Ski goggles protect your eyes from wind and debris, improve your visibility and overall allow you to better enjoy your winter rides. Sun glare can be dangerous and is by far one of the biggest issues you’ll face as far as visibility when it comes to combating the sun’s glare. By wearing ski goggles with dark lens tints or with advanced filters such as polarised or photochromic lenses you’ll you’ll reflect the glare even on the brightest days.

Advanced filters like polarised or photochromic lenses are even more effective at blocking glare. Polarised ski goggles reduce the bounce-back glare from the sunshine on sun and ice (some advise that because of this it may reduce your ability to spot patches of ice on the slope).

What is the most popular winter activity?

Winter can be one of the most exciting times of the year when it comes to activities. There are so many things that you can enjoy,

Skiing and Snowboarding

There’s nothing more fun than skiing or snowboarding down the slopes and feeling the cold wind on your face during the wintertime. This is probably the most popular winter activity. There’s something about racing down a snowy hill that provides you with a thrill. Whether the snow is made by nature or man heading out to the ski resort for some winter outdoor activity is a great way to spend your winter.  

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is another fun winter activity that is often for the more advanced skiers. This type of skiing allows you to enjoy the beauty around you. You won’t be skiing down mountains alone, rather you’d be going through mountains, lakes forest and seeing some beautiful scenery. Cross-country skiing is more like walking or running with skis on rather than flying down the mountain.  

Ice Skating

Who doesn’t love ice skating no matter what time of the year it is? You can likely find an ice rink near you. However, during the winter enjoying the outdoor rinks is much more fun. This activity is a great way to spend time with your family and friends or a great exercise that you can enjoy alone. This is considered to be one of the more social winter activities. There are different forms of ice skating - speed skating, tour skating, ringette, and kite ice skating. 

Snowmobiling

There are some pretty amazing snowmobile vacation spots that you can enjoy during the winter months  California, Michigan, Wyoming and Montana are just a few of the best snowmobiling spots. Snowmobiles offer hours of winter fun whether it’s going on tours of in the beautiful snow-covered mountains, or wiping around your neighborhood after the first snowfall. 

What is winter ride?

When people refer to winter rides they are talking about cycling during the winter months. You’ll like to encounter snow and battle the wind chill at some point during the summer. It’s important that you dress appropriately, stay hydrated and understand the dangers when it comes to ice. 

Are goggles necessary for skiing?

Wearing snow goggles is a wise decision. They provide you with a ton of benefits while skiing down the slopes from improved visibility to protection for your eyes from the cold wind.  The wind alone can impair your vision, and the sun's glare can cause dangerous conditions.

Can you ski without goggles?

Of course, you’re able to ski without goggles. But skiing or snowboarding without goggles does put you at risk for snow blindness, UV damage and increases your risk of injury. Wearing goggles protects your eyes from the wind and debris, and prevents long-term damage to your eyes. Plus you’ll improve your visibility when you choose the right pair of goggles. 

Wearing ski goggles vs sunglasses. Sunglasses will not completely protect your eyes from wind or debris because they do not press against your face as ski goggles do. The wind is able to get into your eyes and can potentially cause your eyes to dry out. Just as the wind can get into your eyes so can the sunlight which can impair your vision. 

Is there a difference between ski and snow goggles?

The difference between ski and snow goggles is in the type of protection that they offer you for the type of activity that you are doing. You wouldn’t want to wear sunglasses snowboarding. 

Ski sunglasses provide wider coverage of protection than a normal lifestyle pair or sunglasses will. And provide optimal comfort, while providing the necessary safety when you are riding down the slope or on the ski trails. Polarized ski glasses or photochromic lenses offer you optimal protection because they will reduce glare and prevent temporary blindness at times. Wearing photochromic lenses skiing is your best option for protection from sun glare, but is dependent on the activity. 

Snow goggles are a popular choice of eyewear for most snow sports. These goggles are designed for protection from the wind and cold, but they will also increase your vision so that you can safely go down the slopes. Goggles have more coverage than the typical ski sunglasses which will better protect your eyes, as well as help to keep you warm because it creates a seal on your face. Polarized ski goggles are designed to block reflected light and can potentially filter 95% of HEV light making them a good option for when out on the slopes.

Spherical vs cylindrical goggles

Spherical lenses have both a vertical and horizontal curve. This creates a ‘bubbled’ look. But these curves actually serve a purpose, the lens enhances peripheral vision compared to a flat lens. Meaning there is less distortion and less glare. You can also see more with the greater lens surface area. You’ll find that spherical lens generally come in large-size frames.

Cylindrical lenses are flatter but do have a curve around the vertical axis. This is why they are often referred to as ‘flat’ lenses. This curve actually increases the glare and slightly distorts your view. These types of lenses are often far less expensive than spherical lenses. 

How to wear goggles under helmet

Goggles are designed to be worn over the top of the helmet. This provides a good hold and helps to prevent the elastic strap from rubbing on the scalp, causing discomfort and irritation. You’ll need to adjust the elastic strap so that the goggles will properly fit your face. One of the biggest questions is if you should wear goggles over or under helmet.

Here’s the right way to wear your goggles with a helmet,

When wearing goggles under your helmet there should not be any gap between the top of your goggles and the helmet. You want to be sure that the helmet fits tightly to the top of the goggles without moving your down goggles which can hinder your vision. Your helmet should be low enough to protect your forehead without moving your goggles.  If you are wearing glasses with ski goggles be sure that your glasses don’t move either.

What color lens is best for night skiing?

When you are night skiing the best goggles for night skiing will be the ones that have a yellow or clear colored lens. The reason is that this color lens will allow up to 99% of visible light to come through. You want to be able to see the greatest amount of detail at night and a lightly tinted goggle such as yellow will help to improve contrast and improve your vision.  A clear lens snowboard goggles will not enhance contrast, but rather will not alter the way that you see to impair your vision. This is why yellow is the best lens color for skiing.

Whether you're looking for ski racing goggles, snowboarding shades, or a pair of women snowboarding goggles ShadyVEU has exactly what you need. You’ll find a huge snowboard goggles men's selection that offers the best protection and fit for you to enjoy your day on the slopes. 

Don’t forget to check out the women's snowboarding goggles.