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Do Ski Goggles Have UV Protection? (Answered!)

If you’re skiing in the mountains, you will be exposed to UV rays and those rays affect you the most because they are not filtered through the thin air in the slopes.

Just to be certain, a question might arise if ski goggles have UV protection. A quick read will help you know all about it!

Do ski goggles have UV protection?

Almost all ski goggles have UV protection. The lens in the goggles helps protect the eyes from three kinds of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. They also prevent eye fatigue and any damage to the retina as they filter any rays contacting the eyes. However, some old ski goggles may not have UV protection.

The ski goggles have polycarbonate lenses and high index plastic lenses that provide the most protection while skiing under the sun. Most ski goggles are made with these protective lenses as skiers will experience sun exposure on the slopes and it is needed to prevent eye diseases.

Do all ski goggles have UV protection?

Not all ski goggles have UV protection and this is mostly true for old ski goggles. They may not have polycarbonate lenses or high index plastic lenses. They are usually inexpensive as regular plastic.

On the other hand, almost all new ski goggles have UV protection as it is a necessity while skiing. However, to be certain, check the label of the ski goggles. Most ski goggles labels mention ‘100% protection against both UVA and UVB’ or ‘100% protection against UV 400’. 

Do Smith ski goggles have UV protection?

All Smith ski goggles have a hundred percent UV protection. Smith is a large company manufacturing ski goggles with different features.

Their ski goggles protect the eyes and the delicate skin around the eyes from the three types of Ultraviolet radiation, which are UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.

Do Oakley ski goggles have UV protection?

Oakley’s ski goggles have 100% UV protection. It has its Plutonite lens which is made of polycarbonate material that guards against dangerous Ultraviolet radiation.

Every wavelength of UV radiation emitted by the sun’s nuclear furnace is blocked by Oakley’s Plutonite lens material.

Other than just their tinted ski goggles, their clear ski goggles also provide full protection from UV rays.

Are UV protection necessary for ski goggles?

UV protection is necessary for ski goggles as it may prevent eye diseases and even blindness. These are the key reasons why UV protection is necessary for ski goggles:

UV protection avoids sunburns of the eyes:

Ski goggles without UV protection would expose the eyes to excessive amounts of UV radiation, especially on sunny days.

This may result in photokeratitis. It temporarily damages the cornea of the eyes and causes excessive tearing and sensation in the eyes along with sensitivity to light.

It prevents skin cancer:

Ski goggles also cover the sensitive area around the eyes and it is necessary to protect that thin skin against UV rays.

5 to 10 percent of skin cancer occurs on eyelids. It may also help develop ocular melanoma, which is a rare kind of cancer. Hence, to ensure healthy skin, all ski goggles should have UV protection.

It prevents blindness:

Exposure to UV rays might cause an eye disease called cataracts. It is a cloudiness of the eye lenses which could eventually lead to a visual disability called blindness.

For people skiing above 50, UV rays may cause macular degeneration. It also causes visual disability as it directly damages the retina of the eyes.

How do I know if my glasses have UV protection?

It is easy to know if your ski goggles have UV protection with the help of a test that can be done at home using a UV flashlight.

With the help of a UV flashlight, shine the light beam at a credit card or a money note and it will reveal the built-in security elements. If the security elements glow in the UV flashlight, consider it working as the elements reacted to the UV light.

Once confirmed that it is working, place the paper money or the credit card under the ski goggles. Take the UV flashlight and shine it through the ski goggles to test if the rays from the UV flashlight pass through the goggle lens.

If the security elements on the credit card are no longer visible, it can be confirmed that your ski goggles have complete UV protection. If the security elements are still visible, unfortunately, your goggles do not have UV protection.

What color lens is best for ski goggles?

Choosing the right color lens for ski goggles is one of the most important tasks while purchasing ski goggles. The color of the lens must provide a good combination of color definition, contrast, depth perception. The best color will mostly depend on the amount of light in the areas.

