Snow is one of the most reflective surfaces when it comes to light, so wearing sunglasses for winter sports is absolutely essential to avoid harmful UV rays, even if you’re not standing in direct sunlight. Snow blindness (when bright light reflected from snow affects vision) is a real threat when skiing or snowboarding, particularly at high altitudes and travelling at high speeds. So make sure your ski goggles or ski glasses lenses provide 100% UV protection.
To make choosing your ideal pair of winter sports eyewear easy, we’ve provided you with a list of our top recommended products!
Top recommended Goggles
If you’re planning on skiing or snowboarding down the slopes this winter, consider equipping yourself with some quality ski goggles; they’re your best choice for comfort, visibility and eye protection.
In low light and fog, yellow, gold and amber lenses filter out blue light, emphasizing shadows in the snow so you can see the contours in the snow better. They also work well in moderate and variable light conditions. Check out the Bloc Evolution E014 or the Bloc Small Fit Moon JM01.
When in bright light, darker lens tints such as dark brown, dark grey and dark green will increase contrast. Gray lenses are also good for letting you see true colours. Check out the Oakley Flight Deck and the Bolle Freezer.
A mirror coating enhances the effectiveness of tinted lenses by reflecting sunlight so it doesn’t penetrate the lenses, making it a great choice for bright, sunny days. Check out the UVEX M50.
Clear lenses are your best option for sunset and nighttime, as they have the highest visible light transmission (VLT), increasing your visibility on the slopes. Check out the Salice 609.
Photochromic lenses or transition lenses are designed to automatically adapt to surrounding light, making them perfect to ensure optimal vision and UV ray protection in every situation. Check out the Salice 618 ITA Speed Polarized BKIT/TECH and the Julbo Universe Polarized J73650217.
Top recommended Sunglasses
If you prefer opting for sunglasses over goggles, consider getting some 100% UV protecting sports sunglasses like these.
Sports sunglasses with a wrap-around frame minimize light reaching the eyes from all sides and allows better peripheral vision. Mirror coatings such as on this model are perfect for very bright conditions as they can block an additional 10 per cent to 60 per cent of visible light for greater comfort in highly reflective sunny environments. Check out the Smith RIDGEWELL ChromaPop Polarized and the Polaroid PLD 1016/S Polarized.
Polarized lenses selectively block light reflecting from horizontal surfaces, eliminating glare. Polarized lenses are especially helpful in blocking glare from light reflecting off the water, sand, snow and concrete. This model is also made of highly durable polycarbonate made to withstand harsh conditions. Check out the Oakley OO9102 HOLBROOK.
Photochromic or transition lenses are not just found in the goggles, and provide the same optimal protection from unpredictable light conditions. By reacting to the surrounding light, they are perfect for every light condition, from low light to bright light on a sunny day. Check out the Oakley OO9290 JAWBREAKER.
Make sure to check out the SmartBuyGlasses website for more information and lots more products!
