Ski | Nov 22, 2021

Your guide for ski goggles and their lens colour

What to consider when choosing the lens colour for your ski goggles
OAKLEY
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As you may have noticed, ski goggle lenses come in a variety of colours. Not only they differ in appearance, but they also do in functionality. Each lens colour is tailored to specific light conditions and to provide the best protection for your eyes. Different tints filter the colours and light in different ways. Some are better in sunshine, others offer sharper contrast in overcast conditions.

In this blog post you can learn more about which lens colour your goggles should have for optimal protection. To give you a good overview of different lens tints, we asked the experts at Oakley for their recommendations. After all, they are the experts when it comes to ski goggles.

What is the best lens colour for ski goggles?

You might have guessed it: There is no simple answer to that question. As I said, different colours are recommended depending on the light conditions. Your choice of colour will depend heavily on the situation on the slopes and how well your eyes are protected.

Are you a skier who's out on the slopes when it's sunny? Or does your favourite ski resort tend to have cloudy days? Of course, you can buy a good all-purpose goggle (like Oakley's Fall Line L snow goggles). But the more you can assess your skiing conditions, the better your goggles will perform.

Generally speaking:

  • Darker lenses are best for sunny days
  • Yellow or pink lenses are used in low light conditions

However, to find the ideal model, you should also consider factors such as VLT.

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Ski goggles: Lens colour and VLT value

The VLT (Visible Light Transmission) value is a key factor in choosing the right lens colour for your goggles. It indicates the percentage of light that passes through the lens. This value helps you choose the right goggle for different categories of light conditions – from bright sunshine to dense fog. It depends on factors such as lens colour and coating.

VLT range

Light conditions

Recommended colour

Category

80 - 100 %

Night or extremely poor visibility

Transparent

Category 0

43 - 80 %

Cloudy, fog, diffused light

Yellow, pink, orange

Category 1

18 - 43 %

Mixed conditions

Pink, orange, blue

Category 2

8 - 18 %

Bright conditions

Black, grey

Category 3

The higher the VLT number on a product, the brighter the lens. This means that higher VLT values are more suitable for cloudy days, while a lower VLT is perfect for sunny days.

Choosing the right VLT value for your ski goggles:

  • Sunny days: Choose a low VLT (8-18%) to minimise glare and protect your eyes from intense brightness. Black or grey lenses are ideal.
  • Cloudy days and diffuse conditions: A VLT value of 43-80% is ideal for your ski goggles here, as it enhances contrast and improves visibility in fog or snowfall. Yellow and pink lenses are unbeatable in this situation.
  • Universal use: If you ski in a lot of different conditions, choose a category 2 lens with a VLT value of 18-43%. These lenses offer a good balance and work in mixed conditions.
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Choosing the right lens colour is crucial for optimum vision and eye protection in different light conditions. INTERSPORT Rent offers a wide range of ski goggles in different tints and technologies, which you can conveniently reserve online and pick up at your favourite shop. We also offer OTG ski goggles for skiers who wear glasses.

Our tip: When shopping, make sure that the colour and VLT value of your perfect ski goggles match not only the conditions, but also the rest of your ski gear. Our local experts will help you to find the perfect model for your skiing needs. With over 800 locations in 14 countries we are always close by when you need us.

What are contrast lenses for ski goggles?

Contrast-enhancing lenses for ski goggles are specially designed lenses that optimise vision in different weather by filtering out certain wavelengths of light. These lenses improve detail perception and increase safety by making bumps and obstacles in the snow more visible. Each brand has its own technology, with Oakley's PRIZM being one of the most recognised.

The benefits of contrast technologies

Oakley's PRIZM technology filters the light, making you safer in poor conditions. Contrast-enhancing lenses are great for low light conditions.

When should I use a tinted lens and when should I use a clear lens?

© Oakley

In general, tinted lenses can be worn in all weather conditions because they are suitable for a wide range of light conditions. On sunny days, dark tinted lenses, such as black or grey, are ideal as they protect your eyes from intense light and reduce glare.

