To get snow goggles or ski sunglasses, that is the question. There’s no denying that it can be difficult picking out some new snow gear to hit the slopes in. Add in all the technical jargon and it can seem impossible to know which type of eyewear you actually need for an optimal experience while skiing or snowboarding vs. eyewear that are just for the style. So, consider this your crash course on snow goggles and ski sunglasses. Pardon the pun.
What are Snow Goggles
Snow goggles, also known as ski goggles or snowboard goggles, are a popular choice of eyewear for snow sports. They’re designed to provide protection from the wind and cold, while also increasing your vision and ultimately, your safety when zipping down the slopes. As such, they typically offer more coverage than ski sunglasses and they create a seal that allows heat to be trapped inside to keep you warm. Snow goggles are also secured to your head via an elastic strap.
However, not all snow goggles are created equally. Some are designed to provide basic protection whereas others are designed to enhance your experience. For example, snow goggles with polarized lenses block out UV rays while also eliminating the effect of glares and photochromic lenses do all of that, with the addition of automatically-transitioning lenses that lighten or darken depending on the light surrounding you.
Benefits of Snow Goggles
Due to the design, snow goggles are a great choice of eyewear for extra warmth. The seal helps prevent wind, snow and ice from getting into your eyes, which instantly increases your comfort and safety. Snow goggles are also excellent for beginners, as they stay on your face even if you fall. However, they’re just as excellent for professional skiers and snowboarders, as snow goggles allow you to do all kinds of tricks and hit various jumps and speeds, without fear of losing your eyewear. The strap keeps your goggles right in place.
Disadvantages of Snow Goggles
Since snow goggles create a seal on your face, without proper ventilation in the mask, they can quickly fog up. Add in the fact that they’re more difficult to remove because of the strap, and this can become an inconvenience. But other than that, as long as your snow goggles have anti-fog features infused into the design and polarized or photochromic lenses, there’s really nothing bad to say about them. It just comes down to preference.
What are Ski Sunglasses
Ski sunglasses are, to put it simply, sunglasses for skiing. They’re exactly what you think they would be, with the addition of wider coverage than typical lifestyle sunglasses or fashion shades. However, like snow goggles, not all ski sunglasses are created equally.
To ensure optimal comfort, safety and a flawless ride down the slope or along ski trails, your ski sunglasses should have either polarized or photochromic lenses.
Polarized lenses provide you with UV protection and reduce the glares that are inevitable on the slopes, whereas photochromic lenses do all of that with the addition of automatically adjusting the tint to suit the level of light surrounding you. Both are greatly beneficial, as the snow reflects an abundance of the sun’s rays which can be blinding at times. However, you receive the added benefit of having various lens tints in one with the photochromic lenses. Regardless of the weather or circumstances, photochromic lenses ensure you're always provided exceptional vision and eye protection.
Benefits of Ski Sunglasses
Ski sunglasses have just as many benefits as snow goggles, only in different aspects. So, one can’t say they’re better than snow goggles. They simply provide a different experience, with one of the best being that ski sunglasses are lightweight and comfortable. They sit comfortably on your face the same way lifestyle sunglasses do.
Since they don’t create a seal on your face, you don’t have to worry about them fogging up easily, especially if they have added ventilation features infused into the design. However, you still get the benefits of added warmth since ski sunglasses are wider and have decent facial coverage.
Another huge benefit to wearing ski sunglasses is that they are easy to remove as needed.
Disadvantages of Ski Sunglasses
Similar to snow goggles, there are very few disadvantages to wearing ski sunglasses, especially when worn in the proper scenarios. For example, since ski sunglasses aren’t strapped to your face like snow goggles are, they can fall off your face if you take a tumble. However, this makes them ideal for experienced and/or professional athletes participating in winter sports, whether for fun or competitively.
Ski sunglasses also don’t have the same seal around your eyes like ski goggles do, but this provides the benefit of a freer, more aerodynamic experience – again, great for professionals or avid skiers and snowboarders. However, because there isn’t a seal, there is a risk of snow and ice getting into your eyes. Fortunately, this can quickly be taken care of by wearing high-quality ski sunglasses that provide wider coverage.
Our sniper glasses are a combination of snow goggles and ski sunglasses!
Deciding whether to wear snow goggles or ski sunglasses really comes down to preference and the type of snow sports you’re participating in. For example, ski sunglasses are an excellent option for cross-country skiers whereas snow goggles are ideal for riding down snowy slopes. Ski sunglasses are ideal for avid skiers and snowboarders, whereas goggles are ideal for beginners and pros.
So, as long as you’re choosing between polarized or photochromic sunglasses for skier and polarized or photochromic snow goggles, it truly comes down to which style you like best and which one will cater to your specific type of sport.
And once you have that figured out, you can show all the best sunglasses for skiing and snow goggles for the slopes on Julbo.
