Goggles and Helmets
Every physically demanding activity poses the risk of injury, and high-speed activities like skiing and snowboarding are no exception. Before you hit the slopes, it's a smart idea to invest in good protective equipment that can enhance your safety. The two most important safety gear choices for skiers and snowboarders are goggles and helmets, and both are considered baseline requirements even among expert alpine adventurers.
If you're on the fence about whether you should add these items to your winter gear ensemble, consider that in addition to helping prevent injury, goggles and helmets offer other important advantages, such as enhancing comfort and warmth. Moreover, they aren't just for skiing and snowboarding. Goggles can come in handy in any winter sport or activity - even snow-blowing the front walk - while helmets can protect your head in a range of sports, from cycling and skateboarding to rollerblading and rock climbing.
Seeing Is Believing - Why Ski Goggles Improve Performance
Wearing the right pair of ski goggles can dramatically improve your day on the mountain, regardless of the type of weather conditions you face. On clear days, goggles can cut the harsh glare caused by the reflection of the sun off of snow and ice, and provide a barrier against dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. In inclement weather, they can block sleet, snow and biting winds from pelting the sensitive eye area of your face and causing you to squint. As a result, goggles significantly improve visibility - a key advantage when you're navigating unfamiliar trails and hurtling down slopes at high speeds. Goggles also offer valuable protection from eye injuries that could result from common skiing hazards, such as coming into contact with a spray of ice crystals or taking even a minor fall.
Shedding Light On the Basics - Which Goggles Are Right For You?
There are a few important things to consider when purchasing a pair of ski goggles, including lens color, UV protective capabilities, lens shape, anti-fogging technologies and overall fit. Let's take a look at the basics.
Lens Color
One of the most challenging tests of visual discrimination is to identify a white object resting on a white background. Skiers and snowboarders consistently face a variation of this task, discerning subtle terrain changes within a fast-moving, snow-covered landscape. Goggles can provide a great advantage in this effort, because they come in a variety of tints that increase contrast and improve both visibility and depth perception under different lighting conditions. Each tint is suited to a particular type of lighting, so determining what conditions you expect to face is an important decision when buying a pair of goggles. For example:
- Orange is considered to be the best all-around lens color for moderate to sunny conditions and it's one of the most common options used by recreational skiers.
- Amber, gold and brown are great choices for low- to moderate-light conditions, snow and light fog and are popular in the Northeast.
- Rose and light-yellow lenses are well suited for overcast conditions and grey days, but don't provide enough glare protection for sunny days.
- Black, green and grey are ideal for bright, sunny days, but often too dark in low-light conditions - you'll see them frequently used by skiers in the West.
- Rose and clear are best for night skiing.
If you ski in both Vermont and Vail, or enjoy the slopes from day into night, you don't need to buy two pairs of goggles to meet your needs - many models feature removable lenses that can be easily changed to adapt to different conditions, and a few higher end models even have photochromic lenses that automatically adjust to fluctuations in light levels. In addition to tint, lenses can be polarized to further block reflected light and reduce glare. Polarized glasses can prove valuable in bright conditions, but some skiers feel they impair their ability to identify ice in low-light environments.
Ultraviolet Light (UV) Protection
Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet, or UV, light can harm your eyes, especially at high altitudes where the intensity of these rays is increased. Overexposure to UV rays can cause serious near-term problems, such as photokeratitis - a painful and dangerous condition that's commonly known as snow blindness - or it can sow the seeds for eye diseases that will affect you in the long-term, including cataracts. Skiers and riders are especially at risk, because the wide expanse of snow that blankets the slopes provides the perfect reflecting board for UV rays to do some serious damage. In fact, it's estimated that snow and ice reflect as much as 80% of UV radiation, so it's vital to choose ski goggles that block out 100% of these harmful rays and to wear your goggles even when it's overcast.
