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Glasses? No Problem!

Glasses are a great invention. They give clear sight to those that before would have had to make do with blurs and smudges.

However, they also have their downsides. Most visibly when wanting to engage in any snow sports.

The damn things prevent any kind of goggles from fitting comfortably. Any kind, except OTG ski goggles.

This kind of protective eyewear is everything you need to ski in style and be able to watch where you are going.

With the best OTG ski goggles, your glasses are no longer a burden.

Product

Details

Best OTG Ski Goggles

Zeal Optics Portal

  • Material: Plastic
  • Frame: Polycarbonate

Best Peripheral Vision

Smith I/O MAG

  • Material: Plastic
  • Frame: Silicone

Best Build Quality

Oakley Flight Deck

  • Material: foam, nylon
  • Frame: Plastic

Best Comfort Option

Flight Path Goggles

  • Material: Composite
  • Frame: O Matter

Best Budget Option

Outdoor Master Ultra

  • Material: Polycarbonate
  • Frame: TPU

Best of The Rest

Anon WM1

  • Material: Composite
  • Frame: Polyurethane

Best Women’s Ski Goggles

Ella Goggles

  • Material: polycarbonate
  • Frame: triple layer face foam

The 7 Best OTG Ski Goggles

Here are our top picks for the best over-the-glasses ski and snowboard goggles for sports lovers!

1. Zeal Optics Portal XL

Zeal Optics Portal XL

I didn’t think that any goggles could beat the Smith I/O Mag, but the Portals proved me wrong. Their defining feature was enough to place them at the top of this list, polarized lenses.

These goggles have polarized lenses. This kind of lens is the perfect counter to glare. It prevents any glares from forming on your lens and blocking your sight. For an increased field of vision, the lens carves in all directions.

Safeguarding this brilliant lens and frame is a lifetime warranty. A great show of confidence by the manufacturer.

If the people that made these goggles are feeling confident, why shouldn’t you?

best otg ski goggles

Features

  • Lens: Polarized Jade Mirror lens
  • Frame: Polycarbonate
  • Warranty: Lifetime warranty
  • Best Feature: Lens that carves in all directions
  • Comfort: Lens volume reduces glare

Pros

  • Has a spherical polycarbonate lens that curves in both horizontal and vertical directions. Giving you an excellent field of vision.
  • With every purchase, you get a sky-blue mirror lens, a microfiber bag, and a Zeal Optics warranty card.
  • Has one hundred percent UVA protection.

Cons

  • These dual ski and snowboard goggles could have benefited from more facial padding.

Zeal Optics Portal XL

The price of “Zeal Optics Portal XL” varies, so check the latest price at

2. Smith I/O MAG XL

Smith I/O MAG XL

For the best clarity and field of view, there is no better choice than the Smith I/O Mag. These goggles have an anti-fog inner lens that is glazed over with an anti-fog coating for good measure.

For any sweat that dares appear, it will quickly be absorbed and then subdued by three layers of DriWix face foam. If you were worried about finding the right fit, then fear not. The responsive frame design will accommodate your face without any issues.

Rounding off this awesome design is a one-year warranty and Chromapop lenses.

Can you tell that these are my favorites?

best otg goggles

Features

  • Lens: Spherical Carbonic-x lens
  • Frame: Responsive fit frame design
  • Warranty: One-year warranty
  • Best Feature: Anti-fog inner lens
  • Comfort: Three layers of DriWix face foam.

Pros

  • These ski goggles have three layers of DriWix face foam that clean up any moisture and prevent fog build-up.
  • Available with Chromapop lenses. Chromapop lenses provide a vibrant HD filter to your vision.
  • Quickly find a fit that’ll work for you with perfect helmet compatibility.

Cons

  • A more spherical bend to the lens would have improved peripheral vision.

Smith I/O MAG XL

The price of “Smith I/O MAG XL ” varies, so check the latest price at

3. Oakley Flight Deck L

Oakley Flight Deck L

Brands like Oakley, Burton, and Apple are the leaders of their industries because quality is the ultimate end goal. This is apparent from spending any amount of time with the Oakley Flight Deck.

