Goggles might appear to be a retro or MX-only accessory, but they can be a crucial piece of motorcycle equipment. In this article, we rank the top seven motorcycle goggles so you can pick the one you like best.
Although they appear cool in movies, are motorcycle goggles actually required when riding one? A visor-equipped full-face helmet is frequently worn by riders. Goggles would be unnecessary and ridiculous for these individuals.
But a lot of motorcycle helmets have an open-face design, which exposes the rider’s delicate eyes. Insects or road debris can be a significant, accident-causing distraction when riding at high speeds. Wind, sun, glare, and insect protection are all features of the top motorcycle goggles.
So, are you prepared to locate the ideal set of motorcycle goggles? Get reading then, please!
Best Motorcycle Goggles
Best Overall: Biltwell Moto 2.0 Goggles
Pros
- Anti-fog polycarbonate lens
- Large eye port for peripheral visibility
- Clean neon-free appearance
- Wider frame to fit over prescription glasses
Cons
- Lack some features of more expensive models
The Moto 2 are very simple goggles, but if the intention is to have a pair on hand just in case, they will serve the purpose. You’ll need to test that out to be sure, but the no-fog design moves enough air, and the oversized frame should fit glasses.
Best Photochromic Lenses: Bobster Night Hawk
Pros
- Photochromic lenses
- Can fit over glasses
Cons
- Easily scratched
- Run small
Consider the Bobster Night Hawk goggles if the Bertoni sunglasses are out of your price range. Additionally photochromic, with a coating to prevent fogging, and with great airflow, these lenses. These work well in place of the Bertoni’s despite receiving less favorable reviews.
Best for Glasses: Biker Armor Motorcycle Safety Goggles
Pros
- Excellent airflow
- Fits over eyeglasses
- Polycarbonate lenses
Cons
- Can get hot
- Foam padding lets in rain
Another inexpensive pair of motorcycle goggles with good airflow and a secure fit is the Biker Armor Motorcycle Safety Goggles. These are made to fit over glasses and provide enough room to be worn with prescription lenses.
Although the foam padding that cushions these goggles is comfortable, it has some limitations in that it isn’t waterproof and can break down over time.
Best Value: GGBuy Pilot Glasses
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Comfortable padding
- Don’t fog
Cons
- Lets in too much air
For riders looking for inexpensive goggles for cruising around town, the GGBuy Pilot Glasses are a good option. They have a nice appearance, are comfortable, and didn’t fog up at all during our testing.
However, because they let in a little too much air, we believe that these may not be the best goggles for the highway. Our tester’s eyes began to dry out at the fastest speeds.
Best for Off-Road Riding: Get Lost Motorcycle Goggles
Pros
- Photochromatic
- Small design fits more helmets
- No-foam design
Cons
- Can fog when stopped
The low-profile design of the Get Lost Motorcycle Goggles may appeal to the retro racer in you. Though some people dislike the material used for motorcycle goggles because it is not rain-resistant and can deteriorate over time, foam padding around the eyes can make them more comfortable.
The motorcycle goggles have good airflow and don’t easily fog while moving, but they can be prone to fogging while stopped, especially if it is cold outside.
Best Vintage Style Motorcycle Goggles: Halcyon MK49 Goggles
Pros
- Split lenses for better peripheral view
- Leather backers for added comfort
- Rubberized stars for extra grip
- Clear lenses offer UV protection
Cons
- More likely to fog than modern goggles
The MK49 is a stylish pair of goggles that is also very useful. Individual lenses for each eye seal extra well, providing excellent protection, and split lenses give you a great peripheral view.
Additionally, the leather backings are more comfortable against your skin, and the rubberized strap has excellent helmet traction, so once fastened, these English-made glasses won’t budge. Additionally, UV protection is provided by clear lenses as well.
Best Polarized: Bikershades Motorcycle Goggles
Pros
- Polarized lenses
- Great value for money
- Polycarbonate construction
- Sweatproof foam cushion
Cons
- Not suitable for riding at night
You need a pair of polarized goggles if you only ride in the daytime, and Bikershades’ Motorcycle Goggles are my top choice. The polarized coating on both lenses reduces glare from surfaces like water, windows, and chrome. Consequently, you’ll notice less glare whether you prefer to ride along the coast or through urban areas.
These goggles offer excellent value for the money, and since the polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant, they are made to last. The frame is lined with sweat-resistant foam, providing a secure barrier between your eyes and wind, dust, and debris. The goggles are secured by an adjustable strap.
What to Look for When Buying Motorcycle Goggles?
Safety should always come first when choosing motorcycle accessories. Motorcycle goggles that fit snugly, and don’t fog up or otherwise obstruct your vision are the safest ones to wear.
