That’s no longer the case, and the Tifosi Sledge sunglasses are a perfect example. It used to be that photochromic lenses were either too dark or too light to truly cover the wide range of light conditions you might get out there in the world, and the transition time for the lenses to change tint was unmanageably slow. And they were, at least before the technology got as good as it is today. Photochromic lenses used to be hated on as a gimmicky marketing term. Photochromic lenses provide great versatility in varied light conditions.Ĭons: Ventilation slits are more suited to biking than skiing. Best Photochromic Ski Sunglasses: Tifosi Sledge ($80) The lenses on the Tifosi Sledge transition from 14-74% VLT, a massive range. Style-wise, they’re definitely steezy out on the slopes, but I’m not sure if I’d wear them for a walk around town here in San Francisco.ĬHECK PRICE ON AMAZON CHECK PRICE ON BACKCOUNTRY CHECK PRICE ON EVO I tried out the Matte White colorway with a ChromaPop Black lens (VLT 10 percent, Smith’s darkest tint) and was impressed with how well it handled shade as well as sun, and the included clear lens is awesome for night skiing or very dark conditions. Best of all, it works in both high- and low-light conditions. Smith’s ChromaPop tech is no snake oil – the difference that such a tint makes in terms of visibility on the snow, especially in flat-light conditions, is pretty remarkable. As far as the lens technology, this is where the Wildcats really shine. Coverage is great with a wrap-around lens style and minimalist frame that does little to obstruct your view. If you plan on going fast, these are the way to go.

The Wildcats are one of Smith’s most popular action-sports sunglasses, suited to snowsports and really anything you set your mind to. Pros: Swappable lenses, nice, albeit bulky, hard case.Ĭons: Lens-swapping is a process, especially with cold fingers. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONīest Lens Technology in Ski Sunglasses: Smith Wildcat ($209) And they look good, too, especially (in my opinion) with the mirrored lens. The brow panel is a great, goggle-inspired addition, resting against the forehead with a comfortable foam backer to protect against sun and snow, and I’ve yet to meet it’s like in other sunglasses. The Zeiss lenses provide great clarity but aren’t quite as high-performance in low/flat light as Smith’s ChromaPop technology below.

The wide lens combined with removable panels at the brow and temples provide the best coverage I’ve tried, and best of all, due to the curve of the lens, the side shields do not impinge on peripheral vision whatsoever. Poc’s Devour Glacial sunglasses come about as close to a pair of goggles as you can get in a pair of sunglasses, making them a great choice for skiers who don’t want to sacrifice performance. Pros: Swappable lenses, great extra (and removable) coverage at the brow and temples.

For reference, my face tends to fit medium/large-fit sunglasses the best, but everyone’s face is different, so I figured this was better expressed in words rather than a score based on how well the sunglasses fit my own face.īest Coverage for Ski Sunglasses: Poc Devour Glacial ($250) Fit is another huge consideration, and I did my best to indicate where on the fit spectrum each pair of sunglasses lies. Style is a must because, of course, it is.

Different levels of polarization, or special tints like Smith’s ChromaPop, can provide different benefits for various skiing conditions. Lens Technology is also important in what can be blindingly bright conditions out on the snow. Coverage matters a lot, both for protecting your eyes and for blocking the wind during high-speed descents. The things I pay attention to when choosing a pair of sunglasses to ski in are coverage, lens technology, and of course, style. Photo: Ryan Salm Which Features Matter for Ski Sunglasses? Rockin’ the Anon Advocate sunglasses on the uphill.

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