A spheric mirrored snowboard goggle closeup

Goggles
Buyer's Guide

Don't get caught unprepared! The weather in the mountains can be extreme, between the brightest sunshine and a complete whiteout. You always want to see clearly - That's where your goggles come in. Have a look through our guide to find the perfect pair.

Chapter 1

Which lens for the conditions?

The lens is the most important part of the goggle. The right lens is tailored to increase contrast in the right conditions. However, not every lens is for every situation. At Blue-Tomato we distinguish between goggles for the amount of visible light (VLT) they allow through and their designated conditions. Take note of the weather you most frequently snowboard in and pick a lens accordingly.

Different
conditions

Very sunny - 3-8 % VLT

The brightest sun, often found when you’re riding on glaciers or long sunny days at the end of the season. These lenses are usually very dark or heavily mirrored.

Chapter 2

What if I don't know which conditions I will be riding in?

If you're not sure which conditions you will be riding frequently in there are a couple of different options for you. You can get for a goggle with two sets of lenses and even a quick-change system. You could also consider a photochromatic lens or an Oakley PRIZM goggle which works across a wider spectrum of conditions

Bonus lens – Double the Fun

With such a variety of conditions which you can find on the mountain, the demands on your goggles can be entirely different. For this reason, we have goggles with multiple sets of lenses. When the conditions change, just swap out the lenses.

Both lenses from the Anon M3 with a quick-change system

Pro Advice

I always take a spare lens because the weather can change in an instant

Oli

Product Content

Oakley PRIZM

Oakley pioneered PRIZM through a comprehensive study of light. PRIZM lenses filter out blue light and work to enhance contrast boosting colours. PRIZM goggles work across broader light conditions than traditional lenses. Oakley is not the only company working on light science to improve your day. Smith released their ChromaPop™ goggles, Dragon has its Lumalens and Anon has worked with ZEISS optics to develop Sonar lenses for their goggles.

I always ride with Oakley PRIZM goggles, they’re great for variable conditions

Chapter 3

Spherical Vs Cylindrical - goggle tech

There are two shapes of lenses which goggles can have - cylindrical or spherical. The two lenses look very different but function similarly. As well as the shape of the lens we can also look how the lens is made and how it keeps fog away.

Lens
features

Spherical

Curved on two axes for the most precise vision. As the lens more closely matches the curvature of the eye, there is less optical distortion. Spherical goggles are often the premium models which have the top clarity, peripheral vision and no distortion.

Chapter 4

What if my goggles fog up?

If your goggle does fog up, don’t panic! Take a break in a mountain café then bash off all the snow from the frame and take the lens out. Please resist wiping the inner lens. This will damage the anti-fog coating. Get some air between the lenses and dry out the frame as best as you can. Once the fog has cleared put the lens back in the frame and you should be good to go.

Our tipps for a fog-free life:

Choose the right size for your face - there shouldn't be any gaps between frame and face.
Pair your goggles with a well-ventilated helmet that fits with your goggles.
Keep the goggle vents free from snow and material (beanie, cap or hood).
Never put your goggles on the helmet. Water will get in and then (you guess it) fog up.
Don't wipe the inner lens. It damages the anti-fog coating.

Chapter 5

Which goggle size is best for me?

As there are different sizes of faces, there are different sizes of goggles. You should have a good idea of how big your own face is. If you go for a goggle which is too big you can have gaps between your face and the goggle, particularly around the nose. If you go for a too small goggle you can have pressure points.

Find
your size

Medium goggles

Medium is the most common size for goggles. A medium sized goggle will fit most faces and with most helmets comfortably. A lot of riders find this size 'Just right'.

Pro Advice

I use a specific women’s model which fits perfectly with my face

Anna Gasser

#bluetomatoteam

Chapter 6

OTG frames and other details

The frame holds everything together. So let’s have a closer look at it. High-quality frames are rigid enough to keep the lens in place but still comfortable. There are frames which fit over your prescription glasses and goggles with stripped back frameless designs which give an even wider view.

Over The Glasses goggles

If you wear glasses, it is important to find a pair of goggles with a frame which accommodates your prescription eyewear. Over The Glasses (OTG) goggles fit over the glasses with discreet notches at the temples and an oversized fit.

How do I make sure my goggles fit with my helmet?

If you wear a helmet it is vital to make sure that everything fits together. As mentioned earlier a large or oversized goggle might have problems with a helmet if you have a smaller face. One way to make sure that the goggle and helmet fit together is to buy from the same brand. Smith, Oakley, Anon and POC all make goggles and helmets which fit together seamlessly, with matching contours and vents.