Got yourself a set of goggles for Christmas and don’t know how they’ll shape up when you make it over for your first trip to JaPow? We get it, lenses get incredibly convoluted for those inexperienced in the world of goggles (if only they could be as simple as a pair of sunnies being either polarised or not polarised).
Ultimately, everyone’s biggest question is, do you actually need different sets of lenses for different riding conditions?
The response is quite often polarising (see what we did there). Some swear by different lenses being ESSENTIAL for different riding conditions (we are part of that crowd), others swear by it being a farce designed to make you spend more money on the same set of goggles…
And while we aren’t going to claim that anyone’s perspective (ahhh, another pun) is wrong, let’s be honest for a second here. Every rider that’s claiming you don’t need to change lenses, are more often than not the same riders you’ll catch starting their apres at midday because “there just wasn’t much visibility on the hill”…
So if you want to maximise your time out on the hill, yes, of course it’s essential.
TYPES OF GOGGLE LENSES
Ok, so you’ve ended up with three different sets of lenses that you don’t know what to do with. Fear not, we’ve got you covered. If you’re interested in knowing which lenses will best suit the conditions on the day, follow our handy guide below:
Low Visibility: When choosing your lens for a low light day, think ‘The Great Gatsby’. Colors like rose, yellow and gold increase contrast in overcast, low-light situations and typically have a higher VLT, allowing more light to pass through on low visibility days.
Mid Level Visibility/All-purpose: Tints like red, blue and green cover a range of conditions, from partly cloudy to partly sunny – a pretty solid option for night riding.
Bright Sun Days: Slashing down the runs and squinting due to the bright sun on those fabled bluebird days, dark or mirrored lenses like platinum, gray, black and red are your best bet. They typically have a lower VLT, allowing less light to pass through the lens, and in turn, blocking more glare.
Night Riding: Looking to shred pow under the stars? A mid level all-rounder goggle or a full transparent goggle lens will be your best bet for max visibility.
Finding The Perfect Frame
Alright, we’re all locked in with heaps of lens knowledge (if you’re feeling extra cluey on the subject, apply for Rhythm Retail next winter), now we need to pick the best set of goggles.
Although, this is where it can sometimes become info overload. Prizm lenses, low-bridge fits, iced iridium – choosing which goggles will best suit you can sometimes feel like a high-school science test, so we wanted to offer up some of our expert local knowledge.
Cue, Brenno.
If you’ve ever been into our Rhythm Hirafu store, you’ve most likely seen Brenno standing near the google rack. A self-confessed “gear head” Brenno is the man about town to talk to about all things shades and goggs, so if you’re looking for a bit of extra guidance, here’s his hot-take for the best goggle in-store:
Oakley Line Miner L
Brenno’s Take: “My personal go-to goggle for Japow! Incredible high performance low light lens with a close flat to face feel. Ridden by most sponsored riders for good reason.”
SPECS
Frame Size: Large, OTG (Over The Glasses)
Lens Type: Cylindrical
Helmet Compatible: Yes
Series: Line Miner
Warranty: 2 Years
PERKS
+ Helmet Compatibility: All Oakley goggles are designed to fit around any helmet!
+ HDO® Lens Technology – HDO® maximizes clarity and impact resistance, giving you razor sharp clarity at all angles of view.
+ Oakley’s Prizm™ lens technology blocks strategic wavelengths along the color spectrum to maximize contrast between colors.
+ Removable Triple Layer Face Foam.
Oakley Flight Deck
Brenno’s Take: “If having more peripheral vision is important and you don’t mind looking like a spaceman/woman, the Flight Deck’s a good option, offering the same high quality lens tech from Oakley as the Line Miner’s.”
SPECS
Frame Size: Large, OTG (Over The Glasses)
Lens Type: Spherical
Quick Changing Lens System: Yes
Helmet Compatible: Yes
Ski Awards: Freeskier Editor’s Pick, Outside Magazine Gear of the Year
Series: Flight Deck
Warranty: 2 Years
PERKS
+ Lens Sub-Frame Attachment – Fast and easy lens changing.
+ Rimless Lens – Design optimized for unparalleled peripheral vision in every direction.
+ Anti Fog – Dual vented Plutonite® lenses with F3™ coating.
+ Plutonite® Lens Material – Impact resistant, blocks 100% of UVA, UVB, UVC, and harmful blue light. Only Plutonite® stands up to Oakley’s performance standards.
Anon M4
Brenno’s Take: “My previous go-to in-resort goggle, but also a great option for touring and full day missions when conditions can change very quickly. Magnetic lens change makes this easy to change, as well with a magnetic face mask to reduce fogging!”
