Eyewear is replaying the 1980s and ’90s. Credit that era’s pulse-quickening neon fashions (or its amped up soundtracks), but designers of this winter’s snow sports goggles and sunglasses apparently rummaged through the vintage bins to find aesthetic inspiration from the past. Shields, glacier glasses, chunky goggle frames, and flamboyant colors are common design trends among 2022–23 styles. All seemed futuristic 30 years ago. Now, these old-school optical looks evoke a simpler age and offer a link to retro, carefree fun.
Fortunately, this winter’s retro theme dictates appearances only. Lens and frame technologies are aggressively forward-looking, with companies debuting 3D-printed frames, innovative anti-fogging materials, improved color and contrast tints, and smarter interfaces between goggle straps and frames.
So while this winter’s snow sports optics may look like blasts from the past, they actually advance new construction methods and offer unprecedented on-snow performance. And that’s key—because there’s nothing covetous about 1980s optics technology. With these sunglasses and goggles, you get futuristic technology with throwback good looks.
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1. Obermeyer Rallye Sunglasses
Skiing icon Klaus Obermeyer invented mirrored lenses back in the 1960s, and now, his skiwear company celebrates its 75th birthday with this update to the original mirrored ski sunglasses. Made of ultralight, plant-based acetate and mineral glass lenses, the Rallye is built using 700 minutes of hand-on shaping involving 300 separate steps. Removable leather side shields protect eyes from high-altitude UV rays, and the mirrored finish (on black, navy and clear frames) enhances the glare-diffusing powers of the polarized glass.
[$500; obermeyer.com]
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2. Dynafit Ultra Evo Sunglasses
Modern materials make these shield-style sunglasses lighter and more sweat-resistant than 1990s originals. The grilamid frame and polycarbonate lenses trim weight to just 31 grams, a silicone nosepad stays in place through sweaty efforts, and high-contrast lenses increase definition on snow. Plus, the neon colorways match the sky-high energy levels required for ski mountaineering (the sport these frames were built for).
[$150; dynafit.com]
3. Vuarnet Adventure Sunglasses
Riffing on the 1990s skinny styles, these sunglasses feature a 3D-printed frame that generates no waste during production: Leftover polymer powder is used for the next round of manufacturing. The bio-based material uses castor oil beans instead of petroleum, and vents in the frame dump sweat to prevent fogging. Lenses are coated with Vuarnet’s proprietary Skilynx mirrored treatment to cut glare—making the Adventure an on-snow performer that looks sharp on city streets.
[$470; us.vuarnet.com]
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4. Smith XC Sunglasses
Rifling through its archives, Smith unearthed this classic from the 1983–84 collection and updated it with of-the-moment materials. The flip-up carbonic lens offers ChromaPop color enhancement and an oil- and water-repellant coating that reduces smudging. Nose pads made of megol (which gets stickier when introduced to moisture) hold the frame in place, and the Evolve polymer incorporates bio-based material (53 percent) to lessen reliance on non-renewable materials.
[$179; smithoptics.com]
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5. Anon Strategist Sunglasses
Beta titanium (which is more flexible than standard ti alloys) lightens this update on the classic glacier glasses with a wire brow accent and earpieces that don’t feel bulky when wearing a winter toque. Polarized lenses eliminate glare, and a narrow side shield adds protection from reflected light to make the Strategist a legit choice for on-snow sport.
[$230; burton.com]
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6. Marker Smooth Operator Goggles
By trimming bulk and using hyper-flexible plastics, these packable goggles slide easily into a jacket or pants pocket—making them easy to stow while riding lifts or ordering an après drink. Old-school perforated lenses let steam escape through the foam, but the cyndrilical lens shape offers better clarity than anything from the 1980s. The curvature mimics the eye’s own roundness and eliminates peripheral distortion.
[$80; markerbindings.com]
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7. Spy Marauder Elite Goggles
Fun fact: Spy used artificial intelligence to test 10 million different lens makeups and identify the best formula for color and contrast sharpening on snow. The resulting Happy Boost technology delivers 30 percent more color enhancement than the human eye (and 15 percent more than any competitor, says Spy). Other high-tech features of the Marauder Elite include vents that exploit the Venturi effect to suction out hot air, “deadbolt” magnets that firmly secure each swappable lens, and toric lenses with sophisticated curves that deliver sharp optics across all points of the wide-angle lens.
[$280; spyoptic.com]
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8. Sweet Protection Durden Goggles
Though it rocks a chunky frame like the goggles of yesteryear, the Durden’s broad field of view is totally now. Wrapping the lens to the temples affords uninhibited peripherals. Even the strap uses a gee-whiz attachment system that tacks to the outside of the frame for a better interface with a helmet. And Sweet’s proprietary RIG lens heightens on-snow contrast without adjusting color—making this the visual equivalent of spinning vinyl.
[$130; sweetprotection.com]
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9. Atomic Four Q HD Goggles
Only the vivid color is a throwback. These interchangeable windshields use a new Fusion Double Lens technology that replaces bulky foam with lamination between the fog-reducing double lenses. The result is sharper, refraction-free optics with an extra-wide field of vision.
[$260; atomic.com]
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10. 509 Sinister X7 Ignite S1 Goggles
Fogging is a fact of life when surfing powder on a snowmobile, but these goggles deploy a wealth of technology to eliminate clouded lenses. A humidity sensor built into the frame monitors moisture levels and automatically switches on the heated lens and peripheral fan to banish condensation. A manual setting (adjusted through the 509 app, using Bluetooth smartphone connectivity) lets you override the sensors. And interchangeable lenses (from $70) adapt the system to varying light conditions so you can see clear through storms and sun.
[$280; ride509.com]
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11. POC Levator MIPS Helmet with Goggles
With its first visor helmet, POC preserves the classic goggle-strap aesthetic to make the Levator look less robo-dork than some integrations. It also boosts impact protection: Along with Mips technology that deflects side impacts, the raised panel of EVA foam absorbs impact from glancing blows. Interchangeable Clarity lenses developed by Carl Zeiss deliver sharp optics and allow for replacements (a spare low-light lens is included) should your shield get scratched during careless transport.
[$550; na.pocsports.com]
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