We like goggles with either interchangeable lenses or well-made photochromic lenses that adapt to quickly-changing spring conditions. Both systems come in handy when you start the run in overcast skies on the top of the mountain and finish in blinding sunlight, or when you’re sidecountry touring on a bright day.
Although goggles with interchangeable lenses are getting a lot of interest lately (like this one with a nifty magnetic lens lock), photochromic lenses are the easiest to use, since they automatically adapt. They take up to 28 seconds to adjust, but then again, you don’t have to stop to make the change in the middle of the trail. Unless you’re darting in and out of tree cover, that adjustment delay isn’t usually too long for most skiers.
We like the following models for the ability to change their visible light transmission index very quickly, as well as features like total UV protection, ventilation, and anti-fog coatings.