SPECS
Frame Size: Large, OTG (Over The Glasses)
Lens Type: Cylindrical
Quick Changing Lens System: Yes
Helmet Compatible: Yes
Series: MFI®
Warranty: 1 Year
PERKS
+ Lightweight Dual Molded PC-ABS/TPU Frame
+ Wall-to-Wall Vision – Wall-to-Wall incorporates optimal optics, low-profile frames and 40% thinner face foam, producing an ultra-close fit that eliminates the peripheral vision impairments of typical goggle construction.
+ Frame Height – 103mm
+ Anon Cylindrical Lens Technology
+ Magna-Tech™ Quick Lens Change Technology
Smith Squad XL AF
Brenno’s Take: “New tech from Smith is always exciting! Matched with a gnarly retro fit (has sharks on it, pretttttyyyyy sick), I’m excited to give these a go and see just how good the new features are.”
SPECS
Frame Size: Large
Lens Type: Cylindrical
Helmet Compatible: Yes
Series: Squad
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
PERKS
+ Responsive Fit™ Frame Design
+ ChromaPop™ Lens Technology
+ TLT (Tapered Lens Technology)
+ 5X™ Anti-Fog Inner Lens
+ Includes Bright and Low Light Interchangable Lenses
Giro Method AF
Brenno’s Take: “For the low bridge friends with glasses, this goggle really does the trick. Simple yet clean lines make this goggle a great mid range for an over the glasses(OTG) fit! (Purple Syndrome Colorway)”
SPECS
Frame Size: Large
Lens Type: Cylindrical
Quick Changing Lens System: Yes
Helmet Compatible: Yes
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
PERKS
+ Expansion View (EXV) Frame
+ Injection Molded Cylindrical Lens
+ Slash Seal Lens Interchange System
+ Includes Two VIVID ZEISS® Lenses – One sun/all conditions lens and one low light lens.
+ Anti-Fog Coating – Every Giro goggle lens features an anti-fog coating to keep your vision and riding experience on point.
Anon Kids Tracker AF
SPECS
Frame Size: OTG (Over The Glasses)
Lens Type: Cylindrical
Helmet Compatible: Yes
Warranty: 1 Year
PERKS
+ Lightweight Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) FrameAnon Cylindrical Lens Technology
+ Integral Clarity Technology (ICT) (Anti-Fog)
+ Full Perimeter Channel Venting
+ Dual Layer Face Foam
Brenno’s Take: “Can’t forget the kiddos! These goggles have freakin’ dinos and puppies on them, what’s not to love?”
Essential Lenses To Keep On-Hand
Sold on getting a pair of Line Miners but also want to make sure you’ve got the right lenses for all weather conditions? Most pairs of goggles stocked in Rhythm Japan include Quick Change Lens tech (called something different depending on the brand), allowing you to quickly clip out your lenses and swap them over to better suit the weather conditions.
A few essentials that Brenno reckons you should be keeping on-hand?
Oakley Hi Pink
Oakley Argon
Smith Pro Photochromatic Lens
Anon Tracker Lens
Oakley Hi Pink
Anon Tracker Lens
Smith Pro Photochromatic Lens
Anon Tracker Lens
Protecting Your Goggles
Protect your goggles and you’ll have ’em for years. So if you want to ensure the longevity of your new set of shades, follow these handy tips below!
MAINTENANCE AND CARE
Got a new set and now you’re worried about scratching the lens? Read on to find out the best ways to make sure your favourite set of shades are well maintained and looked after.
- Protect the lens and foam by storing the dry goggle in its protective bag or case. Never let the lens touch any surface – always place facing up.
- Do not use paper products, gloves or other abrasive materials to wipe the lens. Use a soft case or cloth provided.
- Use care when changing the lens. Make sure your hands are clean and dry. Our helpful staff will happily demonstrate how to swap between lenses.
- Never wipe the inside of the lens. Touching the inside lens when wet will damage the anti-fog coating and the goggle may fog.
WAYS TO AVOID FOGGING
- Start with dry goggles. Ensure they are sufficiently dry after each use.
- Avoid resting goggles on your forehead. This exposes the interior to snow and perspiration which causes fogging.
- Try not to tuck your facemask or neck warmer into the goggle. Breathing hot air up into the goggle can also cause fogging.
- If snow/fog should collect inside the goggle, shake out the excess moisture. DO NOT WIPE LENS WHEN WET.
- Allow time for them to dry out.
- Airflow is key! Clear snow off vents and keep moving!
Still thinking about last-minute stocking fillers for this Xmas? A pair of goggles never goes astray… Or, if you’re feeling extra lucky and want to gamble with your loved ones present this year, enter our giveaway to win an exclusive pair of Rene Rinnekangas Pro Model Oakley Line Miner’s!
