Ski And Snowboarding Goggles – Be Careful What You Buy

by Carrie Westengate

Ski or snowboarding goggles give extra protection for the eyes while shielding them against harmful UV rays. It is important that you don't just wear sunglasses however good you think they are. In our minds, there is no question that you should have specialist goggles to protect your eyes. When looking for a new pair of ski or snowboarding goggles there are a few things you should consider.

The advantages of goggles over sunglasses are that most goggles have anti-mist venting properties, useful as fogging is a particular problem for beginners rather than experienced skiers as they are less likely to fall. In addition, unless you have wrap-round sunglasses your peripheral vision is greatly improved by goggles. You can still wear goggles if you wear prescription glasses or contacts although it must be noted that your selection of goggles will be a bit more limited if you wear glasses.

When skiing or snowboarding there are particular elements required for goggles. You must decide for yourself whether to get polarised lenses as there are positives and negatives associated with polarisation. Yes, they will reduce glare, but they may also reduce the ability to see icy patches when skiing. The conditions under which you intend to ski or snowboard should determine the colour lens you choose. While a yellow/orange tint will enhance the contrast and make it easier to pick out objects or bumps in the snow, they work best in low to moderate light or in foggy conditions. Bronze chrome or dark green lenses would be best for very bright sunlight as they would be more comfortable to wear, but these would be disadvantageous in poorer lighting conditions. Rose tints are also good in low-light conditions but if you intend to ski in the night, you should choose clear lenses.

Designer ski and snowboarding goggles come in all sizes and at a wide variety of prices (for example, Electric and Oakley goggles can be found from around 70 pounds sterling, or Bloc goggles from a little over 25 and Spy around 80 sterling and above).

Make sure your ski or snowboarding goggles fit snugly and are large enough to protect some of your face as well as your eyes from ice chips that may fly up. They should also be made of a soft flexible material and be held in place by strong wide straps to keep them safely in place. Don't forget to check that your new goggles have 100% UV (A and B) protection and remember that the darkness of the lens tint has nothing to do with how good the UV protection actually is.

Finally, don't forget to buy your ski or snowboarding goggles before you leave for your first trip as you will get a much better deal. Think carefully about when you are likely to use them and the possible light conditions. While regular skiers may tend to have goggles with more than one lens or multiple pairs, to begin with I would probably go for the yellow/orange option for their ability to improve contrast and because they work well in low to moderate lights.

About the Author:

Please think before you buy! It took a friend having an accident as a result of the wrong eyewear but I now have 2 pairs of snow/ski goggles. One pair of Oakley goggles (Crowbar) with a cheaper pair for brighter conditions.