From the special anti-fog lenses that are built from the ground up to resist moisture build-up to their lightweight plastic frame. A dance of innovation and quality engineering was executed to make these goggles.

Even their look, a fighter pilot visor design, was equal parts striking and effective. Allowing a polar fleece lining to be applied without bogging these goggles down.

best ski goggles for glasses

Features

  • Lens: F3 Antifog lens
  • Frame: Plastic
  • Warranty: One-year warranty
  • Best Feature: Fighter pilot visor design
  • Comfort: Polar fleece lining

Pros

  • These OTG goggles have high-quality lenses that absorb moisture and eliminate haze.
  • The Oakley Flight Deck goggle frame is specially built to fit glasses comfortably. All thanks to the three layers of face foam.
  • High-definition optics that aren’t bogged down by you or the elements.

Cons

  • Only two styles are currently available.

Oakley Flight Deck L

The price of “Oakley Flight Deck L ” varies, so check the latest price at

4. Flight Path Goggles

Flight Path Goggles

Comfort is king, and with a silicone grip strap that doesn’t slip, the Flight Path goggles are sitting on the throne. These semi-rimless goggles minimized the amount of frame that they came with.

Taking up all the extra space was a large high-definition Prizm lens. Colors don’t pop with this lens, they come to life, and the depth and peripheral vision that you get from these goggles are a feast for the eyes.

The limited lifetime warranty gives you peace of mind, and the thin build won’t strain your neck.

Nothing but good things to say about these goggles!

best over glasses goggles

Features

  • Lens: Prizm Snow lens
  • Frame: Semi-rimless frame
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime
  • Best Feature: Comfortable strap
  • Comfort: Silicone-grip strap

Pros

  • These OTG ski goggles have got a great strap that is both comfortable and secured with a silicone grip.
  • The frame on these ski goggles takes the enhanced vision of frameless goggles and mixes it with the security of framed goggles.
  • Has great peripheral vision and depth.

Cons

  • Unfortunately, the interchangeable lens system has few lens types that it is compatible with.

Flight Path Goggles

The price of “Flight Path Goggles” varies, so check the latest price at

5. Outdoor Master Ultra

Outdoor Master Ultra

I love it when companies respect their customers enough to give them a product that is both affordable and well-made. The Master Ultras are the ski or snowboard goggles for those that are on a budget but still want to experience high-quality gear.

These goggles use toric lenses, which help you spot details more clearly from afar. Things change fast on the slopes. Having a lens that gives you a few seconds of foresight is a big deal.

Paired up with this awesome lens is the best lens swap system on the list. In only a matter of seconds and with no tools needed, you can slot your new lens into place.

Thanks to the magnets that line the frame, the job is practically done for you!

best goggles over glasses

Features

  • Lens: Toric lens
  • Frame: Bendable TPU
  • Warranty: Two-year warranty
  • Best Feature: Incredibly fast lens swap
  • Comfort: Injection Molded Polycarbonate

Pros

  • Fantastic build quality goggles that color optimize in all light conditions. Making details pop out.
  • The fastest lens change system that I’ve used. Only takes one second to get your new lens in.
  • Great curved design that gives you all-day comfort, even with prescription eyewear.

Cons

  • Doesn’t have the face foam layering that other ski goggles do.

Outdoor Master Ultra

The price of “Outdoor Master Ultra ” varies, so check the latest price at

6. Anon WM1

Anon WM1

The “best of the rest” option is usually an amalgamation of previous entries. Although, I wouldn’t say that this is the case here.

Rather, with spherical lenses and a thermoplastic polyurethane frame, the Anon WM1s chart their own course. A stand-out feature of these goggles is their fit. Thanks to the thin face foam used in its structure, you can comfortably wear these goggles with or without glasses.

These goggles are the only ones on the list that offer three layers of face foam and a snug fit.

A wonderful combination that is fit for this list!

ski goggles for glasses wearers

Features

  • Lens: Spherical lenses
  • Frame: Thermoplastic Polyurethane
  • Warranty: One-year warranty
  • Best Feature: Thin frame despite face foam
  • Comfort: Triple-layer face foam

Pros

  • These ski goggles utilize a special kind of face foam that is 40% thinner than other brands.
  • Despite their close fit, you can still comfortably wear glasses under these goggles.
  • Has a no-slip silicone strap that secures your OTG ski goggles into place.

