Every snowmobile rider emphasizes the importance of snowmobile goggles. They protect the eyes and face of the riders from cold winds and snow. Frosty winds can cause dryness in the eyes leading to discomfort. Sunlight on a well-lit day can be blinding on snow. Snowmobile goggles protect the eyes from these natural elements and must be an essential part of every rider’s gear.
How to Select the Best Snowmobile Goggles?
Given the variety of snowmobile goggles available in the market, choosing the best one can be tricky. There are a few basic things that you must look for in snowmobile goggles. They can aid you in picking the right one for your sled adventures.
Frame Design
The design of the frame is the primary thing to consider when choosing the best snowmobile goggles. It should fit your face snuggly without wobbling around or causing discomfort. The frame must be lightweight and slightly flexible without sacrificing strength. Rigid frames are not only irritating but can break easily. You may want the ability to switch the lenses if you ride regularly. Snowmobile goggle frames are available in different sizes that will suit men, women, and children. You may purchase one according to your face and requirements.
High-quality TPU frame designs are quite popular. They are soft, flexible, and impact-resistant, and this makes them better equipped for absorbing shocks. You can also consider frameless snowmobile goggles for their sleek designs and lightweight convenience. They are less bulky than framed goggles and offer a comparatively wider field of vision. Frameless goggles usually have impact-rated lenses to make up for the missing support of a frame.
A good frame structure should enable quick lens replacement, and this depends on your goggle’s lens change system. There are various magnetic lens change supports and interchangeable systems to quickly replace the lenses. You can buy different color tints to suit your snowmobiling environments and change the lenses as you like. A popular lens change system is the Slide-Lock technology to easily release and replace your goggle lenses. This comes in handy during bright-to-low light transitions throughout your journey.
Visibility/Optical Quality
An essential thing to look for in snowmobile goggles is their optical quality. It depends primarily on their design and the quality of lenses used. They should ideally have a wide and open frame that does not hinder your vision. Their lenses should offer superior visibility without impairing your vision. The amount of light that can pass through them (expressed as VLT or Visible Light Transmission rating) should suit the weather conditions. Snowmobile goggles with a lower VLT rating are ideal for sunny conditions, while higher VLT ratings are suitable for low-light conditions.
Ideal visibility can be achieved with frameless designs, as there is no bulky frame to obscure your side vision. The shape of your goggle’s lenses is also an important factor. Oversized lenses that are more spherical tend to offer maximum visibility and clarity. The best snowmobile goggles promote a clear peripheral vision through a 180-degree panoramic view. Another method to reduce visual obstacles is to tackle glare issues from the sunlight – and polarized lenses are the way to, as discussed below.
UV Protection
UV Protection is an important characteristic to consider in snowmobile goggles. At higher altitudes, the atmosphere is clean because of which the sun shines with higher intensity. The white snow further increases the severity of the sunrays. It can not only be blinding, but the UV rays can damage the eyes as well. Therefore, it becomes important to shield your eyes using snowmobile goggles with UV protection. They should be capable of effectively blocking UVA and UVB rays. The lenses should also come with a mirror finish to reduce the glare from sunlight as well as the snow.
Anti-Fog Mechanism
The biggest hindrance in using snowmobile goggles is fog. If the temperature on the goggles’ inner side is significantly higher than the environmental temperature, it will cause fogging of its lenses. Your vision will be impaired, posing a risk to you and others. There are a few ways that manufacturers prevent fogging in snowmobile goggles. They ensure that the goggles have adequate vents for air circulation. Also, the best snowmobile goggles come with an anti-fog coating in addition to vents. Snowmobile goggles with dual-pane lenses are better at eliminating fog. There are a few heated goggles also available that use batteries for tackling fog. Snowmobilers should opt for snowmobile goggles that have an anti-fog coating along with vents.
Anti-fog and visibility features can overlap because they are so interrelated. Goggles with no fog build-up will provide the best visibility. For this reason, a proper anti-fog mechanism is a crucial safety precaution. It helps you see clearly if you are snowmobiling at high speeds. Anti-fog technologies like those mentioned above are either lens treatments in the form of coatings or built-in systems such as battery-operated heating. The goal is to cut down moisture and improve airflow in your snowmobile goggles – without slowing you down.
Comfort Level
Riders must consider the comfort level of snowmobile goggles while they are purchasing one. They will wear them for extended durations and should not face any discomfort. An irritating pair of glasses can be distracting and take the fun out of their snowmobile adventure. The goggles must come with adequate padding around the frame so that they are comfortable to wear for extended durations. Their strap should have a decent width so that it is snug and does not slip. They must have sufficient ventilation and keep you cool. If you wear prescription glasses, then you may want to purchase snowmobile glasses that can accommodate them.
These are known as over-the-glass (OTG) goggles, and you can wear them comfortably over your prescription glasses. Apart from glasses, you might need to consider helmet compatibility as well.
Ideal comfort also depends on goggle ergonomics. Most snowmobile goggles are available in standard sizes and can be adjusted using flexible straps, buckles, sliders, etc. So, adjustability is an important comfort metric! You will need extra-long straps to accommodate your snowmobile helmet, wide straps to customize the right fit, and some padded support to fit your face snugly. Some brands have built-in nose guards in their goggles, which is a very snowmobile-friendly idea. Frame padding, nose guards, and face foam are different options to protect your skin against frostbite. They also increase ventilation by wicking away moisture, so make sure to look for descriptions such as quick-dry fleece or triple-stage foam.
Snowmobile goggles are prone to scratches, especially if stored carelessly with other heavy gear. Buying an anti-scratch-coated pair will definitely go the extra mile. You should also consider those goggles that come with a storage case, so you can store the goggles without damaging them. It is an easy way to let your goggles last longer without needing frequent lens replacements.
