Skiing and snowboarding are exhilarating sports, but the right gear is essential to ensure an enjoyable experience on the slopes. One of the most important pieces of equipment for both skiers and snowboarders is a good pair of goggles. With countless brands out there, it can be difficult to determine which ones are worth considering. In this article, we will explore some of the best ski and snowboard goggle brands that have established themselves as industry leaders.

Anon

Anon, a subsidiary of Burton Snowboards, was established in 2001 and has since become a prominent brand for snow goggles. Their commitment to innovation is evident in the Magna-Tech lens system, a magnetic technology that secures the lenses for quick and easy swapping, as seen in models like the Anon M4 Toric. Anon also offers a range of lens options for different light conditions, such as the SONAR lens technology by Zeiss, which enhances contrast for improved visibility. In addition to their focus on lens technology, Anon is known for their Integrated Magnetic Facemask System (MFI), which connects face masks seamlessly to their goggles for complete protection against the elements. The brand offers goggles for all types of riders and terrains, with a focus on providing optimal visibility, protection, and comfort. Anon has a strong connection with professional snowboarders, including riders like Mark McMorris and Kimmy Fasani, who endorse and rely on their products in competitions.

Recommended: Anon M4 Toric

Dragon Alliance

Dragon Alliance, founded in 1993 by Will Howard, has become a staple brand in the snow sports industry. The brand is known for its innovative Lumalens technology, which optimizes color contrast and depth perception, providing crystal-clear vision on the slopes. Models like the Dragon X2 with Lumalens showcase this technology, offering enhanced visual performance and reducing distortion for a wide range of conditions using photochromic lenses. Dragon goggles cater to a wide array of riders, from beginners to professionals, and are designed to be compatible with most helmets. The brand is associated with top athletes, including snowboarders Gigi Rüf and Danny Davis, who rely on Dragon products for their performance and comfort. Dragon is also dedicated to eco-friendly practices, incorporating sustainable materials and processes in their manufacturing, such as utilizing recycled materials in some of their goggle frames.

Recommended: Dragon X2

Giro

Founded in 1985 by Jim Gentes, Giro has been a leading player in the world of snow sports, initially focusing on high-quality helmets before expanding into the goggle market. The brand prides itself on its innovative designs, incorporating spherical lens, cylindrical lens, and unparalleled comfort for a wide range of face shapes and sizes. One of the standout features of Giro goggles is the Snapshot lens-changing system, as seen in the popular Giro Contact model. This magnetic system allows users to effortlessly swap lenses, adapting to various weather and lighting conditions on the slopes. Giro's goggles are known for their comfortable fit, with models like the Giro Axis featuring Expansion View (EXV) technology, providing an impressive field of view. Giro also has some great high visible light transmission models for low-light night skiing. The brand caters to a diverse range of riders, from beginners to professionals. Giro is also committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and production methods whenever possible, and partnering with organizations like POW (Protect Our Winters) to help combat climate change.

Recommended: Giro Contact

Julbo

Julbo, a French company established in 1888 by Jules Baud, initially specialized in producing glasses for mountaineering before expanding into the ski and snowboard goggle market. The brand is known for its Reactiv Photochromic lens technology, which automatically adjusts to changing light conditions that provides optimal vision on the slopes. Julbo's goggles, like the Aerospace Reactiv Photochromic, are designed for various types of riders from recreational to professional. The brand also offers options for different face shapes and sizes, ensuring a comfortable fit for everyone. Julbo is associated with top-tier athletes like freeride skier Sam Favret and late mountaineering legend Ueli Steck, who trust the brand for their high-performance needs. Additionally, Julbo has a strong commitment to sustainability, working to minimize its environmental impact through eco-friendly production methods and responsible sourcing of materials.

Recommended: Julbo Aerospace Reactiv Photochromic

Oakley

Founded in 1975 by Jim Jannard, Oakley has long been a trusted name in the world of snow sports. The brand is known for its cutting-edge PRIZM lens technology, which enhances visibility and color contrast in various light conditions by fine-tuning the visible light spectrum. Oakley's goggles, such as the Oakley Flight Deck PRIZM, provide a wide field of view and are compatible with most helmets. The spherical lenses used by Oakley greatly increase a rider's peripheral vision. The brand also offers models with the Switchlock interchangeable lenses system, which allows for easy lens swapping to adapt to changing conditions. Oakley goggles are popular among professional athletes, including snowboarders like Ståle Sandbech and Jamie Anderson, who trust the brand for their performance needs. Oakley offers a wide selection of goggles, targeting different types of riders and terrains, from casual snow enthusiasts to professional competitors. Oakley is committed to environmental responsibility and incorporates sustainable practices in its production processes, such as utilizing bio-based materials in some of their frames.

