Goggles

There are hundreds of different goggles available for skiing and snowboarding. I have used many of them, from cheap no-frills models to rather expensive models. Here are some of my favorites.

Climbing Goggles

UVEX Pocket Goggles

These are great goggles for climbing. They are the only goggles I know of that have a hinge at the nose-bridge, which allows them to fold up. The low profile design, and the hinging feature make them very compact. This is great for climbing trips, where pack and pocket space is always at a premium. They vent well, and provide good eye protection. Field of vision is good. The frame doesn't extend too far above the eyebrows, so they don't interfere with most climbing helmets. These are my climbing goggles of choice.

Bugz "Viperz" goggles

These goggles have the advantage of a very very narrow profile. This is important if you are using them with a climbing helmet that sits low on your head (like the Petzl Ecrin Roc.) If your goggles'frame extends too high above your eyes, the goggles tend to bump up against the helmet brim, knocking the helmet up and the goggles down. The Viperz are the narrowest-profile goggles I've seen that still have dual, vented lenses. These goggles work well enough, they vent well, and are reasonably comfortable. Their advantage (narrowness) is also their biggest disadvantage, as their field of view is not as good as goggles with a bigger frame and bigger lenses.

Skiing Goggles

Adidas Robin Goggles

These are the best all-around ski goggles I've ever used. They don't fog, they provide good wind/snow/sun protection. Best of all, they provide phenomenal peripheral and vertical vision. They look a little bit funky and bug-eyed, but the bulbous, curved lenses really provide a great field of view. They are low-profile enough to work well with my ski helmet (Giro "9")

UVEX Jet Stream

For people who have to wear eyeglasses under their goggles, these are the best solution I know of for fogging problems. UVEX is one of several companies that makes goggles with a built-in fan, but the UVEX ones are my favorite because the batteries are located in the goggle, not on the goggle strap. With other fan goggles, I was never quite comfortable with having that heavy plastic battery case on the strap sitting right on my temple. The UVEX solution is a bit safer and less obtrusive. Before my LASIK surgery when I was a glasses wearer, these fan goggles were the only way I could keep myself fog free when skiing hard.

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