Ski goggle recommendations and polarised lenses

A snowHead

Hi,

I think this is the first time I've asked a question on here so apologies if it has been asked before or I open a can of worms. I've been skiing six times now, once a year generally towards the end of March. Last year we went to Plan Peisey where I skied in poor weather and visibility for the first time. My ski goggles are one lens only and not photocromic and the poor visibility and light conditions spooked me a fair bit. My other half had bought a pair of photocromic ones (Bolle Laika, phantom lenses) and she found them brilliant for the differing light conditions. I'm looking at getting a pair of photocromic goggles and getting a bit overwhelmed with choice and technology/marketing and whether a polarised lens makes a difference too. My helmet is Bolle so I'm naturally inclined to get a pair from that brand. I'm a happy low levelish intermediate who is happy skiing within myself on wide blues and reds (four knee surgeries incl. ACL reconstruction and an AC joint reconstruction in the shoulder makes me play safe plus I'm not getting any younger) so don't need state of the art or a 'name' but am happy to shell out for a good pair that will cope with most conditions. Off to Montgenevre this March and Morzine next January so want to cover all bases really. Thanks in advance for your help Smile

A snowHead

What do people think about SunGod™ goggles?

Any feedback? Seems to range from around £105-£170 for the goggles with lens, £20-£60 for additional lenses.

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Polarised makes no difference as light scattered off the snow is multi point source. I've never been tempted by photochromic because I've heard they don't change quickly enough when you really need them (like a grey cloud bloking out the sun in the middle of bump run) but others seem pretty happy with them.

I've recently used Smith Chromapop lenses and the model I bought came with a good "everyday" lens (rose base tint, surface coloured mirror) and a rose stom Cat 1 lens. I think if you still don't have older age eye problems the everyday lens would probably work all the time bar the fiercest whiteouts

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IMO. Bolle make good photochromic lenses. They used to be called Modulator - but are now called Phantom.

I don't think you want a fully polarised lens, as it can make ice hard to spot.....but the Phantom+ is semi polarised, which should help with glare. I think it is an NXT/Trivex lens, which is very high quality and gives extra clarity - and the one I'd recommend.

https://www.bolle.com/gb/phantom.html

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I've got Bolle modulator and I'm happy with it. Polarised lenses adapt a lot quicker than you could stop and change goggles / lenses.

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@davesm, its a bit horses for course, to get the best goggles for teh exact conditions you'd get a set with interchangeable lenses and then pick a lens for the day or carry your (case of) spare lens(es) with you.

in really bright sunlight a polarised dark lens wins and the polarised lens reduces glare, in flat light a pale pink or yellow is king, and no goggles at all is better than a dark lens.

Photochromic is a good convenience as they adapt to the light conditions and if you are going for a "one lens solution" go photochromic.

I wear glasses so use a visor helmet, with a photochromic lens, as carrying spare helmet visor with you just isnt an option.

dont get too hung up on brands and "technology" a lot is marketing smarketting, although some "advanced" etc photochromics will lighten and darken slightly quicker for a few more £££

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@LaForet, i like my sungods, also have their sunglasses.

After all it is free

I'm a big fan of photochromics, which I've been using for a handful of years. In the past I've had non-photochromic goggles for free, but these I paid for with my own money. I will never go back. I have had a couple of pairs, both Salomon branded. Bolle is an entirely respectable brand free from some of the marketing costs of others.

Poor light is still poor light, mind.

My own typical use-case is going from bright sunshine on a blue-sky day into a deep forest... back in the day I would have had to either stop and switch the lens (which is impractical for me), or simply push the goggles out of the way in the reduced light and squint. I no longer even notice the transitions (the lenses do take a few seconds to "lighten up", which is slower than the other transition, but you get used to it, takes a second or three). It's quite hard comparing the "transmittance range" of various brands (how light and how dark they go), as they don't all use the same units. I'd guess they are much of a muchness and probably made in the same factories. Polarization is a different dimension - I don't use that currently.

My Salomons come with a completely clear lens for night riding, but the main lens covers everything else. They're slightly less dark than ideal on maximum brightness high altitude days, but not so it's a problem. At the other end they're fine for as late in the day as I ever ride.

I've had photochromic ones in the past, but given interchangeable (magnetic) lenses on my current set, and the fact that I only really use them in poor conditions, preferring to stick with sunglasses in good weather, they seemed a bit unnecessary.

