Ski Goggles - Does Cost Really Matter

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Permalink Reply by skiwoods on January 27, 2009 at 8:01pm

The current pair of goggles I bought were worth the $60-$70 I paid for them 3 seasons ago. I tried on many different shades to see what I looked best. I did try them on outside looking at snow. I ended up with a grey/rose tint.

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Permalink Reply by Mesa on January 27, 2009 at 9:58pm

Like most other things in skiing, fit is always the most important. Find the goggle that fits your face the best and fits while wearing your helmet (no large gaps above the goggle). After that, the optics do improve a bit with the more expensive models. I personally can't tell a big difference between every brand's yellows/golds or their gray/smoke, etc.
More brands are offering different lenses to switch-out rather than buying more goggles. As the previous poster suggested, wear them outside the shop and see how the snow looks.

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Permalink Reply by Bill on January 28, 2009 at 6:12am

I did some reading on this and from my studies we decided to spend a littl more on them , we both got a pair of Oakleys that fit really well , hers were $170, mine were last years model that were half price at about $60.00 , we will see how the work. But I agree , fit is what sold me, and the fact they are anti fog is what sold me.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Goldkind(TeachToSki) on January 28, 2009 at 7:10am

I have been using the Zeal Optics photooptics for 2 seasons now. They adjust to light, don't fog and are priced in competition with the other quality brands.
Love em.

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Permalink Reply by NewEnglandSkier on January 28, 2009 at 7:42am

I have Oakleys in a persimmon lens and found that even though they tout that as their best all around lense color, it was not sufficient for last winter in Steamboat when it was snowing or when it was simply flat light on gray days. I ended up getting another pair of Oakleys with high intensity yellow lenses and I found they were an improvement in flat light-- but you really can't wear those sunny days or your eyes will be uncomfortable-- too bright. I wish I could find a great all around goggle.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron on January 28, 2009 at 12:26pm

I always go with Oakley because of the interchangeable lenses

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Permalink Reply by signshopsteve on January 29, 2009 at 7:38am

Every goggle company has interchangeable lenses.

My favorite lense color is rose. For me it brings out the highest contrast on those low light days. On the sunny days its a rose-crome lense. Some people like the yellow lense, but it drives me crazy. I feel like different color lenses react differently with every person so if the shop youre at has a good assortment, ask to try them all. I just picked up some new Electric EG2's this year and I cant say enough about them. They are no doubt the largest goggle on the market but your area of sight inceases so much from other goggles its unreal. Ill never go back to a smaller framed goggle.

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Permalink Reply by mTnsmith on January 28, 2009 at 1:01pm

I bought a pair of Smith Phenoms last year, I usually wear glasses, but when on the mountain, I don't. These lenses are so good, it makes me feel like I have prescription lenses in!! They are by far the best pair I have ever had, and well worth the money.

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Permalink Reply by trudeska on January 28, 2009 at 3:01pm

My husband swears he'd pay any price for his Smith OTG Phenom Turbo Fans. His only complaint is that what he needs is completely clear lenses since his prescription glasses underneath turn dark in the cold. Smith doesn't make a clear lens for his model and he doesn't like the newer more rounded version; says it distorts his vision. His prescription is very hard to get right in glasses let alone in goggles.

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Permalink Reply by Bhrett McCabe on January 28, 2009 at 3:36pm

Thanks for all of the responses - very helpful. Fit will definitely be the first factor.

Sounds really like the cost is worth it, especially once you narrow down the lens/color for the low light days. We have sunglasses for the blue bird days, although I would like to purchase a sunny lens and a low light lens.

Has anyone seen an improvement in depth perception when going to a better lens with either permission or hi res yellow?

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