Goggles are a stable for snowboarders and skiers. They ensure clear visibility in harsh conditions. They protect your eyes from snow, wind, and harmful UV rays. However, wearing goggles becomes challenging for people who wear prescription glasses. But can you ski with glasses under your goggles?
Putting goggles over your glasses can lead to discomfort. But you can make this combination work. This blog post will show you how to snowboard or ski with your glasses. You'll also explore the features of skiing or snowboarding goggles.
Should I Wear Glasses While Snowboarding or Skiing?
A WHO report shows that about 2.2 billion people globally have vision impairment. When it comes to hitting the slope, wearing glasses is a personal choice. It depends on your comfort. While some people prefer wearing contact lenses, others go with glasses. However, wearing glasses while skiing or snowboarding has some drawbacks.
One of the main issues is that your snowboarding glasses fog up. You can't prevent it even with anti-fog glasses. Fogging occurs due to the condensation of warm air from your body and cold outside temperature on the lenses. It reduces visibility and makes it difficult to navigate on terrains.
In addition, wearing snowboarding glasses can also be a safety risk in case of an accidental fall. If you take a tumble, your glasses may displace or break. It can lead to injuries to your face or glasses.
Suppose you decide to wear glasses while skiing; opt for OTG (over the glasses) goggles. These goggles are particularly designed to accommodate glasses. They provide you with better protection and minimize fogging.
What Type of Goggles You Should Pick For Skiing With Glasses?
Many ask, "Should I wear sunglasses or goggles for skiing and snowboarding?" The answer is goggles.
Skiing enthusiasts use various types of goggles. However, understanding their features and functionalities is crucial to pick the right one. Here are some goggles that you can opt for while skiing with glasses:
Over The Glasses (OTG) Goggles
OTG goggles are the best solution for skiers who prefer to ski with their prescription glasses. They come with a deep frame, which ensures your glasses sit securely underneath without pressing against your face, prevent vision distortion while skiing.
Another feature that makes OTG goggles a smart choice is their moderate weight and size. Many people assume that they are too large and heavy. However, it's not true. Nowadays many good OTG goggles offer a balance between weight and functionality. They maintain a sufficient gap between your glasses and frame without making it cumbersome.
The selection of OTG goggles is also crucial for comfortable skiing and snowboarding. Look for models that come with temple cutouts and sufficient internal volume. Temple cutouts are designed to accommodate the arms of your glasses. This feature prevents the arms from pressing into your temples or causing discomfort.
Sufficient internal space not only helps your glasses fit more comfortably but also improves ventilation. It helps your glasses fit more comfortably. It also improves the ventilation. Besides internal space, OTG goggles need vents to prevent fogging. Well-designed vents offer better airflow. They expel warm, moist air that can accumulate inside the glasses in ski goggles. These features make OTG goggles the best ski goggles for glasses. Raytice OTG ski glasses come with all the features you need.
Prescription Ski Goggle Inserts
Prescription inserts are an alternative choice for snowboarders with vision impairment. These insert systems can go with any goggles. They are custom-made prescription lenses that fit inside your ski goggles. Instead of wearing your glasses underneath your goggles, you can clip the inserts into your goggles. They provide clear vision without any additional eyewear.
One of the advantages of these inserts is their wide field of vision. Wearing glasses under the goggles can obstruct your peripheral vision. Prescription inserts sit directly inside the goggle frame. They provide an unobstructed view. This broader field of view enhances your ability to see your surroundings.
Limitations of Prescription Inserts
However, prescription inserts have some shortcomings that limit their usage on slopes. One of the main drawbacks of using the inserts is that you also lose your vision correction when you take off your goggles. You might need to take off your goggles if you stop at any place during your ride. Removing your goggles is like taking off your glasses. It can be inconvenient while taking breaks. It's better to keep your prescription glasses when not actively skiing.
Contact Lenses
Many skiers and snowboarders prefer contact lenses over glasses. They save you from the hassle of constantly adjusting your glasses. Contact lenses provide you with a clear and broader field of vision.
If you plan to spend multiple days skiing, use single-use lenses. These lenses offer you convenience. You can replace them daily after the use. You don't need any cleaning solution to keep your lenses clean and fresh. This solution helps you maintain hygiene in cold and dry conditions.
Drawbacks of Using Contact Lenses
Wearing contact lenses can lead to dry eyes. Cold and dry environments at high altitudes exacerbate this issue. Dryness can irritate your eyes, causing discomfort or blurred vision. You should carry eye drops for moisturizing contact lenses. They can help keep the eyes hydrated throughout the day.
How to Prevent Your Glasses from Fogging Under Your Goggles
Preventing your snowboarding glasses from fogging under your goggles is necessary. Here are some ways to prevent fogging your glasses:
- Not all OTG goggles offer the best features. Choose one with good ventilation. Pick a model with superior ventilation to allow airflow. It will reduce trapped warm air that causes fogging.
- Wait for a while if you have just come from indoors or a warmer place. Keep your glasses in cold air to adjust their temperature. It will prevent the air from condensing over your glasses.
- Avoid tucking your ski mask into your goggles. It can block airflow and trap warm air, leading to fogging. Keeping your mask outside the goggles offers better ventilation.
- Another way to prevent fogging is to dry the goggles properly. Moisture from the previous day can contribute to fogging. Leave your goggles in a well-ventilated area overnight to dry.
Features of Goggles for Skiing and Snowboarding
Several features improve the functionality of goggles. Here are some features of good snowboard goggles:
Anti-Fog Coating
Fogging is a common issue while skiing and snowboarding. It alleviates the discomfort of wearing glasses under the goggles. Goggles with anti-fog coating is the best solution for this issue. It prevents the accumulation of moisture on the inner side of the goggles. Almost all high-end goggle lenses come with this coating. You can pair these goggles with anti-fog ski glasses for the best results.
Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses for skiing and snowboarding are another crucial feature. These lenses control the glare on a bright, sunny day. It also limits light reflection from ice, snow, or water. It improves your visual clarity while riding on a slope.
Interchangeable Lenses
These lenses are an excellent choice for areas with changing weather conditions. Interchangeable lenses enable you to adapt to varying brightness levels. You can use darker lenses for skiing on a bright day. Switch to lighter or clearer lenses for a cloudy day or skiing at night. Raytice ski goggles with magnetic lens are a perfect solution for you.
UV Protection
UV protection is a crucial feature to prevent your eyes from damaging ultraviolet radiations of the sun. These radiations become intense with the increasing altitude. A report shows a 4% to 5% increase in exposure to UV radiation with every 1000 feet rise from the sea level.
High-end goggles should offer 100% UV protection to safeguard your eyes from these harmful rays. Goggles with UV protection act as a barrier, shielding UVA, UVB, and UVC radiations.
Conclusion
Knowing how to pick ski goggles is essential whether you wear glasses or not. You can use OTG goggles or prescription inserts while skiing or snowboarding. Using contact lenses is a great alternative to glasses. However, it comes with several issues that limit its usage. It's best to use OTG goggles with your glasses. These goggles conveniently fit your glasses and provide you with a safe experience.
While choosing the best snowboard goggles, pay attention to their features. Look for polarized lenses, anti-fog and UV coatings, and interchangeable lenses. You also need a reliable manufacturer to get the premium goggles.
If you are looking for quality ski and snowboarding goggles with anti-fogging and comfortable features, then look no further than Raytice Goggles. Besides snowboarding goggles, we also provide various sports goggles and sunglasses for diverse outdoor activities. Contact us today to get the best goggles for your next ride.