UKH

Blind as a bat without my specs. Should I get prescription goggles (?) or put ordinary goggles over my bespectacled face?

Prescription goggles are expensive, and will need changing as and when your prescription changes = ongoing costs.  On the other hand, ordinary goggles often don't fit very well/at all over glasses.

A solution is to look for "Over The Glasses" or "OTG" goggles: these are designed to fit over glasses, so you don't have to change them every time your prescription changes.  OTG is a generic term used by most eyewear manufacturers to designate models in their range which are specifically designed with the extra clearance and space inside to fit over glasses.  I'm not sure whether there's an actual standard for it, but its use does at least give a reasonably reliable indication as to which models are most likely to work for you.

I currently use a pair of photochromic OTG goggles that I bought in France a couple of years ago for ~€60.  They fit much better than the ordinary goggles I had previously wedged on top of my glasses - which meant that the glasses came off with the goggles every time I took the goggles off (eg going in to a restaurant) and I then had to faff about extracting the glasses from the goggles in order to be able to see again (eg to read the menu).  GoIng back outside involved further faffing with goggles and glasses to make sure that the goggles were fitting properly ie not going to let snow and draughts in, and that my varifocal lenses were in the right place to be able to see to ski and to read the piste map.  With OTG goggles there's none of that mucking about involved when putting them on or taking them off and the world is a far, far better place.

Thank you very much. That's very helpful.

I suspect this won't be a very helpful reply, as I'm sure you've considered this before, but just in case... I struggled with glasses in the mountains for quite a few years, both with goggles and with Cat 4 glasses for use on glaciers etc. 

My solution now is to go with contacts. I really struggled to get used to contacts, and for years struggled to get them in – with it sometimes taking half an hour. It's fine now and I don't think twice about it any more. They have made such a difference that I think it's worth persevering with if you've tried them and haven't got on with them in the past. This is on the assumption that contacts solve your particular vision issue and your optician is happy to prescribe them to you. 

You can get contacts that you can keep in all week, which is very helpful if you're not staying somewhere with washroom facilities. I've never had issues with contacts in the cold, but I've heard others have. 

Something to think about, perhaps?

Mehmet

Those multi-day wear contacts are simply brilliant.

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Until they aren't! - don't forget your glasses

Another vote for contacts. I was one of those people who always said they couldn't possibly cope with them. Converted now -climbing, skiing and very occassional surfing. It makes a big difference being able to see a wave coming in before it breaks on your head.....

A different solution? Some ski helmets have an integral visor which might get round the problem.

I have skied for 25 + years and I need bifocals. The best result for me has been prescription wrap round sunglasses. In everything except the worst horizontal blizzard they perform really well. They keep the snow out, they have a strong frame rather than the bendy flimsy stuff of goggles, they have proper optical lenses ( bifocal in my case so I can read the bar menu as well as see to ski) . The only issue is steaming up when you stop moving . Because they are a close fit to your eyes/face they steam up more quickly when you stop than goggles. But they clear almost immediately when you start moving. But proof is in the fact that I have  skied in pretty much all conditions on and off piste for a long time and hardly ever do I find they are inadequate and mostly they are excellent. I got them years ago from rxsport.com (or maybe .co.uk)who are opticians who specialise in prescription sports eye-ware. The frames I chose are Bolle mainly dictated by the availability of a bifocal lens and good facial fit. I have dark brown lenses which are great in the sun and more than adequate in crap visibility. If I was not so tight I might lash out on a second pair for flat light but can always find something else to spend £200 on. 

Prescription sun glasses

i also carry goggles and use them when it snowing - my vision is good enough to see the limited range when it’s snowing without corrective lenses

Many thanks for everyone's considered advice. It is much appreciated.

Others have suggested contact lenses, but they don't suit everyone.  My prescription is a bit strange and I  haven't got good enough vision with contact lenses to go skiing. 

I've found OTG goggles to be the answer.  I also take a pair of prescription sunglasses with me so I can swap to them if necessary  (eg lunch stops).

I have adidas terrex pro sunglasses that you can clip a prescription insert in behind the lenses. The lenses are interchangeable, I have an orange set and cat 4 set. My prescription changes regularly so replacing the prescription insert is a lot cheaper than replacing the whole set of glasses.

My local opticians were able to order me a set of goggles with a clip in prescription insert as well, fit great and again doesn't matter too much for the wallet if your prescription changes. I think they were only about £80?

I don't get on with contacts at all, so I've found this the only option that works for me.