Choose lighter lens color when there’s low-light, or less sunny. Lighter lens colors are better for cloudy days as they have higher VLT.

A high VLT number would mean better color and depth perception on cloudy days. Yellow, gold, amber, green, light rose and rose copper color lenses are some light color lenses.

For sunny days where there’s lots of sunlight, a dark color lens is recommended for ski goggles. They have a low VLT number and it would prevent eye fatigue better on sunny days. Copper, dark brown, brown, dark gray and dark green are some examples of dark color lenses.

The dark color lenses are known for increasing contrast and grey is one of the most commonly used lens colors. Additionally, a mirror coating could be added to the dark color lenses so the light reflects and does not penetrate the eyes.

Non-colored lenses with the highest VLT number are specifically recommended for sunsets and night. As there is no or low light at that time of the day, the tinted lens will not be required.

Photochromic lenses for ski goggles may also be highly recommended, as they can automatically change their color according to the amount of light or UV intensity in the area. These lenses are typically found in gray and brown.

What should I look for when buying ski goggles?

There are many features in ski goggles that should be taken into account while purchasing one. All the features should cater to your requirements properly.

Double layered coating:

Look for the ski goggles with double-layered lenses which creates a thermal barrier that is fully resistant to fogging. The ski goggles will not get foggy due to temperature changes, so the users do not have to clean their goggles while skiing.

Anti-fog coating:

Anti-fog coating inside and vents along the sides of the goggles does the same job. It prevents the warm breath of the mouth from forming condensation by contacting the cold goggles.

However, as vents keep the warm breath out, the face might experience harsh coldness.

Fan system:

Some high-end ski goggles have battery-powered fans that can be effective in spreading moisture. The settings could be twisted for adjusting during different stages of skiing. However, fogging is not the only issue while skiing.

Mirror coating:

The lenses of the ski goggles should have a mirror coating if the weather’s mostly sunny. This coating allows light to be reflected. As a result, no rays will penetrate the eyes. It prevents further protection to the eyes on sunny days.

Polarized lens:

While looking for protection from the sun’s glare, consider polarized lenses. Like the mirror coating, polarized lenses also reflect the sunlight as it is made with a dark tint to avoid the bright sun. They also make views appear sharper and clearer.

UV protection:

The last and the most important feature for a ski goggle is UV protection. Skiing without ski goggles having UV protection can prove to be quite harmful.

It can cause photokeratitis, cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases leading to vision loss.

How do I protect my ski goggles?

As ski goggles are an essential accessory for skiing, they must be protected so they can continue to protect our eyes from dirt, wind, and UV rays for a longer period.

Microfiber cover:

Ski goggles can be easily scratched or damaged inside the pocket. It is sensitive to rough clothing materials so it is recommendable to use a microfiber cover.

The goggles mostly come with a bag, it can also be used as a cover. It should be stored in that bag safely after use.

Clean properly:

To protect the ski goggles, they should be cleaned properly. Instead of wiping it with a glove or rag, let the snow slip off and the goggles dry naturally.

After drying, wipe it with a microfiber cloth or the goggle bag. Avoid rubbing anything on the goggles to avoid damage.

Use microfiber cloth to clean:

To clean the inner lens, shake and wipe it with the microfiber cloth when it is in a dry condition. The inner lens is more sensitive as they are likely to have a mirror or anti-fog coating.

Wiping it when moisture is trapped on the lens can scratch off the anti-fog or mirror coating.

It is important to purchase high-quality ski goggles as low-quality ski goggles will not last for a season even if they are protected from all scratches. However, all kinds of ski goggles should be protected to let them last for three to six months.

Ski goggles as a whole are a wonderful accessory. Rarely, they do not have UV protection, thus it will provide the optimum level of protection from the UV rays, winds, and snows.

However, when purchasing these goggles, make sure you read their labels and choose their features wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do You Need Goggles to Ski? Are They Necessary?

How Long Do Ski Goggles Last?

How Tight Should Ski Goggles Be?

Can You Use Ski Goggles for Other Activities?