TIPS FOR BUYING THE PERFECT SKI GOGGLES

TIPS FOR BUYING THE PERFECT SKI GOGGLES

Winter is finally arriving, and many are hitting the slopes. Whether skiing, snowboarding, or riding a snow mobile, it is important to have the proper eye protection. There are many kinds of ski goggles on the market. The most expensive pair might not be the best goggle, and the cheapest pair might not be the worst. You should decide what you want in a goggle and buy the one that best suits you.

The lens should be made of a polycarbonate material and have a UV 400 protection rating. Red lenses are good on cloudy days. These lenses enhance contrast making it more likely to see hazards on the slope. Clear lenses are for riding a snowmobile at night. For the bright sunny days, a dark tint is great. Polarized lenses reduce glare and make images look sharp. Mirrored lenses are a cosmetic coating and really does not reduce glare. If one is on the snow frequently, they might want to consider buying more than one pair for different conditions.

First things first, how do they fit? They should form a good, tight seal around your face. This will protect the face form the blistering cold winds. The padding needs to be enough to pad your face in case of an accident. It is a good idea to wear your helmet or hat when trying on ski goggles and make sure they are compatible. It is wise to check your peripheral vision when trying on goggles. One should be able to see about 180 degrees form side to side. Make sure that the strap adjusts easily and that the buckle does not dig into your scalp. Wide straps tend to be more comfortable than narrow straps.

If you wear prescription glasses, you need to choose a goggle that will fit comfortably over them. Some goggles have prescription inserts that can have prescription lenses put into them, and they attach to the inside of the goggle behind the lens. Some opticians will replace lenses on a goggle with prescriptions. However, it is wise to make sure that you have a goggle that your optician can work with. Some goggles have more of a curved lens cannot be replaced with a prescription.

No one likes fogged up goggles. One tip to cure this is using hand soap. The glycerin in hand soap is the same ingredient found in most expensive anti fog cleaning solutions you buy at eyeglass stores. Some hand soaps have a higher amount of glycerin than others do, but almost any hand soap will work well. To apply the soap, first clean the goggles and then rub a small amount of soap onto the lens with your finger. Then use a soft cloth to wipe the lens until all traces of the soap is gone. Foam padding with vents in it will also help reduce fogging. Never wear your goggles on your forehead. Body heat coming out of your head will increase fogging. Do not wipe snow onto your goggles. Knock out the snow and then dry the goggles with a soft cloth.

Try not to buy your goggles at a ski resort. They usually have limited selection and are overpriced. Go shopping before your trip, try on as many as you can, and take your time. Good eye protection can make for a great day in the snow