The signs of the approaching winter have started with the changing of the leaves and the drops in temperature. Before you know it, the snow will begin to fall and the slopes will be open. Now is the time to make sure your equipment is ready for the upcoming skiing season, especially when it comes to your protective clothing, like ski goggles. Though you may be tempted to wear a pair of sunglasses, you will find it hard to replace a quality pair of ski goggles. Whether you are a beginner to skiing or consider yourself an expert, it is always important to remember the following tips when it comes to choosing ski goggles.
Styles of Ski Goggle
Standard – This is the most popular style of goggles on the market. They will cover a large portion of your face and are held in place by a thick strap that stretches around the back of your head. When trying these standard goggles on, they should feel comfortable as the goggles foam padding will remained pressed against your face. Though they may not look cool, this style offers the most protection when you are skiing.
Sunglass – This style is for the skier who prefers the sunglass look as opposed to the standard ski goggle. They come in a wide variety of styles and they come with cable temples, which will help secure the ski goggles to your head. If you look around enough you can probably find a pair that will match the rest of your equipment.
You can not go wrong with any of these styles if you pick the one with the right fit for your face. All of these ski goggles will be made of a soft material that flexes, like rubber, nylon, or propionate. This is important because you do not want the ski goggles to dig into your skin when you take a tumble.
Key Features
Anti-fog – Ever have one of those morning when your car windshield will not defrost and you have to continually wipe it down with your sleeve so you can see while you drive? Well imagine if that happened with your goggles while you were skiing down a step hill. To help reduce the fog on the inside of your ski goggles, they will need to have vents to increase the air flow. You can reduce the moisture inside your ski goggles by investing in double lens, either spherical or cylindrical. The latter is more expensive but sufficient while the spherical offers more visibility to the skier.
UV Protection & Polarization – With the sunlight bouncing off the snow and ice, you will find that you have a hard time season without any UV protection on your ski goggles. This is even more important if your eyes are sensitive to bright lights. If yours are, then you will want to find a pair of polarized ski goggles, though they tend to be more expensive than ski goggles with only IV protection. Just like with your sunglasses, look for 100% UV protection to make sure your eyes are protected when on the slopes and ensure you have a safe ride.
Lens Color – Though you may think lens color has to do about fashion, you could not be further from the truth. The lens color of your ski goggles will help determine what topographical features stick out more for you. For example, light yellow lens are best used at dusk or dawn while lens with a rose color help to increase contrast in low light conditions. Before you start to wonder how many ski goggles you need to purchase for the various conditions, you should know that many ski goggles come with interchangeable lenses so you can adjust to the conditions of the slope. If you find a pair that does not, then orange or gold colored lenses work best because they help with visibility in all conditions.
Remember, ski goggles are meant to protect your eyes and to ensure you enjoy your time skiing. Spend the necessary time to find the perfect pair that fits comfortably and offers the right protection.
By: JM Van Horn
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