General ·
Lens Types For Ski Goggles - A Rundown
Okay, so you probably know what shape ski goggles you want and what design you want, but have you thought about what type of lens you actually need?
With so many different lenses to pick choose between it can seem like a very overwhelming decision to have to make, but really it’s actually a lot more simple than you would ever think.
Each tint and lens type is designed with particular slope and weather conditions in mind. We’ve put together this little guide as to what tint and lens type is best for each condition to help to make your final decision a little easier..A rundown on lens tints!
| Lens Colour | Best For: |
| Clear | Low light / Nighttime: make sure you have UV protection on clear lenses as the sun’s rays can make their way through on even the most overcast days. |
| Pink / Rose | Low - mid light: as this tint has a low filter level for bright lights, it is best to use this if you are skiing in partly cloudy or overcast conditions, or if you will be hitting the slopes at dusk and dawn. |
| Yellow / Gold | Flat light: yellow and golden tints are intended to sharpen your vision on the slopes, cancel the brightness of snow and are known to filter blue light, making them great for sunny days too. Yellow tints in particular are considered a good all round lens! |
| Amber / Orange | Overcast / Partly Cloudy / Sunny: another great all round tint. Orange tints are advised for an overcast day and for increasing visibility in fog, whereas mid-tone amber lenses are great for toning down the sun on particularly bright days. |
| Black / Dark Grey | Sunny / Bright lights: these lenses are perfect for very bright days as they are often polarised and so block out a lot of UV rays. A mirror effect on these lenses can reflect light bound up by the snow away and reduce glares. Should be avoided in cloudy or foggy conditions and at night time. |
| Brown / Bronze | Sunny / Bright days: a brown lenses are again often polarised and so reduce the glare of the sun and snow. They also increase the contrast and up depth perception levels. Again, try to avoid these darker tints in darker conditions as it will greatly reduce your visibility. |
| Red / Vermillion | Medium / Bright light: a red tint (also called vermillion) can massively increase colour definition and sharpen your perception while out on the slopes. |
| Green | Partly cloudy / overcast: the green tint offers increased contrast and depth perception, sharpening your vision as you ride. This soothing tint can also help to reduce eye fatigue. |
| Blue | Low light: blue tints, being a lighter tint these are ideal for those lower lit times. However, should you get a mirrored blue tint, they can work very well in brighter lights as they are able to cut out the glare. |
| Violet / Purple | Low / moderate light: violet tints give contrast to greens and blues and so enhance smaller details for when skiing or snowboarding. |
| Photochromic | These are the daddy of all lens types. They are suitable for all conditions on the slopes as the technology in them allows the lens darken accordingly. They are more pricy, but for that all round lens could be worth looking into! |
It doesn't just stop with tints either, there are categories to consider too:
Category 1-2: Suitable for low light and snow conditions. Many skiers use these when on the mountains and whilst some use them when the sun is out, it is advised against. This is because they enhance light, making it harder to see. Category 2-3: These lenses are suitable for most light conditions, but try to avoid them on very bright or very dull days as they may restrict your visibility. They are the most common type of lens seen on the slopes. Category 3: Perfect for bright weather as they are pretty versatile and offer good UV protection and some definition. Category 3-4: These lenses should be used in extremely bright conditions due to the darkness of the lens. This can make them difficult to see through in duller weather as they block out a lot of light.Hopefully this little guide helps you think about what tint is suitable for you needs whilst out on the mountain.
If you think we've forgotten anything, tell us in the comments below!
Also you can shop our full range of ski goggles at www.urbansurfer.co.uk!