Recommended: Oakley Airbrake

POC

Established in 2005, POC is a Swedish brand that has quickly made a name for itself in the snow sports world. POC goggles are known for their Clarity lens technology, developed in collaboration with Carl Zeiss, which enhances contrast and sharpness for optimal vision. The POC Fovea Clarity model is a prime example of this advanced lens technology. The brand offers goggles for various types of riders and terrains, focusing on safety, comfort, and performance. POC is known for its minimalist designs, providing a clean and modern aesthetic while maintaining functionality. The brand is associated with professional athletes like skier Julia Mancuso and snowboarder Jeremy Jones, who rely on POC products for their high-performance needs. Additionally, the brand is committed to sustainability, minimizing its environmental impact through responsible production methods and the use of eco-friendly materials.

Recommended: POC Fovea Clarity

Smith Optics

Smith Optics, founded by Dr. Bob Smith in 1965, has been a major player in the snow sports industry for decades. The brand is known for its innovative ChromaPop lens technology, which delivers enhanced clarity and contrast by filtering out specific wavelengths of light. This results in vivid colors and improved visibility, regardless of the weather conditions. Smith Optics offers a wide range of goggles, such as the Smith I/O Mag, which features a magnetic lens-changing system for quick adaptation to changing light conditions. Smith has also pioneered innovative scratch and anti-fog coating. The brand caters to different riding styles and conditions, with options for various face shapes and sizes. Smith Optics has sponsored numerous professional athletes, including snowboarder Travis Rice and skier Tatum Monod, who rely on their products for performance and protection. The brand is also committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and practices in its manufacturing process, including their Evolve series, which is made from bio-based materials.

Recommended: Smith IO/Mag

Spy Optic

Founded in 1994 by a group of athletes and designers, Spy is a California-based brand that has made a name for itself in the world of snow sports. Their goggles are known for their Happy Lens technology tints, which enhances color contrast and clarity, reducing glare while filtering out harmful UV rays, providing a superior visual experience on the slopes. The Spy Legacy Happy Lens model is an excellent example of this technology in action, making every day a sunny day. Spy offers a diverse range of goggles for different riding styles and terrains, ensuring a perfect fit for every snow enthusiast. The brand is also known for its flexible frame designs, which provide a comfortable and secure fit for a wide variety of face shapes. Spy is involved in various environmental initiatives, including the use of plant-based materials in their goggle frames, which reduces the overall carbon footprint of their products.

Recommended: Spy Legacy Happy Lens

Zeal

Founded in 1996 by Michael and Wink Jackson, Zeal Optics is a Colorado-based brand known for its commitment to sustainability and performance. Zeal goggles feature their exclusive Optimum lens technology, which provides exceptional clarity, contrast, and increased UV protection. This technology can be seen in models like the Zeal Portal with Optimum Lens, which offers outstanding visual performance in a variety of conditions. The brand also offers a wide range of goggle designs to suit different riding styles and conditions, ensuring that every snow enthusiast can find a model that fits their needs.

Zeal has a strong connection with professional athletes, including snowboarder Austen Sweetin and skier Caroline Gleich, who rely on their products for performance, comfort, and durability. In addition to their focus on advanced field of vision lens technology, Zeal is committed to providing a comfortable fit for all face shapes and sizes, with features like triple-layer face foam for added comfort and moisture management.

As a part of their environmental mission, Zeal uses plant-based materials in their frames and lenses, ensuring a minimal impact on the planet. The brand is also involved in numerous environmental initiatives and partnerships, including their collaboration with the National Forest Foundation to help protect and restore forests in the United States. Through their dedication to sustainability, performance, and innovation, Zeal has established itself as a trusted brand in the ski and snowboard goggle market.

Recommended: Zeal Porta

Conclusion

The best ski goggles and snowboard goggle brands offer a combination of innovative technology, comfort, performance, and sustainability. Giro, Anon, Smith Optics, Oakley, Julbo, Spy, Dragon, POC, and Zeal are all premium goggles brands that have proven their dedication to providing exceptional products for every type of rider. By choosing goggles from one of these reputable brands, skiers and snowboarders can enhance their experience on the slopes, ensuring optimal visibility, protection, and enjoyment. With options for various riding styles, face shapes, and conditions, there is a perfect pair of goggles out there for anyone ready to elevate their time on the mountain.

If you need any help with goggles or any other winter gear chat with one of our Experts here at Curated!