For a lot of people, goggles are an essential bit of kit when you're on a mountain bike. Having the best mountain bike goggles can transform your ride.
If you've considered buying a pair of goggles, you have probably realized, there is a lot to choose from!
So which goggles are going to see you down that steep terrain safely? What should you be looking out for when buying Mountain bike goggles?
Let's find out!
Why You Need Goggles For Mountain Biking
You may be wondering if goggles are necessary for mountain biking. If you go off-road on your MTB then they can be incredibly useful!
The best MTB goggles will prevent lots of things from getting in your eyes, we're talking:
- Bugs
- Debris (sticks, leaves, rocks)
- Dust
- Mud
- Water
- Wind
- Sun
None of which I can imagine you want in your eyes!
Goggles can come into their own when we start talking about safety. Secure eyewear will protect your eyes during falls or crashes.
Sizing Guide for MTB Goggles
The top and bottom of it is that goggles designed for MTB use will fit most helmets.
Unless your helmet isn't standard (very large, very small), you really shouldn't have any issues.
It's worth being mindful that some goggles are designed for youths or women, some are unisex but if you match that then you should be all good!
How To Choose The Right MTB Goggles
Goggles are the only eyewear you should be considering when you're bombing down a trail. They are perfect for protecting your eyes from howling winds and trail debris.
There are a few things to look out for when choosing the right goggles.
1. Frame
It's important to get a decent seal around your eyes. However, this can lead to sweat and moisture getting trapped and your lens can become foggy as a result.
The best thing to look for is goggles with vents on the frames.
This can be a juggling act in itself so you need to find the right-sized vents. Too big and dirt will creep in. Too small and the goggles will still be foggy.
2. Field of View
Field of view is important, having a wide field of view means that you'll be able to see most of the terrain, making the most of your ride!
Large frames can impact your vision and narrow frames can limit your sight from the beginning.
Strike it somewhere in the middle so you can see most of what is around you.
3. Lens
This is one of the more important choices when choosing a pair of goggles.
The lens should fit your face so look for one that curves around, but avoid any that distort your view. This can cause you to become dizzy - I don't need to tell you why this is a problem!
Look for a lens that is scratch resistant, this will help to maximize their lifespan.
Having the ability to swap out lenses is very useful so consider goggles that allow you to do this. Different lenses are useful in different environments and will determine what you can see.
Shaded areas/dark days - Clear lenses
Sunny days - Polarized lens
If you want to take things up a notch, illuminating your surroundings so you can see every aspect of the trail then consider something like the Chromapop lens by Smith.
4. Fit
Whether you're planning on hitting the trails hard or taking things easy, you don't want your goggles to fall off or become crooked while you're riding. They need to be secure.
Some mountain bike goggles can press too much into your face and become uncomfortable.
The best goggles for mountain biking won't do that, they will be good for long periods.
5. Quality & Durability
You want to know that your goggles will hold up against some tough love. Scratches are going to happen, that's just a fact of life. However, getting the right anti-scratch coating can help minimize this so well worth looking out for!
The 5 Best Mountain Bike Goggles
1. Smith Squad MTB Goggles
If you're after a pair of feature-rich goggles, then the Smith Squad MTB goggles might be the perfect answer for you.
Anti-Fog
These goggles provide great ventilation and since nobody wants to fog up while they're traveling at speed, we like this touch!
There is a huge choice of lens color, so you are bound to find something that will suit you. Not only that, buy a Smith Squad goggle and you get a clear lens included.
This is a nice extra that few manufacturers include and could come in useful when Mother Nature decides the sun should make an unexpected - but welcomed - appearance!
One of the real benefits of these mountain bike goggles is how unlikely they are to fog up.
Ventilation
Mountain biking can be a sweaty business, there's no getting away from that. Smith have understood that and ensured ventilation is spot on.
You know that surplus foam you often find around the frame? The stuff that causes you to steam up? That's gone!
Smith only uses what is necessary and this means that you can leave your goggles on even when on short climbs without the worry that you'll get all foggy.
Something new and proving to help keep the fog at bay is the addition of slotted vents in the lens.
It may sound strange and you may be wondering if that means mud and dirt can get in. However, even when put through their paces in the worst conditions, no mud or dirt managed to sneak into the Squad goggles. Hugely impressive technology!
Field of View
With these Squad MTB goggles, you are going to get a brilliantly wide and deep field of vision. For those not sure why you'd want this, it means that when you're looking for hazards on the trail, you're much more likely to spot them and sooner.
We spoke about the fact that included with your fancy mirrored lens, you also get a clear lens but how easy are they to swap out?
Seriously easy is the answer! There are tear-off/roll-off lugs so it makes changing lenses quick and straightforward, perfect if you're out on the trail.
