What Goggle Lens Colour is Best? - Discounted Sunglasses
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Time to read 5 min
Lens Colour
Overview
Different coloured lenses let through different amounts of light. This is Visible Light Transmission or VLT. A rule of thumbs is: the lighter the lens colour the lighter and the darker the less light passes through the lens. So if the VLT is higher, more light is passing through the lens. Which usually means that lens colour is a light one. So, if you plan your skiing or snowboarding perfectly to land on a Blue Bird Day (bright blue skies) you'll more than likely want a low VLT. However, different colours offer more than just different levels of Visible Light Transmission. Some enhance different natural colours and/or enhance contrast.
Amber/Orange
An Amber/Orange Goggle Lens colour is best for Overcast, Partially Cloudy and Sunny Days. Like a yellow lens, these are great for enhancing colour. This allows you to pick up details you could have missed. Amber and Orange lenses also excel in Foggy conditions. We would say these are perfect for overall conditions. If the weather is flitting between overcast and sun, an Amber/Orange lens is the way to go.
Black
A Black Goggle Lens Colour best suits bright/bluebird conditions. Due to Black lenses cutting out the lightest, these are to be used in bright conditions. Therefore, they should be avoided in low light level conditions. It is common for a black lens to be polarized. Due to them being commonly used in the bright light, polarized lenses cut out the glare. The glare is powerful and extremely bright on the slopes in bright conditions. However, a black polarized lens will cut through the brightness and glare to provide a comfortable and visually accurate experience.
Blue
A Blue Goggle Lens Colour is normally paired with another colour. When paired with a Yellow lens they best suit a low light day. Alternatively, when paired with a bronze colour they're best worn on brighter days. In addition, if choosing just a normal blue lens, we would recommend using them in cloudy or snowy conditions. Typically a Blue lens lets through 54% of light.
Brown/Bronze
The Brown/Bronze Goggle Lens Colour is perfect for bright conditions. Much like Black lenses, Bronze lens colours are usually polarized. However, the Brown/Bronze colour enhances contrasts more than Black lenses do. A Brown/Bronze lens should be avoided in Overcast conditions. This is due to the low levels of light allowed to pass through the lens. If worn in low lighting vision will be seriously impaired.
Clear
Clear Goggle Lenses are perfect for nighttime Skiing or Snowboarding. Even though they are clear, sometimes they provide protection from UV radiation. This is ideal in very low light conditions as there will still be UV light radiation. In addition, clear lenses are perfect to provide protection from objects in low light. We recommend not wearing clear lenses in bright conditions. This is because the glare off of the snow will be powerful. Not combatting glare with a coloured/polarized lens can cause eye strain and headaches. This isn't just uncomfortable but can ruin your concentration and that is dangerous.
Green
A Green Goggle Lens colour strives in Partially Cloudy, Overcast or Brighter conditions. Green lenses boast the ability to increase contrast and depth perception. Therefore having a better sense of what is ahead. If you struggle with judging distance on the slopes we would recommend a Green lens. Not only do they work well in a range of conditions but the added depth perception can be a saviour.
Red
Red is referred to as Vermilion as well as Red. The Red Goggle lens colour is best for Medium to Bright lighting conditions. A real key benefit of a red lens is the added contrast. Furthermore, a red lens sharpens perception too.
Rose/Pink
A Rose/Pink Goggle Lens colour is best used in Low to Mid-level lighting conditions. A partly cloudy day or overcast conditions are suitable. So are dusk/dawn conditions. However, we would say to steer away from wearing these in bright light conditions.
Violet/Purple
Violet/Purple Google Lens colours best suit Low/Moderate lighting conditions. Furthermore, the Violet/Purple colour does increase contrast. In addition, some detail is enhanced also.
Yellow/Gold
Yellow/Gold Goggle Lens Colours are the most versatile. This colour is your best bet for the most variety. The tint filters out brightness and sharpens your vision. In addition, the lens enhances colour and detail is easier to see. If you are looking for goggles to use in flat light. This is the lens colour for you.
Weather Conditions
Overview
On the slopes the weather can change. Clouds can come and go or stay for what seems an eternity. But, you're there to tear down the slopes or to keep falling over, so the weather doesn't matter. Well, if you have the right lens that is. If you know what the weather is going to be like, or a rough idea you can plan perfectly. Certain Goggle Lens colours perform better in some conditions than others. Therefore it is a great idea to match up your lens with the weather conditions. Or to grab a couple of lenses. One that will be perfect in brighter conditions and one for those darker days. Then you can simply switch them across when the time calls and continue hurtling down those slopes.
Sun
For a bright sunny day or Blue Bird days, you need lenses with a high Visible Light transmission. These are Jet Black, Bronze/Red Chrome and Grey Polarized Lenses. Roughly 5% to 25% VLT.
Partially Cloudy
On Partially Cloudy Days look towards Bronze/ Red Chrome or Rose/Blue Chrome Lenses. These lenses will allow enough light in. However, they won't allow the light that does get through the partially cloudy skies be blinding.
Cloudy
Those Cloudy days call for Rose/Blue Chrome, Blue, Yellow or Yellow Chrome lenses. Roughly 26% to 72% VLT. This allows to get enough light through the lens for a clear look ahead. These colours are renown for enhancing colours and contrast. Therefore, aiding your view of the slopes ahead.
Snow
When the snow is constantly falling try a Blue, Yellow, Yellow/Blue Chrome or Clear lens. Roughly 54% to 83% VLT. Due to the snow fall, you're likely to need these lighter coloured lenses to brighten up your surroundings. However, you'll still benefit from goggles due to the light reflecting from the snow. This can be glaring.
Whiteout
In them horrid whiteout conditions we would say going for a Pink, Yellow, Amber/Orange or Green lens. Anything that adds contrast will help. However in a whiteout lens colour usually is down to personal preference. Some like Green, some like Yellow, some like to stay in the bar.
Night
At night opt for a Clear or Yellow Lens. Something that will allow the most light in or enhances the little light is key. Never use a dark colour. A dark colour at night is almost as pointless as wearing a blindfold while skiing. We don't recommend it at all.
Summary
Now you have an idea of what lenses suit what conditions, you might be in a place to look at some goggles. First, remember, think of the time of year you are thinking of going. Check out what the conditions are usually like at those times. Then choose the lens that will fit the conditions the best. Looking at a Green, Amber or Blue lens will cover a lot more bases than a Black lens will, even if the Black lens looks better. This might work out cheaper and save a lot of time swapping lenses to match the conditions.
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