Skiing surely includes quite a lot of equipment that you have to consider. And, of course, goggles are one of the important ones that you would not want to compromise on. But have you ever wondered what VLT is in goggles? Have you actually thought about what impact does VLT make when it comes to your vision through the goggles? Well, this is the aspect where most people get confused and make major mistakes. And that is why it is important to know what VLT is in ski goggles before you get your hands on any variant.
VLT simply defines the amount of light that reaches your eyes after going through the lenses of your ski goggles. VLT stands for visible light transmission, and the percentage of VLT is what makes you see the light brighter, clearer, or dimmer.
But the thing is, do you know how much should the VLT be according to different scenarios? Well, to sort that issue out, we will have to go through different perspectives and scenarios to understand things better.
What is the VLT percentage in Ski Goggles?
We have now understood what VLT actually is in goggles, but what about the percentage? Well, VLT percentage ranges from 0-100, and that is what states how much light you will be able to see while skiing.
For instance, the lower the VLT percentage is for your ski goggles, the less light you will be able to see while skiing. But if the VLT range or percentage is higher, then more light will pass through the lenses, and you will be able to see more light than usual.
What Is A Good VLT For Ski Goggles?
As the VLT range goes from 0 to 100, it is pretty apparent that not all the VLT ranges will suit you the best. Well, that is why you might be wondering what VLT range would be good for you, right? To answer that, check out the ranges mentioned below to understand how much VLT would be good for you!
1. 5%-20% VLT Range
You will probably and actually not be able to find any goggles having lenses of VLT 0%, which is why it is better to start the list with 5% to 20%. Well, this much range is only suitable if you ski on very sunny days. Not only that, you probably never know when it will be sunny or very bright outside, so it is better to use the lenses of this range to avoid the consequences.
During the very sunny days, the light will reflect quite a lot. The snow will also glow, and you will have to face hurdles determining the turns, moguls, or different things. That is why the goggles with 5%-20% VLT will not allow much light to pass through your goggles, and you will be able to see everything clearly. But make sure to use these goggles in sunny conditions only, or else this much VLT will seem very dim in other conditions.
2. 20%-50% VLT Range
This is the most common range for skiers from all over the world, as the 20%-50% range is used for partly sunny or overcast days. We all know that the weather around the cold areas is usually partly sunny, and the sun usually does not come out that often. That is why most skiers prefer to go with this range in order to avoid the hassles of changing the goggles every other time.
As for how much light it would allow passing through the goggles, then the amount would be moderate. It will not actually be very dim nor very bright.
3. 50%-70% VLT Range
The 50% to 70% range is suitable for the days that are heavily clouded. Not only that, but the goggles with this much range are good for specific times of the day too. You can use them just after the sunrise or just before the sunset when the light is not bright enough. This much VLT allows a big portion of the light to pass through your goggles, and that is why they can be safe to use when the weather is very cloudy, and it is difficult to see ahead.
4. 70%-95% VLT Range
This is where almost every single bit of light is passed through your goggles. I would only recommend using the goggles with this VLT range when it is snowing or it is nighttime when you are skiing. This is because you would need a full light and clear view if you are skiing along with snow. If the light does not pass through properly, you will not be able to make your way out through the snowstorm, and you can even lose your way while skiing at night. Most skiers do not even consider buying goggles with this much VLT if they don’t ski at night or in worse conditions. So it depends on you too!
What are the best lens colors for different VLT ranges?
After you have determined what the best VLT range for your skiing needs is, you might now be wondering what lens color to choose for your goggles. If yes, then check the list below and solve your queries out!
- Best lens colors for 5%-20% VLT: As this much VLT does not allow much light to pass through, you will have to get your hands on the goggles having dark-colored lenses. You can go with dark gray, bright red, mirrored blue, or mirrored green for things to work out great.
- Best lens colors for 20%-50%: For this range, you can go with the lenses that are moderate in colors. This means that they should not be too dark nor too light. You can simply go with medium amber, medium rose, medium green, or yellow colored lenses for this VLT range.
- Best lens colors for 50%-70%: This is where the light starts entering quite a lot, and that is why you will not have to go with the lenses that are light in colors. In this case, you can go with light rose color, light orange, and low light yellow to enjoy your skiing at its best.
- Best lens colors for 70%-95%: As for the last stage VLT range, you will have to go with ultra-light colors. You can even go with transparent lenses for a better experience. But the best colors would be light gray, night yellow, and light pink colors to get started with your snowy and dangerous ski rides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are interchangeable ski goggles good?
Yes, interchangeable ski goggles can be good for skiing as they allow the users to replace the lenses easily and quickly. You can replace the lenses with any color you want according to the conditions and enjoy skiing without any hassles.
What do Photochromic Goggle Lenses do?
Photochromic Goggle Lenses simply change their tints automatically according to the situations. This means that you do not really have to replace the goggles or lenses as the tint automatically gets darker or lighter according to the atmosphere.
What goggles are best for night skiing?
Any goggles that would allow a massive portion of the light to pass through the lenses would be good for night skiing. Although it is not recommended to ski at night unless you are a professional, it is a good idea to go with specific night ski goggles to start your ride.
Is it OK to ski without goggles?
No! It is not safe to ski without goggles. Ski goggles make sure that you get the best possible view, less reflection, protection from particles, and injury protection in different unfortunate scenarios. So it is better to ski with goggles rather than face the consequences later.
Is higher or lower VLT better?
This aspect solely depends on the circumstances you are skiing in. If you are skiing on brighter days, the lower VLT will be better, but if you are skiing on a very sunny day with low light, the higher VLT will be better for your skis. In the end, you cannot conclude a winner for the VLT aspect.
The Verdict!
You should not have understood what VLT is in skiing and how it works. If you still are very confused, you can check out the crucial aspects again. Just make sure to buy the goggles with the right VLT according to your preferences to avoid hurdles at the end.
