Skiing is a fun winter sport. But it can also be dangerous with the wrong gear and equipment. Many often wonder what color lens for ski goggles would be the best choice.
This is a tricky question to answer because there’s not one correct answer for everyone and all situations. The best lens color would be dependent on the time of the day and the current weather conditions. The many color options in the market can be used for low, medium, and bright light conditions.
There is also the factor of visible light transmission you should keep in mind when you’re out goggle-shopping.
Does Ski Goggle Lens Color Matter?
The correct skiing gear is essential when you decide to give it a shot.
Apart from the perfect winter sports ensemble of ski pants and jackets, the perfect skin goggles will take your experience to a different level.
The color of your ski goggles lenses matters, and not just in the aesthetic sense. Sure, it’d be good to match your ski goggles with the rest of your ski ensemble. But more than a fashion statement, using the right color is a sure way to keep you safe.
With the right color, your goggles maximize your vision while going down the slopes and protect you from environmental factors like the sun, wind, and snow.
What Color Lens for Ski Goggles Is Best?
There’s no one right answer to this question. While it may mostly come down to personal preference, the conditions of the day or where you’re skiing will play a huge role in your decision.
When you find yourself shopping for a new pair of ski goggles, you will be bombarded with various colors and coatings. If you don’t know what all these colors mean, your shopping experience may be confusing and unpleasant. Moreover, you may not be able to pick the right color for what you will need it for.
Here are the common ski goggles color choices in the market and what they’re good for:
Clear ski goggle lenses
Clear goggles refer to the total absence of color on the lenses. These are perfect for night skiing or in low-light conditions with no sun shining on your eyes.
While these don’t block out any light, they’re still important to protect your eyes from harmful environmental elements. Many of them also have UV protection that can protect your eyes even in extremely low light conditions.
Copper, pink, or rose ski goggle lenses
Rose, copper, and pink ski goggle lenses are ideal for low to mid-light skiing conditions. These work well for days with partly cloudy or overcast conditions. These are also ideal for skiing at dusk or dawn.
Red ski goggle lenses
Red lenses are ideal for medium to bright lighting conditions. It also increases contrast and sharpens your perception of your surroundings.
Gold or yellow ski goggle lenses
Yellow and gold lenses are ideal for flat and low-light settings. They enhance detail so you can see the terrain better. It also filters out sunlight, making it a good choice for all-around use.
Amber or orange ski goggle lenses
Amber and orange lenses are ideal for overcast, partially cloudy, or sunny days. This helps enhance detail and helps your eyes see terrains better. Additionally, they help increase visibility in foggy conditions.
Bronze or brown ski goggle lenses
Brown and bronze lenses are great for very bright and sunny days. They help block out the glaring sun. It enhances contrasts and should be avoided for low-light-level days.
Blue or violet ski goggle lenses
Violet and blue lenses reduce glare and enhance color perception.
Green ski goggle lenses
These work great in low-light conditions, overcast days, and partially cloudy conditions. They increase definition in lower light conditions but can also be worn on brighter days.
Gray or black ski goggles lens
Gray and black goggles work well on bright bluebird days. These block out a significant amount of sunlight. Don’t use gray or black goggles if you’re skiing at night or in low-light conditions as this will impair vision.
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) On Ski Goggles
When it comes to goggle-shopping, it’s not only the color you should consider. Visible Light Transmission or VLT represents the portion of light that passes through the lens and into your eyes. VLT is typically listed as a percentage.
The amount of light that reaches your eyes is determined by the goggles’ color, thickness, material, and coating.
Standard sunglasses have a VLT of about 15% to 25%.
The lower the VLT, the less light will pass through, and the darker the lens will be. The higher the VLT, the more light will pass through, and the lighter the lens will be.
Brands will usually have this listed. Refer to this table below for standard VLT levels for ski goggles:
| VLT | Light Condition |
| 0%-10% | Very bright conditions |
| 10%-30% | Medium to bright conditions |
| 30%-80% | Overcast and low-light conditions |
| 80%-100% | Very low light and night skiing |
Multiple or Interchangeable Lenses
If you like skiing in varying weather conditions, it may be smart to get multiple and interchangeable lenses. This will give you plenty of options when you’re out on the slopes.
Moreover, many brands designed theirs with easy and magnetic lenses so you can easily change them whenever you need to, without much fuss.
Photochromic or Photochromatic Lenses
Photochromic goggles or photochromatic goggles are the convenient (though pricey) choice if you want the best of all worlds. These adjust the VLT level depending on the current condition. It lightens or darkens accordingly, allowing for a seamless and optimal transition.
Contrast-Enhancing Lens
Many goggles have contrast-enhancing technology. It helps with the wearer’s contrast and depth perception. It enhances visibility and the colors your eyes see and helps you see the terrain and other details better.
Polarized and Non-Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses reduce glare. While these are popular in sunglasses, it’s not a preferred coating in ski goggles because they often mess with the skier’s depth perception. This can lead to the skier not being able to see a patch of ice, which is a safety hazard.
Conclusion
When you’re planning on skiing, being equipped with all the right gear is essential. As such, many often wonder what color lens for ski goggles is the best.
There isn’t one correct answer to this question. The varying lens colors available in the market all serve a different purpose. Depending on the color, ski goggles can be ideal for low-light situations, medium-light situations, or very bright weather conditions. There is also the VLT percentage to consider, which also affects the color of the goggles.
Ultimately, the day’s weather conditions and the time of day along with your preference will greatly affect which color of ski goggles should be best for your needs.
