Building the perfect goggle setup is all about matching your lens to the weather, and understanding VLT makes that choice incredibly easy. VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission. In super simple terms, it is the percentage of ambient light that a lens lets pass through to your eyes. Think of it like the tint on a car window:
- High VLT 50% to 85%: Lets a lot of light in. You want a high VLT on dark, cloudy, or snowy days so your vision is brightened and you can see the terrain clearly.
- Low VLT 5% to 20%: Blocks most of the light. You want a low VLT on bright, sunny bluebird days so you do not have to squint and your eyes stay relaxed.
The easiest rule of thumb to remember is this: Dark out? High VLT. Bright out? Low VLT.
We know that replacing your gear can sometimes be a headache. Many goggle brands make you go on a wild goose chase just to figure out which lens fits your frame, and once you finally find it, the price can easily be $120 or more. BOLD has made a commitment to always have replacement lenses available for our goggles at a highly affordable price. We have also made the entire process super easy. We mark the model name directly on the lens itself, along with a clear label indicating if it is a sunny day lens or a low light lens. You will always know exactly what you are riding with and exactly what to order when it is time for a fresh one.
To make finding your perfect lens as simple as possible, here is a quick guide to our BOLD lens colors, their exact VLT percentages, and the ideal weather conditions for each:
Sunny Day Lenses Designed for bright bluebird days with harsh glare and zero clouds.
Everyday Lenses Highly versatile options perfect for mixed conditions, partial sun, and shifting clouds.
Low Light and Stormy Day Lenses Powered by our POW Viz Plus high contrast technology, these are perfect for flat light, active snowfall, and heavy overcast skies.
Night and Extreme Low Light Maximum visibility and light transmission for night skiing under the stadium lights or navigating severe blizzards.
Photochromic Auto Tint Lenses The ultimate one lens solution. This smart technology automatically darkens in the sun and lightens in the shade.
Swapping your lenses to match the exact environment is the best way to get the most out of your time on the mountain, no matter what the Steamboat weather throws at you.