Ready for a better view this snow season? Take to the mountains in a pair of SMITH snow goggles for crystal-clear visibility and the best optical experience. When you buy SMITH goggles, you may receive two ChromaPop™ lenses to cover you in bright and low-light conditions depending on your goggle choice. And if you’re wondering what SMITH ChromaPop™ is, how it works in goggles, and what kinds of lenses are available, we're here to help! Join us for our SMITH ChromaPop™ Snow Goggle Lens Guide.


Table of Contents

A. What is ChromaPop™?
1. Are ChromaPop™ Lenses Polarized?
2. Is ChromaPop™ Photochromic?
B. Which ChromaPop™ Lenses Should I Get?
C. SMITH ChromaPop™ Goggle Lens Guide
1. ChromaPop™ Sun Green Mirror
2. ChromaPop™ Sun Black
3. ChromaPop™ Sun Platinum Mirror
4. ChromaPop™ Sun Red Mirror
5. ChromaPop™ Everyday Green Mirror
6. ChromaPop™ Everyday Rose Gold Mirror
7. ChromaPop™ Everyday Violet Mirror
8. ChromaPop™ Everyday Red Mirror
9. ChromaPop™ Photochromic Rose Flash
10. ChromaPop™ Storm Rose Flash
11. ChromaPop™ Storm Yellow Flash
D. Prescription SMITH Snow Goggles at SportRx


With so many lenses designed for different conditions, Sunglass Rob explains ChromaPop™ technology and which lens is best for which weather conditions. Continue reading to learn more!


What is ChromaPop™?

ChromaPop™ is SMITH’s proprietary lens technology that allows the eyes to identify true colors. The technology filters light that causes color confusion to give you greater definition, more natural color, and unmatched clarity. SMITH ChromaPop™ lenses deliver enhanced optical crispness and definition across a greater range of conditions than traditional lenses. Your surroundings will truly pop with ChromaPop™.

SMITH ChromaPop how it works

SMITH ChromaPop how it works


Are ChromaPop™ Lenses Polarized?

SMITH goggle lenses are available in two ChromaPop™ variations — ChromaPop™ and ChromaPop™ Polarized. Normal ChromaPop™ lenses do not feature polarization. You can, however, get polarization with ChromaPop™ Polarized.


Is ChromaPop™ Photochromic?

Short answer: no. ChromaPop™ is a color-enhancing tint technology, while photochromic is a lens functionality. They can, however, be paired together.

For more information on ChromaPop™ technology, check out our SMITH Ultimate Sunglass Lens Guide.


Which ChromaPop™ Lenses Should I Get?

SMITH ChromaPop™ goggles have several base tints in addition to a mirror coating. The base tint affects how colors are rendered. For example, a grey base is best for bluebird days. On the other hand, brown lenses boost color and contrast to let you spot more details. These can also work on bluebird days but are best for partly cloudy days.

Meanwhile, rose and yellow base tints are best for overcast or whiteout conditions because they block out blue light that’s found in the extra water vapor in the air. Too much blue light decreases visual acuity and depth perception, causing eye fatigue. These tints also maximize color and contrast, something you’ll need on a stormy day.

SMITH’s ChromaPop™ goggle lenses cover the full range of light conditions:

  • Sun Lenses: Bluebird days
  • Everyday Lenses: Medium-light conditions
  • Storm Lenses: Overcast and whiteout conditions

Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is the amount of light allowed into the lens. The higher the VLT, the lighter the lens tint. Bright conditions require a low VLT, while darker conditions need a higher VLT. SMITH offers a VLT range from 9% with their Sun Lenses and up to 65% VLT in the Storm Lenses. Let’s look at how the different lenses compare.

SMITH ChromaPop goggle lens guide


SMITH ChromaPop™ Goggle Lens Guide

ChromaPop™ Sun Collection

Let's start with the Sun Collection. All the lenses in this collection feature a grey base tint, keeping colors balanced and providing exceptional optical depth and detail.

ChromaPop™ Sun Green Mirror

SMITH I/O MAG goggles for skiing and snowboarding. Black strap with white SMITH text and a green blue mirror shield lens.

SMITH I/O MAG in Black with ChromaPop™ Sun Green Mirror Lens

Shop SMITH I/O MAG

  • VLT – 9%
  • Features grey base tint
  • Maximizes clarity and detail on the brightest days

ChromaPop™ Sun Black

Smith IO Mag XL in Hornet Flood with Chromapop Sun Black + Chromapop Storm Rose Flash Product Image

SMITH I/O MAG XL in Hornet Flood with ChromaPop™ Sun Black Lens

Shop SMITH I/O MAG XL

  • VLT – 12%
  • Features grey base tint
  • Reduces glare, but still allows you to notice contrast

ChromaPop™ Sun Platinum Mirror

SMITH Squad snow goggles in black with ChromaPop platinum mirror shield lens.

