Freezing cold air. The sun has gone into hibernation. And winter is coming. If you’re one of the tens of thousands of people for whom winter equals ski holidays, you’re probably sitting patiently waiting to take the slopes by storm. If so, you also know how crucial the right equipment is for a successful week in the mountains. Whether you’re taking to the chalk-white slopes on the long boards or a snowboard, there’s one thing that’s an absolute must-have. A proper pair of ski-goggles.
But ski-goggles aren’t just ski-goggles. They’re advanced technology that requires exceptional craftsmanship to perfect. As well as protecting your face and eyes from the grip of the cold and ensuring your comfort, your ski-goggles also need to support your sense of adventure in all weather conditions and help you navigate the blinding snow. Such a task requires the right goggles. And we think we’ve found them. The ski-goggles are called ACHTON, and the brains behind them are the Danish sunglasses brand MessyWeekend.
Superior technology
When snow kings judge the quality of ski-goggles, there are three elements in particular they look at: the lens, the antifog-properties and the comfort. MessyWeekend’s ACHTON goggles are one of the few pairs of ski-goggles that feature the latest ski technology, offering the best of all worlds.
Before we talk lens technology, you should know that ski goggles come with two different shapes of lenses: cylindrical and spherical. ACHTON goggles have the classic cylindrical lens, which curves over your face horizontally but is flat vertically. Although today we are focusing on the ACHTON model, MessyWeekend also offers their FLOAT II model; A pair of goggles with a spherical lens that curves both horizontally and vertically.
Now that all the practical details are in place, let’s cut to the chase. Here are 5 reasons why MessyWeekend ski-goggles deserve to be on your Christmas wish list.
1. High-contrast and photochromic lens
To put it mildly, ACHTON’s XE2 lens is a stroke of genius. Like the famous Oakley Prizm goggles, ACHTON also features a high-contrast lens that works by amplifying the colors and thus the contrasts of the snowy landscape. The result is simple but superb: you see in much sharper detail than with a regular lens. To ensure a lightweight, strong and virtually indestructible lens, the XE2 lens is made from optical-grade polycarbonate – the same material you’ll find in bulletproof windows.
MessyWeekend also offers an upgraded lens, the XEp, which features the same high-contrast technology as the XE2, but with an additional photochromic filter. The filter is designed to automatically adjust the lens’ colors and tones according to how much sun there is. If the sun is high, the lens will be royal blue, and if the weather changes, it will become transparent in a mere 30 seconds. This makes the XEp lens the superior choice amongst all other alternatives. Of course, both models are also equipped with 100% UV400 (UVA+UVB) protection, so your eyes are fully protected against the sun’s harmful rays.
2. Magnetic lens-change mechanism
Another essential feature that all high-end ski-goggles should have is the ability to change the lens in a reasonable time. The vast majority of models have an outdated lens changing system that requires manual handling to change the lens, which is often cumbersome on a cold mountain with ski-gloves on. With a magnetic lens changing mechanism consisting of an 8-point magnet system attached to the goggle frame, both MessyWeekend’s ski-goggle models, ACHTON and FLOAT II, reduce the time it takes to change the lens from minutes to seconds.
3. Superb venting system & anti-fog coating
When you’re whizzing down icy mountain ridges, your worst enemy is condensation on the inside of your goggles. Condensation is a struggle to avoid, as it forms when your body heat inevitably hits the cooled lens. Equipped with shatterproof and double-layered lenses – instead of the outdated single lenses – ACHTON and FLOAT II are able to postpone the time it takes for condensation to form. A nifty trick that makes the glasses more dew-resistant than their competitors. And with anti-fog coating and anti-scratch protection on the inside of the lens, as well as vents at the top and bottom of the frame – the industry’s crowned weapon against fog – both models’ venting systems are in a class of their own.
4. Unmatched comfort
In terms of comfort, ACHTON and FLOAT II are once again at the forefront. The frames of both goggles are constructed from lightweight thermal polyurethane, which provides the much-desired flexibility that cold temperatures demand. The frame features a three-layer foam technology that, in addition to improving ventilation, also helps disperse moisture away from your face. The triple-layer foam is also ultra-soft, so you can rock your goggles all day without discomfort.
And then there’s the fit. Ideally the fit of your ski goggles should be snug (not tight) and comfortable. Size-wise the ACHTON has a medium fit, which is ideal for both women and men. If large goggles are too big for you – for example, if they tend to press down on the bridge of your nose – then ACHTON should be a perfect fit for you. Conversely, if you’re looking for a frame on the larger side, you can’t go wrong with MessyWeekend’s FLOAT II goggles.
5. Danish design & quality
Launched through a disruptive and rebellious Danish Kickstarter project back in 2019, ACHTON goggles now stand as a triumphant symbol of the universal appeal that Danish minimalist design has. The materials have been carefully selected and follow the advice and demands of the ski-giants to perfection. Three words in particular hit the spot: steadfast, shatterproof but at the same time ultra-light.
Cool weather, cool look.
The lens’ classic neon-blue look makes the style thoroughly futuristic, with clean lines and sharp details. Inspired by Danish explorer Achton Friis’ adventurous voyages and designed by two Copenhagen entrepreneurs with an underdog mentality, ACHTON goggles (and the rest of the collection) strike a unified chord that ooze quality and Danish design.
MessyWeekend wants to appeal to all of us, which is why the color selection of the matching straps is deliberately neutral. With a choice between black, white and military green, the style remains as pure as the mountain top powder snow. See the range here.
Bestsellers
The best of both worlds
MessyWeekend makes some unbeatable ski-goggles, but they are first and foremost a sunglasses brand. Here, with their notorious and trend-breaking collection of quality sunglasses sold at a price point that breaks all industry norms, they’ve started an avalanche of media coverage.
With names like NEW DEPP, DOWNEY, ROXIE, LIV and HOBBES, each pair of sunglasses is steeped in character and inspired by some of the greatest eccentrics and personalities of our time. So, with a pair of sunglasses from MessyWeekend you’re not just wearing a pair of mass-produced shades from a faceless megabrand. No, you’re wearing a personality, an identity, made from materials conceived by a rebellious spirit and with visible traces of exceptional craftsmanship.
A look that sums up a generation
MessyWeekend has taken a stand against that throwaway culture. All of their sunglasses are handcrafted. With a creation process of over 200 separate manual steps, it takes MessyWeekend‘s dedicated sunglass maker 3 weeks to produce a pair. That means you get a pair of exceptionally durable sunglasses capable of surviving any outdoor adventure.
Like the quality, the price is also exceptional. Exceptionally accommodating, that is. By cutting the production process to the bone and ditching the price inflation, they’ve put themselves in a unique price category where you’ll pay a price that’s half of what similar brands charge.