Cons

  • No customization options were available. Only one color to choose from.

Anon WM1

The price of “Anon WM1” varies, so check the latest price at

7. Ella Goggles – Women’s

Ella Goggles - Women's

The Ella goggles have a special cylindrical lens that doesn’t compromise on the quality of your sight and yet still offers you a wide field of vision. This was achieved by reducing the size of the frame.

A thin frame allowed Ella to include a larger lens. But the benefits didn’t end there. Even with a thin frame, a magnetic lens change system was still included. For your comfort, three layers of foam were stacked on top of one another.

I should also mention that these goggles come with two lenses with different lens tints. A lens for dim and bright light conditions.

ski goggles that fit over glasses

Features

  • Lens: Polycarbonate cylindrical lenses
  • Frame: Thin frame design
  • Warranty: One-year warranty
  • Best Feature: Magnetic quick change system
  • Comfort: Triple-layer face foam

Pros

  • These OTG goggles have an old-school design to them, providing them with an expansive field of vision.
  • Comes with two lenses. Each lens tint works best under specific conditions. Swap them out as needed.
  • Medium fit that will work with skiers of all sizes.

Cons

  • I wish that its primary anti-fog lens would be able to handle all weather conditions without the need for a swap.

Ella Goggles – Women’s

The price of “Ella Goggles – Women’s” varies, so check the latest price at

What to Consider When Choosing Over-the-Glasses Goggles

Choosing amongst the best ski goggles is a serious business. Each pair of OTG goggles will promise you the world, but there is always one pair that is better suited for the job than others. Of course, which one depends entirely on yourself, your glasses, and the conditions you ski in.

That’s why this section is here. I’ll be breaking down the key features that you should keep in mind. It’s the best way to separate the goggles above from one another and find the right pair for you.

Size of Ski Goggles

Usually, figuring out the size of your good ski goggles is easy. Whatever pair fits snugly but not tight and doesn’t slip off your face is the one you should go with. However, the problem with OTG goggles is that you can wear them in different ways.

Mainly, with your glasses and without them. For the most part, it is always best to have a regular pair of goggles if you don’t believe that you’ll be using your prescription glasses often. But I understand not wanting to buy a second pair of goggles. What then?

If it is important to you that you can wear your goggles comfortably with and without your glasses, then I’d recommend the Anon WM1. These goggles are made from a thin face foam that ensures a tight fit even when you don’t wear glasses.

On the other hand, if you know that you will always be wearing glasses, then the Oakley flight deck would not be a bad choice.

Polarization

What are polarized lenses and ski goggles? Polarized ski goggles have a special vertical chemical filter that blocks any kind of glare. It’s an awesome feature that all ski goggles should have, but unfortunately, many lack it.

These filters give you the confidence to ski in any kind of weather without fear of a stray ray from the sun momentarily blinding you. I’ve personally been caught off guard by this before… it’s terrifying and a persistent issue with any kind of lens, be it photochromic lenses, Prizm lenses, or corrective lenses.

However, with a polarized lens, you no longer have to worry about this. Having adjustable straps on your goggles becomes less of an issue once you add polarization into the mix. You’ll no longer need to shift your goggles around in hopes of getting rid of the glare.

Here, we gave an in-depth analysis of the top photochromic ski goggles. Photochromic lenses darken when exposed to enough light on a regular basis.

Ski Goggle Durability

I believe that high durability is one of those qualities that all gear, regardless of sport, should have. Nobody wants to spend money on a product that isn’t going to last. Outdoor gear and the Smith I O Mag are a few goggles that get it right.

They don’t sacrifice comfort or fit but still manage to maintain a decent standard when it comes to their longevity. Understand that lens technology has come a long way, but there is yet to be an indestructible lens.

Having goggles like the Outdoor Master Ultra that can fit a replacement lens in a matter of seconds can be a lifesaver. After all, you can have an arsenal of excellent Chromapop lenses at your disposal, but if you need tools and one hour to pop them into place, a lot of that luster wears off.

