If you’re riding with an open-faced helmet you’re probably going to want to wear motorcycle goggles. These help to protect your eyes and face from bugs, dust, stones, and other road debris.
Without wearing goggles it’s possible to injure your eyes while all of the wind and dust makes it more difficult to see. That’s why it’s a good idea to ride with the best motorcycle goggles if you have an open face helmet or one without a visor.
In this post, we put together a list of some of the best reviewed and most recommended motorcycle goggles. Whether you’re looking for riding glasses, sunglasses, or goggles, you’re bound to find something here suitable for your riding style and preferences.
Don’t forget to scroll towards the bottom of this post to check out our in depth buying guide and FAQ. With that in mind, let’s jump right into it!
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Pacific Coast Airfoil Padded Riding Goggles (Best Motorcycle Goggles Overall)
The Pacific Coast Airfoil Padded Riding Goggles are our top recommendation as the best motorcycle goggles for most riders. These are durable, comfortable to wear, and can be worn over your own glasses or sunglasses.
The goggles themselves come with an adjustable, elastic strap. This helps to provide a tight fit and allows you to adjust the strap as needed.
When it comes to some protection, these are equipped with a 100% UV polycarbonate lens. This helps to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays along with dirt, dust, and other debris getting kicked up off the road.
On the interior of the lens is a soft, foam padding. This makes them comfortable to wear and prevents wind from blowing into your eyes.
The goggles themselves are vented as well. This is a great feature for ventilation and for preventing fog or condensation from building up.
Finally, these come with a carrying case and cleaning cloth. The case makes them easy to carry and keep track of while the cleaning cloth makes them easy to keep clean.
Overall, the Pacific Coast Airfoil Padded Riding Goggles are a great choice if you’re looking for durable motorcycle goggles that are comfortable to wear. They’re well-reviewed, reasonably priced, and a great option for most riders.
Bobster Bugeye Goggles
Next up on our list of top recommendations are the Bobster Bugeye Goggles. These are great if you’re looking for something smaller and more portable than our top choice.
The Bobster Bugeye Goggles come equipped with an impact resistant lens that offers 100% UV protection. This protects your eyes from road debris as well as the harmful sun rays.
The goggles themselves are made from a thermoplastic elastomer frame. This is a lightweight material that’s comfortable, durable, and flexible making them easy to wear on longer rides.
When it comes to riding comfort, these goggles are ventilated and come with an open cell foam on the inside. The foam provides a better seal on your face while the ventilated design prevents fog and condensation.
As for the fit, these are equipped with an elasticized and adjustable band. The band can be easily adjusted until the goggles are snug around your head.
Overall, the Bobster Bugeye Goggles are smaller and more portable than our top recommendation. This makes them a great choice if you’re looking for something lightweight, portable, and easy to bring with you on your rides.
Fox Racing Main II Race Goggles (Best Motorcycle Goggles For Wind)
The Fox Racing Main II Race Goggles are equipped with a large lens and are ideal for those of you riding in harsh, dusty, and dirty conditions. Thanks to the large design, your eyes and exposed part of your face are protected from the harsh elements and road debris.
One of the main features of these goggles is the variable lens system design. This makes it easy to switch the lenses inside the goggles themselves from the standard to the injected molded lens, depending on your preference.
The lens is made from a durable and clear lexan material. This helps to provide you with a clear and unobstructed view of the road while offering excellent UV protection.
On the inside of the goggles is a triple layer face foam with fleece liner. This keeps the goggles in place while absorbing sweat and preventing wind from blowing into your eyes.
As for the strap, it takes advantage of a non-slip, silicone design. It can be easily adjusted to provide you with a tight, secure fit while you’re riding.
Those of you bringing your goggles to various locations will find the included microfiber goggle bag to be handy. The bag can also be used for cleaning the lens.
Overall, the Fox Racing Main II Race Goggles are a great choice if you’re looking for superior face and eye protection while riding. The larger design of these goggles make them ideal for riding in harsh, dusty, and off-road conditions.
Cynemo Motorcycle Goggles
The Cynemo Motorcycle Goggles are a great choice if you’re looking for suitable eye protection along with a vintage design. These goggles would pair well with cafe racers and older motorcycles.
Depending on your preferences, there are a few different lens options to choose from. The lenses are tinted and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays as well as wind and road debris.
On the inside is a soft leather, sponge padding. This is comfortable to wear and provides a close fit to your face to prevent wind and dust from blowing into your eyes.