Cost
Motorcycle eyewear comes in a wide price range. This list contains recommendations ranging in price from $20 to $120. In general, more expensive goggles have the advantages of having stronger construction and more comfortable materials.
Lenses
You want your goggles to function in all kinds of lighting. The best goggles come with a photochromic lens that can change color depending on the lighting. You might have to change lenses with less expensive goggles. In the latter case, you want to make it as simple as possible.
Frame Construction
The frame that a pair of goggles or glasses is built around is the most crucial component of them all, followed by the lens material and retention system. The businesses that manufacture today’s motorcycle eyewear typically use materials that are lightweight but incredibly rugged and immensely shatter-resistant, just like the lenses themselves.
This includes tough polycarbonates, cutting-edge composites, and specialized materials like NXT (a ridiculously shatter-resistant material that’s frequently used to make helicopter windshields).
Anti-Fogging and Venting
Goggles that are fogged up can be dangerous and irritating. The lenses of some goggles have an anti-fog coating. The anti-fogging spray is also available for purchase. Ample ventilation can also help prevent condensation on the lenses.
Having the Right Fit
As you ride, you should make sure your goggles are secure. A wide, secure, and adjustable strap is a must-have, as well as a comfortable interior that wicks away moisture.
Helmet Type
A variety of motorcycle helmets can be worn with the majority of eyewear. However, some eyewear (as well as the helmet you’d typically wear for that activity) is tailored to specific riding styles. Verify that the eye-opening of the intended helmet fit the goggles before using it.
You can check out our posts about the best BlueTooth helmets and the lifespan of helmets and when to replace your helmets.
Light Protection
Motorcycle eyewear also needs to protect the user from the sun’s rays in addition to wind, dirt, and grime. This requires using both tinted lenses, many of which provide UV protection. There are also lenses with a yellow tint that are frequently used by endurance racers because they have been shown to improve contrast and lessen eye strain.
Style
There’s nothing wrong with letting your choice be at least in part influenced by your aesthetic preferences, even though you should be thinking about things like lens and frame constructions. The good news is that contemporary motorcycle goggles typically come in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Additionally, there are a huge variety of straps that can be changed out, each with a unique pattern or design. Additionally, it’s worthwhile to investigate some of the limited-edition iterations of current goggles offered by moto lifestyle companies like Deus Ex Machina, Troy Lee Designs, and Fast House.
Padding & Seal
The kind of padding used determines a goggle’s overall comfort as well as its seal. Modern goggles frequently have multiple layers of different densities of foam padding, which improves comfort while blocking the outside elements.
And while the majority of high-end eyewear will have a plush padded nose and ear tips, there are a few motorcycle-specific sunglasses that have fully padded frames that seal in the face like goggles.
Technology
Other proprietary lens types and technologies, such as Oakley’s PRIZM and 100%’s HiPER and PEAKPOLAR lens tech, are widely used in the industry today in addition to photochromatic lenses. By enhancing contrast and making other Toric changes to the lenses, these cutting-edge technologies give their wearers superior vision.
Additional Features
Manufacturers offer incredibly specialized pairs of motorcycle eyewear with unique features for more specialized or extreme riding applications, such as racing or winter riding.
This includes naming a few, posts for heated or rolling lens systems and tear-offs in the competition style. We strongly advise looking into some of these supplemental features if you intend to compete or do a lot of cold-weather riding.
Safety Ratings
Many of today’s most reputable manufacturers of motorcycle eyewear have earned official government safety certifications or ratings, which provide a more accurate indication of a given model’s safety or shatter resistance than simply making claims that their products are shatterproof. The standard CE rating is the most prevalent of these.
FAQs
Can You Wear Motorcycle Goggles over Glasses?
Yes. Many brands make a specific offer the glasses “OTG” goggles for prescription glasses wearers. Goggles that are wider and can fit the lenses should be chosen. Additionally, you should invest in goggles with superior ventilation and anti-fog protection. Instead of needing to wear goggles, some can be customized with prescription lenses.
Do You Need Goggles to Ride a Motorcycle?
While the face and eye protection are always recommended when riding a motorcycle, goggles are not required. You can forego the use of goggles if you’re sporting a full-face helmet with a visor. Motorcycle goggles should be worn if you don’t have a full-face helmet.
How Do You Wear Goggles With a Helmet?
Motorcycle goggles are compatible with open-face helmets. Goggles are redundant if your motorcycle helmet has a face shield and is not required. Depending on how your helmet is made, you may or may not wear goggles with it.
How Do I Care for My Motorcycle Goggles?
Motorcycle eyewear maintenance is not too difficult. To clean them, just use warm water and mild soap. To avoid damaging the lens, avoid using any ammonia-containing cleaning products. Dust can be removed with a microfiber cloth and anti-static spray if you want to go the extra mile.