Our tip: For sunny weather, try Oakley PRIZM lenses in Torch, Black, Jade, Sapphire and Grey. If you prefer non-PRIZM lenses, Oakley also offers Grey or Fire lenses for blue-sky skiing.

Our top picks for sunny conditions:

  • Oakleys Flight Deck™ M Snow Goggles
  • Line Miner™ M Snow Goggles

The clear lenses, on the other hand, are great for skiing in the night or extremely low visibility, as they offer maximum light transmission.

Our tip: For foggy conditions, Oakley experts recommend PRIZM Persimmon, Clear, HI Pink or PRIZM Rose lenses. The alternative without PRIZM is Oakley Persimmon.

Our top picks for overcast conditions:

  • Oakleys Target Line S Snow Goggles
  • Fall Line L Snow Goggles

Can I also change the lens colour of my ski goggles?

Many ski goggles on the market offer interchangeable lenses. This makes them extremely versatile, allowing you to quickly adapt to different conditions.

Are you still looking for high-quality models with interchangeable lenses? All Oakley ski goggle models are designed so that you can easily change the lens colour of your ski goggles.

Visit one of our INTERSPORT Rent stores - we will be happy to advise you and are sure to find the right equipment in top quality!

Why should you buy Oakley ski goggles?

Compared to other products, Oakley products offer a wide range of benefits and colours.

Oakley ski goggles ...

  • Come in a wide range of colours and categories.
  • Have an anti-fog coating.
  • Have silicone on the strap to prevent slipping.
  • Have three layers of foam for perfect comfort and fit.
  • Are OTG compatible (perfect if you wear glasses).
  • Protect your eyes from UV rays.
  • Ensure optimal vision in all light conditions.

Whether you're out on the slopes in the sun or in the fog, the right lens colour is essential to protect your eyes and ensure optimum vision.

Choose a pair of goggles that suits your preferred activity and look for features such as contrast enhancing lenses and anti-fog coatings. Our winter sports experts at INTERSPORT Rent will show you the high-quality Oakley ski goggles. So you can spend enjoyable day's skiing!

Frequently asked questions to ski goggles

Which lens colour is best for which weather?

The choice of lens colour depends on the light and weather conditions:

  • Sunny weather: Dark lenses in black, grey or brown with a low VLT (8-18%) reduce glare and protect your eyes from bright light.
  • Cloudy or diffuse light: Yellow, orange or pink lenses (18-43% VLT) increase contrast and help you see in low light.
  • Fog or snowfall: High VLT (43-80%) yellow or clear lenses help you see clearly by maximising light transmission.
  • Driving at night: Transparent lenses (80-100% VLT) offer the best light transmission and are ideal for dark conditions.

Our tip: Choose goggles with interchangeable lenses so you can react flexibly to changing weather conditions!

How often should I change the lens colour of my goggles?

It depends on the weather conditions. If you have an interchangeable lens goggle, you should change the lens as soon as the conditions change.

What does VLT mean for ski goggles?

The VLT ("visible light transmission") rating indicates how much light passes through the lens. High VLT values are suitable for low light conditions (e.g. fog), while low VLT values are ideal for sunny conditions.

Can I wear contrast-enhancing lenses in the sun?

Yes, many contrast-enhancing lenses, such as Oakley's PRIZM technology, work in a variety of light conditions. However, it is important that the tint matches the brightness to avoid glare.

Do all ski goggle lens colours protect against UV rays?

Yes, quality ski goggles offer full UV protection, regardless of lens colour. Look for this protection when buying.

INTERSPORT Rent tip

Whether you're looking for Oakley ski goggles or another brand: INTERSPORT Rent has a wide range of high quality winter sports products for you to choose from.

Depending on the weather conditions, different lens colours are available for your goggles. The RENTertainers in our shops will be happy to recommend the best products for the conditions at the resort. Just pop in and choose your favourite!

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