RIDING ESSENTIALS - GOGGLES
Snowboard goggles are an essential piece of gear which is
often underestimated. Good goggles protect you from the following:
Sun & Ultraviolet rays
The combination of high altitude and the reflection of the Snow
causes sun's rays to hit you much harder during Snowboarding
than during other extreme sports. UV rays can damage your eyes
and cause Snow blindness.
Snow and Ice
During highspeed descends, you will want to prevent Snow and
Ice particles from getting into your eyes thus blinding you.
Twigs
Those who go off piste or into the backcountry will want to protect
their eyes from twigs hitting their face as they descend through
the trees.
How many Lenses should I choose?
Many goggles have multiple layers of lenses. Goggles with multiple
lenses do not fog as fast as goggles with single lenses. In
general, it is always better to buy goggles with multiple lenses.
What other factors can reduce fogging?
Multiple lenses will help reduce fogging. Also, check that the
lenses have been treated with anti- fogging chemicals. Another
way of preventing fogging is venting. Many goggles feature
vents at the top and bottom of the lenses, allowing fresh air
circulation which will reduce fogging and provide fresh air
for your eyes. The bigger the holes, the better the venting
will be. However, bigger holes will cause more cold.
What Lens Colour should I choose?
Lenses come in many colours with specific colours for specific
light conditions:
- Black/Polarized: reduces glare without distorting colours
making them suitable for bright sunny conditions, though they
might be too dark at the end of the day.
- Green/Silver: Enhances
contrast making them suitable for most brighter conditions.
- Yellow/Amber/Gold
Lenses: Filters out blue light and brings out shadows making
them suitable for most conditions and especially in low to
moderate light.
- Purple/Rose: Best used for low-light conditions
as it brings out shadows and contours.
- Clear Lenses: Is best
used for dark conditions such as sunset or cloudy conditions.
How much UV protection should I get?
If you are going to use your goggles in sunny or bright conditions,
make sure to have at least 95% UV rays protection.
What if I wear Glasses?
If you wear glasses, you will want to make sure that the goggles
fit well over your regular glasses. A better solution would
be to buy glasses with lenses that correspond with your regular
glasses. Your optician will be able to tell you which goggle
frames can be fit with prescription lenses.
What shape and built characteristics should I look for?
Goggles come in many shapes and sizes. Make sure to check for
the following:
- Peripheral Vision
Make sure that when you buy goggles, you have at least a 180
degree peripheral vision. You will want to make sure you have
enough vision to see other Snowboarders and Skiers ahead of
time.
- Fit with your Helmet
Make sure that your goggles work well with your helmet and
that both systems are compatible. You do not want to buy
expensive goggles just to find out that they just will not
fit with your helmet.
- Fit and Strap
Make sure the goggles fit well and have straps that easily
allow you to adjust the fit. Make sure the straps are padded
and do not irritate your skin or stick to your hair.
- Padded
for Protection
The inside part of the goggles must be padded so that when
you crash on top of them, they will not press too hard or even
cut into your face.
- Snug fit
Make sure you can adjust your goggles to a tight fit. Likewise,
it must fit well on your nose and other features of your face.
Bad fitting goggles will flip or lift off your face when you
hit bumps.
Find goggles in our store.
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