Skiing at night can be a unique and rewarding experience, but when the sun is low, it’s crucial to be able to see your path. The right eyewear for low-light nights will help you navigate.
You certainly cannot wear the same goggles you did when the sun was glaring, nor can you completely ditch eyewear because you must protect your eyes from the icy winds and snow.
Night ski goggles should transmit enough light for you to see.
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What You Should Look For in Night Ski Goggles
Night goggles have certain properties that make them suited for low-light conditions. There are 4 properties that a night goggle must have to function properly.
Visible Light Transmission
You will see this often abbreviated as VLT and shown as a percentage.
VLT is the percentage measure of how much light the lenses on the goggles can allow. For skiing at night, skiers wear yellow or clear lenses with a VLT rating of up to 99%.
Night ski goggles will, therefore, let you see a great deal of detail. Clear goggles let a lot of light in, while yellow ones have a better contrast.
On the other hand, daytime ski goggles have a VLT rating of 7.5% or less. They appear very dark to the eyes.
Ventilation
Ventilation allows cold air to replace warm air in the goggles to prevent fogging. The goggles in this buying guide have some form of ventilation.
You have to handle your goggles as specified in the manual all the time for the ventilation system to work properly.
Dual-Pane Lens
These goggles have two sets of lens separated by a pocket of air. The layer of air between these two lenses helps to keep the internal and external temperatures as balanced as possible.
This is another way to prevent fogging.
Lens Swapping Feature
You can have a pair of ski goggles that allows you to interchange day and night lenses.
The advantage of this is that you only have one delicate piece of equipment to worry about. The downside is that in case you fall and get the paddings wet, you will be out of action until it dries naturally.
Moisture creates fogging.
Night Ski Goggles Reviews
Now that you know which properties to look for when shopping for a good pair of ski goggles, it is time to find a good pair. Here is a quick look at our top picks
1. Oakley 02 XL Snow Goggle- Best Overall Ski Goggles
Oakley eyewear is famous for being eye-catching. The 02 XL Snow goggles are as beautiful as you would expect from this company.
It has dual lenses in 12 different and stylish colors.
The 02 XL uses an elastic O Matter chassis that bends according to your face structure. Underneath the chassis, a triple layer of polar fleece foam works to wick away moisture.
If you wear prescription glasses, you can fix them on the frame notches located at the temples. The notches make Oakley 02 XL compatible with prescription eyewear.
The lens optics and colors are made using Prizm technology. The signature plutonite Oakley cylindrical lenses use Prizm to exhibit a high level of controlling light transmission.
The colors of the lenses are not only for decoration, but they are engineered to optimize contrast.
The Oakley lenses offer High Definition Optics and therefore need very specific care. The package comes in a woven electrostatic micro clear bag for storage and cleaning. To care for the bag, only hand wash, and air dry it often.
The Oakley 02 XL can comfortably be worn together with various helmet styles. It has outrigger mounts to distribute pressure throughout the chassis.
The goggles stay in place because of the inner straps with silicone beads. The goggle frame has 360˚ venting that allows airflow even with a helmet.
Product Specifications
VLT Rating – 16%
OTG compatibility – Yes
Coating – Anti-fog coating
Lens material – Plastic
Frame material – Plastic and foam
Pros
- O Matter chassis remains flexible and fitted to your face regardless of the temperature.
- The goggles are 3D/CAM engineered to create an anatomical fit.
- The close fit stays in contact with the skin to seal out the outer elements while wicking away moisture from the skin.
- Oakley 02 is compatible with a variety of helmet designs.
- Cylindrical lenses offer a wide field of vision.
- Frames and lens venting combat fogging in changing weather conditions.
- The triple layer foam has a comfortable, thick base, a lush middle layer, and a final polar fleece layer. It provides comfort, seals the goggles, and wicks moisture.
- The frame is made of flexible and durable plastic that’s resistant to weather changes.
Cons
- Although the Oakley 02 is compatible with helmets, it will fit medium to large faces. Smaller-faced skiers might have to look at other options.
2. ZIONOR X11 Ski Goggles for Men and Women – Best Budget Ski Lens
The ZIONOR X11 lens without goggles is a cheaper alternative for people who are not looking to buy the entire package.
The lens has 8 magnet spots for securing the lens to the ZIONOR X11 snowboard goggles. The magnetic spot also makes it easy to remove and replace lenses in light changes.
The ZIONOR X11 lenses have twin layers separated by a pocket of air. The lenses are oversized and cylindrical.