My wife, on the other hand, much prefers them, and has just got a new pair from decathlon, and very pleased with them she is too. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-adults-photochromic-all-weather-ski-goggles-g-900-ph/_/R-p-310578?mc=8648820&c=BLUE

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Thanks everyone for your helpul and informative replies. I was planning on just going down the one lens route for the rather practical reason that I have a habit of falling a fair bit so would worry about a spare lenses getting broken in my rucksack! It sounds like Bolle have a good reputation and I will check out the Decathlon ones too as I have used their cycle and run kit in the past and it has always been of good quality.

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Like Phil_w I am a convert. I bought some Scott React goggles. They have however been brilliant this week in the sun and in the shaded valley. The transition is unnoticeable, all I know is I can still see. Comes with a different lens (yellow) in a hard case as well. £200 from our local ski shop.

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I have had the bolle modulator for perhaps 7 during which time I've probably used them for 6 days and love them. They seem to react really well and are good in low light.

Bolle photochomic are fantastic. 1-3 is better than 2-4 but both are great. Slight downside, but only slight, is that on a really bright day going into deep shadow they can take a second or two to adjust, slightly longer on really cold days but no longer than my eyes take anyway.

Once you go photochromic you never go back.

You know it makes sense.

The optical tech (I can't talk from photochromatic data) is sime. It is a bleu discontinuity that gives best in low light (EG yellow lenses) but a prizm style with a multiband will be great. I wouldnt bother with polarised.

You cant go wrong with a company that uses Zeiss lenses
https://www.zeiss.com/vision-care/int/spectacle-lenses-from-zeiss/snow-goggles.html

Or Smith chromapop or Oakley prizm.

I use UVEX with a yellow lens and a darker magnetic outer layer.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Another vote for Bolle Modulators - I've had mine for over 7 years and they just 'work' for the majority of conditions; never had a problem with them not adapting quickly enough and the only time I swop them out for a yellow lense pair is total white out / really poor visibility

The new Bolle Phantom+ tech does look good - SkiClub GB have a 40% discount so may have a punt on a new pair . . .

A snowHead

@LaForet, @hobbiteater, also have sungod goggles and their sunnies. I particularly like their hi vis blue lenses, just used them for a month in Sweden when pretty much every day was low light or skiing in shadow. Thumbs up from me.

A snowHead

@GlasgowCyclops,

Zeiss used to do brilliant sunglasses (a lifetime ago) as well - but then they seemed to pack it all in and just concentrated on ophthalmic instrumentation?

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Yet another vote for Bolle modulators - I bought a second pair as well - just in case

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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I have had good experience with Smith I/O goggles for the last 5+ years. The every day mirror + a storm yellow lens combo seems to cover basically all weather conditions. The mag versions of these goggles are the standard nowadays and seem very easy to do a lens swap on.

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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Ive just gone down the MW (Messy Weekend) route which is a magnetic clip in duo lens (reactive bright light & yellow low light combo) - used for two trips already this year and very happy - usually have an offer of 25% off the £175 cost - take a look at:

https://messyweekend.com/collections/snow-goggles

After all it is free

@barneybill, I am glad you are happy with your purchase, but I personally don't see why anyone would need to go for a more "unknown" brand when you can find goggles from the biggest names in optics eg Oakley, Smith etc. for similar prices from the right retailer online - sure they are typically more expensive, but there are always a few reputable online retailers selling for around £150.

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Just got back from Zell - Nevada Neos with Phantom+ very similar to my original Modulators in terms of colour / image clarity - bigger frame but obvs with the swappable mag lens which I did need to use on day one due to white out conditions which was excellent. . .not sure they perform any differently tbf but they do make me look younger in context with my spangly new Salomon helmet - well I think so anyway lol . . .

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The new Julbo Skydomes are a revelation - they are brilliant in low/white light as well.

How much does the Luxottica near-monopoly on sunglasses affect the goggles market, anyone know? All different brands but all made in the same factory?

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Been tempted by photocromic as love the idea, but can't justify then at the moment.

I've just bought a cheap pair of Outdoor Master Pro goggles on Amazon for the kids, only £30 - they seem fantastic, must be something wrong with them! They do a photocromic spare lens for £40 so that might give that a go some point.

A snowHead

A snowHead

@Orange200, beleive Oakley sport tech is still made in the USA

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Hi All, thanks for all the replies. I've ordered the Bolle Maddox phantom+ (out of stock for Phantom only lenses) and will get to test them in Montgenevre a week Saturday Smile

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Ski goggle recommendations and polarised lenses

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