Swim Goggles, Ski, and Safety

One of the most important parts of the body that needs to be protected is the head and face and even more important is protection for the eyes. While swim goggles are great for swimming pool accessories, they are less than adequate and quite uncomfortable when used on the slopes during the winter. The easiest and most comfortable path to crisp clear vision is with ski goggles and snowboard goggles.

There are a few factors that are important for goggles to have. Their most important feature is blocking harmful UVA and UVB rays from the eyes. Snow is incredibly reflective and can quickly cause sun blindness which in extreme cases is permanent. The earliest goggles, an Inuit invention, were simply slits carved into bone and strapped to the face with sinew and secured over the eyes. There has been a lot of progress since then with most modern ski goggles giving the owner a nice wide view with adequate peripheral vision and excellent UV blockage.

The next aspect to look for is comfort. Snowboard goggles are typically worn for multiple hours at a time which not only gives the rider a distinctive tan but can cause a great deal of discomfort if they do not fit correctly. Each different model has a different fit and feel and they should all be tried on until the best fit in a certain price range is found. If a helmet is going to be used it should be tried on with the goggles to ensure that they will fit together easily and comfortably. Also make sure that there is an adequate field of view with no obvious distortions or flaws. Objects will be flying much faster down the hill requiring instant recognition and reactions even in low light situations.

Different snow conditions require different goggle lens colors for the best results. Flat light conditions which are common up in the mountains require a much different lens than a bright sunny day. If the lens is too dark for the conditions the snow will seem featureless even though there are still plenty of bumps, dips and obstacles that will seem to fly out of nowhere. High contrast lenses are ideal for the greyest of days making even the most subtle snow flake stand out like a pen on paper.

While most tourists can get away with a good dark brown or gray lens in most conditions, regular riders typically keep at least two or three lenses ready to go at a moments notice. Higher quality goggles often have easily interchangeable lenses so only one frame has to be purchased. New developments in material technologies have given certain goggles the ability to electronically change their tint level at the push of a button. Expect to see much more of this military technology being adapted into recreational uses.

The most troubling and disappointing thing to happen to a pair of snow goggle on a powder day is to have them fog up. Look for goggles with double lenses that have been treated with an anti-fog coating and a frame that provides adequate or adjustable air flow. In extreme cases there are goggles with electronic fans that automatically circulate the air inside the goggle defogging them.

Style is important too and goggle manufacturers today are putting a lot of effort into making their products visually appealing as well as good for vision. There are many different designs and colors to suit any age rider, girl or boy. For swimming pools, skiing, snowboarding, or biking.

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