There are plenty of ways to protect our young ones on the slopes. Quality gear (good skis, reliable bindings), safe helmets and protective clothing are all important items needed for a day of safety on the slopes. However, so many times I have experienced parents sending their kids out with all the above but minus sensible eye protection. No kid will go out on the snow with me without either a good pair of sunglasses on a nice day, or a pair of goggles for the cold snowy days (or any day). If they come without eye protection, we’ll always try to find a spare pair for them to use. I always have a talk with the parents after the lesson to explain the dangers of the high altitude UV radiation. You don’t need a sunny day to burn your eyes! In fact, foggy conditions can even be worse since you don’t tend to squint as much as you might on a clear, sunny day.
I have learned that kids often don’t like to wear goggles because they either feel restricted, the goggles fog up, or they just don’t fit. Fit is one of the most important things! Since kids are supposed to wear helmets, the goggles not only need to be the right size to fit the face, they must also fit the size of the helmet’s face opening. If the goggles are bigger than the face-opening, they will never feel comfortable, will never sit right on the face, and are highly likely to fog up big time.
So again, make sure the goggles fit the face and the helmet’s face opening. Make sure that they are of high quality (you won’t go wrong with any of the goggles listed here) and have the adequate lenses attached to them.
Lenses. There are a number of different lenses, to accommodate different weather conditions. It is helpful to be able to choose between lenses for foggy conditions, sunny skis, or night-skiing, so some goggle (and sunglass models) come with exchangeable lenses. A note of caution: I have seen quite a few goggles, especially sale items, with only one set of lenses, usually the fog lenses (typically an orange tint). Those will help see in murky conditions, but won’t shield the eyes adequately on a bright, sunny day. So be sure to purchase the appropriate lens. For kids especially, I tend to favor darker lenses to protect their sensitive eyes.
Here are the models that I believe deserve to be rated Best of the Best.
Burton Anon Helix Jr.
The Anon Helix Jr. Goggles are awesome! Here you get a great package of stylish looks, functionality, and quality. I love the look of the goggles! They also have a very effective ventilation system that channels air through openings on the top of the goggle frame. This prevents the lenses from fogging up and makes for a non-sweaty eye section.
The lenses on these goggles are amazing. Kids goggles, of course, don’t fit my big face, but I can still put them on and tell how good of a view junior is likely to get. The Anon Helix Jr.’s lenses have a unique design, they are thicker in the middle than on the edges, which helps prevent distortion and enhances peripheral vision. The lenses are pre-curved which also cuts down on distortion and refraction and makes for a perfectly clear view. A really fancy pair of goggles that also comes with a very comfortable and soft frame padding. On top of that you can usually find the Anon Helix at a very reasonable price! Available colors are White, Lavand, Green, and Black.
Burton Anon Helix Jr
Scott: Junior Hookup Goggle
Scott is a well-known name in the world of goggles. Yes, they make other gear as well, but I have always associated this company with high quality goggles and glasses. The Junior Hookup goggles have a nice, kind of racy looking frame that incorporates a great ventilation system to make sure the high quality lenses won’t fog up. The lenses on the Hookup goggles are of the highest quality, pre-shaped for better clarity and less distortion, and coated with an anti-fog layer. The anti-fog coating, in combination with the very good ventilation, will keep the lenses from fogging up and ensure a day of clear vision. The lenses fully protect the eyes from all UV radiation. The frame is lined with an extremely soft, hypoallergenic foam that feels comfortable on the face and won’t be itchy. The frame, as well as the gap between lens and face, is big enough to allow prescription glasses to comfortably fit underneath. Did I mention that the Hookup Goggles also look very cool? There are many color schemes: Gloss White, Gloss Silver, Fire Red, Gloss Lilac, Bubblegum, Brown Flake, Metallic Cardinal, Gloss Black, Blue Moon, and Jasper with the Bubblegum color being most likely preferred by girls.
