Winter eyewear
If you’re likely to encounter bright sunshine on wintry hills, wind-driven snow or white-out conditions, eye protection should ensure you avoid serious problems. Chris Townsend compares three options…
WHEN THERE is snow on the hills and the sun is shining it can be bright enough to damage your eyes as well as make walking unpleasant and even difficult. The ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause sunburn can burn the eyes too, causing snow blindness – a very painful condition. Sunglasses should cut out 99-100 % of UV light. All the products reviewed here do this.
The colour of the lenses makes a big difference. Grey, brown or green ones give a fairly accurate colour rendition. Amber and yellow lenses can make colours take on a startlingly unreal orange hue in bright sunlight. However they also give better definition in mist and poor light.
Whilst sunglasses are fine most of the time, when it’s very windy and snow or spindrift is blasting into your face ski goggles are far more protective. I carry
both in winter – sunglasses for bright sun, goggles with an orange or yellow lens for flat light and storms.
Lens size matters too. They should be big enough to prevent light entering round the edges easily reaching the eyes. Frames should fit comfortably and be made of tough material. Neck cords are very useful for when you take glasses off: they stop you sitting on them or leaving them behind.