"What brand of snowboard goggles should I choose?"
What is the difference in function and design?
For those of you who feel this way, this article will introduce how to choose snowboard goggles and introduce a ranking of the top 10 recommended brands.
It provides detailed explanations of points you should know before purchasing, such as the characteristics of each brand, lens types, and fit, so you'll be able to find the goggles that suit you after reading.
The importance and basic functions of snowboard goggles
The slopes are an extraordinary space, and to get the most out of it, and to enjoy snowboarding safely, it is essential to wear goggles.
Sunglasses are not enough because snowfall and strong winds often obstruct your vision, and if you ski without goggles, snow and wind will get into your eyes, increasing the risk of falling or going off course.
You become more susceptible to these effects as you ski faster, but wearing goggles can help you avoid many of these risks.
Also, at snowy mountains such as ski resorts, the ultraviolet rays are strong and if you wear them with the naked eye, you may get sunburn, a condition known as snow blindness.
For this reason, goggles with UV protection are recommended.
There are also a variety of features to ensure visibility, which is essential for a comfortable and safe snowboarding experience regardless of the weather or time of day.
Therefore, choosing goggles is not just an accessory, but an important decision for enjoying snowboarding safely.
How to Choose Snowboard Goggles for Beginners to Intermediate Snowboarders
For beginner to intermediate snowboarders, we recommend goggles with a visible light transmittance of around 50% that can be used in a variety of weather conditions.
Visible light transmittance indicates the amount of light that enters the eye through the lens; the higher this number, the brighter the lens.
These lenses, with a transmittance of around 50%, are suitable for both sunny and cloudy days, ensuring a comfortable field of vision in a variety of lighting conditions.
However, if you plan to ski at night, a product with high visible light transmittance and a clear base lens color is recommended.
As the lens characteristics required for daytime and night skiing differ, it is important to choose the appropriate goggles for the time of day.
By taking these points into consideration when choosing your goggles, you can enjoy snowboarding regardless of the weather.
Please refer to the article below for more information on how to choose.
Top 10 recommended snowboard goggles! Introducing the best value for money goggles
Top 10 recommended snowboard goggle brands
Here is a ranking of recommended snowboard goggle brands.
- OWL Optical - A popular goggle brand from Aomori Prefecture
- Oakley - Innovative design and cutting-edge technology
- Smith - High-performance lenses and a comfortable fit
- Swans - Trusted quality and style from Japan
- Electric - Stylish design
- Dragon - Frameless model for a clear view
- Anon - Innovative Magnetic Lens Change System
- POC - Designed for safety and functionality
- adidas - Combining sports performance and fashion
- VonZipper - A trendy brand popular among young people
- Giro - High technology and a wide range
Each detail is explained below.
OWL Optical - A popular goggle brand from Aomori Prefecture
Vent, created by Owl Optical, a goggle brand from Aomori Prefecture, features a unique one-touch ventilation function called the Vent System.
The lens can be easily flipped forward with one hand, physically releasing trapped heat and humidity, instantly restoring clear vision even on a lift or hiking uphill.
▼Ventilation
The lenses are also equipped with photochromic lenses, which automatically adjust their tint to suit the weather . They reduce glare on sunny days and ensure clear, bright vision on cloudy or snowy days. Even in the changeable mountain weather, you can keep skiing comfortably all day long with just one pair of glasses, without the hassle of changing lenses.
"Foreign brands leave gaps around the nose..." This is one of the things we are proud of: our "JAPAN FIT" design, which is perfectly tailored to the bone structure of Japanese people who have this problem. The high-density sponge gently fits to your face, and the roomy design means you can wear them even over glasses (OTG compatible).
The back of the belt is treated with anti-slip silicone, so it won't slip off even when worn over a helmet or beanie.
Furthermore, these goggles are currently attracting a lot of attention, having achieved the highest total amount of support purchases ever in a ski/snowboard related project on the crowdfunding site Makuake. 
This is a perfect companion for those who never want to have to worry about cloudy weather again.
Oakley - Innovative design and cutting-edge technology
Oakley is a sports and lifestyle brand founded in the United States in 1975, and is particularly renowned in the field of sports eyewear.
With nearly 600 patents, Oakley is widely recognized for its innovative designs and cutting-edge technology in the world of snowboard goggles.
It features a lens that enhances contrast, allowing you to clearly capture the unevenness of the snow surface.
This allows snowboarders to instantly grasp the condition of the slopes and enjoy themselves safely and comfortably.
Another great feature of Oakley goggles is that they can be used in a wide range of lighting conditions, from sunny days to cloudy days and snow, so there is no need to change lenses, ensuring visibility in any weather.