Scott: Junior Hookup Goggle
Carrera Kimerik Ski Goggles
Carrera, the name makes you think of expensive, fast, high quality cars. And high quality is the key word here. When I grew up skiing Germany; I exclusively used Carrera goggles and sunglasses. I liked the way they looked; they worked well and had a cool name. Carrera products are not always easy to find in the United States. But there are a number of stores I came across that do carry this brand and you will also be able to find retailers online. It is worth the search, and the goggles worth the money (and they are not necessarily more expensive than other models). The Carrera Kimerik Kids goggles look very, very stylish in a very classic way. They are also very comfortable to wear thanks to a very soft foam frame liner. The first impression you get regarding quality is the very nice included “deluxe protective case”. When you put them on, (they’re small put it works) you’ll notice the clear, distortion free view with excellent peripheral vision your youngster will be enjoying when he takes them out on the slopes. I also like the tint of the glasses, which 100% protects the eyes from all harmful UVA, UVB and UVC radiation. The Carrera Kimerik goggles have an excellent ventilation system that is easily adjusted by opening or closing four separate vents in the upper part of the frame. The increased airflow will prevent the lenses from fogging up.
Carrera Kimerik Ski Goggles
Smith Gambler Pro Junior Series
Smith is another big goggle maker and their products are always of the highest quality. The Smith Gambler Pro definitely has one of the best frame designs available. You can get these goggles in a variety of different styles and all frames are made with custom painted frame colors. The extensive selection includes Army Camo through Lens Black, Yellow Leaves, Lavender Intersection, White, Black, and Clear Royal Wrestlers. I had a chance to check out the Black version of the goggles and I really enjoyed the looks of them. On the functionality side, the Smith Gambler Pro are top-of-the-line as well. The lenses are superb and provide a very good field of vision with no noticeable distortion. The lenses have an anti-fog coating and offer 100% UV protection. An excellent ventilation system helps keeping them fog-free. The goggles are designed to accommodate a set of prescription glasses underneath, but they are not bulky like many other specifically eyewear compatible goggles. You can choose between the regular day-light lenses or the clear ones for night skiing. These goggles will fit with most helmets but are guaranteed to work with any Smith helmet design out there. Oh, and they come with a life-time warranty! Ages six to sixteen.
Smith Gambler Pro Junior goggles
Scott Junior Voltage OTG Goggle
Another high quality pair of goggles from Scott! The Junior Voltage OTG goggles are comfortable with a flexible contour-fitting frame fitted with a hypoallergenic foam padding for ultimate comfort. The lenses are outstanding with a cylindrical dual lens design and anti-fog coating. Visuals are fantastic with little to no distortion and very good peripheral vision. The ventilation system is highly effective and keeps the lenses fog-free. Your kid’s eyes will be fully protected from all UVA, UVC, and UVC radiation. A high quality and functional choice that will keep junior happy! They are available in Black, Powder Blue, Navy, Pink (for the girls), and Silver.
Scott Junior Voltage OTG Goggle
Oakley Eyewear A Frame
A little bit of Oakley trivia: What was the first product this company released in 1975? Answer: A moto-cross hand-grip! Oakley (named after founder Jim Jannard’s dog) has come a long way since then, and are now manufacturing some of the best goggles and sunglasses you can get! The Oakley Eyewear A Frame is designed for kids ages ten to eighteen. The frames look sturdy yet flexible and will hug a face’s contour nicely. The frame is lined with a very nice padding made from moisture wicking fleece foam that feels very comfortable on the face. I have only seen the junior’s version in a Matte White, but I would not be surprised if you can hunt down a number of different colors. At least the adult version of the A Frames can be had in thirteen different colors.
The lenses on the A Frames are superb. They will give you nice visuals and are anti-fog coated for a clear view. The ventilation is also very good! One of my students has a pair of A Frame goggles, which he is extremely happy with. I had a chance to try them out on the slopes and interestingly these goggles do fit my face (well almost). The goggles seem a bit larger in volume (but don’t appear to be large) and they provide enough space to be worn with an additional pair of prescription glasses. Good stuff!