The goggles themselves are ventilated. This makes them ideal for warm weather riding and helps to prevent fog or condensation from building up.
Thanks to the non-slip, adjustable strap, it’s easy to adjust these for a perfect fit. Due to the design, these can be used with half or open-face helmets.
If you’re looking for vintage motorcycle goggles, it’s the Cynemo Motorcycle Goggles that we would recommend. These are lightweight, offer great protection, and have a unique style that make them a great choice for most riders.
Bikershades Motorcycle Goggles (Best Motorcycle Goggles For Night Riding)
The Bikershades Motorcycle Goggles take advantage of a simple design. These are a great choice if you’re looking for something basic to protect your eyes while riding.
Depending on your preferences, these goggles are available in a number of different styles, sets, and colors. There’s something for everybody when it comes to the different designs that these offer.
Each of the goggles are equipped with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. This is the same material used in helmet visors and helps to protect your eyes while you’re riding. The lenses also offer 100% UV protection, something that’s important if you’re riding in the sun
On the inside of the lenses is a thick, soft, dual-layer foam. This helps to make them more comfortable, absorbs sweat, and prevents wind and dust from blowing into your eyes.
As for the build quality, the Bikershades Motorcycle Goggles are made with indestructible polycarbonate frames. They’re durable, lightweight, and offer ample protection.
The goggles are fully adjustable thanks to the adjustable strap. Each set comes with a microfiber cleaning case for easy storage and clean.
Overall, the Bikershades Motorcycle Goggles are a great choice if you’re looking for something small and simple. These are reasonably priced, well-reviewed, and come with basic features that protect your eyes while riding.
Best Motorcycle Goggles Buying Guide
So far you’ve seen our recommendations for the best motorcycle goggles on the market. Hopefully you found something that meets your riding style, preferences, and any personal requirements.
If you’re still having trouble deciding, or if there’s something you’re not sure about, we put together this helpful buyer’s guide. This way you’ll be able to make the right choice when it comes to choosing your own motorcycle goggles.
Features to Look For When Buying Motorcycle Goggles
When it comes to eye safety, everyone has their own needs and requirements. However, there are some Universal factors to keep in mind when you’re in the market for motorcycle goggles.
Let’s take a look at the different features to keep an eye out for:
Budget
One of the most important features is your budget. This is what is most likely to determine the pair of goggles you purchase.
Most of the best motorcycle goggles are inexpensive and reasonably priced. It’s possible to find a well-reviewed and quality pair for anywhere between $5 and $30.
Keep in mind that cheap motorcycle goggles won’t offer the same features or durability as more expensive, better quality ones. If you’re someone that rides a lot, it might be a good idea to spend a little more.
It’s your eyes that you need to be worrying about. This probably isn’t something you want to be cheaping out on.
The biggest difference with price tends to be style and durability. You’ll be able to find more stylish and better quality goggles at the higher end of our budget recommendation.
Prescription Lenses
Many of you will be using goggles with your prescription glasses. Thankfully, there are a number of options that can be used with glasses on underneath.
When you’re in the market for a new set of goggles, check the description. This is where you’ll find whether or not you’ll be able to wear prescription glasses with the goggles you’re interested in.
This style tends to have more room in between the lenses and your face. This means there’s enough space underneath to wear a set of prescription lenses underneath the goggles.
Alternatively, consider wearing contact lenses. This will make it easier to fit a set of goggles and opens up more options available.
Protective Quality
The motorcycle goggles you’re wearing need to be able to withstand the onslaught of dust, dirt, bugs, and other road debris. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for lenses that offer reasonable protective quality.
For this view recommend going with a durable, shatterproof material. Polycarbonate is a great choice when it comes to lenses and durability. This is the same material used for motorcycle helmet visors.
Also, keep an eye out for scratch proof lenses. Having this feature means the goggles will last longer and your vision won’t be compromised by scratches on the surface of the lens.
Ventilation
Ventilation is a key feature to look out for. Vented goggles help to prevent fog and condensation from building up on the lenses, something that can make it difficult to see.
Having ventilation also makes it cooler to wear something on your face. The wind will blow away any sweat and keep you cooler while riding.
Lens Tint
When you’re wearing goggles you probably won’t be wearing sunglasses at the same time. That’s why it’s a good idea to go with tinted or polarized lenses.
All of our recommendations offer UV protection against the harmful sun rays. This means that your eyes are safe from getting damaged or fatigued from direct sunlight.