Lens Material
The Chromapop lens is individually molded, this gives it an added edge when it comes to being scratch and impact resistant.
Let's face it, it's something you need to consider if you're planning on doing downhill at speed. Knowing your goggles will stand up to a bit of impact can be very comforting!
What's more, the carbonic-x material the outer lens is made out of meets class 1 optical standards - you'd be hard pushed to find a better lens.
To top it all off, these Squad MTB goggles were super comfortable and they will happily fit into most full-face lids with ease.
Pros
Cons
2. Giro Tempo
For those riders who are wanting to up the tempo up on their rides, then Giro has the answer with these mountain bike goggles!
Lens Technology
The Giro Tempo goggles come with Giros' latest lens technology, Expansion View Technology (EXV). They pair this with the True Sight lens giving you seriously crisp vision. The result? You'll feel confident that you'll be able to see on the trials, whatever they throw at you.
EXV technology is a bit of a game-changer, it opens the world up. Your peripheral vision is opened up like no other goggle can do.
Giro spent time getting this design right and boy, did they succeed!
Firstly, they started with a helmet-compatible goggle and shaved the frame down. Giro then added some frameless zone. All of this meant a huge increase in peripheral vision.
Over The Glass (OTG)
Prescription glasses wearers are sometimes left out when it comes to designing eyewear for sports. Not in this case!
These goggles have been designed perfectly to accommodate prescription glasses without impacting the anti-fog technology so you can be sure of clear, crisp vision every time!
Anti-Fog
The lenses are coated with anti-fog technology to ensure your riding experience is always smooth and fun.
The Tempo goggle is one of the best OTG MTB goggles around and due to their huge range in colors, there's bound to be something to suit you!
Pros
Cons
Fly goggles are versatile and have a different appearance, that will undoubtedly appeal to many riders!
Fit
There is a single layer of foam that gives the face some comfort. I know what you're thinking, a single layer isn't going to be enough. But it is! It molds brilliantly to your face meaning that you can wear these goggles for long periods of time with discomfort. Ideal!
As the foam molds to your face, this also has the added benefit of making a good seal. Water will struggle to get in between the goggles and your face so you can be confident your goggles are up to the job!
Frame
The Focus goggles are designed to be durable but they provide a nice level of flexibility.
The frame itself won't obstruct your vision at all and actually gives you a seriously good field of view so you'll be able to spot the best line and be fully aware of your surroundings.
One huge plus is that Fly claims that the lens is anti-fog and anti-scratch, both of which are almost a requirement for mountain bike goggles.
Both of these claims have help up against testing. Nice one Fly!
Switching out the lens is no issue whatsoever. Good job as you'll want to take advantage of the huge selection of lenses that Fly offers!
Comfort
Getting strapped in is quick as there is an adjustable double buckle strap. So should you need to change the tension when you're out and about, that can be done easily too.
The great thing is, this strap is unlikely to move, even on rough terrain as there is a non-slip silicone strip on the inside of the strap. Honestly, it seems to work flawlessly. Very impressed!
Sizes
Fly wants everybody to experience their fantastic goggles, rightly so too!
Men's and women's sizes are available as well as youth sizes. This is quite unusual as it's often one or the other. Extra brownie point there.
Pros
Cons
100% Racecraft has changed up their range and this means big improvements to the field of view - 17% increase!
Fit
Everything about the Strata 2 has had an overhaul and this includes the fit. It has a distinctly premium feel to it.
The seal is now tighter but not so tight that it is going to cause discomfort. Just right so that moisture isn't going to get in.
100% Racecraft has ensured comfort by making the foam ultra-thick, 3 layered in fact! For riders hitting the trails all day, this is perfect for you.
Lens
The lens is going nowhere thanks to the 9-point lens fit. It is held securely in place, whatever you throw at it.
You also get to benefit from 100% Racecraft anti-fog lens. The Strata 2 lenses are coated in polycarbonate. This means you will never have to worry about fogging up again. Clear and flawless vision all day long!
Changing the lens can be done with ease. Tear-offs make things simple.
The great thing is, the lenses can be interchanged with other models from 100% Racecraft so no more worrying about which model you have and whether that nice lens will fit - it will!
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict
We've taken a look at the best mountain biking goggles but which one comes out on top out of them all?
Taking everything into account, the podium spot has to go to Smith Squad MTB Goggles.
Smith has gone to town when designing new ways to prevent fog build-up and it seriously works! It's one of the most annoying things about mountain bike goggles and they seem to have cracked it.
For that reason, plus the sheer number of additional features these goggles come with and the fact they provide full-face protection is why they come out as our best mountain bike goggles!