Are you planning your winter holiday and just realised you don’t have any ski goggles? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. From expensive to cheap, basic to tech’ed up, we’re going to tell you how to pick the perfect pair of goggles for your winter sport.
Why Ski goggles should be at the top of your priority list
There are a number of reasons why goggles are actually one of the most important pieces of kit you need in your ski-gear pack. Firstly, goggles protect your eyes from damage if you fall over. From a safety perspective – there can be anything hidden in snow, and keeping your eyes protected should always be priority number one.
You also need your vision to navigate safely down the slopes – and goggles help keep your vision clear. When you’re on the piste you might experience glare off the snow, or even kick-back of snow from other skiers, or wind from typical mountain weather.
How do ski goggles work?
Goggles work for your eyesight in two ways, the tinted lenses of the goggles reflect sunlight so that the glare doesn’t damage your eyes. But the tinting on the goggles also helps with differentiating shapes in the snow so that you can see better in situations such as a white-out or foggy weather. The mountains can be unpredictable – so you want to make sure your equipment is up to the challenge and helps you navigate the experience properly.
Choosing your goggles
When it comes to actually choosing goggles, the first thing to consider is your skill level. Let’s put it simply – there’s no point in spending hundreds of pounds on a pair if you’re just trying skiing out for the first time. Most ski goggles will competently cover the basics and meet the minimum requirements, and you can still get a good quality pair of goggles from a company such as Bolle or Salomon which have the necessary safety features such as tinted lenses and good cushioning.
If, however, you’re more experienced and plan on giving your goggles a thorough use, then you might want to go for a more expensive, sophisticated pair of goggles. Generally, the better a skier or snowboarder you are, the quicker you’ll be travelling on the ski runs, and therefore it’s more important that you be able to see perfectly on the piste.
The finer details
Another thing to consider is whether you need actual glasses in real life and the impact that will have on your choice of goggles. If you have a visual impairment, then you need to ensure that you have a pair of goggles which does not hamper your ability to see during your skiing.
Whilst prescription custom goggles are the best option in most cases, some companies offer goggles that are designed to fit over your own glasses, which can be a more affordable option. Either way, you’ll need to ensure you vision is never compromised when on the slopes.
It’s also worth thinking about comfort. If you can, it’s a great idea to try on your goggles prior to buying – as some shapes and styles naturally lend themselves better to certain types of head shapes. Yes, it might seen overkill going to the effort of trying on a pair of goggles, but if you’re wearing them for a full day, comfort is a big thing to consider.