Whether you’re a professional skier or new to the slopes, you probably know that the most crucial element for a successful week in the mountains is the right equipment. Whether you’re taking to the chalk-white slopes on skiis 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 require 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 CLEAR, and the brains behind them are the Danish eyewear 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 CLEAR goggles are one of the few pairs of ski-goggles that feature the latest ski technology, offering the best of all worlds.
A quick note on the MessyWeekend lenses: all goggles come with either an XE2 lens or an XEp lens. Important to know when you’re choosing which model of goggles to buy, but more on the difference later.
Let’s take a look at why MessyWeekend ski-goggles are a must-have for any ski holiday.
1. High-contrast and photochromic lens
XE2: To put it mildly, CLEAR XE2 lens is a stroke of genius. Like the famous Oakley Prizm goggles, CLEAR also features a high-contrast lens that works by amplifying the colours 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.
XEP: an upgraded lens, 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’ colours 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, the lens becomes 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% UVA+UVB protection, so your eyes are fully protected against the sun’s harmful rays.
Popular XEp ski-goggles
2. Magnetic lens-change mechanism
Another essential feature that all high-end ski-goggles should have is the ability to change the lens without too much hassle. 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, CLEAR and FLIP, 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 – CLEAR and FLIP 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
The frames are constructed from lightweight thermal polyurethane, which provides the much-desired flexibility that cold temperatures demand. Featuring 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 CLEAR 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 CLEAR should be a perfect fit for you. Conversely, if it’s too small, you might want to try their smaller frame FLIP or even FERDI.
