Are Ski & Snow Goggles Unisex? Men’s vs Women’s
Confused about what goggles to get before you head out to the slopes? You're not alone. There is a lot to think about including whether you have to get gender specific goggles or not?
The difference between men’s and women’s goggles usually comes down to style preferences rather than any specific design features. The majority of ski goggles are unisex as there is usually no reason why the same goggles can’t fit both a man and woman.
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Why Are Most Ski Goggles Unisex?
Generally, the majority of adult ski goggles are designed to be unisex but a few manufacturers also produce them specifically for women.
These goggles often fit women better because they are slightly smaller. A woman can wear a man's large frame goggles but occasionally they may slide down the face, might cover the nose and cheeks, or simply look too big. Basically, male and female ski goggles are differentiated by their sizes, colors, and patterns.
These size issues are only going to be of concern if you’re a woman (or man) with a particularly small head and need a smaller size. That being said, a lot of goggles are sold as ‘one size’ and are adjustable, so it doesn’t matter anyway.
The reality is that a neutral-colored ski goggle that is one-sized will fit both sexes. If a ski goggle is labeled as ‘womens’ then it’s usually because it has more feminine colors and style.
Rather than looking at goggles in terms of male and female, it’s more important to think about face size and shape. Here we’ll go through all the information you need to choose the right goggles for you.
Overview
It is important to keep in mind that the performance and quality of your goggles can significantly impact your skiing experience, so spending a bit more upfront could end up saving you money at the end of the day.
Sizing and fit are your sole considerations in selecting a pair. It is highly advisable to measure your face to get a general sense of the goggle size you need before making your first purchase, and next, we’ll look at the factors you should consider.
How to Find the Right Fit
It's really important that your goggles fit properly. As you’ll be wearing goggles for a long time, they should be comfortable, making your vacation truly enjoyable.
Ski goggles are made up of a frame, lenses, and a strap. The frame has three primary purposes.
First; the frame secures your lens in place. Second; it shields your eyes from snow, tree branches, or the bitterly cold wind, and Third; to provides you with the maximum amount of comfort.
The following are the different ski goggles frame sizes:
Small Fit
Small-fit ski goggles are typically designed for kids and teenagers, but people who have a small head and face can also wear them.
Medium Fit
Medium-fit ski goggles are the easiest ones to pair with an appropriate helmet. These will be suitable for almost all skiers.Â
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Large / Oversized Fit
One of the key features of the large and oversized frame is to provide a wider lens room and a wider field of view. That is, you can see more both horizontally and vertically.
This can be an essential aspect for freestyle skiers, and those who want to have a more peripheral view. This type of frame can also be used by those who seek the comfort of ski goggles but need to wear prescription glasses when skiing. It's important to remember that finding a suitable helmet for this fit can be difficult.
Over the Glasses Fit
This type of frame is specifically made for those who don't want to compromise between prescription glasses and ski goggles while enjoying all the comfort. The frame is thick enough to keep the lens far away from your face to ensure sufficient space for your eyeglasses and the required airflow.
Women's Fit
They are not much different from the medium-fit frames. There are just more feminine colors and patterns to choose from. They are more suitable for women because they have a slightly narrower frame. As previously mentioned, goggles are generally a unisex piece of gear, and women can wear men’s goggles.
Asian Fit (Low Bridge Fit)
Yeah, we know it’s a terrible and lazy name but this term has traditionally been used for goggles that cater to people with high cheekbones and low nasal bridges. Thankfully, more stores are calling them ‘low bridge fit’ goggles.
How to Measure Your Face for Ski Goggles
To make sure you have the best fit, your face's width and depth can be measured for ski goggles. We suggest you measure the distance between each temple to determine the width of your face.
To determine the depth of your face, measure from the center of the cheekbone to just above the eyebrow. This will enable you to roughly determine where the goggle's foam will be snug on your face.
The bridge of the nose shouldn't be pressed by the ski goggles. If this occurs, you should try tightening the strap to raise the goggles a little. A smaller fit is necessary if the goggle still pinches.
If you can feel the goggles around the outer eye socket area, this may mean that you need a wider pair. OTG (Over the Glasses) ski goggles should be snug enough to prevent glasses from slipping while being used on the slopes.
However, they shouldn't be too tight as well. Try shaking your head swiftly to see if the glasses would come off. This is to check if the glasses are secured firmly but comfortably in place while skiing.
Helmet and Goggles Compatibility: How to Find the Perfect Match
For both the goggles and the helmet to work as expected, they need to go well together. This basically means that there is no (or very small) gap between the goggles and the helmet.
If there is a wide gap on the forehead, this may cause brain freeze, frostbite, and sunburn. Moreover, having a "gaper gap" can elicit some giggles, as it is not so fashionable among skiers.
You don't want to risk being associated as a newbie or one who is completely clueless in skiing, as the term "gaper," happens to be short for "Guaranteed Accident Prone on Every Run" according to urbandictionary.com.
The best way to establish that your goggles and helmet complement each other is still to try and test them together. Keep in mind that the helmet shouldn't be pushing down on your goggles, and there shouldn't be any pinching alongside the goggles' frame.
In finding the perfect match, you should consider the shape of your head and face. One helmet and goggles combo may work well for one face, but not another. Finally, check that the adjustable strap fits over your helmet.
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Hello, I'm Simon & I love skiing. I started skiing in 2007 and I founded this website to help new skiers learn everything there is to know about skiing. NewToSki.com has grown to be a trusted resource for over a million skiers to plan their ski trips each year and learn more about every aspect of skiing. Be sure to join my email list for the best tips and handpicked deals each week.
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