Ide like to buy a pair of goggles for when Im hiking big mnts in the winter. However I have no experience with goggles. Ide prefer a clear lens with good anti fogging capabilities. My buget is about fifty to seventy bucks. Anyone use goggles for hiking and if so some recommendations/experiences would be great.
Thanks all!
Hey neighbor, this topic came up with balaclava use last winter and i will refer you to that thread to review:
Just ask if that doesn't help:)
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31928&highlight=ski+goggles
Toolshed
11-27-2008, 22:55
I have been using several pairs of Nordic ski goggles for many years. I have a clear and a yellow - My eyelashes froze shut in the daks one year, so I dug them out of storage. Anything with side vents and a wide band would work great. I found I liked the yellow better than the clear for contrast - especially in lower light conditions or blowing snow.
I think I use Scott clear and Nordica Yellow, but I am sure there have been many improvements over the years. In addition, rather than a balaclava (Which I keep as a spare in my winter sleeping bag pocket) I switched to a neoprene face mask in the early 90's and have been very pleased with the goggle neoprene mask combo. The neoprene stands up to frozen snot and continues to insulate much better than the balaclava.
sheepdog
11-27-2008, 23:02
I like amber much better also. It brightens the bad light and helps with snow glare.
Most ski goggles are in the amber hew for the reason: contrast. It actually helps you see better in glare coming off the snow.
As for which one, any brand name will do. $70 is a rather large budget if you are stowing them "just in case" (e.g. not using them for extensive alpine skiing or above tree line mountaineering).
FWIW, I do a lot of backcountry skiing (mainly nordic ski touring (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_touring#Backcountry_Nordic), and the occasional big-bowl telemark skiing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_touring#Telemark) I snowshow once in a great while, too
) and find that the $10 sunglasses with UVA an UVB protection work well 90% of the time. The other 10% of the time (when the wind picks up above treeline!), I have them stowed just in case. As such, I just use inexpensive ones I picked up used for $10 in a used ski shop. Similar to these budget ones from Campmor (same, brand, too)
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___86969
As for face protection, I believe in the layer approach as well. I use a hat, a balaclava (a light one that does not cover up the entire face) currently and a neoprene mask. I like to be able to mix and match as the conditions warrant.
Balaclava/Hat/Mask mixture photos that help show this mix:
(My current setup. Jan 2008)
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16306&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=9b7269e0127675108ae6001d1d0952b4
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16646&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=9b7269e0127675108ae6001d1d0952b4
(One of my few photos with goggles. I am at over 13k ft in December in this photo Dec 2005. I also went to Xmas party the night before and was a bit tired....and hungover. :o)
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=5577&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=9b7269e0127675108ae6001d1d0952b4
I recently wrote an intro to snowhoe doc that may be good for a high level overview of winter activities if you are curious:
From http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/Outdoor-Writings/intro-to-snowshoeing.html
HEADWEAR
Keeping the noggin' warm is very important in winter. With so much body heat escaping from your head (esp. if you are bald like me!), it is important to keep in the heat via good head cover. Adequate management of your head gear can mean the difference between being too cold, too hot (and soaked in sweat) or just right.
The basic components that I find useful for head gear are:
Wool or Fleece Hat: Your standard winter hat. Too cold? Thrown on a hat! Too warm? Take it off! Your most important piece of winter gear in my opinion for regulating body temperature.
Balaclava (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaclava_%28clothing%29) : AKA the Ninja Ski Mask. Not to be confused with a delicious pastry... A very versatile piece of clothing. I find a lightweight one to be the most useful. Roll it up for a light hat, roll it down for a neck warmer, roll it over your ears to be worn with a ball cap, wear it normally for more warmth and protection in the high winds and cold.
Sun Hat: When it is not cold out, or you just need light headgear, a simple ball cap will keep the sun off your face. Some people like a broader brimmed hat in the winter.
Neoprene face mask: In very cold and windy conditions, the combo of a winter hat, a balaclava and this mask is very useful. I keep it stowed in my pack at all times "just in case".
Goggles: When the wind is blowing fierce, esp if you are in an area with little-to-no tree cove, the goggles make sure you can see! You don't have to buy anything fancy, even used $10 work well for most people.
Note: For the beginner snowshoer, who is probably sticking to lower elevation trails, items 4 and 5 can be purchased at a later time. As you go to higher elevations or places with more exposure, you'll definitely want those two items!
Wise Old Owl
11-28-2008, 16:33
Appears everyone is on target with this answer - balaclava's fog sunglasses too much to be useful.