Oakley goggles are used by charismatic snowboarders such as Shaun White and talented young Japanese snowboarder Tomoki Kadono, and many top athletes wore Oakley goggles at the Sochi Olympics.
Japan Fit frames and lenses are designed to fit the head shapes and facial contours of Japanese people, providing a comfortable fit and a wide field of view, and are highly rated by many users.
Oakley goggles combine stylish design with functionality, making them one of the best choices for snowboarding enthusiasts.
Smith - High-performance lenses and a comfortable fit
Smith is a long-established brand of ski goggles that was founded in the United States in 1965.
With a history of over half a century, the brand is highly regarded by snowboarders for its high-performance lenses and comfortable fit.
Smith goggles are particularly known for their ChromaPop lenses, which enhance contrast and enhance color, allowing you to see the unevenness of the snow surface more clearly.
This enables smoother turns and early detection of dangers, improving safety.
Smith goggles also come in models that come with two lenses, one for sunny days and one for cloudy days, allowing you to choose the lens depending on the weather.
It also has excellent functionality, such as a pivot system that makes lens replacement easy and an anti-fog inner lens that prevents fogging.
These technologies provide clear vision without distortion even with curved lenses, and the wide range of lens colors available is also one of the reasons for Smith's popularity.
Swans - Trusted quality and style from Japan
Swans is a sports eyewear brand from Japan known for its trusted quality and style.
Established in 1972 by Yamamoto Kogaku, which was founded in Osaka in 1911, the brand has a history of over 100 years and offers a wide range of products including snow goggles, swimming goggles and sports sunglasses.
It also features double lenses with anti-fog coating, making it less likely to fog up and providing clear visibility.
In addition, some models are equipped with a micro turbo fan that activates when the humidity inside the goggles becomes high, effectively expelling moisture from inside the goggles and preventing your glasses from fogging up.
The design is tailored to the shape of Japanese faces, and is characterized by its excellent fit, known as Japan fit.
This brand is loved by many snowboarders for its quality and fit that only a long-established Japanese manufacturer can offer.
Electric - Stylish design
Electric is a fashion brand that was founded in California in 2000 and is known for its stylish designs.
Specifically, the company offers items specialized for sports and outdoor activities, such as sunglasses, sports goggles, and helmets, and snowboard goggles in particular are known for their wide field of view.
By minimizing the frame and increasing the lens surface area, a wide field of view is ensured.
It also has an anti-reflective coating to help reduce eye fatigue.
Electric goggles include models with easily interchangeable lenses, allowing you to choose a pair based on your skill level.
Another attractive feature is the wide variety of designs, making it a popular brand for gifts.
Dragon - Frameless model for a clear view
Dragon is a sports eyewear brand founded in California in 1993, and is particularly well-known for its snowboard goggles.
It combines ergonomic design with lenses that provide high visibility, safety, and durability, making it popular with snowboarders around the world.
Dragon goggles are particularly popular for their frameless models, which offer a wide and clear field of view.
It also features Super Anti-Fog 2.0, which provides twice the anti-fog effect of conventional lenses.
Dragon uses Japan lenses that have been improved for the Japanese market and Asian fit sponges, and is made to fit the shape of Japanese faces.
This provides a comfortable fit even when worn all day.
Anon - Innovative Magnetic Lens Change System
Anon is a brand developed by Burton, which was founded in the United States in 1977, and offers fashionable, high-quality items, mainly snowboard goggles and helmets.
The brand is also popular among snowboarders, and is particularly known for its goggles that feature the innovative Magna-Tech (quick lens change technology).
Magna-Tech uses strong magnets to easily attach and remove lenses, allowing you to quickly change to the appropriate lens in response to sudden changes in weather or ambient brightness.
Additionally, some Anon goggles come with a face mask that attaches magnetically.
This face mask can quickly cover your face as the temperature and weather change, and it stays in place even during intense movements, making it comfortable and safe while snowboarding.
In this way, Anon goggles are highly rated for their ease of use and high functionality.
POC - Designed for safety and functionality
POC is a cutting-edge brand founded in Sweden in 2005, developing products with designs that emphasize safety and functionality.
In particular, the company is supported by many users for its high-quality products such as helmets, goggles, sunglasses, and protectors.
Specifically, the frame design and lens optical performance have been optimized to improve visibility in different lighting conditions and protect your eyes from the elements in nature.
This allows for excellent visibility in both sunny and cloudy weather, allowing you to enjoy snowboarding in comfort.
Another attractive feature of POC goggles is their fashionable design.
There is a wide range of lens, frame and belt colors available, so you can choose one that matches your outfit.
