If I were to make a guess, I’d say you’re a glasses wearer and snow enthusiast! Welcome! If you’re like me, you’ve struggled with your vision when it comes to wearing your snow goggles. I have good news: I’m here to help! I’m going to tell you about your options in over-the-glasses goggles, but I also want to make sure that you know there is an even better option available to you. It’s an option that has changed the game for me and I’m hoping it could for you as well!
OTG Goggles and Beyond!
1. Over Glasses Goggles
2. Prescription Goggle Inserts
3. OTG Ski Goggles List
3.1. Smith IO Mag XL
3.2. Zeal Optics Lookout
3.3. Anon M4 Toric
3.4. 100% Norg
3.5. Giro Lusi
3.6. Anon Relapse Jr. MFI
3.7. Smith Grom
Over Glasses Goggles
When you’re an everyday glasses wearer like I am, you rely on your glasses to get you through everything. This hinders your skiing or snowboarding experience because unfortunately, prescription goggles aren't really a thing. Well, goggles with your prescription in the shield are not really a thing. So, your options are either contacts or wearing your glasses inside your goggle. (Well, there is another option, but we’ll get to that next) If contacts work for you, then fantastic - don’t fix what isn’t broken. Since you’re here reading this, I’m betting contacts are not an option that works for you. That is where OTG goggles come in. OTG stands for over-the-glasses. Some brands consider glasses wearers and alter the design of their goggles to be compatible with glasses being stuffed in them. Typically, that means a wider goggle for better clearance, cutouts in the foam, or a void under that foam that allows the temples of your glasses to push into the foam more easily. As you might imagine, these designs can have functional disadvantages like gaps in the foam where snow can get through. This could be either because of compatibility with your particular frames or, perhaps, because the goggle is wider than your face. But this is your only option, so you have to just live with it, right? Not anymore! Let me introduce you to prescription goggle inserts!
Prescription Goggle Inserts
There’s a better option! A prescription goggle insert is a frame chassis with no temples that holds your prescription lenses and sits securely inside the goggle. At SportRx, we design and make our own insert models to make sure you get the best-fitting insert for not just your goggles, but also your prescription. The beauty of the insert can’t be summed up by only one benefit. Here is a list of the most important benefits of prescription goggle inserts:
- Optical Clarity
- A large field of vision means minimal distraction and better visibility.
- Anti-Fog Performance
- The insert sits in the venting channel of the goggle to take full advantage of the air circulation, thus cutting down on fogging.
- You can get the insert made with a permanent anti-fog coating to get the best anti-fog performance.
- The insert sits farther from the face than eyeglasses, so it’s farther away from the moisture and heat source that is your face.
- Comfort
- You don’t have any eyewear touching your face except soft goggle foam.
- You can get the goggle that fits you best, not just whatever is available in OTG.
- Convenience
- You don’t have to fuss with glasses. You just leave your insert in your winter bag with the rest of your kit.
- Once the insert is in the goggle, you won’t have to worry about adjusting anything in the goggle.
- Investment Protection
- This one is probably less obvious until you think about it. Glasses are not cheap! If you were to take a tumble and your glasses broke, you would have to replace your glasses - probably out of pocket because insurance usually covers only one pair every year or two.
- If your glasses were to break and you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that you’ve been planning for three years, how are you going to be able to get around without your source for functional vision?
- Goggle Selection
- You’re not limited to only OTG options! You can choose what fits your style best and get whatever lens tech you want!
Obviously, I’m a huge fan of our goggle inserts. As I mentioned at the beginning, it was a game-changer for me. It has made it so that my vision is no longer a limiting factor on the mountain. Now that you know so much more about the inserts and that you can get just about any goggle - not just over-the-glass goggles - you might benefit from tips on how to buy ski & snowboarding goggles.
OTG Ski Goggles List
I said I would give you a list of the best OTG ski goggles and I’m a man of my word! You cannot go wrong with any of these options. By the way, all of these also work amazingly well with our inserts! : )
For Adults:
SMITH IO Mag XL
SMITH I/O MAG XL Snow Goggle with Black Strap and ChromaPop Sun Red Mirror Lens
SHOP SMITH IO MAG XL
This goggle is so popular that SMITH makes it in three sizes! The IO Series has a long, enjoyed history in the SMITH catalog. It is a spherical goggle with amazing visibility available with all Chromapop™ lens options. The Mag version means it’s finally easy to swap lenses, which is great because the goggle comes with two lenses: one for brighter conditions and another for snowy/cloudy conditions. It is incredibly helmet-compatible - the only one on the list with the QuickFit strap system with a clip. It boasts great anti-fog performance thanks to their 5X™ anti-fog inner lens. If you’re not a large head size, the IO Mag is also available in medium and small.