10 Best Snowmobile Goggles – 2022
There are different types of snowmobile goggles available for purchase. They are made of different materials and boast of different features. If you are a rider searching for the right goggles, then here are the ten best snowmobile goggles recommended for you.
10. Outdoor Master OTG Goggles
If you are looking for snowmobile goggles that provide excellent protection without costing a premium and can be used with prescription glasses, then consider the Outdoor Master OTG goggle. It has a dual-layer lens that comes with an anti-fog coating to prevent condensation. The lens is designed for optical clarity while protecting your eyes from harmful rays of sunlight by ensuring 100% UV protection. Its frame is made of TPU for sturdiness and flexibility and has enough room for accommodating glasses underneath. Dual adjustment buckles at the rear of its strap allow you to customize the fitting. The goggles can also be worn along with a helmet.
9. Bolle Mojo Snow Goggle
The Bolle Mojo is a great choice for casual riders who are looking for the best snowmobile goggles. It features a dual-pane lens with an anti-fog layer to prevent condensation and fogging. Its UV protection shields your eyes from the sun by blocking UVA and UVB rays. The design is based on the Flow-Tech venting system for ample air circulation. It facilitates a crystal clear vision of the terrain enabling you to concentrate on the trail. Overall, the Bolle Mojo snow goggle is a value for money offering that comes packed with features and is priced economically.
8. Klim Oculus Goggles
The Klim Oculus goggle is one of the best snowmobile goggles for riders who prioritize visibility. It comes with an additional lens in the package that enables you to change the stock lens on the fly according to the light conditions. Its Slide-Lock technology makes it easy to switch between the lenses quickly. A case is provided that allows you to carry up to two additional lenses (you can purchase the third lens optionally). The goggle features the Clear anti-fog technology and ensures excellent air circulation for preventing condensation. The Klim Oculus goggles are an excellent choice for snowmobile riders who don’t want to compromise on visibility.
7. Castle Eyewear Stage OTG Snowmobile Goggles
The Castle Eyewear Stage OTG is a great option for riders who are searching for the best snowmobile goggles. Its polyurethane frame is lightweight and flexible and has triple-stage foam with quick-drying fleece to keep the face dry. A nose guard further protects the face from cold winds and snow. The dual-pane mirrored lens provides excellent visibility and has an anti-fog coating to prevent condensation. It is scratch resistant, and you don’t have to worry about blemishes. You can substitute the lens with available replacements. Its silicon beaded strap keeps the goggles in place even during bumpy rides.
6. Smith Optics Squad Snow Goggles
Smith Optic’s Squad Snow goggle is a superb offering from the brand. It comes with a cylindrical carbonic-x lens and a Fog-X anti-fog inner lens for ensuring maximum visibility in different conditions. The strap of the goggle has a large width and silicon back for enhancing comfort. It features a dual-slider that enables you to adjust its fitting. Its DriWix foam has two layers to keep the face dry. The Squad goggle can be worn with helmets and is available in male and female variants.
5. FXR Maverick Goggle
The FXR Maverick Goggle is the latest addition to FXR’s product range. It features the Clearidium polycarbonate single lens with anti-fog technology. The pre-curved lens enhances the field of vision by 15% over standard lenses and is free from distortion. The Pilot Goggle 19 also comes with an additional Clearidium dual Anti-Fog clear lens. Both lenses have an anti-scratch coating and are UV resistant. The goggle has a soft frame with triple-density face foam for enhancing the comfort of the wearer. The face fabric employed in its construction wicks moisture and keeps you dry. Its strap has triple silicon grips to prevent it from slipping and ensuring nothing interrupts your adventure.
4. Scott Unlimited II OTG Goggles
The Unlimited II OTG variant from Scott is one of the best snowmobile goggles for riders who wear prescription glasses. It has been designed to accommodate glasses without compromising on comfort or performance. It features spherical OptiView double lens with Amplifier Lens Technology for improving contrast and clarity. The lens is light sensitive and adjusts according to sunlight’s intensity while providing 100% UV protection. It is treated with NoFog technology for preventing condensation and ensuring clear visibility. The goggles have a two-layer molded face foam and no-slip silicon strap for a perfect fit.
3. FXR Core Electric Goggle
FXR’s Core Electric Goggle is among the best snowmobile goggles for frosty weather. It has an electric heated lens powered by 12V jack on the snowmobile. The dual pane non-vented lens prevents fog buildup irrespective of the weather conditions. It is impact resistant and coated with anti-scratch and UV blocking materials. The Core Goggle has triple-density contoured face foam that wicks moisture for keeping the face dry. Its strap comes with triple silicone grips for a perfect fit while the nose piece is removable. The FXR Core Electric Goggle is an ideal fit for riders who love exploring the backcountry.
2. 509 Black Fire Kingpin Goggle
The 509 Black Fire Kingpin Goggle is among the best snowmobile goggles for extreme weather conditions. It features the dual-lens technology that eliminates fogging, and includes premium anti-fog and anti scratch coatings. In addition like all 509 Kingpin Goggles it includes “Quick change” lens technology – with a quick rotation of the lenses you can quickly swap them for a new color. All 509 goggles are specifically made to fit perfectly with a 509 snowmobile helmet.
1. Smith Optics I/OX Goggles
The I/OX Smith Optics goggle is a great option for enthusiast riders searching for the best snowmobile goggles in the premium category. It comes with performance lenses that are designed for bright and low light conditions. A quick release strap system allows you to the switch between the lenses. The AirEvac technology and 5X anti-fog lens prevents condensation and minimizes fogging. Its TLT technology and Porex filter ensure wide peripheral vision and crystal-clear visibility without any optical distortion. The I/OX goggles have been designed to be used with helmets and feature a QuickFit strap for a perfect fitting.