Skiing is a fun activity for people of all ages, and that includes kids. Children and teens can have a great time out on the slopes, but only if they have the right gear. The wrong goggles won’t just cause discomfort – they can ruin an otherwise great snow day.
I started skiing when I was a kid, and I know how important it is to have the best equipment to make the most out of your time on the mountain. I’ve thoroughly researched every kid’s model here to find the best options.
The Smith Rascal is my pick for the best kid’s ski goggles of the season. This is an affordable pair that provides little skiers with a comfortable fit and excellent visibility. They have an effective anti-fog coating and have multiple lens options as well.
I’ll give you some more of the best options for kids in this post. My goal is to make sure your children are ready for action so that they can develop a lifelong passion for the sport. It’s never too early to get them started.
Let’s jump right in.
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Who Should Get This
Obviously, all of the goggles in this guide are perfect for kids. Not only do they have a special feel, look, and fit for younger skiers, but they also utilize special lenses that enhance sight.
The options are also adjustable, which means they can adapt to a growing body and don’t need to be switched out as your kid gets older. This increases their value and durability in the long run.
The age range for the following goggles varies, but they are best suited for young children up through teenagers. Older kids or more experienced skiers who know the slopes will likely want goggles with more features that are a bit more specialized.
Do kids need to wear ski goggles?
Yes, they do. Ski goggles are very important for any skier, no matter what age they are. Goggles protect from harmful UV rays, which can affect their vision in the long term. Goggles will also help them see better in poor light situations, increasing safety.
What age are youth ski goggles for?
It really just depends on the size of the skier more than their age. Kids come in many shapes and sizes, and you always want to make sure you get a goggle that fits properly. Generally, youth goggle sizes are suitable for kids aged 4-14.
Are kids ski goggles one size fits all?
I’d say that kids’ ski goggles are more one-size-fits-most than one-size-fits-all. These goggles come with an adjustable elastic strap that allows you to accommodate a wide range of head sizes.
Best Kids Ski Goggles: Top Picks
Here are all of my picks for the best kid’s ski goggles of the season. Every model you see here comes in a smaller fit that works well for a wide age range of children.
1. Smith Rascal
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Durable, comfortable, youth fit, good field of view, affordable
- Lenses: Anti-Fog Cylindrical
- Ventilation: Channel Vents
- Cost: $
The Smith Rascal is my pick for the best overall kids ski goggles of the season. This is a very comfortable and reliable option that will provide little shredders with everything they need to stay safe and ready for action.
The goggles have a small youth fit with an adjustable strap that will last for seasons as they grow into competent skiers. The design molds easily to different face shapes, which is another nice feature for growing skiers.
An anti-fog coated cylindrical lens provides solid clarity in a range of different lighting conditions, and this will help reduce moisture from building up on warmer days as well. They are also lightweight to make them easy to wear for long days on the mountain.
I don’t have many negative marks to mention with the Rascal. They are a quality option that can work for many different kids. However, they might not be small enough for toddlers or tiny skiers.
==> You can also get it on Buckman’s or Mountain Equipment Coop or Backcountry.
2. Odoland Kids
- Best for: Field of View
- Key features: Excellent vision, affordable, helmet-compatible, long straps, good venting
- Lenses: Double Anti-Fog
- Ventilation: Perimeter Vents
- Cost: $
The Odoland Kids ski goggles have an extra-large field of view that will help children see every bump and obstacle headed their way in the snow.
These goggles also offer excellent UV protection to keep their eyes safe from the sun’s rays, as well as a fog-free design that will keep everything free from moisture.
A double-layer of face foam provides a reliable fit that increases comfort, and the extra-long strap means you can make fit adjustments as they grow.
These aren’t the coolest looking goggles around, but they will provide solid performance no matter what ability the skier wearing them.
3. Anon Tracker 2.0
- Best for: Style
- Key features: Great looks, many pattern/color options, solid construction, comfortable, good vision
- Lenses: Cylindrical/ICT
- Ventilation: Full Perimeter Channel
- Cost: $
If you have a kid who is concerned about their skiing style, the Anon Tracker 2.0 goggles are are good option to explore.
These are available in a wide variety of strap patterns and colors to give you options that will make any fashion-focused child happy.
They also have a very lightweight frame that is extremely comfortable and high-quality lenses that provide excellent vision in variable light conditions.
This is another option that doesn’t have extremely small sizes available to work for toddlers or tiny ones.
==> You can also get it on Burton or Evo or Buckman’s.
4. Giro Grade
- Best for: Fit
- Key features: Super Fit design, anti-fog coating, comfortable, durable
- Lenses: Cylindrical Thermoformed
- Ventilation: Lens Vents
- Cost: $$
Thanks to a Super Fit design engineered to mold their faces easily, the Giro Grade will provide your kids with a very nice fit.
These goggles also have cylindrical thermoformed lenses that are very reliable and pretty durable, translating into effective clarity no matter what type of conditions they ski in.
Double-layer face foam with a micro-fleece lining makes the goggles extraordinarily comfortable and easy to wear as well.
These don’t have the most expansive field of view but still offer pretty good peripheral vision.
==> You can also get it on DICK’S or Public Lands.
5. Smith Grom
- Best for: Durability
- Key features: High-end design, durable, tapered lens tech, Fog-X anti-fog
- Lenses: Spherical Carbonic
- Ventilation: Channel Perimeter
- Cost: $$$
The Smith Grom is one of the most durable kids ski goggles around. This makes them an excellent value for any kid who tends to beat up their equipment.
