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.
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