While I generally recommend that everyone should opt for a full-face helmet, there are plenty of people who enjoy the feeling of the wind in their faces. Having the wind in your eyes however, is much less fun. Let’s not also forget that motocross helmets don’t come with integrated visors, so a good pair of MX goggles is basically a requirement.

The good news is that a good pair of goggles doesn’t need to cost and arm and a leg; they can also be an attractive or fun accessory. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be very unhappy with whatever your local bike store has on the shelves, I thought it would be useful to have a look at some of the nicer products you can get at various prices.

Oakley O-Frame

Yes, believe it or not, Oakley is more than a world famous maker of devices that let you spot douchebags. These goggles are meant to go with your MX helmet, and in terms of the shape I quite like them. What I don’t like are the decals. It has some seemingly random writing writing on it, like someone made a blown-up collage of a dictionary. I don’t like it, but maybe the hip kids know something I don’t.

Anyway, it has a flexible frame, which should make for a comfortable fit, three layer foam which apparently sucks away the sweat, and Lexan lenses that are less prone to scratching and fogging. They can also apparently take a knock.

At forty bucks or even less these are actually pretty good. It’s a pity about the styling, but otherwise I think they are a good buy.

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Fox Racing Main

Good old Fox, the veterans of making stuff for people who like to get dirty.

Ironically, this simple set of clear goggles are also dirt cheap. These MAIN goggles come in an array of colors, have Lexan lenses, come with all the usual benefits, and give 100% UV filtering.

People are generally happy with these, it seems, but there do seem to be some sun glare and night glare issues with the lenses. Overall though, I think these are a great starting point for MX goggles.

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Outfitter Over-Prescription Safety Glasses

A lot of us (me included) wear prescription glasses and most goggles will interfere with them. These ones from Spits Adventure are designed specifically to fit over all but the most comically oversized spectacles. They’re also pretty demure. These particular ones have a low-key two-tone black and red color scheme. which happens to be my favorite combination. I also like the little side windows that help maintain your peripheral vision – quite a cool idea.

These lenses are shatterproof polycarbonate and rated at UV400 with a scratch-resistant coating. Heck, they even come with a microfiber cloth. The best part? They won’t set you back more than about twenty five bucks. People who have bought them are also pretty happy. One issue I have however is that these are glasses and not strapped goggles, so they aren’t quite as secure on your face. On the other hand, we all ride with our regular glasses, so this should not be a problem in general, I would think.

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Pacific Coast Airfoil Padded Riding Goggles

Unlike the Outfitters “Over Prescription” safety glasses I review on this page, these goggles are, well, goggles. They have a strap that keeps them securely stuck to your head, and also are specifically designed to fit over your existing glasses.

The polycarbonate lenses block 100% of UV rays and they come with a case and a cleaning cloth. Not bad for about thirty bucks. Unfortunately there is no anti-fog feature, but other than in cold weather I’ve never really had an issue with fogging in goggles myself, given that your nose is not covered by them. Fogging in warm weather is usually caused by your own breathing.

These are not labeled as shatterproof, which is a little worrying. Otherwise they look good for the price and if you have to wear glasses, goggles like these may be your only practical option.

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Bobster Wraparounds

Wow, these look cheap and, lo and behold, they cost about fifteen bucks.

These are meant for just one thing, and that’s to keep the wind out of your eyes while riding a cruiser. Basic, basic, basic stuff. It seems though, that they do their job well, given what customers have said about them. Honestly, they are so cheap you can buy and try a pair, and if they suck just throw them away. You just don’t get much in the way of features like UV blocking, eye protection, or anything else really. It’s just a face windscreen.

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Harley Davidson HD402 Motorcycle Glasses

I’m pretty sure that Harley Davidson makes more money off merchandise like caps and cups than they do from actual motorcycles. Cynicism aside, at least this product has something to do with actual motorcycles.

These riding safety glasses from HD are, as you’d expect, a bit on the pricier side at just over eighty bucks, but I have to say they look really nice. I love mirrored lenses too, so I’m already sold on the looks of these glasses.

One thing I really like is that these have an adjustable strap that goes around your head. Lots of riding glasses lack this and just sit like regular glasses. Usually not an issue, but you never know when a freak gust of wind or something will knock them off your face.

The lenses have the full list of usual suspect features. They are scratch resistant, impact resistant, UV blocking, and provide 180 degrees of vision. So no worries there.

Hey, they seem like a really nice pair of specs. They are more expensive than the average set, but if you dig the Harley brand you’ll like them even more. Two thumbs up.

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