Snowboarding Goggles and Glasses

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are an essential part of a snowboarder's or skier's arsenal of accessories if you're planning to spend any length of time in the snow fields.

Sunglasses are predominantly used for eye protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays and to reduce glare.  These days, sunglasses seem to abound everywhere as a fashion statement, whether they are needed or not.  For people engaged in sporting activities in bright conditions, like skiers and snowboarders, its advisable to wear polarized and tinted sunglasses to distinguish contrast and reduce the glare reflected into your eyes from sunlight reflected off the snow.

Longer-term exposure to UV rays can lead to serious and permanent eye damage. Therefore, try and choose sunglasses that offer 95-100% UV protection.   This will assist in protecting your eyes from nasties such as burns, snow blindness and cataracts.

Sunglasses come in a variety of lenses with different colored tints.  These affect light in different ways and how things will appear to you.   For sporting events such as snowboarding and skiing where there is an abundance of bright light and lots of reflection, darker polarized lenses are appropriate.

Sunglasses used for snowboarding and skiing should be able to withstand rough and fast movements typically associated with these sports.   These usually have polycarbonate lenses that protect from bumps and impact.   Polycarbonate lenses are made to be shatter-proof and offer wide UV protection.   They can be more a more costlier proposition than other examples but should outperform cheaper lesser quality lenses and offer better value for money.  

For the fashion conscious you can select orange, pink, blue or red-tinted lenses to match your garb.   Rose or yellow-orange tints enhance contrast and provide effective glare reduction.

When selecting your sunglasses for the powder, look for wide, wraparound lenses offering 180-degree views of the slope.   Wind and sun shields should ideally offer protection for the eyes and at the same time maintain full vision to the wearer.

As a final consideration, it's probably a good idea to buy your goggles or glasses before you hit the snow instead of a last minute rush at the ski resort when your buddies are breaking their necks to get on the slopes.   That way you have the opportunity to consider different options at your own pace rather than making a rash decision that you may come to regret later.

Goggles

Snowboarders and skiers can find that goggles may afford better overall eye protection than sunglasses.   Even with good sunnies, wind can still affect your eyes, making them tear up and blur vision.   In addition, debris from trees can hit your eyes and ice particles may get into your eyes when descending at speed.   The right choice of snowboarding goggles not only affords good eye protection from the wind, snow and ice but also provides maximum visibility and comfort.

Take some time to consider which lens tint will suit the conditions you'll most likely encounter on the slopes.  Clear and yellow tints work well in low light conditions, such as cloudy days or night skiing.  Darker tints are more appropriate on a bright, sunny day.  An amber tint is a versatile option offering effective tinting for both low light and brighter conditions.

Check to see that the goggles are a snug fit.  Avoid buying goggles that pinch your face or place undue pressure on any part of your face or head. Make sure there are no gaps to allow the cold air to get in underneath the goggles. Check for gaps between the goggles and your skin.  

Snowboarding goggle lenses generally come in two main types - flat or spherical.   Flat lenses curve left-to-right across your eyes and face, but the lens surface is vertically flat between the nose and forehead.   Goggles that have flat lenses are usually priced lower and work OK, but the flatness can cause more glare and slightly reduces peripheral vision.   Spherical lenses also curve across your eyes and face, but they curve vertically as well.  Curved spherical lenses give better peripheral vision, less distortion and less glare.   This can make them a more costlier proposition.

Snowboarding goggles that have a dual lens are a better option than a single lense as they don’t fog up as fast.   Look for wider vents as these generally create better ventilating airflow than smaller venting holes. 

The goggles you select should be made of a strong and flexible material to withstand any collisions or other grief out on the snow.   If you need to wear prescription glasses under the goggles, check to ensure that the snowboarding goggles fit over them properly. 

Top Snowboarding Goggles and Sunglasses Suppliers

Snowboarding Goggles & Glasses