Ski goggles are not just another accessory. They protect the eyes from the effects of the sun, snow and cold and should be used whenever we go to a mountain area where there is the possibility of finding snow. Eye protection is essential.
Continuous or intermittent exposure to snow and sun without glasses has cumulative effects on the cornea and is usually the cause of eye injuries that may appear in the near future. It must be taken into account that until the age of 12 the pigmentation of the eyes is not complete. Hence the importance of children always wearing glasses.
The bad habit of doing without goggles during the first hours of the day or on cloudy days is widespread among skiers, without taking into account that ultraviolet rays are particularly virulent in ski resorts. Its intensity increases by 7% every 500m. Altitude and up to 50% in areas such as station cafeterias, used as improvised solariums and generally facing south.
We want to teach you how to choose ski sunglasses to obtain the best protection while taking care of the budget.
What do you need to choose ski sunglasses?
- Glasses that protect you and that adapt well to your face
- Recognized businesses where to acquire them.
Instructions for choosing ski sunglasses
- The purchase of ski goggles should not be based on fashion or aesthetic criteria. The first thing we must check is that they bear the European Community (CE) mark, which will indicate that they have 100% UV protection. After choosing the model -either urban or sporty aesthetics; mask type, for use in blizzards or glaciers, with round lenses and side protections for high mountains, check that they adapt to the face without compressing the nose and guarantee a wide field of vision. In case of wearing them with a helmet, there should be no air passage on the sides or on the forehead.
- On the other hand, you have to choose them according to the terrain and the climate. For example, in low light and foggy environments, the use of yellow, amber and gold lenses is appropriate as they allow you to better see even terrain. On the other hand, pink lenses are especially suitable for gray days, while for days with a lot of light, colors such as green or brown, because they help we improve contrasts. Mirror coated lenses, despite being chosen for aesthetics; help us to block some of the glare.
- The crystals must have high filtering power, category 3 or 4, so that they filter at least 95% of ultraviolet rays. Many people are unaware of this fact about their sunglasses, and yet it is very important to achieve adequate radiation transmission.
- We must also pay attention to the material used in its manufacture, discard those models that splinter with a fall or crash and choose organic crystals based on resins and semi-flexible plastic frames, the best are polycarbonate glasses so that they do not get damaged in case of fail.
- In any case, the most advisable thing is for a sunglasses specialist to supervise the choice to ensure that we are buying the right product for the conditions in which we are going to practice sports.
Tips for choosing ski sunglasses
- Buy your ski goggles in safe places; do not get carried away by the external appearance.
- Look for prices but be careful with those that, because they are cheap, do not protect you.
- Get good advice from specialized shops.
