Ski goggle advice / query

Russman

First time poster here so apologies in advance if this is an utterly stupid or irrelevant question......

Anyway, I've only been skiing once (Westendorf last year, amazing !) but thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to make it an annual event.

I bought a pair of Oakley goggles and went for the polarised rose tint lens (think its called VR28 Polarised with 14% VLT) and really liked them, the rose really sharpens things up. They were perfect in the sun and, I guess, ok-ish on the cloudier days. However I noticed that a lot of people were carrying a second pair for cloudy/foggy days.

My question is basically, is this a good idea, and if so, what a good second lens option would be ?

I know Oakley also do a Hi-Amber polarised (25% VLT) that gets great reviews but I'm afraid that, along with the VR28, it would be a bit of overkill at the sunny end of the spectrum. Has anyone tried this lens that can comment ? Is it good enough for cloudy days ? Alternatively would this lens maybe be a good "all in one" lens ? Or should I just get a cheaper mid range VLT non-polarised and use it in conjunction with the ones I already have ?

Does it even matter at my beginner level ?

Thanks for any comments !

Fattes

Russman; Congratulations on making a sensible first purchase, which Oakley model? As nearly all of their Goggles have interchangeable lenses that can be picked up cheap enough on line and depending on the model are easy to interchange even with Gloves on. People that buy two pairs of googles bought badly the first time!

I use a pair of VERY limited edition Oakley Crowbar McKonkey edition that I begged from an athlete. Lenses I use in it

Pink Iridium, Fire Iridium polarized and HI Yellow between them there is not a conditions they don't cover.

For low light outside of the rose lens you all ready have High Blue or Permission or amber are your best bet.

Any questions let me know

Russman

Many thanks for the reply Fattes.

The ones I got are the Splice. I had no idea that lenses were interchangeable, don't know why I'd no idea - you learn something new everyday I guess !

Think over the coming weeks/months I'll try pick up a Pink Iridium replacement lens online as you say. Would I be right to assume the benefits of polarised are lost/negated when its cloudy, and there's no real need to splash out on the hi-amber polarised ? Having said that, I've had laser surgery and am a bit anal about protecting my eyes, so wouldn't mind going the extra few euro if its worth it.

Fattes

Well this is how you change the lenses

http://youtu.be/f-MZKyqReGg

Polarisation is pretty pointless on low light days but great on bright blue bird days it comes into its own.

Can't go wrong with Oakley best warranty & customer service on the planet

Russman

Cool video, so simple !

Many thanks again.

Lambasted

Fattes,
Could you recommend me a pair of goggles to suit all weather conditions, preferably Oakley as can get these at reduced price from a rep? For an intermediate boarder. I see they have goggles online from 60 euro to 300 euro.
Thanks

cormee

I think, and I could be wrong, the orange tinted lens are supposed to be the best all-rounders. I have the Splice goggles too, amazingly comfortable, you wouldn't even realise you're wearing them.

Fattes

Any Oakley Goggles They are all really high quality and the variance will be in shape and range. When it comes to Goggles the important thing is they sit flush and comfortable with your face and Helmet (If you were one) and not crushing your nose so you can bread. The top end Oakley Goggles are the Splice, Crowbar and Airbrake. Then down to the A frame, O Frame, E Frame and a few others.

Lenses the best all round lenses is the Pink Iridium or blue Iridium – I use the Pink as my all round. To be honest they can be gotten cheaply enough on line that it is worth buying a Pink Iridium (All Round) Permission (Low Light) and Fire Iridium, Blue bird days. If you can.


Salomon have some good new ones out to at a slightly lower entry point (I have a vested interest here) But 2 of my family use them and swear by them. I am sticking with the Big O for now!

cormee

Fattes wrote: »

Lenses the best all round lenses is the Pink Iridium or blue Iridium – I use the Pink as my all round. To be honest they can be gotten cheaply enough on line that it is worth buying a Pink Iridium (All Round) Permission (Low Light) and Fire Iridium, Blue bird days. If you can.

Must have a look for some cheaper ones so, last time I checked Oakley were charging €80 for replacement lenses.

Fattes

cormee wrote: »

Must have a look for some cheaper ones so, last time I checked Oakley were charging €80 for replacement lenses.

Ebay, Max Gardiner shop is pretty good.

fobster

Looking at the below pair of goggles. Do Carrera have a good rep? This pair seem to tick a lot of boxes.

http://www.snowinn.com/ski-store/carrera-zenith-grey-orange-arrows/112640/p

Fattes

fobster

Do Carrera have a good rep?

Yep a lot of WC racers wear them, fairly reputable

Northern Monkey

fobster wrote: »

Looking at the below pair of goggles. Do Carrera have a good rep? This pair seem to tick a lot of boxes.

http://www.snowinn.com/ski-store/carrera-zenith-grey-orange-arrows/112640/p

If you are using snowinn make sure you give yourself plenty of time before you need them. Their prices are great, but their delivery times can be really slow.

fobster

Went with this crowd in the end. Some great deals, plus free international shipping on orders over £75. Ordered on Saturday and got the package today, the packaging could have been a bit more substantial though.

Not the exact pair, but the same 2 lens deal (mine were fire iridium and persimmon)

http://www.surfdome.com/oakley_goggles_-_oakley_o_frame_snow_goggles,_tracktion_-_dark_grey_and_h.i_yellow-100056

Lambasted

Has anyone used the automatic goggle lenses? They change according to light conditions automatically. Im looking at ZEAL polarised automatic. I'll try to find a link

Lambasted

http://www.zealoptics.com/eclipse-5551.html

Lambasted

http://www.zealoptics.com/eclipse-5551.html