The Grom is basically a high-end model in a youth size, and they feature the same quality characteristics of some of the best all-around ski goggles.
Stand-out features include spherical carbonic-X lenses that are extremely strong and resistant to scratches and tapered lens technology that helps reduce distortion for extremely accurate vision.
These are very expensive, but they are sure built to last.
==> You can also get it on Smith Optics or DICK’S or Buckman’s.
6. Oakley Line Miner Youth
- Best for: Performance
- Key features: Quality construction, comfortable, durable, low profile, Prizm lenses
- Lenses: Prizm/Plutonite
- Ventilation: Dual Vented Lens
- Cost: $$$
The Oakley Line Miner Youth is a perfect option for kids with more advanced skills on skis who need high-performance equipment.
These goggles will provide them with excellent clarity and comfort. An O Matter chassis easily molds around the face, and Prizm lenses help increase contrast, so they stay ready for every obstacle that pops up.
These also come with an interchangeable lens system that lets kids quickly adjust to any changing light conditions.
The Line Miner Youth is another pretty expensive model, so it isn’t recommended for parents trying to budget.
==> You can also get it on Oakley or Buckman’s or Vision Direct.
How to Pick Ski Goggles for Kids
This section will highlight some important considerations to keep in mind when choosing kid’s ski goggles. This information should help you narrow down the search and find the best option for your child.
Visibility
When picking out kids’ goggles, always focus on visibility. Many models aimed at younger skiers have an extremely wide field of view in addition to ample UV protection. That prevents snow blindness and enables your kid to see everything around them at all times.
The mountain can be a dangerous place, and your kid needs to be aware of their surroundings. A wide field of view with good peripherals makes that happen. Lenses also help with visibility, so be sure to get an option that matches their skiing conditions.
Ventilation/Anti-Fog
Just like with any type of ski goggles, ventilation and anti-fog characteristics are essential. If your kid’s goggles fog up, they won’t be able to see, and that can be a big problem in a lot of ways. Good ventilation can help reduce moisture from building up.
You should also look for lenses that come with an anti-fog treatment of some kind. Every model here has high-quality lenses treated with materials that help reduce the possibility of fog, but always be sure to look for that when shopping around.
Comfort
Kids’ ski goggles also need to be comfortable. Pay attention to fit because you never want something that sits too tight or too loose, and always ensure your model won’t let in moisture or cold air. You also want an option that is pretty easy to adjust with an elastic strap.
You want your kids to be as warm as possible, and that starts with a secure feel. Some goggles may look great, but extra features should always come second to insulation. Favor models with foam or extra padding as well.
Style
When it comes to good ski gear, features should be your first, second, and third priority. Even so, there’s nothing wrong with looking good out on the slopes. Some of the options you’ll find here come in various colors and styles to make your kids happy.
Kids love to show off their new equipment, which is why color, look, and style are so important. When getting goggles, try to keep your kid’s favorite colors in mind. In addition, be sure to look for sleek or slim designs that stand out from similar options.
Useful Tips & Resources
Skiing with your kids can be fun, but it can also be a bit stressful if you’ve never done it before. Rather than going into the experience blind, the video below outlines some great tips to keep in mind when taking your children out on the slopes.
Continuing the above thought, your kid must stay safe out on the slopes. Safety is always the number one priority on the mountain, especially when dealing with children. Always teach them the proper safety practices, no matter how experienced they are.
In addition to wearing good ski goggles, they also need to wear a helmet and appropriate clothing to match their skiing conditions. Check out this post for some more advice on keeping kids safe when they ski.
If you want your kids to develop a lifelong passion for skiing, I think it’s incredibly important to get them started young and make sure they have everything they need to stay warm and comfortable on the mountain.
Ski lessons are always a great idea, and this will give your kids the tools and techniques they need to progress rapidly. Who knows, they might even become better than you before they reach adulthood.
Final Verdict
The Smith Rascal is my pick for the best kids’ ski goggles of the season. This is a very comfortable pair of goggles that will provide children with excellent clarity and comfort, so they can ski all day long without worrying about vision.
Every pair of goggles reviewed here is recommended for kids. Getting them equipped with the best gear is essential, and these models will allow them to stay safe as they develop into capable skiers.
Jacqui
If possible, I highly recommend taking the kids to try a few different brands on. I waited too long to do this and was shocked at how differently each brand fit. The Smith Rascal was a horrible fit for my kids… it completely squished their noses, which would prevent them from wearing them. In fact, I found this to be an issue with all the Smith youth goggles and Giro goggles they tried on (about 7 pairs between those two brands). The Spy+ goggles, on the other hand (both Cadet and Cruiser Elite Jr.) fit them beautifully. All kids have different faces, so try several on for a good fit!
When my kids were younger (they are still young, ages 5 and 9) we bought a pair of toddler goggles (fit is more like sunglasses/swim goggles) and a ‘budget’ giro youth goggle. I don’t remember the name of the giro ones, but my kids refused to wear them. My 9 year old would opt to wear no goggles or the toddler ones over the youth ones. I just assumed goggles were too big for her face and now I regret not having her try on more sooner!
Christine
Thanks for sharing the experience with finding goggles for your kids here. I totally agree that it’s always best to try on goggles in person. And that’s good advice for any skier, not just kids. Everyone has different sizes and shapes of faces, and getting a good fit is so important. I hope they are loving the snow now!