Learn more about the SMITH IO Mag
Zeal Optics Lookout
Zeal Optics Lookout in Dark Night with Automatic+ RB Lens
SHOP ZEAL OPTICS LOOKOUT
Zeal is a goggle company that doesn’t get as much love as it deserves. The Lookout offers unrivaled visibility thanks to Zeal’s Observation Deck™ design that prioritizes your visual field for down-the-mountain views. An easy lens swap mechanism called the Rail Lock System™ allows you to easily equip the perfect lens for any light conditions. A rimless, cylindrical design, the Zeal Lookout allows you to see better and ride more confidently. The Lookout is a medium fit.
Learn more about the Zeal Optics Lookout
Anon M4 Toric
Anon M4 Toric MFI in Black with PERCEIVE Variable Blue Lens
SHOP ANON M4 TORIC
The Anon M4 has been my favorite snow goggle since its release a few seasons back. Of course, I wear mine with my insert, but this goggle is designed to be over-the-glasses compatible as well. Anon boasts the easiest interchange design on the market with 18 rare-earth magnets holding the lens to the goggle and in a toric lens shape. I could go on and on about this goggle, but I want to make sure you at least know a few key features. You get a bonus low-light lens, both with Anon’s PERCEIVE lens tech, a lens case to keep the bonus lens safe in your pocket, and their Modular Face Mask Integration (MFI). This goggle is an incredible value and one you won’t regret. The M4 is good for a medium to large fit.
Learn more about the M4 Toric.
100% Norg
100 Norg in Essential Black with HiPER® Vermillion w/Red ML Mirror
SHOP 100% NORG
The newest addition to the snow goggle space is the Norg! 100% has earned a well-deserved and respectable tenure in the MX world, recently in the sunglass world, and now they’re finally showing up in the ski goggle world! They’re starting off on the right foot with the Norg. Sharing silhouette aesthetics with their MX goggle line, you get a fully rimless cylindrical lens shape, uniquely bezeled edge design with a seamless, flared nose bridge that functions as a nose guard. Pulling from their HiPER® color-enhancing tint technology optimized for the mountain, you’ll be reading the snow like never before. The Norg comes in at a large fit.
Giro Lusi
Giro Lusi Snow Goggle in White Limitless with Vivid Copper + Vivid Infrared
SHOP GIRO LUSI
The Lusi is designed for more feminine sensibilities. An almost fully rimless goggle means there is less material obstructing your vision. Less distraction means a safer and more enjoyable time on the mountain! And thanks to the spherical lens shape, you’ll be seeing everything with premium optics. Giro’s lens tech, VIVID, comes from Zeiss and it gives you everything you need to see clearly come sunshine or snowfall.
Learn more about the Giro LUSI.
For Kids or Adults with Smaller Faces:
Anon Relapse Jr.
Anon Relapse Jr. MFI in Black with Red Solex Lens
SHOP ANON RELAPSE JR
The Relapse Jr. looks like a standard goggle, but you get something no other youth goggle has - the MFI! This goggle comes with a unique facemask to keep your little ones nice and warm with the easiest setup imaginable and very minimal fogging potential. The Relapse Jr. is a standard cylindrical design. The only downside is that you don’t get Anon’s PERCEIVE tint tech, just standard snow lenses. It is very helmet compatible and comes in some pretty fun colorways too!
Learn more about the Anon Relapse Jr.
SMITH Grom
SMITH Grom in Black with ChromaPop Everyday Red Mirror
SHOP SMITH GROM
The Grom has been our go-to pick for a youth goggle for years! A simple cylindrical design that’s helmet-compatible with plenty of venting to keep the kiddos fog-free all day long. I’d recommend going for the Chromapop lens option, but you can go for the standard tints to save some impact on your wallet. I definitely think it’s worth the upgrade!
Learn more about the SMITH Grom
GET PRESCRIPTION SKI AND SNOWBOARD GOGGLES ONLINE AT SPORTRX
Did I hear you ask for more info about our snow goggle inserts? Well, I'm glad you asked! When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. The answers to all your questions are at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert - Contact Us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build your prescription snow goggles.
The coolest thing about buying from us? You get to ditch risky online shopping thanks to the See Better Guarantee. Try your goggles out. If you’re not satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get your pair of prescription snow goggles at SportRx today!
