The Best Ski Goggles of 2024: Tested

Our top pick for medium-size faces, the Smith 4D MAG, is instantly recognizable by the downward curvature on the bottom of its aptly named "BirdsEye Vision" spherical lenses. Testers raved about the fact that the 4D MAGs' close-to-the-face medium fit offers a field of view comparable with larger goggles, minus the drawbacks of having to size up. "It's a fantastic pick for anyone with an average-size mug who doesn't like huge goggles," noted a tester who regularly rides in the California backcountry.

Smith claims the cutting-edge lens shape boosts field of view by 25% compared to its popular spherical I/O MAG. And our testers backed that up, confirming that the curved lens shape makes it easier to pick up objects and action in their peripheral field of view.

Our California-based tester sampled the 4D MAG side by side with other top picks and reported back. "I realized I was making subconscious head movements to increase my field of view with other goggles. Those movements were much less frequent in the 4D MAG. It was easier, for instance, to locate a walkie talkie fastened to my shoulder strap or navigate waist-high willow branches at speed." He did note, however, that there was distracting distortion if he looked straight down at the more aggressively curved portion of the lens.

A Colorado-based tester—our hardest to please—appreciated the goggles' peripherals but felt the field of vision "didn't live up to the hype." He also commented that the lens shape caused a hotspot on his nose bridge, a problem he didn't experience with more traditionally shaped lenses. (Pro tip: Try goggles on with your helmet!)

Critiques aside, our hard-to-please tester loved Smith's MAG interchangeable lens system, which uses eight magnetic contact points and two locking points. The locking mechanisms give the 4D MAG a stronger connection between frame and lens than the Anon M4, but the lens system isn't as fast to swap out on the chairlift. Still, our test crew loved the light-filtering ChromaPop lenses, Smith's proprietary lens tech that boosts color, clarity and definition.

Versions: Smith 4D MAG S - Women's, Smith 4D MAG S Women's Low-Bridge Fit, Smith 4D MAG Low Bridge Fit

Sized for small to medium faces, the Anon WM1 is ideal for anyone searching for first-rate lenses and interchangeability tech in a more compact package. One tester who routinely struggles to find goggles that work for her smaller noggin' loved the WM1. "10/10 fit," she said. "I never had to adjust the fit for pressure points, and there was never a gap between my helmet and my goggles."

Like the tester-favorite Anon M4, the WM1's spherical Perceive lenses supply distinct, vibrant contrast and resounding clarity. "Crisp," summed up another tester, an adventure photographer who has a keen eye for optics. Treated with a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating, the lenses are also durable and defend against day-ruining scratches and vis-spoiling smudges.

While our tester appreciated the ease of the Magna-Tech lens interchangeability system, she struggled to change lenses while wearing the WM1. "The flexible frame would squish and compress, and I'd have to take my goggles off to fit the lens in," she said.

Like all Anon's Magna-Tech goggles, the WM1 is optimized for use with the brand's magnetic face masks and balaclavas. It comes with an included MFI neck gaiter, which our tester appreciated on cold days at the resort and deep days in the backcountry. While she acknowledged the steep price tag, she felt the face mask helped justify the outlay. "With two lenses and a face mask, that's a good deal to me," she said.

There are two main reasons we recommend cylindrical lens goggles: style and price. But those aren't the only alluring aspects of the Smith Squad MAG—optical quality, an easy lens interchangeability system, widespread helmet compatibility and more make this goggle a smart addition to any kit.

First, a bit about cylindrical goggles. Compared with spherical or toric lenses, which are curved across both the vertical and horizontal axes, cylindrical lenses are curved ear-to-ear but are flat brow-to-nose. Because of that, they're generally cheaper to manufacture. (We break down these lens types further below the reviews if you're interested in learning more). Our testers gave the Squad MAG a perfect score in the style department. They thought the cylindrical style had a more classic flair compared with spherical and toric lenses, which can look bug-eyed and futuristic. The large lenses and minimalistic, semi-frameless design—combined with a variety of strap options—make this Smith goggle "as clean as they come," according to one style-savvy snowboarder.

One knock on cylindrical lenses is that their flatness makes them more prone to distortion and optical imperfection. But our Tahoe-based lead tester, who has put multiple goggles to the test on slopes across U.S. and international destinations, felt the Squad MAG ranked with other heavy hitters in optics such as the Anon M4 Toric. "I mainly swapped between toric Anon goggles, spherical Smith I/O and the cylindrical Squad MAG run by run and day by day while testing. While those more curved lenses offer more optical perfection toward the peripherals, any distortion is minimal with the Squad MAG—you have to be looking for it," he said, nodding to the Smith tapered lens technology, which thins the cylindrical lenses toward the frame to minimize distortion. He continued: "The quality of the lens itself is fantastic." On that note, optically obsessed shredders will be stoked to learn the Squad MAG is available with the same top-of-the-line, color- and clarity-enhancing ChromaPop tech as the priciest, award-winning option from Smith. (Pro Tip: If you're looking for a more affordable option and love the Squad's style, forgo the MAG system and get a tried-and-true Squad for half the price.)

Style and price aren't the Squad MAG's only selling points either. Vents at the top integrate with brow vents found on Smith helmets to seamlessly boost airflow and minimize fogging while riding. That said, we did fog up these goggles while bootpacking on warm days. Still, the brow of the Squad is flat, allowing solid compatibility with several helmets like the Smith Method and Giro Grid Spherical Helmet, and rarely had issues with dreaded goggle gap. What's more, the three-layer foam is comfortable on the face, and the easily adjustable silicone-backed strap stays put on the helmet no matter how hard you're charging.