As such, the brand has become popular among women due to its safety and high design quality.
adidas - Combining sports performance and fashion
Adidas was founded in Germany in 1924 and is a global sports brand that offers a wide range of sports shoes, apparel, and related items.
When it comes to snowboard goggles, Adidas leverages its long history and deep understanding of sports performance to offer products that combine fashion and functionality.
Adidas snowboard goggles come in a wide range of designs and are popular among those who want to enjoy snowboarding as a fashion accessory.
The fire red mirror lenses in particular stand out on snowy mountains with their vivid color, accentuating your style.
The simple and cool flat lens model has double lenses that prevent fogging and ensure a wide field of view, making it suitable for advanced users.
Adidas goggles combine the functionality and style that snowboarders demand, making them a recommended item that will enhance your snowboarding experience.
VonZipper - A trendy brand popular among young people
VonZipper is a brand that was founded in California in 2000, and offers a wide range of products, including sunglasses, goggles, fashion accessories, and apparel.
It is especially popular among young people and is characterized by its stylish design.
It has many fans among foreign celebrities and famous people, and is popular with people seeking trendy style.
VonZipper goggles are as functional as they are fashionable.
There is a wide variety of lens and frame colors and belt designs available, so you can choose one to match your snowboard wear and board.
This makes it a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys snowboarding as a fashion accessory.
There are also spherical lens goggles that provide a wide field of view, and are recommended for snowboarders of a wide range of skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders.
Giro - High technology and a wide range
Giro is a helmet and goggle brand originating from the West Coast of the United States, offering products equipped with the latest technology.
In particular, the VIVID lens, developed in collaboration with ZEISS, a world authority in the field of optics, is a patented product for Giro goggles.
These lenses reduce eye strain on the snow by enhancing contrast and clarity, and they filter out harmful UV rays while letting in only blue light.
This allows you to clearly see your line and enjoy snowboarding in comfort and safety.
In terms of design, it also goes well with helmets and features a design that makes it look like the goggles are integrated into the helmet.
How to maintain and store your snowboard goggles
We will introduce how to maintain and store your snowboard goggles.
- How to maintain your goggles
- Long-term storage methods and precautions
Each detail is explained below.
How to maintain your goggles
Goggle lenses are delicate, so maintaining your snowboard goggles is very important if you plan on using them for a long time.
For example, when wiping the lenses, avoid using tissue or clothing; use a special goggle cloth.
Be especially careful with mirrored lenses, as scratches are easily noticeable.
It is important to wipe off any moisture on the lens gently with a tissue, without applying too much pressure.
The inside of the goggle lenses are also more delicate because they are coated.
Only wipe it lightly with a cloth if you are concerned about dirt, and be careful not to get the inside dirty on a regular basis.
If there is any stubborn dirt, moisten the lens with a damp cloth and then wipe it off with a dry cloth.
If snow containing yellow sand or salt gets on your car, rinse it off thoroughly with water and wipe off the crystals.
After you're done skiing, it's important to take your goggles back to your room and dry them thoroughly.
Be careful not to leave your goggles wet in a car or case, as this can damage the lenses and frame.
Long-term storage methods and precautions
Special care must be taken when storing snowboard goggles for long periods of time.
Most importantly, store your goggles in a hard case.
This will prevent the frame from warping or being damaged by pressure.
It is also important to thoroughly dry your goggles after the season ends.
Please do not wipe with a rag or towel, but gently wipe with a special cloth, as this may remove the mirror coating from the lens.
To further protect your goggles from moisture, it's a good idea to place a desiccant inside the hard case.
For off-season storage, a box-type hard case is ideal.
If you store your goggles in their cloth cases, they may be crushed by other items or the frame or sponge may become distorted.
Also, washing the frame with water should be avoided as this can damage the sponge.
Depending on the brand, lenses may be washable, but even in those cases, it is important to dry them thoroughly after cleaning and wipe off any excess dirt before storing them.
Summary of snowboard goggle brands
We have once again summarized the recommended brands of snowboard goggles.
- Oakley - Innovative design and cutting-edge technology
- Smith - High-performance lenses and a comfortable fit
- Swans - Trusted quality and style from Japan
- Electric - Stylish design
- Dragon - Frameless model for a clear view
- Anon - Innovative Magnetic Lens Change System
- POC - Designed for safety and functionality
- adidas - Combining sports performance and fashion
- VonZipper - A trendy brand popular among young people
- Giro - High technology and a wide range
The brand you choose will depend on whether you want to enjoy snowboarding in style or simply improve your snowboarding skills, so let's first clarify that point.
After that, consider the functionality, design, safety, popularity, etc. of each brand, find the goggles that suit your style, and enjoy your snowboarding life.