Top 10 Best Photochromic Ski Goggles
for December 2023

Bolle Maddox black marble matte/photochromic vermillon blue cat.1 to 3 sunglasses are impressive. The frame is all black carbon fiber so it's very light, and the lenses are multi-material (photochromic, polycarbonate, and ccd), so they're durable, and this pair is designed to give good glare reduction and UV protection. The lens tint changes from clear to dark when exposed to UV light, so these sunglasses are ideal for skiing, riding, and fishing. They come with a two-year manufacturer's warranty, and Bolle customer service is very responsive. The Maddox are good sunglasses, but they're mechanically complicated and take a little while to get the hang of. They also don't have as much peripheral vision as our previous top pick, the Oakley Flak Jacket X, but they're more comfortable and fit better.

Bolle Z5 OTG are solid snow goggles that perform very well, with comfortable fit, solid ventilation, and easy-to-use features and controls. They have a choice of two lens tints, photochromic or matte. The matte lenses are slightly darker than the photochromic ones, and photochromic lenses automatically darken in bright sunlight, making them ideal for use outdoors. The lens tints don't seem to fade very much over time, even after repeated cleanings. The lenses are also scratch-resistant and anti-fog. The goggles are comfortable to wear thanks to the soft foam padding and their flexible facemasks. They also come with two nosepieces, a large and a medium, and a detachable face mask, so they're appropriate for a wide range of face shapes. The goggles' frame, which is made of injected hard plastic, is durable. The goggles have a sturdy frame, a snug fit, and a secure strap. They also come with rubber pads that alleviate the pressure on your nose and forehead. The goggles' ventilation vents are large and spaced well, so they don't block your view. When they're not in use, the goggles fold up and store easily in their carrying bag.

Smith Optics are renowned for their high-quality, high-performance snow goggles, and their I/O MAG XL are no exception. Using these goggles, I was able to ski and snowboard in conditions that ranged from sunny to cloudy to snowy, and all conditions were perfectly clear. The lenses are interchangeable, so I was able to switch between the bright light ChromaPop lens and low light ChromaPop lens depending on what kind of light I was skiing in. The goggles also feature Smith's Spherical Carbonic-X lens, which the company says offers 50% more impact resistance than (most) other lens materials. The ChromaPop lenses have photochromic technology that automatically changes from light to dark depending on the temperature, so I didn't have to bother with changing lenses when going from sunny to cloudy to snowy conditions. The goggles also feature Smith's Ultra-wide lens, which the company says offers 114% more peripheral vision than standard goggles. The goggles also have a silicone-backed strap that's adjustable, so they're easy and comfortable to put on and take off. The I/O MAG XL also feature Smith's ODS3 technology, which combines Smith's high-performance anti-fog lens with a hydrophobic coating, so snow and water don't stick to the goggles. The goggles' ergonomic design and lens adjustment system also make these goggles easy to fit. The I/O MAG XLs also has a spring hinge that folds up when not in use, so they don't take up much space. The goggles have a micro-quick-adjust buckle, and Smith also includes a small microfiber bag with replacement lens sleeves. The I/O MAG XLs also come with a one-year warranty. For the price, the I/O MAG XLs are extremely hard to beat.

The Smith Moment Snow Goggles are the best-performing snow goggles we tested, and they offer all the performance features of our top pick, the Smith Optics Goggles, plus some key improvements. The Moment Snow Goggles still use the same spherical carbonic-x lens as the Smith Optics Goggles, and they still offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. They also feature Fog-X anti-fog inner lenses and ChromaPop lenses that increase contrast and natural color, making them the clear choice for skiers and snowboarders. The Moment Snow Goggles also use Smith's QuickFit strap adjustment system, which makes it easier to adjust the fit of the goggles to your face. The goggles also include an aluminum carrying case, which is better than the plastic case that comes with the Smith Optics Goggles. The Moment Snow Goggles are a bit heavier than the Smith Optics Goggles, and they offer slightly less fog resistance. Overall, the Smith Moment Snow Goggles have the best combination of performance features, comfort, and value.

The I/O MAG's interchangeable lens system makes it a great pick for riders who ride multiple types of terrain, including snow, sand and mountain. The I/O MAG has a durable, comfortable strap, and it has a low-profile frame that wraps around your face comfortably, even when you're wearing a helmet. The I/O MAG incorporates Smith MAG interchangeable lens technology, so you can easily swap lenses to switch between bright and low-light modes. The I/O MAG performed well in bright sunshine, but struggled a bit in lower-light conditions. The I/O MAG's lens technology is also a bit limited. You can't swap lenses between bright and low-light modes, and in low light, the I/O MAG's lens tends to darken too rapidly, and the image becomes blurry. The I/O MAG's bright lens has a pretty wide field of view, and the lens technology produces good color correction. The I/O MAG's low light lens has a narrow field of view, but it's much brighter than the lens for most all-terrain goggles, so it's probably a better choice for low-light conditions.