Oakley Eyewear A Frame
The Electric EG.5
O.K., until very recently I had never heard of the company Electric. When I started working on this review, a fellow instructor (with two wonderful young daughters) had told me about the company and how had bought these goggles for his girls. Well, they’re happy and that sparked my interest in taking a closer look at this particular model. First thing I noticed is how light these goggles are. I have been told that the materials used in the frame hold up nicely against cold temperatures and the frame is designed to stay flexible and “hold its texture”. I haven’t had any problems with frozen goggles, but, in any case, it is good to know that with the EG5s this is not likely ever going to happen! Visuals are fantastic on these goggles. The lenses are superb and the frame provides a seemingly unrestricted view with 100% UV protection. The lenses have an anti-fog coating and are scratch resistant. The face foam is very soft and feels comfortable on the face. The very good frame padding will also help keep things painless in the unlikely case of a full on face-plant. The strap can be easily adjusted to dial in the right size and the goggles (so I am told) are designed to fit most helmets. Very, very good!
The Electric EG.5 goggle
Bolle Boost OTG (Over The Glasses) Ski Goggles
Bolle makes some nice goggles and sunglasses. You seem the company’s logo popping up more and more. The Bolle Boost OTG (which stands for “over the glasses”) goggles are well-made and look very good. Don’t be fooled by their low price, this a quality product and it works well. The goggles are designed to be roomy enough to be worn with a pair of prescription glasses, but they are not bulky. Very good lenses provide very good visuals and keep the fog at bay. They also have an anti-scratch coating. The size works with most helmets. A great deal!
Bolle Boost OTG Ski Goggles
Scott Junior Charger Goggles
Another one from Scott! As you can tell, I like the company (and no, they don’t sponsor me). There are many very good goggle models for kids on the market. The ones I picked for this review all offer excellent function and value. Also, I have some happy junior students who fully recommend the models listed here. And many of my students have Scott goggles. Here, on our slopes, you see Scott goggles all over the place. I am not sure if it has to do with the location, but Snoqualmie Pass seems to be Scott territory, especially when it comes to children’s goggles. The Scott Charger goggles have excellent anti-fog coated lenses that offer complete UV protection. The lenses provide a distortion free view with a fantastic peripheral vision. In these you won’t feel boxed in. The frame is made of flexible materials and hugs the face nicely. Between face and frame rests a very comfortable and soft hypoallergenic foam padding. The strap is very durable as well and of high quality. It can be easily adjusted for size. The ventilation system is excellent. Scott’s “Air Control System” features a system that lets air enter through vents in the lens itself and then releases it again through vents on the bottom of the frame. This will keep the lenses clear at all times. The Charger Goggles are a 2007/2008 season model but they can still be readily found in stores and online. Don’t miss out on a great deal! You can get them in (are you read for this?): Black-Black-Bronze, Black-Black-Persimmon, Blue Voltage-Bronze, Blue Voltage-Lt Blue, and Purple Hypnotiz Print-Persimmon, Hooplah-Bronze, Hooplah-Cmyk Water Transfer-Persimmon, Red-Red-Bronze, and Red-Red-Persimmon.
Scott Junior Charger Goggles
Uvex Hurricane Optic Over-the-Glasses Junior Ski Goggle
Uvex is big in Europe. When I was junior racer in Germany, everybody either had Uvex or Carrera goggles. Present in the American market since 1980, Uvex (which stands for Ultraviolet Excluded) the company has never bee quite as popular here as it still is in Europe. But there are lots of stores here that sell Uvex products and you won’t have any difficulties finding the Uvex Hurricane Optic Over-the-Glasses Goggles online. The goggles look great with a blue and white frame and black and blue strap. The frame has vents for good airflow through the goggles and sits nicely on the face thanks to a comfortable hypoallergenic face foam padding. The lenses are superb, they are spherical in shape and the world looks magnificent through them! Designed to fit most helmets and with enough room for prescription glasses, the Uvex Hurricane goggles are versatile and a great choice. Highly recommended!
Uvex Hurricane Optic Junior Goggle
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