Types of Ski Goggle Lenses

Ski goggles have come a long way in the past 50 years and are considered an important part of a skier's gear. In addition to protecting your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet rays and bright conditions, they also guard your eyes from the wind and snow. There are numerous different types and colors of lenses which are designed to provide you with better vision in certain conditions.

  1. Orange/Yellow Lenses

    • Ski goggles are often fitted with orange/yellow lenses because they help make shapes and objects on the mountain more visible by filtering out blue light. They are sometimes referred to as "blue blockers" and are suitable for use in most conditions, particularly low light. Some goggles also feature a mirror coating that reflects the sunlight.

    Polarized Lenses

    • Polarized lenses reduce the glare in bright conditions by filtering out the light that reflects off the snow. While this is clearly an advantage when it is sunny, polarized lenses are less suited to darker conditions. Opticians often advise against wearing polarized lenses because it is harder to see icy patches; however, polarized lenses are also available in amber and rose shades, which help you differentiate things better.

    Other Colors

    • Clear lenses are mostly used in dark conditions. They are suited to sunset and cloudy weather and are ideal for night skiing. Clear lenses do not tend to filter much light, and therefore have a higher VLT percentage (Visible Light Transmitted). Clear lenses are not recommended when the weather is bright and sunny on the mountain. Purple lenses are best suited to low-light conditions because they bring out shapes and shadows. Green and silver lenses help enhance contrast and can be used in most bright conditions.

    Prescription-Ready

    • It is possible to find goggles that will fit over a pair of prescription glasses, but a better alternative would be to get a lens insert that corresponds to your eyeglass prescription. Not all goggle frames are suitable for prescription-ready lenses, so consult your optician first to find out about your options.

    UV Protection and Impact Resistance

    • The best ski goggles have lenses that offer 100 percent protection from ultraviolet light. Overexposure to UV rays can cause sunburn and permanent damage to your eyes. In addition, ski goggles typically feature polycarbonate lenses because they are much more impact-resistant than glass or plastic. Lenses with more flexibility are also less likely to break or detach from the frame.

    Anti-Fog

    • Goggles that consist of multiple lenses help to reduce fog. Lenses tend to fog because of the difference in air temperature on either side of the lens, but dual-lens models have an extra layer of air in between, which helps to reduce the contrast in temperature. Lenses with anti-fog coatings are also available.