Ski goggles are an important part of any skier’s gear. They protect the eyes from the whipping wind and flying snow, as well as enhance the skier’s view of the snowy landscape. They are also supposed to prevent snow from entering the eyes, which can cause headaches and even blindness. Despite their importance, though, many people have problems with their goggles after just a few skiing or snowboarding sessions. These problems range from discomfort to complete inability, and in some cases it can even mean the end of the skier’s skiing or riding days. If you are one of these people who experience problems with their goggles, you might want to consider trying out different options before giving up on the sport you love so much.
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Get The Right Fit
When it comes to the fit of ski goggles, there is really only one correct answer: snug. Too big, and the goggles can actually cause more problems than they solve – like fogging up the lenses or chinstraps digging into the nose. The key is in the right fit, and it cannot be stressed enough how important it is to make sure that the goggles are the right size for the user’s head. Never, ever choose a pair based on the shape of the surrounding area – you will most likely end up with crooked goggles that will make you physically ill at ease while skiing or snowboarding. Most importantly, make sure to try on the goggles before buying them, so you can get a good estimate of how large they are going to be when they are finally delivered to you. This is the number one cause of returns and refunds in online stores like ThredUp.com – people buy a pair, but the fit is wrong and then have to return them because they are too small or too big for the user’s head. Another important point to make is that the right fit is not about covering the whole area around the eyes with the goggle frame. There is a style of goggles where the frame completely covers the eyes, resulting in total blindness during skiing and snowboarding. This is not what you need, and it will certainly cause you problems when trying to navigate through the snowy landscape. What you want is a design that leaves enough room for you to see through the lenses without any obstruction.
Adjust The Lenses
Another important thing that can help improve the quality of your skiing or snowboarding experience is proper ventilation of the lenses. This can be easily achieved by gently rolling down the goggles’ straps whenever you take them off. Even when you are stopped at a station waiting for the lifts to load, it is important to roll down the goggles’ straps so that the inner lenses can breath. This will prevent excessive fogging and keep the lenses clear and comfortable for the entire duration of your ski or snowboarding session. Never put your goggles back on without first ensuring that the inner lenses are completely dry, as condensation inside the goggles will make them cloudy and potentially cause blindness. Once the lenses are completely dry, snap them back into place to avoid any additional fogging. This is definitely a situation where you do not want to be fighting with your ski equipment in the middle of an advanced ski run – you will lose precious time while trying to figure out why your goggles are fogging up to the point of becoming useless. When touring and backcountry skiing, it is also important to keep your lenses clean by wiping them with a clean cloth after each use.
Consider UV Protection
Every year, more and more people are going blind due to excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. As a result of this, more and more people are purchasing sunglasses that provide them with ultraviolet (UV) protection. This is a perfect niche for snow goggles, as they can shield the eyes from the harm of the sunshine and prevent anyone from going blind due to overexposure to the sun. Even if you live in a place where the winters are cold and dry, it is still important to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. A great way to do this is by wearing sunglasses with UV protection. These sunglasses are not meant to be worn all the time – when you are skiing or snowboarding, you should take them off since you are already protecting your eyes from the snow and wind. When touring or hiking in the country, it is better to leave your sunglasses on so that you can enjoy the fresh air and magnificent landscape without any worries.
Wash The Equipment Regularly
If you are a serious skier or snowboarder who relies on their equipment more than anything else, it is important to remember to clean it regularly. This will extend the life of your equipment significantly. After every skiing or snowboarding session, wash the goggles and remove any snow or water that might have formed on the lenses. Never wear dirty goggles, as the buildup of dirt and oil will make your eyes burn while skiing or snowboarding. After every wash, allow the goggles to air dry completely before putting them back on. This is especially important for the fit, since any form of moisture will result in the inner lenses swelling and becoming completely useless. If you are really concerned about keeping your goggles clean, there are a variety of cleaners available that can be used to remove the oils and chemicals that build up from day to day use. Make sure to use a non-woven fabric to clean your goggles, as the leather sheaths that are commonly used to hold ski equipment will become completely useless after just a few uses if they are cleaned with harsh chemicals.
These are just a few tips on how to remove scratches from your ski goggles. In some cases, the problem is simply that the goggles were not made properly in the first place. In other cases, it can be due to the fact that you are not using the right tool to sand down the surface or that the surface has been damaged in some way. In most cases, though, the cause of the scratches is simply user error, like meek trying on an ill-fitting pair or not taking the time to clean the lenses after every use. With a little bit of work, and possibly some trial and error, you will be able to enjoy your time on the mountain without any problems.