Zillenial Snowboarders...need goggle advice

[IHikeLikeAGirl]

Would like to get my (on the cusp) Millennial/Gen Z daughter some snowboard goggles for Christmas. Looking for suggestions in the upper mid to high end range...but I am way out of touch. Please advise....

[gergmorg]

Julbo 0-4 Reactiv Lens work great and do not fog! Really have been of fan of these

[smrcka]

I've been real happy with my Glade Optics goggles. Glade operates out of Breck, which I like. The Fathom+ goggle was $200 and had all the same bells and whistles as my buddy's $300 goggles. Came with two lenses - one is photochromatic, the other a low light lens for storm conditions. Both are magnetic and easily swap out. You can buy spare goggle straps and swap them out too.

[9patrickmurphy]

I really like my Zeal Portals (I have the XL to accommodate glasses). The rail lock system is great and I love being able to interchange lenses super easy. I personally think photochromic lenses aren't worth it as in Colorado the UV is intense enough to make them go fully dark even if it's really cloudy. It looks like they're on deep discounts right now on their website, too.

Something to consider is that goggles don't always fit with any given helmet, so there may be gaps letting wind through if they're not compatible. I'm not sure how to guarantee compatibility without trying them on together.

[IHikeLikeAGirl]

Thank you all for the great advice. As I said, I'm out of touch (in this arena), and want to present my daughter with very good options.

Appreciate this!
- Valerie

P.S. apologies on misspelling zillenial. I fixed it....

[Eli Watson]

I own a pair of colorful Melon Optics that I'm happy with. They allow you to customize a pair of goggles from a selection of all kinds of strap patterns and frame colors. Super easy to swap lenses, as well.

I might be a little old to tell you what's cool or 'in' right now without trying to find some teenage or 20-something pro snowboarder's social media for 'inspo'. Goodr is a hot brand right now in sunglasses, a quick web search shows their snow goggles have some bright, fun colors available. Pit Vipers can be a polarizing brand (no pun intended), so I wouldn't recommend them as a gift.

[mtree]

As a snowboarder (I prefer snowsurfer) I've had multiple goggles over the years. Some fairly high end and some cheapos. Unless your daughter is real good and is riding 30+ times a season, I don't know if she'd notice the difference between a $300 and $50 pair. I can say with confidence I'll never buy an expensive pair again. My current $50 one (bought at Loveland during spring sale) works as well as any I've owned. And the upside is if I break it or lose it I won't be too upset. I lost/had stolen one expensive piece, but that was a gift. Another expensive piece got wrecked by someone's careless ski edge. I babied both of those and glad I don't have that baggage anymore. I have friends who own expensive goggles and they treat them like fine crystal. Don't need the hassle. So, it depends on your daughter's needs and/or wishes. Just my knuckle dragging opinion (I'm obviously not a zillenial).

As someone mentioned, they don't all fit every helmet or face. Usually they will, but sometimes things don't work out.

[IHikeLikeAGirl]

As a snowboarder (I prefer snowsurfer) I've had multiple goggles over the years. Some fairly high end and some cheapos. Unless your daughter is real good and is riding 30+ times a season, I don't know if she'd notice the difference between a $300 and $50 pair. I can say with confidence I'll never buy an expensive pair again. My current $50 one (bought at Loveland during spring sale) works as well as any I've owned. And the upside is if I break it or lose it I won't be too upset. I lost/had stolen one expensive piece, but that was a gift. Another expensive piece got wrecked by someone's careless ski edge. I babied both of those and glad I don't have that baggage anymore. I have friends who own expensive goggles and they treat them like fine crystal. Don't need the hassle. So, it depends on your daughter's needs and/or wishes. Just my knuckle dragging opinion (I'm obviously not a zillenial).

As someone mentioned, they don't all fit every helmet or face. Usually they will, but sometimes things don't work out.

I SO appreciate your response. I have learned this the hard way with sunglasses during my decades of mountaineering treks/scrambles. I used to buy high end sunglasses and lost/broke/damaged too many pairs. Finally went with cheapos (that are UV rated...and I still lose/break/scratch/damage at least 2 pairs each year...but now I'm out $10-$20 each time.

But since it's a Christmas gift, I thought I'd spend a little more. I may provide her with a backup, less expensive pair too. What brand did you get at the Loveland sale?

[Cruiser]

Goggles have come a long way in recent years. Other than fashion, there's no reason to spend huge $ on them. Jump on Amazon and check out outdoormaster pro frameless goggles. Buy a few replacement lenses with different tints and she'll have a kit that will keep her riding in comfort regardless of the conditions on the hill.

[lodgling]

Goodr's are $60 right now and come with two lenses that are easily interchangeable.

[mtree]

As a snowboarder (I prefer snowsurfer) I've had multiple goggles over the years. Some fairly high end and some cheapos. Unless your daughter is real good and is riding 30+ times a season, I don't know if she'd notice the difference between a $300 and $50 pair. I can say with confidence I'll never buy an expensive pair again. My current $50 one (bought at Loveland during spring sale) works as well as any I've owned. And the upside is if I break it or lose it I won't be too upset. I lost/had stolen one expensive piece, but that was a gift. Another expensive piece got wrecked by someone's careless ski edge. I babied both of those and glad I don't have that baggage anymore. I have friends who own expensive goggles and they treat them like fine crystal. Don't need the hassle. So, it depends on your daughter's needs and/or wishes. Just my knuckle dragging opinion (I'm obviously not a zillenial).

As someone mentioned, they don't all fit every helmet or face. Usually they will, but sometimes things don't work out.

I SO appreciate your response. I have learned this the hard way with sunglasses during my decades of mountaineering treks/scrambles. I used to buy high end sunglasses and lost/broke/damaged too many pairs. Finally went with cheapos (that are UV rated...and I still lose/break/scratch/damage at least 2 pairs each year...but now I'm out $10-$20 each time.

But since it's a Christmas gift, I thought I'd spend a little more. I may provide her with a backup, less expensive pair too. What brand did you get at the Loveland sale?

I do the same with sunglasses!!! My current ones were $6 at King Soopers. Should last a season or two. I did find a pair of Suncloud on a trail one year. Left them prominently displayed and continued on my hike. No one at the summit. Hours later they were still there on the way down. It was snowing so they were technically mine or the mountains.

I don't know what brand of goggles I have. Probably Smith. Originally $120ish marked down to $50ish. This was a few years ago.

[Skimo95]

I’d advise against cheap sunglasses in Colorado with a bluebird day on snow. A couple of the worst weeks of my life were due to sunburnt/snow blind eyes after boarding bierstadt. There IS quite a difference between $50 and $150 goggles

/rant