Snowmobiling is a very popular sport among many people living in cold regions and snow-prone areas. With a huge number of people riding their snowmobiles, it is important to understand the need for proper equipment that is required while riding.

The equipment always depends on the type of riding that people do, but a few of them are an absolute necessity.

Snowmobile Goggles are one among them and require a little caution to be exercised before buying to get the best and comfortable fit.

Let us look at the factors that need to be considered in this article.

Comparison of Snowmobile Goggles

	509 Sinister X6 Goggle	KLIM Oculus Goggle	509 Kingpin Goggle	FXR Maverick Goggle	KLIM Viper Snow Goggle	Castle Stage OTG Goggles
Design	Expansive field of view	Easily change lenses	Soft google frame	Premium Anti-Scratch and UV lens coatings	PolyCarb Premium dual-pane lens	Flexible polyurethane frame
Anti-fog Technology	Anti-fog technology	KLIM® CLEAR™ Anti-fog technology	5MAG Lens retention system	Clearidium Anti-fog	Gemin Eye: Anti-fog treatments	Dual pane mirrored anti-fog
Perks	Over-the-glass goggles can be worn with or without glasses	KLIM® Slide-Lock™ technology allows	OTG compatible	Removable nose piece	Provide maximum breathability	Custom molded rubberized nose guard
Dimensions	12 x 9 x 7 inches	9 x 5 x 6 inches	10.67 x 9.84 x 4.65 inches	11 x 8 x 4.5 inches	11 x 4.3 x 4.6 inches	12 x 4.5 x 5 inches
Weight	1.11 pounds	0.6 pounds	1.83 pounds	0.5 pounds	0.54 pounds	0.7 pounds
Our Score	95/100	95/100	93/100	92/100	90/100	89/100
Price	Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon

Best Snowmobile Goggles

509 Sinister X6 Goggle

509 promises to deliver you the best snowmobile goggles with the Sinister X6. It is a two-part dual compound frame that provides a solid fit combined with a sturdy lens seal featuring its innovative front-loading lens system.

The F.L.L.S technology allows you to change lenses while on the trail with convenience in seconds. 509 also highlights their industry-first rotational locking outrigger which ensures your lens to stay firmly pressed against your face while snowmobiling preventing snow, dust, and debris from entering the goggle. 

The Sinister X6 also features a premium dual-pane Italian sourced lens with industry best Super Anti-Fog technology for a fog-free snowmobiling experience. In addition to the anti-fog technology is the carefully crafted Phantom frame technology and oversized premium lens to deliver the best vision while on the snow. It also has an increased lens to frame ratio to provide less distortion and to reduce glare and fogging giving you the ultimate field of view.

Other features include a soft frame for optimal face fit and OTG compatible, PC outer lens with Anti-scratch coating, contoured removable nose mask. 

These goggles for snowmobile helmet has forced outriggers to fit on a wide range of helmets. Pair it with your own helmet or with the 509 helmets for a perfect fit system.

However, a few wished that the Sinister X6 comes with more ventilation system and more moisture management system for comfort.

KLIM Oculus Goggle

Designed to solve main snowmobiling problems such as changing light conditions, fogging, and field of vision, the KLIM Oculus is on top of the chain as one of the best snowmobiling goggles this 2020.

To address the first main problem, KLIM has installed its Slide-Lock technology for a quick lens replacement on the road to adjust to the changing light conditions while snowmobiling. It comes with three lens options, two of them are inclusive while the other is the polychromatic lens option sold separately.

Another concern is the fogging issues while snowmobiling. The combination of the Oculus’ latest anti-fogging technologies such as the unparalleled air circulation, the massive internal air volume, and the KLIM CLEAR anti-fog technology guarantees a fog-free snowmobile ride even in extremely cold weather conditions. 

For an optimum field of vision, the Oculus is designed with a spherical, optically correct lens. This design offers maximum vision and visibility with reduced distortion while snowmobiling. The two inclusive lenses give you options for more daytime use or lower light use.

However, some noted that the Oculus fogs up more quickly when riding at a slower speed so it might not be suitable for more technical rides.