SMITH Squad in Black with ChromaPop™ Sun Platinum Mirror Lens

Shop SMITH Squad

  • VLT – 13%
  • Features grey base tint
  • Increases depth perception and features more of a mirror coating

ChromaPop™ Sun Red Mirror

SMITH chromapop ski goggle smith 4D MAG in Lava with ChromaPop™ Sun Red Mirror

SMITH 4D MAG in Lava with ChromaPop™ Sun Red Mirror Lens

Shop SMITH 4D MAG

  • VLT – 16%
  • Layered red mirror over grey base tint
  • Eases harsh glare of high-elevation sun

ChromaPop™ Everyday Collection

If you are looking to use one lens all day, a SMITH ChromaPop™ Everyday Lens might be the one for you! Everyday lenses work in a variety of conditions, from sunny to snowy days and are a good fit for people who don't have sun-sensitive eyes but want some contrast on sunny days. Some of these have a brown base, while others have a rose base tint. The differences between the three lenses are mainly aesthetic.

ChromaPop™ Everyday Green Mirror

SMITH Grom kids ski snow goggles in black with green chromapop shield lens.

SMITH Grom in Black with ChromaPop™ Everyday Green Mirror Lens

Shop SMITH Grom (Youth)

  • VLT – 23%
  • Features brown base tint
  • Provides a rosey hue
  • Enhances every rise and fall in the snow

ChromaPop™ Everyday Rose Gold Mirror

SMITH IO Mag S Ski Goggle in Tusk with Chromapop Everyday Rose Gold Mirror + Chromapop Storm Rose Flash Lenses Product Image

SMITH IO MAG S in Tusk with ChromaPop™ Everyday Rose Gold Mirror Lens

Shop SMITH I/O MAG S

  • VLT – 23%
  • Features rose base tint
  • Provides a rosey hue
  • Works in a range of conditions

ChromaPop™ Everyday Violet Mirror

SMITH I/O MAG S ski goggles in Lilac with ChromaPop Everyday Violet Mirror + ChromaPop™ Storm Rose Flash Lenses

SMITH I/O MAG S in Lilac with ChromaPop™ Everyday Violet Mirror Lens

Shop SMITH I/O MAG S

  • VLT – 23%
  • Features brown base tint
  • Provides a yellow, amber hue
  • Designed to work all season long

ChromaPop™ Everyday Red Mirror

SMITH 4D MAG Black ski goggles - ChromaPop Everyday Red Mirror + ChromaPop Storm Yellow Flash

SMITH 4D MAG in Black with ChromaPop™ Everyday Red Mirror Lens

Shop SMITH 4D MAG

  • VLT – 25%
  • Features brown base tint
  • Provides a light rosey hue
  • Suitable for cloudy to bluebird days

ChromaPop™ Photochromic Rose Flash

SMITH I/O MAG Black - ChromaPop Photochromic Rose Flash + ChromaPop Storm Yellow Flash

SMITH I/O MAG Black with ChromaPop™ Photochromic Rose Flash Lens

Shop SMITH I/O MAG

  • VLT – 30-50%
  • Combines grey base with rose flash outer lens
  • Automatically changes depending on lighting conditions

ChromaPop™ Storm Collection

Finally, the Storm Collection. These lenses are for those who can’t pass up a day on the mountain, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

ChromaPop™ Storm Rose Flash

SMITH Squad ski goggle in Black with ChromaPop Storm Rose Flash + Yellow Lenses

SMITH Squad in Black with ChromaPop™ Storm Rose Flash Lens

Shop SMITH Squad

  • VLT – 50%
  • Features blue flash base tint
  • Good for bad weather days
  • Optimizes contrast

ChromaPop™ Storm Yellow Flash

SMITH Squad XL in SMITH ChromaPop lens AC Cody Townsend with Chromapop Storm Yellow Flash

SMITH Squad XL in AC Cody Townsend with ChromaPop™ Storm Yellow Flash

Shop SMITH Squad XL

  • VLT – 65%
  • Features yellow blue flash base tint
  • Lightest lens for darkest and cloudiest days
  • Still offers great depth and contrast on whiteout days

Prescription SMITH Snow Goggles at SportRx

Need prescription SMITH ski goggles or a prescription goggle insert? Done. When you shop with SportRx, you’ll find video guides and tool tips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. An answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, give us a call! We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly opticians who can help you build your prescription SMITH goggles.

Ditch risky online shopping with our See Better Guarantee. Try your snow goggles for 45 days. If you’re not satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get your pair of prescription SMITH snow goggles at SportRx today!

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