Going down a slippery, icy path is no piece of cake. You are being slapped with snow, wind, ice, rocks, and other debris. Imagine how vulnerable your eyes would be. That's where goggles come in. They serve as a physical barrier to shield your eyes from those flying things and allow you to see your way so you will be able to avoid uneven terrains, trees, and even other skiers.



The ski goggles you select should not only look good. They should have the features that best protect your eyes.

The ultraviolet radiation, or UV, from the sun doesn't only damage skin. It also damages your eyes. Exposure to UV burns the cornea and causes photokeratitis, or sunburn of the cornea. It lasts for two days at most, but long-term exposure to UV causes cataracts and other eye defects. It is not only during summer that you are in danger of UV. We are exposed to it every single day, sunny or cloudy. UV rays are also reflected off snow.

Ski goggles must improve perception and reduce, if not fight away, fogging. They must be able to ward off at least 95% of the UV rays from your eyes. They should allow you to see or quickly identify hazards like rocks and trees when traveling at high speed.

In choosing the right ski goggles for you, freelance writer Anthony J. Carter suggests that you take note of the weather conditions and the type of activity you will participate in. Check if the ski goggles offer UV protection. Ski goggles must have anti-fog and venting features. Choose goggles with a double lens and a venting system, which provides air circulation within the goggles and reduces the instances of fogging. This also keeps your eyes cool and refreshed. Water resistant goggles also reduce fogging.

Tints and colors of ski goggles has its functions. You just don't wear a certain color you are in the mood for. Light colored lenses add more light to your eyes, while dark colored lenses prevent some light.

According to Carter, tints and colors of ski goggles have purposes:

- Bronze lenses offer the greatest protection against UV rays and can be used from sunny to cloudy conditions.

- Bronze chrome lenses offer better protection in bright sunlight.

- Clear lenses let the most light through so it is ideal for the low light conditions, like blizzards and at night.

- Clear chrome orange, clear chrome blue or yellow lenses offer the same advantages that clear lenses offer while at the same time letting in a bit less light with a tint.

Writer Don Shalin says that there are some ski goggles that have interchangeable lenses so you can choose the lens color you need. He advices that you try on several pairs of ski goggles to get a comfortable fit and try the goggles with your helmet.

If you wear eyeglasses, you don't have to try to fit your eyeglasses inside your goggles. Never, ever try the slopes without them. Mark Bowden notes that there are ski goggles that have features of eyeglasses. According to him, inserts and lenses can be custom made.

Finally, Carter suggests that you check out websites and stores selling ski goggles to find out the features of their products.