Have you ever wondered how do electric ski goggles work? Is it just a fashion statement? What would happen if you decide not to wear electric ski goggles during skiing? If you’re an avid skier, these questions loiter around in your mind but don’t worry! Let’s get to know and find answers!
Electric ski goggles are necessary for a skier’s comfort and visibility on the slopes. Electric ski goggles have become part of a skier’s style as much as an essential piece of equipment. With so many varied options available today, you may be unsure how to select the best electric ski goggles for you. We would reveal the critical factors to be aware of before purchasing a pair of electric ski goggles. We also have the best guide to prescription ski goggles to ensure you have valuable and beautiful clothing for the slopes.
Electric Ski Goggles Benefits
If this is your first-time skiing, you may be wondering why it is even necessary to wear ski goggles. They enhance your riding experience while protecting you from the harsh winter weather on the slopes.
Should you wear electric ski goggles when skiing? When skiing, it’s preferable if you consistently wear electric ski goggles. Some of the advantages of wearing them are listed below.
Sun and UV Ray Protection: Electric ski goggles lenses protect your eyes by screening dangerous UV rays.
Wind & Moisture Protection: Electric ski goggles wrap around your face and completely seal it off when properly fitted.
Injury Protection: Electric ski goggles protect your eyes from items such as trees, rocks, and even the end of your ski poles if you ski in tight trees or fall.
Improves Lighting & Vision: Electric ski goggles let you see better by changing the lighting and contrast. Electric ski goggles lenses boost contrast and improve lighting in typical skiing circumstances to see better.
Here are some interesting facts and questions that you need to know about electric ski goggles.
Is it possible to wear sunglasses instead?
Sunglasses do not provide the same protection for your eyes and face as electric ski goggles. Compared to the full-face protection provided by electric ski goggles, wind, water, and sun rays can pass through the holes in sunglasses.
What are the prices of electric ski goggles?
Electric ski goggles range from $20 for basic, no-frills goggles to $250 for name-brand goggles with premium features and cutting-edge technology. If this is your first ski trip, we recommend going with a budget-friendly yet reputable brand like Bollé.
Electric ski goggles Lenses
The most critical aspect of your electric ski goggles is the lens, so choose cautiously. Different shapes, colors, and technologies influence the performance of electric ski goggles lenses.
Electric ski goggles Lens Shape
Electric ski goggles lenses come in two different generic forms.
Cylindrical (Flat): The lens curves from side to side across your face in cylindrical electric ski goggles, the lens surface is vertically flat, so they’re also called flat lenses. Cylindrical lenses are often less expensive, but they don’t feel as natural on your face. The flat edges might also create distortion and increased glare in some cases.
Spherical: Spherical lenses, on the other hand, curve both sides to sides and from your nose to your forehead. The added shape improves peripheral vision and helps to reduce glare all around you.
Visible Light Transmission & Lens Color (VLT)
The hue of your lenses isn’t purely aesthetic. They have a significant impact on the performance of your electric ski goggles. Varying colors have different visible light transmission (VLT) qualities, influencing how they operate in certain situations (e.g., sunny vs. snowy days).
The quantity of light that can flow through an electric ski goggles lens in VLT is a percentage. A lower number allows for less light, which reduces eye strain during the day. In low-light situations, a more significant number delivers better color and perception.
Electric Ski Goggles Lens technologies
Aside from the shape, color, and VLT, several technologies can provide an electric ski goggles lens with unique qualities.
Protection against the sun
Skiing, especially at altitude, is a sport where you are very exposed to dangerous solar rays, even though it doesn’t always feel like it.
Polarized
Look for polarized lenses to decrease the glare of sunlight bouncing off the snow. Polarized electric ski goggles are just as crucial for skiers as polarized sunglasses are for fishers since glare may be just as intense on snow as it is on the ocean or other bodies of water. Over time, reducing or eliminating bright, harsh glare will save your eyesight and protect them. On the other hand, Polarized lenses make it more challenging to spot icy patches.
Mirrored
These glasses minimize glare in the same way that polarized lenses do. Mirrored electric ski goggles reflect light to the source, preventing sunlight from shining into your electric ski goggles and causing eye strain. In addition, the mirrored coating of electric ski goggles might help prevent them from wear and tension.
Swappable Lenses
Electric ski goggles with interchangeable lenses, which allow you to switch between lenses quickly, are a good option for frequent skiers.
Photochromic
Photochromic lenses adapt to changing light conditions. Photochromic lenses help you see better when there is dim light. The lenses become fainter as the light source rises, helping to reduce glare.
Ventilation in Electric Ski Goggles
On the mountain, nothing is worse than hazy electric ski goggles. It obstructs your eyesight, which is both annoying and dangerous. Here are a few critical features of anti-fog electric ski goggles.
Anti-Fog Functions
Imagine skiing down the trail without being able to see anything. Isn’t it terrifying? Most electric ski goggles feature anti-fogging qualities; however, the quality and efficiency vary.
Anti-Fog Coating: A waterproof coating on the surface of the lens should keep moisture off of it, while an anti-fog layer is into most lenses on the inside.
Vented Lenses: The frames that surround your lenses contain microscopic ventilation apertures. Allowing air to circulate through the electric ski goggles aids in dispersing damp air before it adheres to the lenses.
Two-Frame Design (Dual/Double Pane): Double-layered lenses are present in most electric ski goggles, allowing one lens to meet the chilly air while the other remains warm against your face. This two-frame construction generates a pocket of air between the lenses that functions as a thermal barrier to keep the lenses from fogging up.
Frames & Fit for Goggles
Make sure your goggles fit properly, just like the rest of your ski gear. They should be fit and comfy on your face, but not overly so. Here are a few more things to think about when selecting ski goggles with the correct frame and fit.
Padding: The padding surrounding the electric ski goggle frame should conform to your face’s shape without causing pressure points or gaps. What you’re looking for is a tight, sealed-off fit all the way around.
Helmet Compatibility: The bottom of your electric ski goggles should rest against the brim of your helmet. In ski lingo, a space between the top of your electric ski goggles and your helmet, known as a “gaper gap,” will get you laughed at by the locals. The gap is unfashionable, but it may also cause your forehead to become cold or sunburned.
OTG Style: If you use prescription glasses, OTG designed goggles are the way to go. These electric ski goggles are usually more oversized, with extra foam room to cater to regular glasses’ arms.
Peripheral Vision: On the mountain, peripheral vision is a valuable asset. Large lenses, in general, provide the best peripherals. To have the best vision, small-faced skiers must balance smaller frames that fit adequately with larger lenses.
Scratch-Resistant Lenses: Look for scratch-resistant lenses or coatings to extend the life of your electric ski goggles.