by Jaimela King

Created on: December 30, 2009

When the glare of the sun hit the snow capped mountain sides and you are cruising down those slippery slopes, you will be glad that you chose to wear goggles. But don't run out just yet to grab any pair of goggles without first doing a little bit of research. Goggles, like any other snowboarding gear, contribute significantly to your comfort and safety and allows you to garner more satisfaction from your experience.  Here are a few tips to help make your selection easier.

Very much like your snowboard boots, your goggles must fit properly. Yes, style and fashion is important too but you want the goggles to do the intended job properly and you won't necessarily need to sacrifice style for comfort. Try on several pairs of goggles to ensure that the foam that touches your face has the same feel all around. Goggles like Bolle and Optic are all designed to fit with the latest designs in helmets.

Comfort is as important a factor as the fit of the goggles. You should not be feeling any pressure when wearing them and proper air flow is critical. You should be able to see clearly from any angle and there should be no impairment of any kind. As you try on the goggles, try to simulate various snowboarding actions to ensure there is no discomfort from any movement.

Do you wear prescription glasses? If you do and you actually need to see where you are going safely you must ensure that whatever goggles you choose fit snugly over your glasses. Never use regular goggles as a replacement for your prescription glasses. Check out brands like Boost OTG Over The Glasses Ski Goggles to wear over your goggles. If you choose prescription goggles you will find these available in brands like Bolle goggles. They use prescription Rx adapter for these goggles.

Your goggles should breathe. When I say that I mean that the goggles you choose should have excellent venting systems. These vents consists of air portals that are covered with foam and keep your goggles fog free by allowing the air to flow through them. Look for brands that use vents that are breathable and waterproof to avoid fogging at any altitude.

What kinds of goggles are the best? Well short of doing a review of the best name brands, here is some general information about why people buy certain types of goggles. Vented lenses help maintain clear vision throughout your ride while spherical double lenses provide you with great optics. Many riders choose lens made with  polycarbonate material because of its durability. As far as colored lenses are concerned, the yellow and lemon colored ones are preferred for poor weather conditions and also help shed some light on a dreary landscape.

The importance of the right snowboarding goggles cannot be overstated. It is as essential to your comfort, performance and safety that you choose the right goggles for your type, your activity and your helmet.

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