How to Choose a Ski Goggle Lens Color

From blue, green, pink, yellow, gold, black, and silver, there are a multitude of ski goggle lens colors on the market. While some ski goggle lenses work best in flat light, others are best for sunny days.

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Of all your skiing accessories, goggles are one of the most important, since they can seriously impact your visibility on the slopes. Ski goggle lenses are available in a range of colors, from blue, green, pink, yellow, gold, black, and even metallic silver. 

While some ski goggle lenses work best in flat light, others are best for bright "blue bird" (cloud free/blue sky) days. If you aren't sure where to start, here's a guide to ski goggle lens colors, including what ski goggles to buy, and what ski goggles work best for low light and sunny days.

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Clear Ski Goggle Lenses

clear ski goggles

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Clear ski goggles are best for conditions in which light is extremely low, and clear ski goggles are necessary for night skiing. Although clear ski goggle lenses do not affect color tones or depth perception, they're important to protect your eyes from the harsh elements. Additionally, clear ski goggles with UV light protection can be worn on days in low light to safeguard your eyes from any invading UV radiation.

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Pink Ski Goggle Lenses / Rose Ski Goggle Lenses

Rose pink ski goggles

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Pink ski goggle lenses, or rose ski goggle lenses, are ideal for low-to-mid light. Pink ski goggle lenses are also appropriate for partly cloudy days, or overcast days with low light. They're also a good choice for skiing during dusk or dawn. Be careful about wearing pink ski goggle lenses during sunny days, as they are not dark enough to filter out bright light.

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Yellow Ski Goggle Lenses

Yellow ski goggles

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Yellow or gold ski goggle lenses are excellent for flat light, enhancing detail so that you can better ski moguls, eye jumps, and avoid rough spots. Yellow ski goggle lenses are also optimal for snowy days, as the lens tint sharpens vision while filtering out the snow's brightness. Because a yellow-colored goggle lens filters out blue light, this lens color can also be worn on sunny days, making it the best all-around ski goggle. 

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Amber Ski Goggle Lenses / Orange Ski Goggle Lenses

Orange ski goggles

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Amber ski goggle lenses, or orange goggle lenses, are appropriate for overcast conditions, though they can also be worn on partly cloudy or sunny days. Orange lenses aid skiers in distinguishing moguls, and also increase visual ability in fog. Consider a "copper"-colored lens for especially foggy, overcast conditions. Mid-tone amber goggle lenses, which reflect blue lights and increases shadow definition, make great ski goggles for all conditions. 

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Black Ski Goggle Lenses

Black ski goggles

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For the brightest blue bird day, consider a black or dark grey ski goggle lens. While black ski goggle lenses do not change the tint of the perceived color, black ski goggles block out a significant amount of ultraviolet light. A "black iridium" mirrored finish further protects your eyes, reflecting sunlight from the snow, and black lenses are often polarized, eliminating glare. Avoid black ski goggles during night skiing or in flat light conditions, as your vision may be impaired. However, if you like how a black ski goggle lens does not change color tint, consider a grey ski goggle lens for moderate light, which also keeps your perception true to color.

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Brown Ski Goggle Lenses / Bronze Ski Goggle Lenses

Brown Ski Goggle

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Choose a brown, or bronze, ski goggle lens for super sunny days. Bronze tints increase contrast and depth perception, making them perfect for bright conditions when the sun is glaring. Many brown lenses are polarized, helping to reduce glare from the sun and snow. Because brown ski lenses are dark and filter out a substantial amount of light, avoid wearing them during overcast conditions.

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Red Ski Goggle Lenses

red ski goggles

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Red lens tints are ideal for medium to bright light. Red lenses, also called "vermillion," increase color definition and sharpen perception. Red tints are often combined with another lens color, such as black or orange base lens, to make the lens darker and increase usage versatility.

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Green Ski Goggle Lenses

Green ski goggles

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Green goggles lenses increase contrast for better depth perception, reduce eye fatigue on sunny days, and increase visual definition in conditions with lower light. Choose a green lens if you often ski in partly cloudy conditions, as green ski goggle lenses can be worn on overcast days, but because they reduce glare and filter out light, green lenses can be worn on brighter days, too.

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Blue Ski Goggle Lenses

blue ski goggles

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Blue lenses can be worn in low light, but mirrored blue ski goggle lenses work for bright light, too. Blue goggle lenses also cut glare, especially when paired with a bronze or copper base tint. Blue lenses are often paired with different tints; for example, a blue lens with a yellow tint works in low light whereas a blue lens with a bronze tint is appropriate for brighter days.

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Violet Ski Goggle Lenses

Purple ski goggles

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Violet ski goggle lenses, or purple-tinted ski goggles, contrast greens and blues while maintaining a somewhat natural perception of color. Violet lenses, or purple lenses, also enhance detail, so you can better see bumps, moguls, ice patches, and bare spots, while successfully appraising jump landings, too. Violet lenses are best for low-to-moderate light conditions.

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Photochromic Ski Goggle Lenses

Photochromic Ski Goggle Lenses

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Photochromic ski goggles, or photochromatic ski goggles, darken according to the condition. In flat light, photochromic ski goggles allow accurate perception of detail, but the lenses darken accordingly in bright light. The transition is smooth and provides for optimal visual accuracy in all conditions.