It's always a good time to stop and consider which are the best snowboard goggles (or snowboard goggles) that we can get on the market, and be prepared for when the next trip to the snow comes.
And whether you practice it regularly or not, this extreme sport is very close to you when you visit snowy places like the Sierra Nevada or if you plan a trip Colorado, where there is always the opportunity to try and practice with your colleagues.
For those who don't know, the dynamics of the sport are very simple: you use a snowboard with bindings and boots to slide down a snow-covered slope, applying techniques and maneuvers that make it an extreme sport.
They say that the first snowboard was invented around 1965 by Sherman Poppen, an American engineer (Muskegon, Michigan) who decided to tie two skis together and give them as toys to his daughters so they could play in the snow. Since then, it has developed and become popular over the years as an adventure sport, and has become increasingly popular among athletes, although it was not until 2015 that it was incorporated into the Olympic Games and received the international recognition it deserves.
Today, thousands of people practice this sport professionally and then thousands more visit spots on their holidays and dare to venture into lessons and first steps in snowboarding.
But there is one thing that any of these brave people (professionals or beginners) have in common: they always carry their board, their equipment and their snowboard gogglesIt is essential that you use a suitable board, boots, thermal clothing, gloves, goggles or a protective mask and a lot of courage to venture into action.
It may seem complicated, but it is actually very simple! When we choose our snowboard goggles There are three key moments that will help you choose the best ones, and here we explain them to you.
If you are just getting into snowboarding, or just want to replace your old goggles with better ones, we have the perfect formula to help you make the right choice next time you shop. snowboard goggles. Choose yours in 3 steps!
THE KEY TO CHOOSING THE BEST SNOWBOARD GOGGLES IN 3 STEPS
- SUN PROTECTION
Eye protection is very important when it comes to snowboard goggles. It is essential that when buying them you look very carefully to see if they have 99% or 100% sun protection so that they really protect you.
In addition, you should make sure that they have UV-400 protection. This means that your snowboard goggles They will block any ultraviolet rays with a wavelength less than 400 nanometers, and their filter will protect you from UVA and UVB rays.
Furthermore, if you have visited and practiced sports in the snow, you know very well that the excess of luminosity is tremendous, especially during the winter season because the position of the sun in the sky is lower. The rays are projected at an angle that is harmful to the eyes under these conditions and also very annoying if we do not wear our appropriate mask or snowboard goggles.
Scientifically speaking, we must also consider that snow under these conditions will reflect light, because the white colour does not absorb it but repels it. That is why being in contact with snow means that you perceive the light from many different angles and fronts, so we must protect ourselves very well.
It is important to consider that your snowboard goggles comply with ISO standards to protect you correctly and are CE certified, complying with European safety standards.
- THE LENSES
Snowboard goggles will not only protect your eyes from solar radiation, they will also help you with your performance when sliding down the snow, because they will considerably improve your visibility. That is why it is of utmost importance that you choose the best pair of snowboard goggles. snowboard goggles, always paying attention to the lenses you wear, from the design and color, to the category.
ACCORDING TO THE COLOR
There are a lot of snowboard goggles out there, but few are the right ones to help you progress in the sport. You'll see many colour options and you'll wonder, which one do I choose? Are they different? The truth is that they are different and each one has specific characteristics to help you have better visibility when sliding. Learn a little more about the colours that best suit your snowboard goggles!
- Yellow snowboard goggles
They are recommended when the light level is low, for example, when you go outside at dawn, if you snowboard at dusk, and also if there is fog in the air or the day is cloudy or partly cloudy.
- Orange snowboard goggles
This color follows yellow, so it is also indicated for partially cloudy and low-light days, but it helps more to increase the level of color contrast that your eyes perceive.
- Red snowboard goggles
They reduce eye fatigue and offer you excellent depth of field and increased color contrast. This lens color is especially recommended for sports goggles and masks in snowy environments, and also for off-road sports.