Anti-Fog Coating and Wearing Glasses

Even the best goggles will fog up on occasion. This doesn’t mean that you should skimp out on fog prevention technology but merely be wary of it. Anyone that wears glasses knows that those tend to fog up as well.

What is there to do?

Are glasses wearers doomed to succumb to the fog as they ski? Not exactly, many goggles have an anti-fog coating applied to their inner lens. Helmet-compatible goggles can take advantage of a helmet’s ventilation system to improve airflow and maintain clear vision.

Good ventilation within your goggles and ski helmet is key to getting to enjoy excellent clarity even with glasses on. Make sure that any OTG designs incorporate anti-fog prevention measures such as coating and properly placed vents.

I understand the importance of getting a comfortable fit but you should ensure that any extra room within your goggles is kept to a minimum. A tight seal prevents moisture build-up.

FAQs

What are OTG ski goggles?

The OTG in OTG ski goggles stands for “Over The Glasses”. OTG ski goggles are goggles that you can wear over your glasses. Before, one would have to take off their prescription glasses because ski goggles couldn’t accommodate them.

With the advent of OTG ski goggles, wearing glasses is no longer a barrier to entry. Sure, you could wear prescription ski goggle inserts, but most people don’t know about them. If you want to avoid the hassle of getting your hands on the right inserts, all you need to do is wear OTG ski goggles. Their design takes care of the rest.

Can you wear OTG goggles without glasses?

Yes, you can wear OTG goggles without prescription glasses. Glasses are not a requirement for wearing OTG goggles however, there is one thing that you’ll have to keep in mind.

If you don’t wear glasses, then it is best to wear a regular pair of goggles instead. Regular ski goggles are thinner and will give you a tighter fit. When skiing, a loose pair of goggles can quickly turn into a safety hazard or an annoyance at best.

There are some ski goggles like the Anon WM1s that give you a tight fit regardless of whether you wear glasses or not. These types of goggles are not the rule but an exception.

How do you care for and clean your ski goggles?

Let me start this off by saying that you should not clean the inside of your ski goggles. It is very easy to damage them this way. If, for whatever reason, you need to clean goggles on the inside, it should only be done with a damp cloth and nothing else.

As for the outside of your ski goggles, the only things you’ll need are water and a cloth. Dip the cloth into the water and begin gently scrubbing the surface of your goggles. Be careful not to scratch your lenses. Even goggles with scratch-resistant lens technology can be damaged.

There are ski goggles, such as the Ella goggles which come with two lenses, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be careful.

How do you ski with prescription glasses?

Skiing with prescription glasses requires wearing OTG goggles. There is no other way around this. Now, you don’t need ski goggles with an insane build quality like the Oakley flight deck goggles, but you should make sure that they were specially made to accommodate most eyewear.

Anything with anti-fog coating or even dual-vented lenses would be recommended.

My Final Thoughts

Skiing is a sport all about precision. It takes a certain level of coordination to be able to strap wooden planks to either foot and charge down a mountain. I’m sure that we can all agree that coordination comes to us a lot easier when we can see what it is that we are doing.

Thanks to OTG ski goggles, snow goggles are no longer the evil gatekeepers that they used to be. Ensure that the OTG goggles of your choice are the right size for you when you are wearing your glasses.

Many people make the mistake of trying on their goggles without their glasses. I get it, it’s an instinct, but it’ll lead you to get the wrong size. Although, it is pretty humorous to think about.

Categories: Skiing

Adrian Salazar

My name is Adrian Salazar and I have been wrapped up in the world of water and other extreme sports since the first time I went kayaking. When I’m not working hard trying to deliver the best writing that I can, I am usually out on a lake or hiking up a mountain. My world is completely dominated by writing and the mix of adrenaline and peace of mind that can be achieved while engaging in new sports. I will use my knowledge, experience, and mistakes, to inform you about the best ways that you can become a part of the world of extreme sports. You can count on me to give you my informed and unbiased opinion about any sporting equipment you may need. I know from personal experience that extreme sports are something that you need to head into completely and accurately informed. Let my experience guide you.

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