skiing experience.
Specifications
- Color: stone grey frame, blaze lens
- Items included: ski goggles
- Frame material: thermoplastic polyurethane
- VLT (Visible Light Transmission): 24%
Pros
- Anti-fog coating and UV protection for maximum visibility and eye protection
- WildHorn is the official supplier of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team
- Easy to switch out the lenses whenever you need
- Over 70 customizable color combinations
- Large cylindrical lens offers an awesome field of view
Cons
- The goggle lens might be a bit too large for some people’s taste.
- The strap system is relatively complicated, and you might have to spend some time trying to figure out how to tighten or loosen the goggles around your head.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Best Ski Goggles Under $100
Can I get prescription ski goggles?
Yes, if you have a prescription for your glasses, you can easily get prescription ski goggles. However, this can be a difficult process as ski goggles are curved and in one piece.
An easier and less expensive alternative to this is to buy ski goggles that can fit over your glasses for a more convenient experience.
Which VLT rating should I choose for sunny weather?
For extremely sunny weather, you need a VLT rating of the lowest percentage. If you’re skiing in a very sunny climate, a VLT rating of 9-18% would be the best fit for you.
Which VLT rating should I choose for cloudy weather?
For overcast weather with a lot of cloud cover and not a lot of sun, you need a VLT rating of the highest percentage to let in more light. If you’re skiing in a place where the weather is extremely cloudy, a VLT rating of 65-90% would be the best fit for you.
If I do not know the VLT level, which lenses should I get that will be a good fit for all kinds of weather?
You should always check the VLT rating of the lenses before buying them. However, if you want a general tint for casual snowboarding, you can go for red or green tints, as they fall halfway on the VLT percentage scale.
Should I wipe the inside of my glasses after I’m done skiing?
No. Ski goggles are covered with an anti-fog coating to ensure that they do not fog up. Rubbing them with your clothes or any other material will wipe this off, making your goggles fog up on your next trip.
Make sure that you only either let them air out or wipe them with the materials included in your ski goggles package.
Wrap Up
Ski goggles fulfill a very important role in skiing: safety. Skiing is an extreme sport, and the challenging conditions make it important that you take all the necessary precautions and stay safe when you partake in this sport.
The products on this list are some of the best ski goggles under 100 bucks, and we’re sure that whichever one you pick, you’ll be satisfied with the balance of quality and affordability that they offer.
If you’re interested in similar reviews, please check out our other articles as well. Now go have an exciting and pleasant skiing experience!