When picking out goggles for Skiing and Snowboarding
There are several very important qualities to look for when choosing a pair of goggles. Most center around the lenses themselves:
Color:
While lenses are available in a variety of colors, rose or brown lenses are recommended the most. These tints are excellent in low light conditions, as they let in more light and enhance contrast, allowing you to see more details of the slope and what areas to avoid. GRAY IS NOT A GOOD IDEA! Gray lenses mute colors and contrast and will make it more difficult for you to see what's going on with the snow. If you're going to be doing a lot of night skiing/riding, there's also the investment in a clear or lemon lens (to let the absolute most light in) to consider.
Polarized:
You need to be careful when selecting a polarized lens. These lenses do cut the glare of the snow, however, they can also reduce your ability to see the surface details such as ice, bumps, and smaller debris. Therefore it is important to select the correct lens color in combination with the polarization process in order to retain the best possible vision. We recommend a rose/vermillion or a brown lens for this.
Fogging:
Fogging can be a very big problem for skiers and snowboarders especially, because it occurs most often in these winter conditions. Fogging is caused by the temperature difference between the inside and outside of a lens. The hot air close to your face hits the cold outer edge of the glass and as a result, your visual clarity is reduced by fog. Manufacturers have come up with several different technologies to circumvent this problem. One feature to keep an eye out for (haha) is a double lens. This design uses two separate lenses layered over one another with airflow in between to create a thermal buffer layer. Another feature is the venting systems incorporated into the frame and foam of the goggles themselves. Some are automatic and passive, requiring no tinkering. Others work as adjustable slots, allowing more or less airflow as the skier/rider desires. Some models even include small battery-powered fans to clear up fog in a matter of seconds! Another feature is a small vent to reduce moisture inside the lens (moisture is the little brother of fog: the cleaner your lenses are, the less there is for the fog to stick to, and it instead beads up or runs off as moisture). A final option to combat fighting is our Fogbuster formula, tested by our own customers and reported to last 3-5 trips between applications.
Prescriptions:
It is extremely difficult to put a prescription directly into the lens of a ski goggle because of the size and curvature. This does not mean it cannot be done or that you must invest in contacts. Several models of goggles are designed specifically to fit over the prescription glasses you may already be wearing. Another option is a prescription insert. At ActiveRxEyewear, we have four different inserts that can fit into 95% or more of all goggles, and we are confident we will be able to find one for you. In terms of prescription, it is not recommended to put a progressive prescription into the goggles because of the loss of peripheral vision. For our multifocal customers we recommend the use of a lined bifocal or round-seg, meaning a small circular portion of lens with the reading prescription in it, in order to have the reading abilities you will need for reading trail maps as well as the distance.
Stop by the shop for verification of the best fit for your situation.
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