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Need goggle suggestions

post #1 of 17
12/23/08 at 12:28pm
Thread Starter 
Hi people,

I am a new member here. I used to live in a tropical country and had never skied before until last year. I really like it now and really want to invest into it.

I have never used a goggle before so now I want one. Doe goggle help a lot in skiing ? I don't really mind the price but probably I will try to limit about under $200. Can you guys suggest me some type of really good goggles ?? I prefer Oakley the most but they have so many things that really confuse me like A frame and Crowbar, different type of lenses.

All suggestions will be really appreciated.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 17
12/23/08 at 12:39pm

Spend less!!

Hi and welcome to skiing!

Goggles are a must, as without them you'll be completely unable to ski when it's snowing or very cold (your eyes will run from the cold at speed).

Go to a decent sports store and look for a goggle in the $70-100 range on sale for $50-70. You'll find many. Don't bother with lingo. Get well-vented goggles. The larger the vent openings (covered with a thin layer of foam) and the further away from your face is the lens, the less likely will be the goggle to fog when you are exerting yourself and sweating.

Smith seems to always manufacture a wide range of goggles at a decent price (and some at indecent prices).

Have fun, and spend the extra money on other stuff, ski-related or otherwise.
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post #3 of 17
12/23/08 at 12:41pm
personally I don't care for the A frame.

I bought the crowbar because I get a better field of vision. It could be the way my head is shaped though so not sure how they would work for you.

Try going to a local ski shop and ask to try on the different types of frames. If you get either keep in mind those kick ass goggles are good and all that, but you need to take very good care of them. The lenses for them are close to the price of the goggles in some cases depending on shade color. Think about what color lens you want/need and then pick the color frame. You can do this at oakley, but might be tuff to do this locally because taking the lenses out isn't a good idea unless you have to.
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post #4 of 17
12/23/08 at 12:43pm
nns91, welcome to Epic.

Yes, a goggle helps a lot in skiing in a lot of ways. Goggles generally keep the face better protected from snow, water and wind than sunglasses, they offer better lens options for skiing than sunglasses, and they are generally more secure than sunglasses.


For less than $200 you should be able to find a rather good pair.

My suggestion would be to try some on your face, particularly if you will also be wearing a helmet.
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post #5 of 17
12/23/08 at 12:53pm
I also suggest heading over to any local ski shop. They will give you a hands on look at different types of goggles and what not. Smith and Scott and Spy are all great goggle companies, i personally have Dragon goggles, found a great price on them (tell you about that below) and they are big frames with great lenses.

so finding great prices on ski items is always nice, my goggles are about 120 bucks or so, and i got them for like 50. check these websites all the time for ski and snowboard gear and clothing and what not.
Tramdock.com - for skiing
Whiskeymilitia.com - for snowboarding
Steepandcheap.com - for everything, not only snow sports

i have little things at the bottom of my browser that gives me a constant update of what on the sites so i can always see what going on. It's one deal at a time, usually the price is unbeatable. I really suggest you check it out
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post #6 of 17
12/23/08 at 12:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks alot.

Anyone know the difference between A Frame and Crowbar ??

I just saw a pair of Oakley A Frame at a local store. I think it is this one: http://oakley.com/pd/1331/14054. Any opinion on this particular goggle ?

Or do you guys have any particular model on mind that I should look at ?
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post #7 of 17
12/23/08 at 1:02pm
Yea, keep your eyes on those sites listed above. I saw some Oakley O-frames on Tramdock for $17!
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post #8 of 17
12/23/08 at 1:10pm
I'm selling my Oakley Wisdom's for $75- they are like new. This is a great flat light goggle (they go for $130 new, or $90 occasionally on sale if you can find them). I like these goggles a lot, but they don't fit my new helmet well (Giro Fuse). You will want to try them on with your helmet to be sure of the fit (you do wear a helmet, right?).

The O frame is a good basic goggle, but is Oakley's bottom of the line, and the lens is not quite as good as their better models- does not have the spherical design with no distortion, etc. The rest of the models are mostly differentiated by style and fit- very individual choices!

Other places to look for stuff on sale, assuming you know what you want, are sierratradingpost.com, backcountryoutlet.com.
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post #9 of 17
12/23/08 at 1:11pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks.

Is there any special things that I have to consider in choosing goggles ? I guess most of the Oakleys are really good ones but is there any details I still have to pay attention on ?

