Ski goggles what you need to know

Ski goggles are an essential piece of equipment for any skier or snowboarder. Not only do they protect your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun and the snow, but they also enhance your vision on the slopes. With so many different types of lenses and brands available, it can be challenging to determine which one is right for you. In this blog post, we will focus on the different types of lenses and their benefits, specifically looking at top brands in the ski goggle market.

 

Oakley Ski Goggles

 

Oakley is one of the most well-known brands in the ski goggle market. They offer a wide range of ski goggles, including the Flight Deck, Line Miner, and Airbrake models. The Flight Deck model is one of Oakley's most popular ski goggles, and it features a Prizm lens.

Prizm lenses are a proprietary technology developed by Oakley that enhances color and contrast in specific environments. Prizm lenses for skiing and snowboarding come in a range of tints, each designed to improve visibility in different light conditions. For example, the Prizm Snow Torch lens is designed for sunny days and bright light conditions. It enhances contrast and allows you to see shadows more clearly, which is important for spotting bumps and other obstacles on the slope.

 

Oakley also offers goggles with Photochromic lenses, which adjust to changing light conditions automatically. These lenses darken in bright sunlight and lighten in low light, so you don't have to switch lenses as conditions change.

 

Smith Ski Goggles

 

Smith is another top brand in the ski goggle market, offering a range of lenses for different conditions. One of their most popular lenses is the ChromaPop lens, which enhances color and contrast in all conditions.

 

The ChromaPop lens comes in different tints, including the Sun Red Mirror, which is ideal for sunny days, and the Storm Rose Flash, which is designed for low light conditions. The Storm Yellow Flash lens is ideal for flat light conditions, such as when it's overcast or snowing.

Smith also offers ski goggles with Photochromic lenses, which adjust to changing light conditions. The Photochromic lenses come in two tints, the Sun Red Mirror and the Storm Rose Flash, and they automatically adjust to the light conditions.

 

Giro Ski Goggles

 

Giro is a popular brand in the ski goggle market, offering a range of lenses for different conditions. One of their most popular lenses is the Vivid lens, which enhances contrast and clarity in all conditions.

The Vivid lens comes in different tints, including the Vivid Emerald, which is ideal for sunny days, and the Vivid Copper, which is designed for low light conditions. The Vivid Infrared lens is ideal for flat light conditions, such as when it's overcast or snowing.

Giro also offers ski goggles with Photochromic lenses, which adjust to changing light conditions. The Photochromic lenses come in two tints, the Vivid Ember and the Vivid Onyx, and they automatically adjust to the light conditions.

 

Anon Ski Goggles

 

Anon is a popular brand in the ski goggle market, offering a range of lenses for different conditions. One of their most popular lenses is the Sonar lens, which enhances contrast and clarity in all conditions.

The Sonar lens comes in different tints, including the Sonar Blue, which is ideal for sunny days, and the Sonar Pink, which is designed for low light conditions. The Sonar Green lens is ideal for flat light conditions, such as when it's overcast or snowing.

Anon also offers ski goggles with Photochromic lenses, which adjust to changing light conditions. The Photochromic lenses come in two tints, the Sonar Night and the Sonar Silver, and they automatically adjust to the light conditions.

1, Always use a microfiber cloth to clean your ski goggles. Avoid using paper towels or clothing with rough fibers, as they can scratch the lens.

 

2, Keep your ski goggles in a protective case when not in use. This will prevent scratches and damage to the lens.

 

3, Avoid touching the inside of the lens as much as possible, as the oils from your skin can leave residue and make it more difficult to see.

 

4, Use a specialized lens cleaner designed for ski goggles if the lens becomes particularly dirty or smudged.

 

5, Avoid placing your ski goggles on the top of your head or helmet when not in use, as this can cause the straps to stretch out over time.

 

6, When storing your ski goggles, make sure they are dry and free of moisture. This will help prevent fogging when you wear them on the slopes.

 

7, Avoid wiping the inside of the lens with a cloth or tissue, as this can damage the anti-fog coating.

 

8, If your ski goggles become wet, use a soft cloth to gently pat them dry. Avoid rubbing the lens, as this can cause scratches.

 

9, Never use hot water to clean your ski goggles, as this can damage the lens and anti-fog coating.

 

10, If the lens becomes scratched or damaged, replace it as soon as possible. A damaged lens can interfere with your vision on the slopes and compromise your safety.

Different colored lenses are designed to perform best in different light conditions. Here's a breakdown of the most common colors and their recommended usage:

1, Clear lenses: These are best for low light and night skiing conditions, as they allow the most light to pass through.

 

2, Yellow and orange lenses: These lenses enhance contrast in low light conditions, making it easier to see bumps, shadows, and other obstacles on the slopes.

 

3, Rose and pink lenses: These lenses work well in moderate to low light conditions, enhancing depth perception and contrast.

 

4, Red lenses: These lenses work well in bright light conditions, reducing glare and enhancing contrast.

 

5, Green lenses: These lenses work well in bright light conditions, reducing glare and providing a natural color balance.

 

6, Blue lenses: These lenses work well in bright and sunny conditions, reducing glare and providing a cool, comfortable visual experience.

 

7, Brown lenses: These lenses work well in bright light conditions, enhancing contrast and providing a natural color balance.

 

It's worth noting that some brands, such as Oakley, Smith, and Giro, offer lenses with proprietary technologies that are specifically designed for certain light conditions. For example, Oakley's Prizm Snow lenses are optimized for snowy environments and work well in a range of light conditions, while Smith's ChromaPop lenses enhance color and contrast in all conditions. Be sure to consider your specific needs and the brands' technologies when selecting lenses for your ski goggles.

Budget:

Bolle Carve Ski Goggles: £20 - €25

Wed'ze By Decathlon H 300 Adult Ski Goggles: £20 - €23

 

Mid-range:

Salomon Cosmic OTG Ski Goggles: £60 - €70

Oakley Flight Deck Ski Goggles: £130 - €150

 

High-end:

Smith I/O Mag Ski Goggles: £190 - €220

Giro Contact Snow Goggles: £240 - €280

 

Top-end:

Oakley Airbrake XL Snow Goggles: £290 - €330

POC Orb Clarity Snow Goggles: £300 - €350

Dragon X2 Snow Goggles: £350 - €400

 

Please note that prices can vary depending on the retailer and the specific model of ski goggles. Also, the prices listed above are subject to change over time.