Winter is filled with holiday celebrations, relaxation and travel, whether it’s to some place warm or to a snow filled mountain top. Something else that winter can bring is freezing temperatures, dry air, snowfall, and darker days. If you don’t properly protect your eyes, you can experience discomfort or even damage to your eye health. Sunglasses aren’t just for the summertime. Learning how to protect your eyes from these winter conditions no matter what kind of outdoor activities in the snow you are enjoying - skiing or snowboarding.

Learning the differences of ski goggles vs sunglasses will help you to make the best decision for you. Can sunglasses while skiing really offer you protection and comfort?

Here’s some help when it comes to choosing sunglasses or goggles for skiing, because skiing without goggles or sunglasses shouldn’t be an option.

What to wear to protect eyes in the snow?

Wearing protective eyewear such as goggles, polarized lenses, or sunglasses will protect your eyes from UV exposure, reduce glare, and keep the cold wind from blowing in your eyes. These things are important not only to protect your eyes but also to ensure your vision to keep you from getting hurt on the mountain. The glare, and harsh wind can temporarily impair your vision making it dangerous.

Sunglasses or Goggles?

Eye protection really shouldn’t be an option. It's a vital piece of equipment when out on the slope, it’s your protection against UV rays, snow-glare, ice chips, and more. 

You have two options when it comes to protecting your eyes while skiing or snowboarding, goggles or sunglasses. Understanding the differences between the two will help you to make the best choice for you. They each have their benefits and disadvantages. 

Goggles are the most commonly worn when playing in the snow because of their all-around protection. There is no way for the outside elements to get into your eyes. While sunglasses are less restrictive and don’t touch your face, while this is still providing protection this space does leave room for snow or wind to enter your eyes. Sunglasses are a fun and stylish choice while goggles can be stylish. They are more about protection.

You have amazing options when it comes to both sunglasses specifically designed for skiing, and goggles made for comfort and protection. Both come with cool features such as side-shields and snow-oriented polarization. You’ll find some innovative features that offer high-performance so that you can experience ultimate comfort, style and protection no matter if you choose sunglasses or goggles.

What to consider before choosing sunglasses?

When choosing sunglasses for your winter activities it’s essential that you pay attention to the coverage that they provide, the lens technology, and of course, style. The amount of coverage matters a lot, when it comes to protecting your eyes. They need to block the wind when you are skiing down the slopes at high-speed descents.  

Lens Technology is equally as important because you can be placed in some bright conditions that can temporarily blind you if you are not wearing proper sunglasses.  Polarized lenses are one of the best options for various skiing conditions. 

What to consider before choosing goggles?

It’s going to have many of the same considerations when choosing goggles - coverage, lens technology, ventilation and helmet compatibility. You want to ensure that goggles fit properly on your face to protect your eyes from the outside elements - wind, snow and debris. Goggles can fog up and impair your vision, this is why proper ventilation is essential. 

Can I wear sunglasses under ski goggles?

If you choose clear lenses for your ski goggles there’s no reason why you cannot wear your sunglasses under your ski goggles. You’ll need to make sure that your goggles are designed skiing with glasses as they have a special notch and additional spacing to ensure comfort.

What kind of goggles should I get?

When it comes to choosing goggles you want to ensure that they will enhance your vision, protect your eyes from the cold wind and snow and compensate for variable lighting conditions. These simple requirements will help you to choose the best pair or ski and snowboard goggles. Here are some of the things that you’ll want to consider when shopping for goggles for your next trip,

Lens Tint & Technology

There are a variety of tints to choose from. Dark lens tints will shield your eyes on bright sunny days. And lighter tints, will add contrast on overcast days. 

UV protection is equally as important when it comes to choosing the right goggles because the UV intensity is higher the higher above sea level you get, coupled with the reflection off of the snow. This puts your eyes at a greater risk. 100% UV protection coupled with the right amount of tint will ensure eye comfort and the best protection. 

Interchangeable Lenses

Because you never know what the lighting conditions will be until you get up on the mountain that day it can make choosing the right lens tint and darkness level difficult. This is why interchangeable lenses are so great.  Goggles with interchangeable lenses often come with two lenses, one that improves your contrast in low light conditions and one that offers protection on sunny days. You choose which ones to wear based on the conditions of that day, and you can switch them out as needed. You’ll find that interchangeable lens goggles use different methods to secure the lens to the frame - anything from clips to magnets for easy switch-outs.

Photochromic Lenses

Photochromic lenses provide a pair of versatile goggles. This feature will alter the lens tint based on the conditions. The ability for your lens to alter the tint in response to changes in ambient light eliminates the need to change out your lens. Of course, this type of convenience comes with a higher price tag. 

Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses can be expensive, but they are extremely good at eliminating the blinding glare that can often be found on the slopes. This special filter operates similar to the principle of Venetian blinds. It allows light to enter the eye along one axis therefore, blocking glare off of reflective surfaces, lessening eye fatigue and improving visibility. 

Lens Shape

The shape of your lens affects how you see through the goggles. Goggles come in two different shapes: spherical or rounded, and flat. Spherical or rounded lenses reduce distortion. This is due to the way they are shaped which is similar to the eye’s actual three-dimensional field of vision. Flat lenses can add some distortion and are generally less expensive to buy.

What are the best sunglasses for skiing and riding?

When it comes searching for sunglasses for snowboarding choosing the best sunglasses will boil down to affordability. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should choose the least expensive or the most expensive. Sunglasses can range from affordable to outrageous. 

Ensuring that the sunglasses have the necessary protection is the most important aspect - 100% UV protection, correct lens tint and darkness, and full coverage for ultimate protection.  

Which is better: ski goggles or sunglasses?

When it comes to sunglasses vs goggles skiing, wearing goggles is probably the smarter choice vs wearing sunglasses. But this doesn’t mean that wearing sunglasses snowboarding isn’t safe. The reason goggles are a better option is mainly due to the fact that they offer a wider field of vision. Sunglasses can only cover only a portion of your face

ShadyVEU offers a selection of ski goggles and sunglasses for ultimate comfort, protection and affordability.  So, whether you decide to go with ski goggles or sunglasses you’ll have a wide variety of polarized snowboard goggles or skiing shades to choose from. 

You’ll find our selection of snowboarding goggles women styles and snowboarding goggles men styles is extensive.