It's the interchangeable lens system, though, that makes the Squad a bargain in our book. Like the Magna-Tech® popularized by Anon, the Smith MAG interchangeable lens system relies on magnets to snap the lenses into place. But unlike the Anon system, Smith also uses two locking levers to provide a more secure fit. It isn't as quick, but our test team loved the additional sense of security while swapping lenses on chairlifts or on top of backcountry lines.

Versions Squad MAG ChromaPop Snow Goggles With gogglesoc - Low-Bridge Fit

Ski goggles aren’t just expensive—they’re also notoriously easy to scratch, damage or lose. If you’re constantly scratching expensive lenses, losing goggles on powder day yard sales or just looking to save up for exorbitantly priced burgers at the base lodge, these Goodr snow goggles offer incredible value at just $75 a pop. (For reference, a replacement lens for a high-end goggle can easily cost more than a pair of Goodr goggles.) And the Goodr goggles’ performance and tech are surprisingly solid given the price point.

Before we dive into the details, one important note: You’ll find several Goodr ski goggles available at REI. While these goggles have different offbeat names like Here for the Hot Toddies or Bunny Slope Dropout, they’re all the same in terms of sizing and specs. The difference is in the colorway and lens tint, but you can even swap lenses between goggles.

A goggle with a magnetic lens interchangeability system and two lenses at this price point is next-level value, and our testers were impressed. “I tested the darker tints on bright bluebird powder days in Tahoe, sending it off cliffs that required all of my focus, and Goodr’s cylindrical lenses performed well,” recounted our expert Tahoe-area snowboarder. He gave the goggles top marks for style as well, digging the low-profile, black-on-black Après All Day colorway.  

So what does $75 get you? A medium-sized frameless goggle with two anti-fog and anti-glare cylindrical lenses, one for bright conditions and another for low-light. The lens interchangeability system relies on magnets—a feature that stoked our test team from the jump. Our testers also found the goggle to be plush with a comfy foam liner that fits well against the face, and liked the adjustable, grippy, silicone-lined strap that keeps the goggles locked onto your helmet or beanie. The whole kit comes in a protective zippered case with a microfiber bag that doubles as a goggle wipe. 

Still, our tester who rides frequently found some aspects lacking. These budget goggles just can’t beat the contrast, clarity and crispness of higher-end lenses like the Smith 4D Mag, and he still prefers toric lenses, which come with a higher price tag. “The cylindrical Goodr goggles have a bit of optical distortion in the peripherals. They also seem to scratch a little easier,” he says. “But my biggest gripe is that the magnetic lens system is flimsier and less secure relative to others I tested.”

Our more intermediate tester, however, had concerns with goggle performance and loved the design, aesthetic and overall vibe. “They looked great with my kit—big-time style!”

Gear nerds who tally their ski days may want to skip these in favor of higher-performance goggles. But beginners, casual intermediates, budget-conscious skiers, families and others will find that the Goodrs are a stellar value option. Buy here.

Smith's offerings have always been a smash hit with the glasses gang, and the Reason OTG continues the tradition. Purposefully designed with prescription eyewear in mind, the Reason OTG sports a large, wide cylindrical lens and an accommodating, flexible, polyurethane frame.

While one tester noticed some pressure on the arms of her glasses, she liked that the Reason OTG fit easily over her chunkier frames. "If your glasses have a slimmer frame, you should be fine," she said.

Aside from eyewear compatibility, the most attractive aspect of the Reason OTG was the reasonable price tag. Testers found the Carbonic-X lenses decent—they're not on par with Smith's top-of-the-line ChromaPop featured on the 4D MAG—but contrast and clarity were on point. "Durability was solid, too," commented another tester after misplacing the Reason OTG's goggle bag on a road trip, only to get their goggles home unscathed.

Oakley goggles often retail for close to $200, so snagging a pair for around $100 is a bargain that understandably had our testers asking, "What's the catch?" Not much, according to our crew, who wore the Target Line in the Wasatch and Sierra ranges and found that the compromise was, in fact, minimal.

At this price point, you get a low-profile, flat-browed, flexible frame padded with triple-layer foam that's "comfortable and compatible with most helmets," reported one of our testers.

Oakley keeps costs low on the Target Line by offering a relatively basic lens. You won't find Prizm™ lens tech—Oakley's premium optic option found in other tester-beloved favorites like the popular Flight Deck and cylindrical Line Miner. Instead, the Target Line features a less expensive but still highly capable Plutonite lens. The dark gray anti-fog dual Plutonite lens that we tested provides defense against UV rays, didn't fog up during testing, and even exceeded expectations in sunny conditions.

The classic cylindrical lens, lean frame and silicone-lined strap stamped with the classic "O" logo deliver the style we expect from Oakley. Speaking of aesthetics, testers appreciated the Target Line's monotonic colorways. "The black-on-black style had a fly-under-the-radar vibe to it that I really dug, but there are brighter options if you want to add flash to your kit," wrote one freestyle-oriented fashionista.

A tester who owns and loves a pair of Oakley Line Miners with a dark Prizm™ lens was impressed by the quality of the Target Line. "I expected a dramatic step down in quality ... I'm a bit optics-obsessive and found myself comparing these goggles side by side [with my Line Miners] in the resort parking lot one day, and while I noticed the difference, you have to be actively looking for it," they said.

You won't find a second lens when you unbox the Target Line, and while you can replace lenses, it's not a chairlift-friendly process. With this in mind, testers recommended the Target Line for folks who are building a kit from scratch or already own one pair of goggles and are looking for a second.

Frame size: Small, Medium and Large