What do you guys think about the oakley that I posted above ?
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post #10 of 17
12/23/08 at 1:11pm
well the difference between A-frames and Crowbars is basically the shape... i think the crowbars are bigger on the face, a little wider and all. also the frames are mad of different material. i personally like a big frame, you get a larger area of vision and it fits my face better. I love backcountry.com for info, check out what they and other people say about them

Crowbars
A-Frames

btw, i wouldnt be so set on oakleys, oakleys are great, but their kind of a name brand, like cleanex or chapstick, thats just one brand, but thats what everyone calls em. Scott and Spy and Smith and Dragon and lots of other companys make great goggles that will do just as well as oakleys.
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post #11 of 17
12/23/08 at 1:14pm
I picked up a set of Scott Classics for $19.99.
I know BBers are big on the more expensive goggles but seriously, unless you are racing, a set of those will do you fine.
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post #12 of 17
12/23/08 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laurentianskier View Post
I picked up a set of Scott Classics for $19.99.
I know BBers are big on the more expensive goggles but seriously, unless you are racing, a set of those will do you fine.
I'm going to disagree there. you definitely do not need to be racing to need good goggles...

I used to ski with some very old junks goggles. They fog up, their vents are terrible, their lenses are no where near as good or clear, and the frames are cheaply made. anyone who wants to be skiing comfortably and who wants to be able to see well should really invest in goggles. My Dragon goggles were the first new pair i had ever bought, and the difference is amazing really... i love them. theres nothing like a good pair of goggles

CHECK WHISKEYMILITIA.COM RIGHT NOW! THE GOGGLES I HAVE, THE DRAGON MACE'S ARE UP FOR 45! I LOVE THEM!
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post #13 of 17
12/23/08 at 1:49pm
I bought some Spy Omega goggles, and love em, they vent great and are super soft and comfortable on my face.

As far as lenses go, I think it depends on where you're skiing. In colorado, I'd say you need a lens for bright/mid light conditions for sunny but cold days that may have some weather come in. And you need another lens/goggle for cold stormy flat light days. Some people like a clear goggle for night skiing, but I just use my storm goggle.
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post #14 of 17
12/23/08 at 1:55pm
Try several different goggle brands and lens colors on a very gray day--find a shop that lets you look out the window. The frame shape and size is a personal choice. I like a very large frame to get the lens away from my face skin to minimize fogging. The Mrs. likes a much smaller frame size to reduce the tunnel effect. I like Smith's rose-copper tint lens on cloudy days and don't like Smith's mirror sensor. Others greatly prefer the mirror sensor--personal preference.
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post #15 of 17
12/23/08 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubsman35 View Post
I'm going to disagree there. you definitely do not need to be racing to need good goggles...

I used to ski with some very old junks goggles. They fog up, their vents are terrible, their lenses are no where near as good or clear, and the frames are cheaply made. anyone who wants to be skiing comfortably and who wants to be able to see well should really invest in goggles. My Dragon goggles were the first new pair i had ever bought, and the difference is amazing really... i love them. theres nothing like a good pair of goggles

CHECK WHISKEYMILITIA.COM RIGHT NOW! THE GOGGLES I HAVE, THE DRAGON MACE'S ARE UP FOR 45! I LOVE THEM!
I don't think the Scott Classics are cheap... just inexpensive
I'm not talking about the really cheap brands, but a good basic pair of Scotts or Smiths should do the job for the recreational skier. They are certainly a huge improvement over sunglasses.
I'm not much of a skier, but I did ice race motorcycles professionally for over a decade and never had a problem with my Scott Classics or Smith basic or OTG models. They come with a number of lens tint options and all provide full UV400 protection. You also have the option of upgrading to a higher quality lens down the road with those goggles. Take care of them, keep the lenses clean and try not to scratch them and they work very well. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people with expensive goggles or sunglasses that were dirty and or scratched. Just my two cents.
I never spent more than 50 bucks on a set of goggles in 25 years of motocross and ice racing and I don't recall ever losing a race to someone because they had better goggles LOL!
That said, if one has 200 bones to blow on a set of high tech plasma iradium laser guided goggles, I say have at 'er

BTW, those Dragon Maces for $45 are a great deal. I can live with that price for a good set of goggles.
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post #16 of 17
12/23/08 at 3:35pm
I agree with Laurentionskier. I buy whatever Smiths or Scotts are on sale at Sports Authority for $15 - 25. they last me several years. I like amber lenses as they are good in bright light and flat light. So what is the point to spending over $50 on a pair of plasitic goggles? I mean I can see it if you have severe fogging problems or need some that will fit over glasses, but otherwise why spend so much?
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post #17 of 17
12/23/08 at 4:04pm
If you are a beginning skier and do not need to wear glasses under your goggles I would go with whatever is on sale and fits well. Higher end goggles are really helpful if you ski in more adverse conditions, if you ski above tree line where visibility can be difficult in flat light or in cold humid conditions like the Pacific NW, where I have always found fogging to be a bigger problem.
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