Lens Shape
Goggle lenses come in two shapes, flat or spherical. Spherical lenses offer several advantages, but they also tend to occupy higher price points. Here are the main distinctions:
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Flat lenses, which are typically found in value- and mid-priced models, curve from side to side to fit properly over the face, but they have a flat surface from top to bottom. As a result, they provide a somewhat restricted viewing window, and they offer limited peripheral vision. Also, the flat surface can distort images or reflect light poorly, causing greater glare. On the positive side, flat lens goggles can be very affordable, and if you're a new or infrequent skier, they can be an inexpensive and perfectly adequate eye protection choice.
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Spherical lenses curve both from side to side and from top to bottom, essentially wrapping around the eye area. Their shape and curvature combine to offer an expanded viewing area, better peripheral vision, less distortion and minimal glare. While goggles with spherical lenses are usually more expensive than those with flat lenses, avid skiers often feel that the trade-off is worth it.
Anti-Fogging Technologies
When body heat and perspiration meet with cold temperatures, they create condensation - or fogging - that can quickly form inside your ski goggles. Fogging can range from being an annoyance to being a serious safety hazard that can obscure your vision at a moment's notice, increasing your risk of having an accident on the slopes.
Fogging is an important issue for skiers and snowboarders, and manufacturers are continually creating new strategies to help prevent it. One of the newer technologies found in several high-end products is the addition of a tiny battery-operated fan that can be activated to circulate air and clear up fogging as soon as it occurs. If high-tech solutions like this fall outside of your price point, there are many effective alternatives. And, while there is no way to guarantee your goggles won't fog, you can minimize your chances of it by choosing models with certain features. For example:
- Thick padding around the eye area can wick away perspiration moisture.
- Extra vents around the lenses offer improved air circulation, reducing the likelihood of condensation forming.
- A "double-lens" construction traps a layer of air between two lenses, creating an additional barrier to moisture.
- Special anti-fog coatings applied directly to the inside surface of lenses can curtail fog formation.
Note that factory-applied anti-fog coatings can be damaged if touched, so pay close attention to the manufacturer's care instructions. Also, bear in mind that most ski shops sell anti-fog sprays that can be applied by the consumer to repair damaged factory coatings or protect untreated lenses.
Regardless of the anti-fogging technology you select, one of the best weapons against fogging is to get a good fit and to keep your goggles in place throughout the day. Goggles that form and hold a proper seal with the face are more likely to keep the moisture that causes fog out. It's also a good idea to carry an optic cleaning cloth in your pocket that's designed to absorb any moisture that does occur. These can be purchased independently, but they are also often packaged with new goggles, and some are a built-in feature on winter jackets.
Realizing Your Vision - Choosing Goggles that Fit
Goggles are generally available in two sizes - adults or children - though a few manufacturers also offer models that are specifically sized for women. Because the sizing options are so broad, the best way to determine which goggles fit you well is to try on several pairs. Face sizes and shapes vary widely, and you may need to experiment a bit until you find your ideal pair. Focus on which type of straps and buckles can be adjusted to fit your face easily and which feel most comfortable against your head. Remember, your goggles should be snug enough to create a good seal that will keep out moisture and cold. Once the goggles you're considering are fitted in place, be sure to test your vision in them, making certain they allow both direct and peripheral sight lines, depending on the lens shape you chose.
If you plan on wearing a helmet, be sure to try it on with your goggles if possible to make sure they are compatible. Also, if you wear prescription glasses, look for specially made OTG, or "over the glasses" goggles that allow extra space for your frames. Keep in mind that wearing your prescription glasses under your goggles adds a new lens layer that could also become fogged, so make sure that the OTG goggles you select offer adequate venting. If you're a frequent skier, you may consider getting a prescription lens custom-made for your goggles, which can be inserted in place of the original lens.
Thinking Ahead - Why You Need a Ski Helmet
Helmets are arguably the single-most important piece of equipment a skier or snowboarder wears. In a sport that enables participants of all levels to race down narrow, icy and sometimes unfamiliar slopes at average speeds of 15-25 miles per hour, a causal fall could easily become a serious accident - and helmets provide a clear safety advantage.