However, if you’re planning to ride a lot in bright lighting, it’s a good idea to pick up a set of goggles with dark tinted lenses. These offer even more protection and make it easier to see when you’re riding in the sun.
Those of you riding in darker conditions should consider picking up amber tinted lenses. This helps to make it easier to see in dark and low light conditions.
While there are goggles with interchangeable lenses, it may be easier to pick up more than one pair depending on the conditions you’re riding in. This way you’ll always be prepared for any type of lighting that you come across.
Anti-Fog Features
We mentioned ventilation, but there are other features that can help reduce fogging on the lenses. These are necessary if you’re riding in cold, rainy, or humid conditions on a regular basis.
Along with ventilation, internal foam helps to fight against fog. This material absorbs your sweat and moisture, reducing the amount of fog buildup on the lens.
It also helps to regularly clean the lenses. It’s harder for moisture to clean on to a clean lens and it’s less likely for it to build up.
Fixed or Interchangeable Lenses
The last thing to consider is whether you want interchangeable or fixed lenses. This is a great feature to have if you’re riding in a variety of different conditions.
Alternatively, having more than one set of goggles can be just as easy. This way you won’t have to be fumbling around with different lenses each time you want to ride.
Why Do You Need Motorcycle Goggles?
If you’re riding with a half or open-faced helmet, it’s a good idea to use motorcycle goggles. While it’s not a legal requirement, they do offer a number of different benefits:
Protection From Wind
Riding in the wind without eye protection can lead to temporary eye soreness. Eventually, this can lead to permanent damage.
The wind will quickly dry out your eyes. This can make it painful and difficult to see, something you don’t want to be dealing with when you’re out riding.
Ride long enough without any eye protection from the wind and you’ll start suffering from serious eye problems. Eye infections, dry eyes, and general eye pain are some of the main issues caused by riding without proper protection.
Protection From Dirt and Debris
A good pair of goggles protect your eyes from debris that’s kicked up off the road or floating in the air in front of you. This would be small stones, dust, insects, and other debris that you don’t want getting lodged in your eyes.
When something does get into your eyes, it usually doesn’t come out right away. In many cases you’ll have to stop and pull over to remove whatever lodged in your eye.
Depending on where you’re riding, it can be dangerous to pull over. In some cases you may not be able to pull over immediately and you’ll have to suffer until you find a safe spot.
Protection From the Sun
Most of the best goggles for motorcycle riding offer UV protection. This helps to make your ride more enjoyable and protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays.
Without protection, your eyes are susceptible to long-term damage. This can include loss of sight, corneal sunburn, and an increased likelihood of of cataracts.
Protection From the Weather
Finally, goggles offer suitable eye protection against harsh and unpleasant weather elements. Riding in the rain at high speeds can be painful and temporarily blinding.
With the right eye protection you’ll only have to worry about getting wet. Riding in the rain can turn into an enjoyable experience as long as your eyes are protected.
Motorcycle Goggles Maintenance Tips
Properly caring and maintaining your goggles will ensure they last a long time. Here are some helpful maintenance tips:
Cleaning
Regularly clean your goggles with a microfiber cloth. Use a mixture of dish soap and warm water.
Avoid using Windex or other special glass cleaners. These contain chemicals, such as ammonia, that can be harmful to the polycarbonate lenses.
Don’t forget to regularly clean the strap and foam around the lenses as well. These areas can get full of sweat and dirt, which can cause them to deteriorate faster.
Use an Anti-Static Spray
Considering regularly spraying the lenses with an anti-static spray. This helps to keep dust from accumulating and keeps the lenses clean.
It also prevents streaking when you use soap and water to clean the lenses. Anti-static spray is helpful to use for extending the lifespan of your goggles.
Safe Storage
When you’re not using the goggles, always store them in their carrying case. If they didn’t come with one, wrap them in a microfiber cloth and store them in a plastic bag.
Storing them safely keeps them from getting lost. It also keeps the dust off and minimizes the lens contact with sunlight.
It’s easy to stash them in your motorcycle tank bag or motorcycle tail bag if you’re using them. This way they’re always available when needed.
Motorcycle Goggles Pricing
Under $15
At this price point you can find a few options for cheap motorcycle goggles. These would be available both online and at your local motorcycle gear retailer.
The problem with this budget is that you won’t be able to find the best quality goggles. In this price range there will be a lot of compromises with durability, build quality, and features.
For this price you should be able to find goggles that come with basic UV protection, adjustable straps, and some ventilation. Otherwise, you’ll find better features with goggles at a higher price point.
