The Importance of Winter Eyewear
January 27th, 2010Advises, Tips & Tricks, Skiing & SnowboardingWhen you spend a lot of time on slopes (doesn’t matter if you are a ski beginner or a snowboard master) don’t fail to protect your eyes from damaging golden sun rays. The light is reflected from the snow and the result is up to twice the normal amount of UV rays. Moreover, the harmful effects of solar UV radiation at 2000 meters can be 30% higher than at sea level. Protective eyewear is the first way to prevent sun damage to the eyes.
Ski Sunglasses and Ski Goggles
The eyewear is a very important safety element to your winter sports activity. The right pair of sports sunglasses or goggles should suit your type of activity and the anticipated weather conditions.
The first point to consider is the lens color.
| Grey lenses | Great for bright sunshine days. |
| Brown lenses Amber lenses Orange lenses Pink lenses |
Improve contrast and depth perception. Help to reduce glare. They are good if you expect changeable weather conditions. |
| Yellow lenses | Great for flat light or dull conditions because of their excellent contrast enhancement. |
Sunglasses used for skiing and snowboarding should be made of durable, lightweight and flexible material. They should give good peripheral protection to minimize UV rays, fully UV400 compliant (block both UVA and UVB rays) lenses are essential. The best protection and a wider field of vision can be provided by sunglasses with shatterproof, polycarbonate lenses. For minimum glare, ski sunglasses with polarized lenses may be preferred. And anti-fog coatings on the lenses are also recommended.
Right sports goggles offer full UV protection, deliver good peripheral view, air circulation and comfort. Double lenses, anti-fog coatings and vented frames help to reduce fogging and provide fresh air for your eyes. Spherical lenses provide extra high contrast and sharpen definition in all light conditions.
Ski goggles must be tough and durable. Good quality frames are usually made from polyurethane, lightweight and shock absorbing material. It is important to ensure a good fit of goggles, as they are likely to be worn all day. The foam lining and headband should be super-soft and hypoallergenic; they should also have a high absorption capacity. Right goggles fit around the nose without causing breathing problems.
And don’t forget, goggles should be compatible with your helmet.
Fortunately, the key features are now clear, so, if you decided to purchase eyewear, just choose exact models of Roxy, Bolle, Adidas, …, Cebe, Quiksilver, Smith, Oakley sunglasses (or goggles) and compare them.
P.S.
If your lifestyle has no connection with winter sports and typically you forget your sunglasses at home, you shouldn’t do this in the winter months. You may not see the sun often and it may seem lower, but the UV rays slamming into your eyes are the same as in July.
Another thing to note is that a typical pair of summer shades has no match for the grayer rays and sunlight angles in the winter. Summer sunglasses with darker lenses and linear lines will not save you a lot, you better find a pair with a lighter lens tint and a shape that fits closer to your face.
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February 10th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
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February 24th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Spring, and ultimately, summer, is sneaking up on us now. Prepare to spend your days outside by educating yourself about keeping your eyes healthy. Simple steps like using an eye mist to moisturize will have you a lot of discomfort. http://whatistheeye.wordpress.com
March 25th, 2010 at 5:33 am
Too true!
The sun is stronger in the winter too. Just got back from St Anton and have severe panda eyes!
Nice blog