509 Kingpin Goggle

Striving to provide premium and affordable snowmobiling goggles in the market this 2020, 509 introduces the Kingpin goggle which highlights their quick-change lens system along with high-end anti-fog and anti-scratch dual-pane lens technology. 

The Kingpin is designed with an integrated clip locking system that allows you to change the lens in under a minute depending on your lighting conditions. 509 offers 20 different lens options available separately with a wide variety of colors and tints for your lighting needs.

The wide view panoramic cylindrical dual-pane lens design with premium triple treated Anti-Fog & Anti-Scratch coating gives you the best vision without distortion while protecting your eyes from bright sunny days and harmful UV rays. This imported Italian lens technology saves you from substandard lenses.

The goggle frame is made with Thermoplastic Urethane Polymer material with a premium soft-touch anti-slip coating. It also features contoured triple layer foam for maximum comfort, durability, and security.

However, others noted that the Kingpin can fog up easily on colder and longer snowmobile rides.

FXR Maverick Goggle 2020

Take your snowmobiling experience this 2020 a step further with FXR’s Maverick goggle featuring their all-new colorways to cater to all your lighting needs and conditions.

The Maverick features dual-pane, pre-curved polycarbonate snow lens to provide maximum durability with impact resistance. It also has premium anti-scratch, anti-fog, and UV lens coatings for a clear view while snowmobiling.

The goggle has moisture-wicking face fabric to wick away any sweat or moisture on the face for all the active snowmobile riders out there or those warmer snowmobiling days. It also features triple density, moisture-wicking, contoured face foam for added comfort.

FXR also added a ventilation system on the top and bottom in the Maverick to help with fogging issues, especially on more aggressive rides.

The goggle has a premium strap with triple silicone grips which seals the goggle in place and prevents snow and wind to enter the goggle. However, some wished the goggle comes with outriggers for extra security and seal.

KLIM Viper Snow Goggle

One of the best snowmobile goggles for extreme weather riding is the Viper by KLIM. This snowmobiling goggle is designed to give you the best optical clarity, vision, field of view, and fit experience. 

The Viper highlights the Gemin Eye anti-fog technology on the entire inner lens of the goggle to provide protection against fog for a longer time.

The combined technologies of PolyCarb Premium dual-pane lens with the advanced Polycarbonate (PC) outer lens delivers the maximum durability and scratch resistant experience.

Its FOV + Frame geometry design gives a maximum field of view on all types of terrains.

The Air force induction feature of the goggle ensures high-airflow and is meant to perform in the most extreme conditions by combatting fogging while providing ventilation and moisture management system.

The Viper has a super-thin frame design compatible with a wide range of open-face helmets. Its snowmobile-spec oversized face foam provides maximum comfort. 

However, some noted that the old-style process of lens replacement can be a little tricky and can take a little bit of time.

Castle Stage OTG Blackout Snow Goggles

Castle especially designed the Stage OTG Blackout goggles with the glass wearers in mind. Pair it even with an open face helmet while wearing your glasses and still have great visibility, comfort, and fog-free snowmobile rides.

The design and cut of the goggles are meticulously made to accommodate most glass frames and the deeper cut provides more comfort.

The goggles feature triple-stage foam which gives a tight seal on the helmet to eliminate any fogging issues. It also has ultra-wick quick-dry fleece to deflect any moisture on the face. 

The custom over-sized foam is designed to cover any exposed skin around the goggles for a more comfortable snowmobile ride.

The UV 380 dual pane mirrored anti-fog/anti-scratch coated replaceable lens provides durability. The optional color lens is also sold separately.

The goggle has a silicone beaded strap to keep it securely in place and has a removable nose guard to protect you from snow and any debris while snowmobiling.

However, a few noted that the process of lens replacement is not as convenient and quick.

Things to consider before buying snowmobile goggles

There are a variety of things to consider before buying the perfect snowmobile goggles for yourself or your loved ones. The most important aspects are listed below.

Size

It is very important to buy the correct size of snowmobile goggles as they need to fit comfortably on the face of the rider.

The function of the goggles is not only to protect the eyes from varying light conditions but also to protect the face from harsh weather conditions like snow, winds, etc.

