3 Best Goggles for Low Visibility and Bad Weather

Low visibility conditions, whether caused by fog, whiteouts, or dust storms, can put a damper on vacations, sports, and daily activities. Whether you’re battling sand storms, overcast weather, or heavy snow and ice, it’s a good idea to get a good pair of goggles. There are countless options on the market but never settle for anything less than the best.

Features of the best goggles for low visibility and bad weather are as follows:

1. Best for foggy weather- Must have anti-fog lenses, usually single-lens for maximized clarity.
2. Best for whiteout conditions- Heavy UV protection and specialized colors to protect your vision.
3. Best for dust storms- Wider than other types and specially designed to prevent dust penetration.

Here are my current recommendations for different conditions:

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn details about each of the goggles, including why they’re so popular and a few top-notch features. You’ll also discover what you should look for when you’re shopping for goggles during low-visibility situations. Finally, you’ll be able to decide which of the three mentioned above is the one for you.

Related Best Survival Goggles | How to Choose the Right Pair.

Best Goggles for Cloudy, Foggy Weather

Cloudy days and foggy weather can be a serious problem if you’re driving, snowboarding, or even just trying to enjoy the view. Fortunately, my recommended goggles will allow you to see everything without having your vision blocked. They’re stylish, relatively affordable, and there are typically multiple colors to choose from.

There are usually several lens and frame combinations as well. Colors to look for are white frames with gray lenses, black frames with red lenses, oranges frames with gray lenses, or mix and match. Check to see if they currently sell the lenses separately as well if you want to buy extras for future usage. All of the goggles I recommend are adjustable to size.

The mono lenses of most good goggles are generally secured by around 12 different points. This amount is nearly double of comparable low visibility goggles. The extra points of contact add a barrier and prevent anything from getting inside. However, they also offer additional durability. If one of them breaks, you won’t have to worry about replacing the goggles.

Perhaps the most important feature of these goggles is that they’re anti-fog. This basically means that your breath won’t blur your vision, which is a claim that the vast majority of goggles on the market can’t make. When you’re already battling the elements, you need reliable eyewear to see clearly.

Pros

• Multiple different lens and frame combinations
• Ultra-comfortable strap with numerous security points
• Includes anti-fog lenses
• Single-lens for maximum visibility

Best Goggles for Whiteout Conditions

Whiteout conditions are in a world of their own. They’re not only incredibly dangerous, but they can also limit your vision tremendously. By using the goggles that I recommend, you can keep moisture and debris out of your eyes. These anti-fog goggles also prevent your vision from blurring, much like the previous ones.

If you choose to go with this pair, you’ll be able to try out all sorts of other fashionable combinations, if that’s your thing. They also come with multiple different lens colors to try with any of the aforementioned frames. They’re each about five inches wide by five inches high, so mixing and matching are completely fine.

There are double-layered foam pads around the eye areas, allowing you to wear them comfortably. They don’t cause excessive sweating, dryness, or irritation, as many other eye pads tend to do. Although you can remove the lenses, the place where they overlap is seamless, providing better aerodynamics if you’re skiing or snowboarding.

The ultra-wide frame of view is made even better by the fact that they pair up with any of this brand’s helmets that you’ll find. If you want to use them for recreational activities, then you can hook them up in seconds. On the other hand, they work just as well by themselves.

Pros

• Compatible with a wide variety of helmets
• Perfect for whiteout conditions that cause moisture and high winds
• Comfortable padding around the eyes
• Multiple colors for frames and lenses

Best Goggles for Dust Storms

Dust storms are a completely different breed of a problem than whiteouts and cloudy weather. They’re caused by excessive wind, such as a tornado or rapid gusts. Either way, getting this recommended model will protect your eyes and face from sand, dust, and other debris.

This brand is one of the world’s most well-known brands in the industry. They’re known for their style, toughness, and longevity, all of which stay true in these goggles. At about 4 inches tall, it’s a bit shorter than the previous goggles. However, they eclipse the length by stretching up to over 6 inches wide.

When it comes to style choices, you can select from you will have plenty of options. They pair up with several lens colors as well. Whichever combo you choose, you’ll have the same high-quality, adjustable strap on the back.

These goggles often cost a bit more than many other brands, but you get what you pay for. The anti-fog lenses are coated to prevent scuff marks, and they also reduce the glare caused by the sun. They’re padded and comfortable, but they weigh much less than most other dust storm goggles.

Pros

• Made by a well-trusted, reliable brand
• Designed to prevent fog, blurring, and dust penetration
• Wider than most other goggles
• Reduces UV rays and blue light penetration

What to Look For

Now that you’ve seen the three best goggles for low visibility and bad weather conditions, you’re almost ready to pick one of them. They’re all the best for their given purpose, but it’s important that you choose the pair that you’ll get the most use out of.

Below, you’ll find four questions to ask yourself prior to buying a new pair of goggles.

1. What size do you need? As you probably read above, some of the goggles are 5 x 5 inches, while others are about 4 x 7.25 inches. Regardless of which set looks better, you should pick the goggles that match your vision requirements. You shouldn’t have your vision limited, especially peripheral vision.
2. Are they coated? Some goggles are coated against UV rays, some include tints, and others are scratch-proof. In fact, you’ll find that most of the goggles listed above come with all three coats and more. You might not necessarily need all of them, but write down a few requirements first.
3. Are they going to fit comfortably? Even if you decide to pick out a pair of goggles that aren’t on the list, you should make sure that they feel good to wear. This suggestion includes cushioned padding, adjustability, and whether or not they heat up. Fogging is also something to consider.
4. Will you be wearing them with a helmet? Some goggles are made to be worn alone, while others, such as the best goggles for whiteout conditions, are made to be compatible with helmets of similar models. They can be worn by themselves as well, but it’s worth thinking about if you ever intend to buy a helmet for the goggles.

Conclusion

Low visibility conditions can cut back on everything you see, but it also increases the chances of getting harmed while irritating your eyes. By wearing one of the goggles mentioned in this article, you’ll be able to prevent all three of those issues.

I actually prefer to do less specialization and go more for all-purpose survival goggles, like these.

Here’s a quick recap of the post:

• Each of the goggles will prevent you from getting debris in your eyes.
• Comfort is incredibly important when you’re choosing new goggles.
• Some goggles work with helmets, while others don’t.
• Dust storms, whiteout conditions, and cloudy weather can cause visibility issues.
• Go with survival goggles if you prefer something all-purpose.

For more, check out Long Term Camping Gear List | 14 Must-Have Items.