- Blue snowboard goggles
They are recommended for sunny days, but you can also use them on partially cloudy days. Snowboard goggles with blue lenses offer a “cool” view of the landscape, helping to counteract excess warm or yellow light coming from the sun’s rays, and reducing eye fatigue that occurs due to this.
- Purple snowboard goggles (purple or violet)
Glasses with purple lenses help to attenuate the excess of luminosity produced by light reflections in the environment, helping you to better perceive the outline of objects and people around you. With these glasses you also improve your field of vision and depth, as well as improving your perception of colors when you are outdoors.
- Grey snowboard goggles
They reduce the maximum amount of light possible, so they are recommended on sunny days and during peak hours during the day. In addition, they help you better recognize the true colors in the environment around you.
- Green snowboard goggles
They are especially recommended for winter sports that require a lot of speed and mobility in their maneuvers. They support the eye when focusing on the objects around it and help it to distinguish their contours and contrasts. This model of glasses reduces vision on very cloudy days, and helps to balance the light on sunnier days.
ACCORDING TO THE CATEGORY OF CRYSTALS
The best snowboard goggles They will protect you on both sunny and cloudy days, but only if you use the right type of lenses.Do you already know them? Quality glasses come with a category indication, ranging from CAT0 to CAT4, and which to a greater or lesser extent filter or allow the passage of light that passes through them. Category zero would be the lightest, and category 4 the darkest.
- Category 0
They are practically transparent. They can be colorless or have a very light and soft color. Their light transmission filters from 80% to 100%.
- Category 1
Light-colored and ideal for use when there is little light, when the sun goes down at dusk, at dawn, and on cloudy days. Its light transmission filters from 43% to 80%.
- Category 2
They are medium-dark lenses. Their light transmission filters from 18% to 43%, suitable for cases of medium luminosity.
- Category 3
It has a color dark enough to feel completely comfortable under the sun and during peak hours. Its light transmission filters from 8% to 18%. They provide you with the ideal level of darkness for practicing outdoor sports, when the light intensity ranges from medium to intense.
- Category 4
This category of lenses is really dark. In fact, they are not allowed to be used for driving. They are used in bright conditions where category 3 lenses are not sufficient. Their light transmission filters from 3% to 8%, making them the darkest of all the categories.
Category 1 and Category 3 are the most suitable for use when snowboarding depending on the weather conditions you are in.
BETTER IF THEY ARE INTERCHANGEABLE
The most recommended that you choose snowboard goggles with interchangeable magnetic lenses that allow you to instantly choose the category of lens that best suits you. Weather conditions can change from one moment to the next, and if your snowboard goggles It has this advantage, because you can change them in a few seconds and use the correct one.
Snow sports such as skiing or snowboarding are extreme and adventure sports that must be taken very seriously. They require physical and mental preparation and equipment, which must be of the highest quality to guarantee the best moments of adrenaline and fun.
- MATERIAL AND FIT
Remember that the material you choose for your snowboard goggles and their good fit on your face will ensure that they correctly fulfill their protective function, both against the sun's rays and inclement weather.
Tips for choosing the best snowboard goggles:
- It is essential to choose snowboard goggles that fit your face correctly. They should have anti-slip straps to hold them securely to your face and to your helmet (when you have it on). They should not be wobbling while you are performing your maneuvers. In addition, it is important that they fit your face correctly, including the side areas, so that they cover your peripheral vision well.
- They should be light. Look at what material they are made of. snowboard goggles. Choose, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane, which is the most suitable, and will help you achieve maximum quality and lightness.
- Better if they have an “Anti-fog” system “Antifog”.If your snowboard goggles They have this system that will help you avoid fogging while you slide through the snow.
- Opt for snowboard goggles with an internal ventilation system. It is best if they have anti-condensation technology. This allows air recirculation for better visibility.
With all these tips you will feel more prepared to enjoy the adventure of snowboarding. Now you know, with these three simple steps you can choose the snowboard goggles best suited for truly feeling the adrenaline of the sport. Feel free to choose the best and change your vision when snowboarding! Follow these steps and become a true expert in snowboard goggles.
