One of the most vital pieces of snowboarding equipment is a good pair of snowboarding goggles. With so many on the market, it can be hard to make a purchasing decision, especially if you are new to the sport.
As someone who has had her share of them, I’d like to offer the following suggestions on a few things you should consider before plunking down your hard earned cash:
1. Lenses
When buying a pair of snowboarding goggles you will want to pay attention to the coating, color and shape of the lenses. Look for a pair that is impact and scratch resistant. This is important because despite your best efforts there will be times when you will wipe out or brush up too close to a wayward branch. The last thing you’ll need at that moment is something injecting itself into your eyes. In my opinion, double, interchangeable, anti-fog coated, polarized, spherical lenses that provide a wide perimeter vision field are imperative. With that said, I’d also recommend that you invest in several pairs of replaceable lenses in a variety of colors. I find that different color lenses work better than others in certain situations. Personally, I like a brown lens in most situations because it seems to give me more depth perception.
2. Frames
The frames on snowboarding goggles are also something to take into account while contemplating a purchase. From experience, I suggest that you look for frames that are moderately flexible, hold the lenses snugly, are made from a durable material and have adequate, slanted vents to keep the snow out while maximizing air flow. There is nothing worse that snow blocked vents and foggy lenses when you are trying to make your way down a mountain.
3. Helmet Compatibility
One of the least thought of, but equally important, aspects of selecting a pair of snowboarding goggles is helmet compatibility. Some snowboarding goggles and helmets are not meant to be used together. Therefore, I recommend that you try and purchase both at the same time. When contemplating compatibility between the two pieces of snowboarding equipment it is critical to check two areas. The first is whether or not the helmet allows the goggles to fit securely on your face. The second is the location of the helmet’s forehead bridge in conjunction to the vents on the snow goggles. Incompatibility in either area could cause your snowboarding goggles to fog up while in use.
My family enjoys snowboarding and other winter sports.
More from this contributor:
Top 5 Brands of Helmets for Skaters
Top 5 Snowboards for the Freestyle Ladies
Family’s Guide to Snowboarding at Shawnee Mountain in Pennsylvania
Best 5 State Parks to Go Ice Fishing in the New Jersey Skylands