Ski goggles are a crucial part of any skier or snowboarder's equipment, as they not only protect the eyes from snow, wind, and sun but also improve visibility on the slopes. When it comes to choosing the right lens for skiing, it's important to consider the lighting conditions you'll be skiing in. Different lens colors and tints are designed for different lighting conditions, and understanding these differences can help you choose the best ski goggles for your needs.
Read until the end to see our favourite goggles which combines all of the options below.
Darker lenses, such as black or gray, are designed for bright and sunny days on the slopes. These lenses reduce glare and offer maximum protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. They are also ideal for skiers and snowboarders who are sensitive to bright light or who have photophobia. If you'll be skiing on a sunny day, choose goggles with a dark lens tint for the best protection and visibility.
On cloudy or low visibility days, lighter or clear lenses are better suited for skiing. These lenses allow more light to pass through, improving visibility in flat light conditions. Yellow, orange, or rose-tinted lenses are popular choices for low light conditions, as they enhance contrast and depth perception. Clear lenses are also an option for night skiing or for skiing in extreme low light conditions.
Photochromic lenses are designed to adapt to changing lighting conditions, making them a versatile option for skiing. These lenses darken in bright light and lighten in low light, adjusting to the conditions in real-time. Photochromic lenses are a great option for skiers and snowboarders who are likely to encounter varying lighting conditions throughout the day.
Mirrored lenses are another option for skiers and snowboarders who are sensitive to bright light. These lenses have a reflective coating that reduces glare and reflects excess light away from the eyes. Mirrored lenses come in a variety of colors and tints and are a popular choice for sunny days.
Polarized lenses are designed to reduce glare and improve clarity on the slopes. These lenses have a filter that blocks horizontally polarized light, reducing glare and enhancing contrast. Polarized lenses are a great option for skiing on sunny days, as they offer maximum glare reduction and improve visibility on the snow.
Buying different goggles for each of the conditions comes with a big price tag and means you have a lot more to pack. Our favourite goggles come with interchangeable lenses that can be easily swapped out to suit any lighting condition, whether it's bright and sunny or overcast and flat. The goggles feature a comfortable and secure fit, with a range of adjustable features to ensure they fit perfectly on any face. I’ve been using the goggles for 4 seasons now and they’re still going strong, despite a few wipeouts. If you want to try them out and grab yourself some of the best goggles on the market for under $50, click here.
Here’s another useful tip! When you’re shopping around for snowboard and ski goggles, you will see the term ‘VLT’. But what does that mean?
VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission, and it is a measurement used in the eyewear industry to indicate how much light is able to pass through a lens. VLT is measured as a percentage, with a higher percentage indicating that more light is able to pass through the lenses. For example, if a pair of ski goggles has a VLT of 10%, it means that only 10% of the visible light is able to pass through the lenses, while the remaining 90% is blocked.
So if you’re looking for a lens for a bluebird day, you’ll want a lens with a low VLT. If you want a lens for a cloudy, blizzard day, you will want a high VLT.
Choosing the right ski or snowboard goggles and lenses for your needs depends on the lighting conditions you'll be skiing in. Darker lenses are better suited for sunny days, while lighter or clear lenses are ideal for cloudy or low visibility days. Photochromic lenses are a versatile option for changing conditions, while mirrored lenses and polarized lenses offer specialized glare reduction and clarity. Consider the lighting conditions you'll be skiing in and choose the lens color and tint that best suits your needs for a safe and enjoyable skiing experience.
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