$15 – $50
There starts to be some decent quality motorcycle goggles for women and men at this price point. This is where you’ll find some great options geared towards the average rider.
Goggles in this price range well offer suitable protection as well as other decent features. These would include interchangeable lenses, better UV protection, and a build quality using high-quality materials.
Over $50
At this price point is where you start to find some of the best motorcycle goggles. Starting at around $50 and ranging up to $200 or more is a good budget if you’re looking for premium quality.
This is where you’ll be able to find a set from a reputable, well-known brand. Goggles at this price point will be durable, well reviewed, and provide ultimate impact protection for your eyes and face.
Best Motorcycle Goggles FAQ
How Do You Keep Your Motorbike Goggles From Fogging Up?
When it’s humid or cold outside, fogging lenses is a common problem. Thankfully, there are a few tricks you can use to prevent this from happening.
For starters, keep the lenses clean. Moisture droplets cling to dust, dirt, and debris that’s left behind in the lenses. If the lenses are clean it’s less likely for them to fog up.
When it comes time to clean the lenses, try to use an anti fog wipe. These wipes are made using chemicals that prevent droplets of water from forming on the surface of the lens.
Alternatively, regularly clean the lenses using soap and warm water. Don’t forget to wipe away any leftover residue
Another helpful tip is to check that the goggles are adjusted properly on your face. They shouldn’t be too tight and there should be a little room for air flow.
Finally, choose a pair of goggles that come with suitable ventilation. This helps the air to flow around the lenses and prevents moisture and condensation from building up.
Can You Wear Goggles and a Helmet at the Same Time?
Yes, goggles are designed to be used with a helmet. For the most part, riders using half or open-face helmets will want to use them while riding.
Helmets that come with built-in visors typically don’t require the rider to wear goggles. If this is still something you want to do, keep an eye out for a smaller, more streamlined pair.
When it comes to proper fit, goggles are designed to be worn on the outside of the helmet. Keep this in mind when you are fitting them on and getting ready for your next ride.
How Do Prescription Goggles Work?
Prescription goggles are made with lenses tailored to a specific prescription. They offer a suitable alternative to wearing goggles over contact lenses or prescription glasses.
If you’re looking for a prescription pair, it’s a good idea to order custom motorcycle goggles with the right prescription lens. They’re not as common as other types and can be difficult to find online.
What About Wearing Motorcycle Goggles at Night?
If you’re riding both during the day and at night it’s a good idea to have two sets of goggles. One set for day riding and another set for night riding.
Alternatively, look for a pair that comes with interchangeable lenses. This makes it easy to change the lens depending on the conditions you’re riding in.
What’s the Best Way to Clean Your Motorcycle Goggles?
It’s a good idea to regularly clean your motorcycle goggles. This can help to extend their lifespan while providing you with a clear and unobstructed view of the road ahead.
After every ride, use a microfiber cloth to wipe off dust, dirt, and any other debris. Try not to use paper towels with harsh chemicals that could scratch the lenses.
Every so often clean the goggles with a mixture of warm water and mild soap. Using a microfiber cloth is the best way to clean them without scratching the lenses or frame.
How Do You Wear Goggles With a Motorcycle Helmet?
Motorcycle goggles are designed to be worn on the outside of your motorcycle helmet. The strap needs to be stretched over the helmet to keep the goggles in place.
It’s possible to wear goggles with any type of helmet, although there are specific types that make it easier. As long as there’s room to strap the goggles over the back of the helmet they can be used with any type.
Finding the Right Motorcycle Goggles
As a motorcycle rider, your eyes are your most valuable asset on the road. This is why selecting the best motorcycle goggles is essential to ensure you are protected from flying debris, harsh weather conditions, and harmful UV rays. A high-quality pair of motorcycle goggles should be designed to provide optimal eye protection while also being comfortable and durable.
When choosing motorcycle goggles, consider features such as lens material, color, and shape. It is also essential to choose goggles with anti-fog technology, ensuring clear vision in all weather conditions. Popular brands such as 100%, Oakley, and Smith Optics offer a wide range of high-quality motorcycle goggles that meet these requirements.
Investing in the best motorcycle goggles is a crucial aspect of maintaining safety and comfort while riding. A good pair of goggles can protect against debris and harmful UV rays while also preventing fogging and offering clear vision. By selecting a pair of motorcycle goggles that fit your unique needs and preferences, you can enjoy greater confidence and comfort while riding.
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