Youth Sports

Goggle Lens Tints | Which one to use?

By Tracy G.

Whenever I find myself ready to trek out onto the snow I like to pack well so that all of my physical needs have been met and anticipated for, however one thing that is easy to overlook are your eyes. Therefore I think it’s pretty important to pick the correct goggle lens tint that will enhance your vision regardless of the conditions but will also protect them from harmful UV rays or possible snow blindness. Knowing the differences will help you to choose the correct tint so that you’ll be properly prepared for any snowbound excursion. If you believe you could experience changing conditions while your out, not to worry, many goggle manufacturers now offer replacement lens which are simple to swap out. This will ensure that you also have the proper tint to get the job done. These are some of the most popular tints available on the market which will allow for a clear line of sight in most day and night conditions.

Persimmon and Gold

Persimmon is my personal favorite.  Living in the Mid-West we experience a lot of “Grey” days with overcast conditions.  The Persimmon or Gold tint will boost the contrast in low or flat light situations which can enhance your eyesight greatly.  They will typically have a “Light Transmission Rate” of about 50%, meaning they will let in about half of the light.  But will amplify the area and allow for the greatest amount of uses within varied conditions.

Amber | Brown

These are among the most popular tints and are among the majority available for purchase.  They perform best in medium light conditions as they help to filter out blue light and will allow shadows in the snow to appear brighter.  They typically will have a Light Transmission Rate of about 35-40%.  So they are great for slightly overcast or grey weather.

Rose | Pink

Rose or Pink tints perform best in flat light conditions.  A lot of women’s goggles will offer this tint as they look stylish with most gear.  As for performance they offer enhanced depth perception with sharpened features.  Perfect for dusk or night conditions however they offer little protection in bright light so are not a great choice as an all purpose lens.  The typical Light Transmission Rate is about 50 – 70%.

Yellow

Yellow or Light Yellow tints perform about the same as the Rose color as they are great for flat light conditions.  However as they tend to be a bit darker they don’t do as well at night.  Yellow helps to increase depth perception and sharpen features so they work best in overcast or stormy conditions.  The typical Light Transmission Rate is about 50 – 70%.

Black | Grey

Black or Grey tints offer the best protection on bright, sunny days.  And lets face it they just look so darn cool.  As they filter out most of the sunlight they can reduce the amount of glare coming off of the snow.  The only downside to this is that it can be difficult to gauge depth and terrain variances on overcast or darker days as little light penetrates the darker tint.  The Light Transmission Rate is typically 70 – 90%.

Orange

Orange tints can be a solid all around performer.  They do well in medium to bright conditions but don’t sacrifice as much visibility in lower light like the Black/Grey tints.  Orange will brighten the environment and actually increase the contrast on the sunniest of days while reducing glare.  The typical Light Transmission Rate is about 80%.  If you don’t have several lenses Orange can offer the most variety for a multitude of conditions.

Clear

This one is easy; Clear lenses will offer the best performance for extremely low light.  These are best during heavy snow or night conditions.  They will allow for maximum light penetration, providing contrast within dark areas of the snow to increase overall visibility.  There is probably no need to mention the Light Transmission Rate of these is 100%.

 

Additional Features

Mirrored Tints

A lot of goggles will offer a Mirrored or Chrome lens effect.  They can be either fully or slightly reflective on the outside and provide additional benefits.  It can reduce glare and filter out more sunlight on very bright days.  Although this means you will have less visibility on those overcast days as they will reduce the amount of light filtered.  Any lens color can be mirrored so take note of this before purchasing to be sure you are getting the right lens for you.

Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses offer better glare reduction as well as UV protection in most cases.  Since snow is highly reflective, most so than water, they are designed specifically to combat this which results in less squinting.  However, as the glare is reduced they do not sacrifice visibility in lower light conditions and can actually boost contrasts.  If you have the option, Polarized Lenses are the way to go.

Photochromic Lenses

Photochromatic lenses will automatically lighten or darken depending on the conditions.  These have been greatly improved over the last few years as they can change much faster than before.  Since they are continually adjusting to the available light they offer superior visibility and optimal clarity with improved depth perception.  Exposure to UV radiation, which is emitted by the sun, will determine the darkness or lightness of the lens.

Iridium Coating

This is a proprietary coating specifically found on Oakley goggles.  I feel it’s important to mention as they are a large manufacturer and have a huge following.  I have a pair of goggles with the Violet Iridium coating which are perfect for sunny, cloudless days and I can tell you these are like no other goggles I have previously owned.  They reduce glare for a balanced light transmission but at the same time improve depth perception in low light areas and boost color recognition.  Vision is vastly improved since fatigue is reduced immensely.  Iridium enhancement is also available on Polarized lenses for even more glare reduction providing the outdoor sports enthusiasts with the maximum edge in every endeavor.

In closing,  choosing the correct lens tint for the conditions you will encounter can enable you to gain the most out of your experience.  Be sure to pick a goggle with removable lenses to further benefit from a quiver to match all possible variables.

<a href=’http://www.skis.com/ski-goggles/c1000003457/’ target=”_new”>Purchase Ski Goggles</a>

 

About the Author

I am an outdoor enthusiast and have spent a lot of my free time over the years participating in a variety of activities.  Lately,  I have decided to share some of my knowledge regarding my endeavors in hopes of helping others to find the right equipment and gear.

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