🥽 How to Choose the Right Ski Goggle Lens
Your ultimate guide to lens tints, VLT, and weather-specific visibility
Choosing the right lens isn’t just about color — it’s about seeing better, reacting faster, and riding smarter. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, so you can pick the perfect lens for any mountain condition.
🌤️ 1. What Is VLT and Why Should You Care?
VLT (Visible Light Transmission) indicates how much light your lens lets through — a crucial factor when dealing with bright sun, flat light, or stormy days.
| VLT % | Category | Best for | Lenses: |
|---|---|---|---|
| > 80% | 0 | Whiteout or night | Clear |
| 43-79% | 1 | snowy or whiteout | Contrast-enhancing tints |
| 19-42% | 2 | Cloudy / mixed conditions | Allround lenses |
| 8-18% | 3 | Sunny conditions | Mirror lenses |
| <8% | 4 | Extremely sunny conditions | very dark/blackout |
Tip: Each Aphex lens is labeled with VLT info — easy to match to your riding style.
🎨 2. Lens Tint Breakdown – What Each Color Does
Different colors filter light in different ways. Here’s what to look for:
- Mirror lenses – Best for bright days, reduce glare.
- Yellow / Gold / Rose tints – Enhance contrast in flat or cloudy light.
- Clear lenses – Perfect for night skiing or heavy snow.
- Photochromic lenses – Automatically adjust to changing light levels.
→ Check out our Photochromatic Collection
🔁 3. Photochromic vs Magnetic Interchangeable Lenses
| Feature | Photochromic | Magnetic Interchangeable |
|---|---|---|
| Light adjusting | ✅ Auto-adapts | ❌ Manual switch |
| Speed | ✅ No hands needed | ✅ Swap in seconds |
| Weather flexibility | ✅ Sunny / Partly cloudy | ✅ Choose your tint for perfection |
| Cost | 💰 Slightly higher | 💰 Budget customizable |
→ Explore goggles like the XPR or Orion for both options.
🧼 4. Pro Tips to Keep Your Lens in Top Shape
- Always use a microfiber pouch
- Never wipe the inside when wet
- Store in a goggle case when not in use
- Avoid leaving goggles on your helmet in the sun
→ Check our Accessories to keep your lenses fresh.
🤔 5. Still Not Sure? Here’s Our Quick Guide:
- Want one lens for almost everything? → Go photochromic
- Like to swap depending on weather? → Go interchangeable magnetic for perfection
- Shopping for kids? → Start with the Kepler Junior
👉 Shop with Confidence
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to upgrade your ride:
→ Shop all spare lenses
→ Explore our ski goggle collection
→ Need help? Contact our gear experts