These ski goggle lenses are made of polycarbonate material. This material is shatter-proof, even on heavy impact. The lens also protects your eyes from UV 400 rays.
An anti-fog coating in the inner layer of the lens provides clear vision in low light. It has a VLT 86% SO.
Product Specifications
VLT Rating – 22%
OTG compatibility – Yes
Ventilation – Yes
Coating – Anti-fog coating
Lens material – Polycarbonate
Frame material – TPU
Pros
- Your eyes are protected from harmful UV rays.
- The polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof. If you fall, your eyes are still safe.
- Pocket-friendly pair of lenses.
- The double-layer lens has a scratch-resistant coating that can withstand heavy use.
- ZIONOR X11 lenses are available for all sizes, including children
Cons
- You’ll get only the lens without goggles.
- Only buy these lenses if you have a ZIONOR X11 goggles frame.
3. ZIONOR X4 Ski Snowboard Snow Goggles- Best Runner-Up
ZIONOR has been making a steady climb to the top of the ski goggles preferences list. This is not bad for a brand that only recently was almost unheard of. Judging by how well their budget ski goggles look and work, they are not here to play.
The X4 comes with an elastic TPU frame that, going by the reviews, lasts for a long time.
The gigantic spherical lenses provide a panoramic view expanding beyond 180 degrees. The double-layered lens designs allow air to circulate between the lens freely without the need for more vents.
ZIONOR’s magnetic lens tech is turning heads. There are magnets on the lens and corresponding ones on the TPU frame. So changing the lens is a quick affair. There are 8 magnetic spots each strongly securing the lens from popping off.
ZIONOR X4 doesn’t come with a hefty price tag, yet the product is memorable. The company seems to be trying to create affordable, high-quality skiing accessories.
Product Specifications
VLT Rating – 22%
OTG compatibility – Yes
Ventilation – Yes
Coating – Anti-fog coating
Lens material – Polycarbonate
Frame material – TPU
Pros
- X4’s lens swapping system involves easily popping them off and on magnetic sockets.
- Its magnetic fastening system can withstand a beating from the wind without shifting.
- Spherical lenses provide a large field of view. The anti-fogging system ensures that this view is clear.
- An extra-long, adjustable strap fits the goggles over various helmet styles.
- The lenses are impact-resistant.
Cons
- The goggles are massive, so younger or narrow-faced skiers may want to go for smaller goggles.
4. Juli Ski Goggles – Best Under $30
Juli Ski wear is another up-and-coming affordable brand manufacturing quality ski goggles.
The Flow Vent Technology prevents ventilation ports from clogging during icy winds. This allows airflow inside the lenses which ultimately prevents fogging.
You get an extra length of goggles’ strap to secure it over your choice of helmet. The strap is long enough to strap it comfortably over different head sizes.
Juli lenses provide complete protection from both UVA and UVB rays. They are made from impact-resistant polycarbonate material.
These lenses are versatile. You can use them for snowboarding, skiing, and ATVs. It works great for skating, gliding, and Snocross, as well.
The manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty if the product does not meet your expectations, and you’ll get a full refund.
Product Specifications
VLT Rating – 18.5%
OTG compatibility – Yes
Coating – Anti-fogging and UV/UVB protection
Lens material – PC + UV
Frame material – TPU frame
Pros
- Ventilation ports protected by Flow Vent Technology eliminate fogging by increased airflow.
- There is room inside the goggles to fit prescription spectacles.
- The design is easy to secure over a helmet.
- Juli ski goggles cost around $25
- The goggles are versatile for use outside snowboarding and skiing.
- Unisex
Cons
- The goggles are flexible and tough. However, do not make a habit of bending it, the frame will develop stress marks.
5. Zeal Optics Portal – Frameless Ski & Snowboard Goggles – Best Alternative
The Zeal Portal made a debut with futuristic-looking ski goggles. The goggles looked stylish in a frameless and spherical lens design.
Zeal goggles use a Rail Lock System that consists of a series of magnets and plastic runners. The forks on the lenses attach to plastic runners and then the magnets secure the bottom part.
You will reap maximum visual clarity from wearing these goggles under low-light conditions. Don’t worry about the lenses, they are tightly fastened onto magnets and railings.
Zeal Portal offers buyers three lenses of different qualities. “Optimum” lens is the basic one followed by the Optimum polarized lens, then the most advanced version, the Optimum Polarized Automatic＋ photochromic lens.