Fortunately, helmet use is on the rise. According to a study conducted by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) in April 2011, 60% of all U.S. skiers and boarders now wear helmets. And, while the decision to wear a helmet remains elective, the majority of experienced skiers seem to agree that protective headgear is a smart choice. In testament to this, another NSAA study conducted in 2008/2009 found a clear link between increased helmet usage and more proficient skiing ability, with 26% of beginners, 38% of intermediates, and 55% of advanced skiers and riders choosing to wear helmets. If you cast your lot with the experienced skiers, it's important that you select the right helmet for your needs. Your choice should reflect the weather conditions you expect to face, the terrain you enjoy and your primary purpose for skiing - competition or recreation. To make the selection process easier, we've assembled some handy information on the basics.
A Heads Up on Helmet Buying Basics
Most ski helmet shells are constructed of an extremely strong and lightweight polycarbonate material. Helmet interiors are generally made of expanded, double-density polystyrene to provide a buffer against impacts, and they are lined with additional foam that offers comfort, extra protection and moisture wicking capabilities. Before making a helmet purchase, it's important to understand your options with regard to faces, shells, features and fit. Two of the first choices you need to make are whether to select a helmet that's full-faced or open-faced, and if you prefer a full-shell or short-shell model. Here's an overview of the primary differences:
- Full-Faced or Open-Faced - Full-faced models have built-in masks, and as a result they provide complete facial coverage against wind, precipitation and other elements. Full-faced helmets are designed for use in competition, including speed and slalom events that put wearers at greater risk for falls or collisions. Open-faced helmets, as their name implies, leave the area over the face exposed, and most are compatible with goggles. Open-faced models are less cumbersome and remain the most popular choice for recreational use.
- Full-Shell or Short-Shell - Full-shell helmets provide complete head coverage, thereby blocking out the elements and delivering an enhanced level of protection. Because they create a complete seal, most of these models require vents to help regulate airflow and temperature. Short-shell helmets offer comparable protection to full-shell styles, but provide less coverage. Because they have a less restrictive feel, some skiers find short-shell helmets more comfortable.
Heading the Pack - Helmet Value-Added Features
Once you've chosen the type of helmet that suits your needs, take a look at some of the additional features available. For example:
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Vents are available on most helmets to provide spring skiers or those who tend to work up a sweat with steady airflow and increased comfort. Many vents are adjustable to adapt to changing conditions. Non-ventilated helmets are also available, and these are well suited for wet, snowy, or extremely cold climates.
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Visors are a built-in feature on the front of many helmets that can help to cut overhead glare and offer enhanced facial protection in wet or windy weather. Helmets without visors generally accept visor attachments.
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Goggle clips on the back of helmets offer a way to make sure your goggles stay firmly in place while skiing.
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Audio systems incorporate headphones inside the helmet along with a plug for connecting your personal music player.
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Competition Helmets are optimized for use in speed and slalom events. These typically feature densely padded liners, structured open ear zones inside the shell, and add-on jaw pieces to provide additional protection.
Bringing it All Together - Getting the Right Helmet Fit
A ski helmet is only effective if it fits properly. A helmet that's too small will be uncomfortable and provide inadequate coverage, while a helmet that's too large will slide around and become a dangerous and cumbersome distraction. For maximum protection and performance, take these steps to get the right helmet fit:
- Measure - Helmets are sized in centimeters (cm). To find your size, simply wrap a measuring tape around the circumference of your head just above the eyebrows. That number in centimeters is your helmet size.
- Try On - Once you've determined your size, try on a few models to see what feels best. While sizes are pretty consistent from one model to the next, head shapes vary widely, and, as a result so do helmet shapes - meaning what's best for one skier may not suit another. If you plan on wearing a skullcap for added warmth or a pair of goggles with your helmet, make sure to try these items on together if possible to ensure comfort and compatibility.
- Adjust - Take some time to adjust the chin straps to ensure the fit will be snug enough to keep the helmet in position throughout the day. Also pay attention to the feel of the buckles, making certain the entire system is comfortable. You should also be aware that some helmets - especially those for children - have removable pads that can be used to adjust the fit. If the model you're eyeing has these, experiment with them to determine if you can achieve the precise fit you need.
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