Thus, getting the correct frame size, with the perfect fit, based on the size of the head will ensure better protection. Women and children have specifically tailored smaller fits to provide the best protection.

Fit with helmet

The other important thing to consider while getting the right size of goggles is to check whether the frame is compatible with the helmet worn by the rider.

If the helmet leaves openings when wearing the goggles, it can lead to freezing or sunburnt forehead. It is also not so fashionable to wear incompatible helmets and goggles.

So, choose the goggles from the same manufacturer of the helmet you use for better compatibility. Choosing the same manufacturer also aids in better ventilation, as the goggles and helmet are designed to act as a single unit while riding.

Material

The material used for making the goggles, especially the straps, must be extremely durable for ensuring a good life for the goggles.

The industry standard defines the use of wide straps with silicone bands for providing proper grip on the helmet. The foam used for the frame must also be soft and comfortable to wear.

The use of multi-density foam is common as they provide better comfort than single density foam. Some people require custom made goggle frames made with hypoallergenic foams.

Anti-fog

Preventing the goggles from getting fogged is very important. When the outside temperature drops, the air inside the goggles is at a higher temperature and starts to condense causing impaired vision during riding.

There are many types of antifogging techniques used by manufacturers. Some of them include coating the lens with anti-fog solutions and using double lenses with vacuum conditions between the lenses.

The use of small battery-operated fans inside the goggles frame to increase air circulation is another method that is under research for better anti-fogging tech.

Heated Lens

Heated lenses are the latest invention in snowmobile goggles. The design uses a thin heating element that is built into the frame of the goggles.

The heating element heats the air column between the lenses to keep it warmer than the dew point. This ensures the prevention of fog on the goggles even during long rides.

When using it for long trips in the backcountry, the goggles can still be used by making use of the burst mode which heats the lens quickly to prevent fog only when required.

UV Protection and Polarization

The use of tinted lens is the best way to protect against UV rays during snowmobiling. This is due to the reflection of the light by snow patches that can cause glare during riding and can cause snow blindness.

Almost all modern lenses offer 100% UV protection but it is advised to use different lenses for different conditions. Using polarized lenses can reduce the glare greatly and reduce the eye fatigue of the rider. But polarization can affect the rider’s ability to differentiate between ice and soft snow.

Lighting and Weather

It is best to use a light tinted lens or clear lens for night riding and during stormy weather to get the best visual conditions.

For bright days with too much reflection from snow, it is better to use dark tinted lenses as they provide the best contrast and depth perception.

For flat light conditions, it is good to use light-colored tints backed with darker tints and they can also be used for a wide range of conditions.

Making use of photochromatic lenses instead of buying interchangeable lenses with various tints for use is better.

Photochromatic lenses adjust the density of the tint based on the lighting conditions present outside and thus can be used anytime.

This can aid in providing better comfort to the rider as weather conditions and lighting are not predictable and can change anytime.

Goggles over glasses

For people with vision problems and the need to wear spectacles, there is a range of over the glasses frames for snowmobile goggles that can be used.

These frames have larger sized lenses that allow the user to wear glasses inside and make use of spherical lenses to reduce distortion due to the interference of goggles’ and spectacles’ lenses.

Price

The price of the goggles is decided by a variety of factors. The features the goggles provide is the major factor that decides the price.

For buying goggles that make use of the latest technology to prevent fogging, the cost will be high and on the other hand, choosing a simple goggle with the anti-fog coating is cheaper. The cost of the goggle also depends on the manufacturer.

Buying goggles with interchangeable lenses is cheaper when compared to buying one fitted with a photochromatic lens.

Buying ones with custom made goggle frames with better foams can also cost more than usual. So, decide on the features that you require in the goggles to get a better estimate of the price range.

Final Words

Buying the right goggles for snowmobiling is very important. Getting the perfect fit is too, but goggles nowadays come in a variety of sizes and colors that fit almost everyone.

Buy a goggle that fits perfectly and also looks stylish and is compatible with the helmet. Getting a goggle with proper antifog and photochromatic lens can help save a lot of money in the long run and is a very good investment for an avid snowmobile rider. Buy one with a nose guard for better protection.

In the end, choose one that is best looking and also considers all the above-mentioned factors before buying to get the best deals.