Photochromic lenses adapt to light changes throughout the day.
All three kinds of lenses have undergone anti-fog treatment. There is also a hard coat finish that guards against scuff marks and scratches to an extent.
There are air vents above and below the lens to ward off condensation. A triple layer foam provides cushioning and wicking.
Product Specifications
VLT Rating – 18 – 60% depending on the lens
OTG compatibility – Yes
Ventilation – Top and bottom vents
Coating – Anti-fog
Lens material – Polycarbonate
Frame material – TPU
Pros
- Releasing lens in the Zeal Portal design utilizes a top-down method to slide in the lens. It requires no effort.
- Zeal puts a lot of effort into their lenses and the visual clarity is excellent for both optimum and polarized lenses.
- The rail and lock system makes the lens change easy, though it is rare that you will need to. The Optimum Polarized Automatic lens adapts to light changes.
- Despite all the dazzling tech of the portal, the design has stayed minimalist, cool, and fashionable.
- The strap is padded with a 3-layered foam alongside triple beads which enhance the grip.
Cons
- Lady skiers with smaller faces are likely to have some challenges fitting the goggles without gaps in the lower part of the face.
- All the dazzle comes with a rather steep price tag. It is, however, a worthwhile investment.
FAQs Regarding Ski Goggle
It is always good to ask plenty of questions before you dish out cash for a new pair of ski goggles. Here is a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about ski goggles.
A: Fortunately, the choice of color that is best for you boils down to two factors: your preference and desired light transmission.
Personal preferences for lens color are usually guided by the aesthetic each person is looking for.
Light transmission is a more serious consideration for night ski goggles. Different colors transmit varying amounts of light. Remember, you need goggles that transmit as much light as possible. If you enjoy skiing in different environments or at different times of the day then it can be good to invest in a pair of goggles that come with interchangeable lenses.
Clear lenses: These have no color whatsoever. They are translucent and do not filter out any light.
Yellow lenses: Yellow lenses bring out more detail under low light conditions. If you ski moguls and other uneven terrains in low light, yellow lenses could be ideal.
Rose, orange, amber, or red lenses: Rose lenses let in a moderate amount of light, so use them under flat light conditions. Orange, amber, and red lenses perform reasonably well in low light.
Photochromic lenses: Photochromic lenses provide the best experience under varying light conditions. It adjusts according to the amount of light available. However, it is quite expensive.
Gray lenses: Gray lenses handle both low and high light conditions well.
The Visual Light Transmission (VLT) ratings of ski goggles vary a lot for different lenses. It is always best to get a pair of goggles that come with detachable lenses. That will allow you to invest in a wide range of lenses that will allow you to see well in a wide range of conditions. Here is a quick look at suitable VLT ratings to look for certain conditions.
Sunny days: For bright sunny days, you should look for ski lenses with a VLT range of 0 – 10%.
Partially cloudy to sunny days: On days that are only partly cloudy and sunny, you should look for a VLT rating of 10-25%.
Cloudy days and dusk: On dark and gloomy days with plenty of clouds or at dusk, it is best to go skiing with goggles with a 25 – 60% VLT rating.
Night and heavily clouded days: If thick clouds are covering the sky or if you enjoy night time skiing then you should consider lenses with a 60 – 90% VLT rating.
A: Lenses with a spherical shape or four-dimensional design offer the best field of view. These lenses also offer fewer distortion compared to cylindrical lenses and tend to fit helmet shapes better.
A: How long your goggles last depends largely on how you take care of them, regardless of the brand you own.
The following are some daily tips that go a long way to protecting your goggles:
- Store your eyewear in the storage bag they came packaged in.
- After a skiing session, the outer lens may be wet. The bestway to clean it is by giving it a little shake then letting it air dry. Wipe the outer lens after it is dry, and use only the storage bag or microfiber fabric to do so.
- The inner lens usually has an anti-fog coating that can be damaged by wiping. The best thing to do is to completely avoid wiping this part. If snow or moisture gets inside this part, shake it and then let it air dry.
Final Thoughts
Night skiers are a brave bunch, and when you’re shredding the slopes at night, it’s important to wear the right night ski goggles. We hope that our night ski goggles buying guide and review have helped you in your search for ski gear!
Be sure to check out some of our other skiing accessory guides before you leave! OnSnow Authorities we are constantly reviewing the best snowboarding and skiing gear, and we share the best advice for these winter activities.