How to pick the right goggle - Buyer's guide Snowcountry

Are you looking for the best ski or snowboard goggle? Than you may have realized that the choice in goggles is endless these days. A good goggle is crucial and provides visibility in a snow-covered world. The best goggle for you is ultimately a personal choice, but we'd like to offer some tips to consider in your decision.

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What size ski or snowboard goggle?

Goggles come in three sizes: small, medium, and large (S, M, and L). The size you need depends on the size of your head. Men usually need size M or L, while women need size S or M. If you're unsure about the size, it's helpful to look at the size of the helmet you have. If you have a small helmet (XS or S), you need a small goggle. If you have a size XL or L, choose a large goggle.

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Weather conditions (VLT)

We start with the term VLT, which stands for 'Visible Light Transmission'. This refers to the amount of light that reaches your eyes through the lens. VLT is expressed in percentages. The higher the percentage, the more light the lens allows through, and vice versa. On sunny days, use a lens with a percentage of less than 20%. For dark days, use a lens with a high percentage between 50% and 80%. Anything in between is considered all-around and suitable for conditions between sunny and dark days. Looking for a goggle for cloudy days? Choose a lens with a VLT between 20% and 50%.

Sunny days

Cloudy to sunny days

Dark days

<20%

20% - 50%

>50%

Do you need three different goggles to be prepared for all conditions? In our experience, that's not necessarily the case. Some people are satisfied with an all-around lens for cloudy to sunny days. But if you want an optimal viewing experience in all conditions, you can choose goggles with changeable lenses or a lens that adjusts to the amount of light.

Goggle with changeable lenses

With goggles featuring changeable lenses, you simply choose the lens that suits the situation best. This way, you have one goggle with, for example, two lenses—one for sunny weather and one for bad weather.

How you exactly change the lens varies by brand and sometimes by the type of goggle. Some lenses click into the frame, some are secured with a lever in the frame, and some are magnetic.

Goggle with photochromic lenses

You can also opt for goggles with a photochromic lens. A lens that adapts to the amount of light, making it suitable for both sunny and cloudy days. When purchasing goggles with a photochromic lens, it is important to consider the VLT range. This will help you determine the optimal functioning range of the goggle.

Lens shape: toric

The toric lens is a combination of the cylindrical and spherical lens. The vertical curvature is less than that of a spherical lens and more than that of a cylindrical lens. This combination results in minimal distortion.

Polarizing glasses

Actually, all goggles in our webshop are 100% UV-resistant and equipped with an anti-fog coating (a coating that helps prevent condensation). Furthermore, all brands have developed their own lens technology that enhances contrast, among other features. More information about a specific lens's technology can be found in our webshop's product information.

What not all goggles have are polarizing lenses. The lens is then coated to absorb glare. With a lot of sunlight, you won't be bothered by annoying glare. Especially when slopes are icy, polarizing glasses offer a much calmer view.

OTG goggles

'OTG' stands for 'Over The Glasses,' which is the solution for eyeglass-wearing winter sports enthusiasts. OTG goggles are specially designed to fit over glasses, allowing you to ski or snowboard with your prescription glasses while wearing goggles for safety.

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Snowcountry tip!

Are you buying goggles online? Keep in mind that the lens of the goggle you receive may not always APPEAR to have the color you expected! The lens color depends on the background color. You'll only see the chosen color when you use it outdoors in the snow.

Here's an example. The same glasses twice, once against a dark background and once against a light background. Exactly the same glasses but with a completely different appearance.

Are you unsure if you've received the correct goggle lens? Check the color on the packaging and compare it with the lens you ordered in our webshop.

You don’t need to be a pro to choose the right snow goggles for you. Just follow our guide, it will make your decision easier! 

 1. Choose the right lens shape

Moowin lenses come in two different shapes: 

Additional reading:
5 Must-Have Features in a plano concave lens

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Cylindrical Lens. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

• Cylindrical – called the Blizzard lens.

This cylindrical lens is curved on the horizontal axis and is straight on the vertical axis. They are suitable for the ones who like a more classic, throwback look and generally won’t choose big snow goggle models.  They are also less bulky than the spherical alternative. 

• Spherical – called the Helioslens

This spherical lens curves both vertically and horizontally and closely simulates the natural shape of the eye. It allows you to see more with the greater lens surface area and offers a clear picture with less glare and distortion. 

 2. Decide about the lens colour

Lens colour has an important function – you should choose the right one for specific weather conditions to assure the best vision. Take a look at the infographic that will help you choose the right one: 

Don’t worry about memorising this infographic. You can also find the details of each model/lens on the product pages.  

Important: Our magnetic technology allows you to quickly change the lens to a different one if the weather turns bad or night falls. 

 Want to dig deeper into the lens specifications? Let’s get some terms clear: 

VLT (Visible Light Transmission) and S category 

VLT specifies the percentage of light passing through the lens and reaching your eyes. The S rating is simply a range of VLT that defines a category of weather conditions best suited for the lens. 

Layers and Inner Tint 

Our lenses are made out of two layers, with an insulated gap between them to prevent fogging. The outer layer has a REVO mirror coating presented in the above infographic, while the inner layer has a light grey tint to provide extra contrast!    

You may remember old school snow goggles that typically had orange/brown tints which made everything, well, orange – until you got used to it. This served a similar purpose, but nowadays these inner tints can be much more pleasant thanks to the protection of the REVO mirror coating on the outer layer. 

Ultra Violet (UV) light protection 

It is important to protect your eyes from dangerous UVA and UVB sun rays, as they can cause serious harm to your eyes. All our goggles have 100% UV protection also referred to as UV400. 

 3. Check other important features

Fit Size 

Our goggles fall under the medium/large category. What does that mean? They give you extra peripheral vision for blazing down the mountain, slashing powder in the backcountry or sending it in the park. 

Padding 

Three layers of breathable foam padding make a comfortable fit and add more ventilation to help prevent fogging. 

For some additional venting, there are also air holes on the lenses. 

Strap 

Moowin elastic and anti-slip straps have two sliding clips to make adjustments in strap length, ensuring that the goggle can fit any helmet and head size. Our Helios models also have a removable strap. 

Frame 

The frame of our snow goggles is made of strong yet light TPU frame material. It makes your snow moments comfortable, but also safe – with its anti-collision bumper it protects your eyes from accidental impact. 

4. When you finally decide ...

Make sure your new snow goggles will stay with you for many seasons of amazing adventures. Some quick tips and tricks to treat them right:  

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Calcium Fluoride Optics.

• Moowin snow goggles come in a handy case, hard on one side and soft on the other, which effectively protects your lenses and makes it fit into every bag. Separately purchased lenses come in a soft pouch.
• When it's time for a pit-stop or apres ski, place them on the foam side with the lens facing up.
• Use only a soft cloth to dry (do not wipe) the lenses of the glasses. 
• When you have finished skiing, dry your goggles thoroughly before putting them in your bag. Do not dry the glasses on a radiator, hot surfaces, in direct sunlight or high heat, such as on a car dashboard.

• If the snow freezes on the lens while skiing, do not try to remove it as it will destroy your reflective layer. Wait for it to melt and wipe with a soft cloth. 
• When not in use, store the goggles in a case.