Winter sports: what glasses do you need?
Every winter, the attention of all enthusiasts shifts to the mountains , where it is possible to practice engaging sports such as skiing and snowboarding or indulge in breathtaking excursions on the snow-capped peaks.
From the slopes to the peaks, we find ourselves moving in truly unique contexts , which however present us with a series of challenges that are in turn new . In particular, as regards the eyes, subjected to the blinding glare of light on the snow .
Consequently, it is unthinkable to leave the house with only a jacket and boots to protect yourself from the cold and convince yourself that standard sunglasses are sufficient to shield your eyes from the winter light.
If you really care about your safety and the health of your eyes, the only suitable solution is to choose specific sunglasses for winter sports , capable of adapting to such a particular environment as snow-capped mountains.
But… how to choose the right ones? The best starting point is undoubtedly to pay attention to the filter category of the lenses .
Lenses: Why Choose Category 4 for Winter Sports?
Lenses: a question of quality
Let's start with a brief premise: when we talk about lenses and sunglasses, around here we are referring exclusively to high-quality products .
Opting for low-quality, or even counterfeit, models actually means NOT protecting your eyes, simply because at certain prices it is not technically possible to make models that are even minimally effective.
So pay attention to the price : if you see that it is at a bargain, know that what you are buying are simple “beauty” sunglasses. And if you really care about the health of your eyes, especially in the long term, it is better to spend a few euros more for an effective , durable and resistant product.
For winter sunglasses, NRC has chosen only the best, namely ZEISS , the only manufacturer in the world able to offer the same quality standards for sports lenses as for ophthalmic lenses.
Lenses: the filter category
That said, let's get back to what was said above, namely the right lenses for winter sports glasses. To simplify the matter, when we talk about filter category , we are referring to the amount of light that the lens itself lets through before reaching the eye.
The higher the filter category, the less light will pass through the lens . And in glare and blinding light environments such as winter mountains, sports sunglasses with a highly filtering lens are obviously recommended.
Depending on the context and use (leisure, sports, urban or natural environment, etc.), it may be better to choose a category 1 or 2 lens, therefore with a low or medium-low filter, or on the contrary opt for highly filtering category 3 lenses.
But for particular contexts such as ski slopes, glaciers and snowy landscapes, where the glare can literally blind you, it is better to go one step further and opt for very high protection with category 4 lenses .
This type of lens is able to absorb up to 97% of the light before it reaches your eyes, ensuring perfect visibility even in extreme lighting conditions.
Such a level of filtering can actually be counterproductive in certain situations, such as driving. But you know, after all, how important it is not to find yourself suddenly dazzled while you are speeding down a black slope…
Category 4 lenses: NRC's winter glasses
Within our collection dedicated to winter sports, we wanted to include two top-of-the-range sunglasses equipped with category 4 ZEISS lenses , to guarantee maximum protection for all enthusiasts.
These are the X4.BKBL and X4.BKIV models , which, beyond the aesthetic differences, both guarantee top-level performance thanks to the Category 4 lenses, designed together with ZEISS to be able to reduce the impact of white and blue and improve the perception of depressions and shadows.
Ideal for those who practice activities in high mountains and glaciers, these winter sunglasses are equipped with protective side wings made of 3D printed composite material.
Winter sports glasses: other models
In addition to these models, our Winter Sports Collection also includes other high-quality sunglasses, both with polarized lenses like the X5.VE.BKBL.POL and the RX1.BKCO.POL , and with lenses specifically designed to attenuate white light like the X3.BKBL .
Carefully choose the model that best suits your needs and, above all, remember to choose with your safety in mind, opting for a “glare-proof” product.