Frames: We recommend a plastic frame since these hold up much better in the cold. Metal frames become brittle in the cold and may break. Wraps are very popular since they protect your eyes from wind and snow, which is especially important for contact lens wearers. They also help block out incidental light from the sides, helping to minimize glare. Goggles: If you prefer to wear a goggle, use the same lens color guidelines as below. Make sure the goggle is well ventilated to prevent fogging. For tips on preventing your goggles from fogging, check out AthleticOptics Tip: Better Goggle Performance. For tips for contact lens wearers and those who prefer a goggle that fits over their glasses, see AthleticOptics Tip: Goggles + Glasses and Contacts.

Lenses: Most importantly, the sunglasses/goggles should offer 100% UV protection. Since glare increases on surfaces such as snow and regular sun lenses do not provide adequate absorption of glare, you may want to consider polarized lenses which absorb 98% of the glare so you don't need to squint. Please Note: Polarized lenses absorb so much glare that you may not be able to distinguish patches of ice from regular snow. You also may want to consider a photochromatic lens, which will lighten or darken according to the amount of light, getting darker in bright sunlight, and lighter in an overcast sky. Polycarbonate lenses are highly recommended because of their impact resistance. Polycarbonate is also more fog resist than any other lens. Plastic provides adequate protection but can still shatter. Avoid glass lenses if at all possible. When skiing in bright sunlight, you should wear a sun lens. A brown or amber lens will provide the best contrast against a white background and works well for lower light conditions (i.e. when the sun goes behind the clouds). Check out the SportSpx tip below on choosing a lens color for more info on this subject.