Snowboarding originated from skiing, skateboarding, and surfing. The main aspect is balance and speed to glide down the hill safely. Snowboarding is done on higher altitudes, and anyone who practices sports on high mountains must be aware of the risk factors connected with higher altitudes.
Solar radiation increases in intensity by 10% at every 1000m altitude threshold, and exposing eyes at such altitudes can be harmful. At a high level of exposure, a high-quality lens is required to protect your eyes from these radiations. Neglecting protective eyewear can permanently damage the eyesight, leading to snow blindness, photokeratitis, erythropsia, white-out syndrome, and corneal frostbite.
Your eyewear is an essential part of your snowboarding kit. You have to search for many aspects to get high-quality goggles that protect your eyes from any harm while you can enjoy your sport on those heights. Let's talk about the specification you will need to monitor while buying the right snowboarding goggles.
Lens:
The most important aspect of a high-class google is its lens. It would be best to have specific lens goggles before going on higher altitude sports. Your practice and game are important, but most important are your eyes and their protection from the radiations that can affect them negatively without you even noticing them.
With a wide selection of goggles available, it's not easy to opt for the right one, as each brand has its modern lens technology. Let us have a look at the lens specification for the snow games.
Lens Material:
Every UV protective lens is made from Polycarbonate or Trivex (NXT); while both materials provide 100% protection from UV, Trivex is better at providing a clear view and UV resistance. Both materials are scratch resistant and last longer.
Lens Shape:
Lenses shapes come in either cylindrical or spherical. Cylindrical lensed goggles are priced lower because they can cause more glare and slightly reduces peripheral vision. On the other hand, spherical lenses curve vertically, providing better peripheral vision, less distortion, and less glare. They are generally expensive because of their high-class performance and are just right for the professional snowboarding sport.
Polarized vs. Mirrored lenses:
Mirrored lenses reflect light resulting in less glare and increased clarity in vision during those long bright days, while polarized lenses a slightly more effective. They will cut more glare resulting in a clear view, contrast, overall vision, and no strain on the eyes.
Anti-Fog:
For the purpose of snowboarding or any activity on higher altitude mountains, double lenses are the best choice with anti-fog coating. Though only double layered lens will reduce fog due to the presence of thermal layer coating for snowboarding or skiing, we need anti-fog coating, so no fog is created on our glasses that create trouble in our vision.
Make sure to follow the proper care guide for these goggles; otherwise, you will lose the anti-fog property of your goggles.
Photochromic Lenses and Prizm Lenses:
Photochromic lenses are the highest technical goggles that adjust themselves with exposure to UV light. This lens technology helps with the changing conditions on the slopes while snowboarding. The drawback might be that this adjustment takes a little time and does not happen instantly. Prizm technology enhances the visibility of snow contours, bumps, and textures. They come in various tints and colors and adapt to UV light sensitivity to increase the safety and performance of the goggles and the wearer.
Lens Color and Tint:
The color of the lens sets the hue, which will help in your vision of the snow mountains. A neutral gray tinted lens is preferred with a blue mirror coating as the color blue will help reflect light away, reducing the sharp light off your eyes.
Size and Shapes:
These goggles come in various sizes and shapes with various forms of lenses. Let's see what the best fit for snowboarding is.
OTG (Over the Glasses):
Designed for those who prefer to wear glasses with space in front of the eyes and not pushed onto the face, these over glasses provide plenty of venting space to reduce fogging. OTG goggles with built-in fans offer guaranteed anti-fog performance and are best for mountain sports. It's best for those who wear prescribed glasses for vision.
Over-sized Goggles:
Oversized goggles are perfect for your mountain adventures. These goggles have grown in popularity by giving exceptional peripheral vision for greater awareness on the slopes, whether climbing or gliding while snowboarding.
Frames and Fit
To have the perfect goggle, ensure it fits your face and keeps you comfortable while wearing them. Too tight or loose will not keep you at ease, reduce your performance, and obstruct visibility.
While purchasing your goggles, make sure about:
Anchor Strap and its adjustment
The presence of the anchor strap keeps the glasses from falling off and keeps them intact. Make sure these straps come with the right adjustment buckles. A buckle with sliding clips on each side will help adjust the goggle according to your face better.
Helmet Compatibility:
Well, all goggles are made with compatibility with the helmet, but it's best to check if your helmet and goggles fit together.
Nose Grip:
Arch your eyebrows and grip the goggles with the perfect cheek weld. Make sure to check if your goggles sit perfectly on the nose. A perfect nose grip will make the goggles just right for you, providing complete protection and increasing your sports performance by keeping you comfortable.
Temple Pads:
For long practices and events of snowboarding or any higher altitude activities, continuous use of goggles makes your temple area hurt due to enforced pressure. Temple pads become necessary to rip the pressure off and make the most of your practice and game.
By taking care of all these specs, you can choose the perfect goggles for your snowboarding game, enjoy them to your fullest, and give your best performance.
Let's go snowboarding!
But please, if you wear prescribed glasses, it's better to make your UV glasses customized by your optician for productive results. Make sure to avoid wearing contact lenses in the snowy mountains and discuss with your optician what suits you best.