The sunglasses have been shelved and the goggles are having their yearly outing with thousands of people jetting off to far flung ski resorts in search for Winter fun! If you are an experienced skier or snowboarder then you already understand the importance of protecting your eyes when out on the slopes but for all you beginners out there picking the correct apparel can be a daunting and confusing task. Stalwart brands such as Oakley Goggles, Dragon Goggles and Arnette Goggles are accompanied by relatively new brands to us such as POC Goggles, Dirty Dog Goggles and Bolle Goggles. Hopefully this style update will give you a little more insight into why these are the world leaders in goggles and which brand is best for you.
First up we have arguably the best of the best in terms of protection and optical clarity – Oakley Goggles. Oakley is the ultimate sports fashion brand; renowned for its exceptional high quality technologies and innovative range of sporting accessories and clothing. We stock all currently available Oakley Goggles and they are primarily made of their incredible O Matter plastic compound – this is patented by Oakley and is the most durable and lightweight goggle material on the market. This is one of the main reasons that Oakley Goggles have the impact protection that they do – this and the amazing Plutonite lenses fitted into most of their goggles. Plutonite is another polycarbonate compound which is patented by Oakley and they are the only truly 100% optically correct lenses currently available as they have HD Optics and XYZ optics to ensure that light is never refracted through the lens. As certain as the sun will come out tomorrow, Oakley Goggles will continue to improve season after season! There are three recognisably new models in the 2013/14 collection; Oakley 02 XL Goggles, Oakley 02 XS Goggles and Oakley Airwave Goggles. Much like it’s predecessor, the Oakley O Frame, the Oakley 02 XL Goggles are designed for be lightweight, comfortable and not break the bank! Made from O Matter, the frames are incredibly lightweight to wear and can barely even be felt on your face when you are out and about. A variety of lens and frame colours are available allowing you not only to customise your look, but keep up to speed with the ever changing light conditions. Predictably, the 02 XL Goggles are designed for medium to large faces whilst the 02 XS Goggles are made from small to medium faces.
The Oakley Airwave Goggles are the first Oakley goggles to feature a heads up display – the revolutionary design allows you to view jump analytics that show distance, height and airtime. With preloaded maps available for many resorts, you can find your location and even track others in your group. Additional sensor information includes altitude, speed and vertical descent data. Bluetooth connectivity allows pairing with a compatible smartphone for immediate viewing of incoming calls and text messages, and if your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone has music, your playlists can be accessed and controlled. Oakley Switchlock Technology makes the lens changing process quick and hassle-free, allowing you to take advantage of Oakley’s wide array of optional lens tints that optimize vision for environmental conditions. The durable chassis is made of lightweight O Matter that stays comfortably flexible, and O-Flow Arch technology reduces nasal pressure to improve airflow for free breathing.
Arnette Goggles are a reflection of the brand’s true passion for snowboarding and extreme sports, which is proudly displayed in the sophisticated aesthetic designs and the dynamic goggle and lens technologies. All Arnette goggles are expertly crafted using only the finest, most robust and durable materials, with each style available in a range of vibrant frame colors and lens options. This therefore allows the wearer to achieve the absolute best in terms of function, fit, comfort and style. In addition, all Arnette goggles boast extremely reasonable price tags. Arnette is renowned for always being at the cutting edge of technology and some of the features within the collections of Arnette goggles include maximum helmet compatibility, anti-fog lens venting, dual vented lenses with 100% protection from all UV light, triple-layered face foam with moisture-wicking polar fleece, fixed outriggers for a balanced fit and toric lenses to provide optimal visual performance. Arnette goggles also offer an array of performance upgrades to meet the demands of professional riders and to cope with all types of weather and light conditions. All Arnette goggles are available in a number of colourways and lens tones with the iconic Arnette logo displayed in chrome. Ultimately the overall goggle style and technology perfectly conveys what Arnette stands for – heritage, progression, good times and winning determination.
Since the beginning, Dragon Goggles set out to be the leading eyewear and accessories brand in the active youth lifestyle market by supporting the best athletes with the best product, while remaining connected to core retailers and consumers. That mission still holds true today and is the driving force behind the company’s success and heritage. In 1993, in a garage in Capo Beach, CA, founder Will Howard aimed to build a company that encompassed his passions for surfing, snowboarding, and riding dirt bikes. Enthusiasm and knowledge of the market bore Dragon’s first and still primary product, sunglasses. The company began distributing to local surf shops before expanding to Hawaii and Florida, and later Australia and other international markets.
The Dragon APX Goggles and Dragon NFX Goggles are two of Dragon’s greatest ever creations; they feature their groundbreaking frameless technology for an unrivalled aesthetic and field of vision! Although immediately similar to look at, both the APX and NFX differ massively – despite both having huge lenses for maximum clarity. Made with a Spherical lens, the APX is the most technically advanced and the tapering of the lens allows for near perfect vision at all times. Combined with the Armored Venting positioned on the top of the goggle, which creates a funnel for water to move and prevents it from being absorbed, they are a force to be reckoned with in the snow leisure industry. Although made with a cylindrical lens, the NFX Goggles still have great clarity of vision but are cheaper than the the top of the range APX. These frames are perfect for the first time skier who doesn’t want to break the bank by buying expensive goggles.
Speaking of brands not breaking the bank, we also have the awesome Dirty Dog Goggles – all are fitted with Polycarbonate lenses that have been treated with a specially developed Anti-Fog coating so these goggles will give you maximum clarity in the harshest conditions. Dirty Dog have then added Custom Venting Air Flow Technology (CVAFT) to give extra protection against dangerous lens fogging and giving you exceptionally clear field of vision. The Dirty Dog (CVAFT) Ventilation System uses carefully chosen areas for the intake and exhaust of cooling air. It is also worth noting that ALL Dirty Dog Goggle Lenses are spherical which means that the lenses have incredible optical clarity. We are sure that you won’t find any other brand which offers this kind of innovation for such a good price!
If you are looking for a new set of goggles this winter, look no further than right here at Shade Station! Be sure to also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@shadestation) and YouTube for all of the latest news and views from the fashion, eyewear and snow sports world…