Goggles are unquestionably one of the most important pieces of equipment when it comes to skiing. Goggles do not only enhance your vision but allow you to see everything clearly in different conditions. They can also help you to reduce the danger of accidents and injuries. So would you really want to compromise on this factor? Probably not!
But when choosing goggles for your skiing journey, you might have come across different colors and shades. So have you ever wondered which color is the best for you? If not, then you really should! This is because the color of goggle lenses plays a vital role in providing clarity in different environments and scenarios. So let’s check out the complete ski goggle lens color guide and see how things work!
Different ski goggle lens shades and the best time to use them!
Following are the most popular ski goggle lens colors you would find in the market. Go through each of them as I am going to explain in which conditions they would work best!
1. Clear Lenses
Yes, ski goggles also come in clear lenses or tints, and they are also actually used quite a lot. But should you use them? It depends on the precise time of the day you are skiing. If you are looking for ski goggles for night skiing when the light is drastically low, then clear lenses will work best for you.
Shaded lenses will blur your vision due to low light, and you will probably not be able to see everything clearly. That is why it is better to go with clear lenses specifically for night skiing or low-light skiing.
2. Light Colored Lenses
After the clear lenses, there come the light tints or lenses, and they are also used quite significantly. Again, as we are talking about the light lenses, they would work well in low to medium light. These lenses can be suitable for skiing at the time before sunrise or the time right after sunset. So if you are an early skier or ski till dark, you might want to get your hands on the goggles with light-colored lenses.
Not only that, but you can also use them when the light is naturally low, even during the day, and they will not create any hassles.
3. Medium Colored Lenses
Hands down, medium-colored lenses are the ones that are used casually by almost every skier during the day. Medium-colored lenses or tints are best for the usual days where the sun is neither very low nor exceptionally bright.
In other words, medium-colored lenses can work great in average sunlight conditions, and they work really great most of the time. So if you like to ski only during the day, and not till the end, you can consider them as your priority.
4. Dark Colored Lenses
Many of us like sunny days, but most of the skiers don’t. Sunny days can make it very difficult to ski as the reflection from the snow makes it harder to see what is coming up next. But if you still want to ski in conditions where the sunlight is above average, then you will have to get the goggles with dark-colored lenses. Else, the sunlight will still come in your way to ruin your rides, and you might even have to face an accident.
5. Extra Dark Colored Lenses
These are the types of lenses that are not very commonly used, but they are indeed used by professionals. Extra dark-colored lenses are for those who ski from very high altitudes or glaciers where the reflection and sunlight are overly powered.
These types of lenses are only suitable for ultra-bright conditions, so it is better to check your preferences before getting them. If you are a casual skier who just skis medium to lower altitude, you will probably not require extra dark-colored lenses ever in your life.
What are the common colors available for goggle lenses?
So these were the different shades you can get your hands for your goggles. But do you know what the exact and precise colors you can get are? If not, then let me help you out!
Shades/Tint | Visible Light Transmission (VLT) | Suitability/Best Time for use |
---|---|---|
Yellow or Orange | 80%-100% | Low Light Environment |
Red or Bright Pink | 40%-50% | For better depth and contrast |
Purple | 25%-30% | Great glare reduction |
Green | 30% | All-in-One Purpose |
Brown Shades | 8%-10% | In-depth evaluation of surroundings |
Black | 3%-8% | Massively bright conditions |
- Yellow or Orange: Yellow or orange color is quite common due to its very light nature. These colors would benefit you in low light due to their nature. Besides that, these colors can also be good for goggles for flat light too as you can use them in foggy or rainy conditions. Other than that, you can go with any of them to enjoy the rides.
- Red or Bright Pink: Some people really lean towards the depth and the contrast while skiing. If you are actually that type of person, then a red or bright pink tint will surely work out for you.
- Purple: Purple tint is good for reducing glare and offering better color perception while skiing. It will become easy to evaluate things while skiing, and you will be able to differentiate between the things even in the bright white snow.
- Green: Green tint is also considered the universal color for skiing due to its all-in-one features. Green shade offers low light accuracy, reduction in glare, improved contrast, better color perception, and few other things.
- Brown shades: Due to its dark nature, brown color is suitable for contrast and depth evaluation for the skiers.
- Black: Well, this is the darkest you can go, and these types of shades are good only for the ultra-bright conditions.
Should you go for interchangeable goggles for skiing?
Interchangeable goggles have definitely made life easier for the skiers who ski at different types. These types of goggles allow the skiers to just replace the lenses and keep the same frame without buying separate pairs. This saves up money and time too and can be really convenient for any skier.
But I would only recommend going with the interchangeable goggles if you ski at different times of the day. Else, they will not do much good to you, and it will automatically become a hassle.
Is contrast-enhancing tech in goggles worth it?
If you have actually seen the goggles market, then you would know that many brands are offering contrast-enhancing tech in goggles. So the actual and real question is, is it worth it? Should you spend extra on it? Well, contrast-enhancing technology is unquestionably good as it can offer you clarity while skiing. All the objects while skiing become clear, and you get the vision you would want.
In the end, contrast-enhancing technology is good, so you can consider it for your goggles and see how good it works out for you.
The Verdict
So this is how you choose a color for your ski goggles. Make sure to check out your ski routine and the conditions you ski in. If checked thoroughly, it will not be difficult for you to pick a color. It is because you will know what is best for you through this guide.