Windows to Snow

Boulder, CO, Mar. 5, 2001–Given the slightest amount of blue sky and sun, skiers and snowboarders choose shades with almost as much frequency as they choose goggles to block out the elements. But rarely does anyone get to try out a pair before purchase against changing light conditions, wind, and active movement. Since function is even more important than style on the slopes, SkiNet has taken this opportunity to rate and suggest some of the hottest shades on the market.

Categories

Fit is an indication of how well the glasses stayed in place on the face, with special attention paid to any pressure points and tearing of the eyes.
Lens denotes the degree to which the glasses blocked sunlight and whether they increased or decreased contrast in the snow.
Style comments on whether or not we would leave the house in these shades.
Lens Switch represents the ease of changing lenses of shades in the interchangeable lens system category.

Ratings

All ratings are an average compilation of the skier’s individual scores. All glasses were not all worn by all skiers, but each pair was worn by at least two skiers under a variety of changing light conditions. Each pair was examined on Fit, Lens, and Style. Glasses with interchangeable lenses were also scored on the facility of changing lens.

1– I should’ve stuck with my aviators
2– Sporty-schmorty
3– Oooooh
4– Aaaahhhhh
5– Can I keep these?

******** INTERCHANGEABLE LENS SYSTEM ********

Rudy Project Kerosene
Fit: 5
Lens: 5
Style: 3
Lens Switch: 3
Comments:
“One of the most solid and comfortable frames.”
“Simply the best”
“Definitely built for an active lifestyle.”
“Changing lenses was difficult and time-consuming. I thought I would break the frame.”
“The look was a little too hardcore for my tastes.”
“The Laser Blue and Racing Red Lens functioned amazingly. The blue lens blocked the sun and maintained contrast in high light conditions and the red lens helped decipher the snow texture in lower light conditions.”

Smith Mainline
Fit: 4
Lens: 4
Style: 4
Lens Switch: 4
Comments:
“Changing lenses was quick and easy.”
“Pretty good fit- they bounced a bit on my face, but were very comfortable and secure under my hat.”
“Frame feels a little flimsy, like it might snap while changing lenses.”
“I liked the orange and yellow lenses the best. The dark lens didn’t provide much protection from the sun.”
“Made for a wide face.”

Smith Toaster
Fit: 3
Lens: 4
Style: 4
Lens Switch: 4
Comments:
“Hugs head well and they fit great under my helmet. I think they probably fit a narrow, female face better than most shades.”
“Nose and ear pads are comfy and stabilized the frame well.”
“Interchangeable lens system is great for different light conditions on the slope as well as moving into an aprés look.”
“It took longer to find the extra lenses in my jacket than it did to change them.”

******** FIXED LENS ********

Arnette Swinger
Fit: 3
Lens: 4
Style: 4
Comments:
“Lens was great for picking up contrast and blocking the sun.”
“The ear pieces were a little short and my eyes teared the whole way down.”
“More stylish on a slightly wider face.””Didn’t block the wind at all.”

Dragon Box
Fit: 3
Lens: 3
Style: 3
Comments:
“Ear pieces pinched my temples a little and gave me a headache.”
“The lens wasn’t dark enough for super sunny days, but brought out contrast in the snow very well.”
“Blocked the wind pretty well if I pushed the shades right up against the bridge of my nose.”
“Not for people with a big noggin.”
“Bounced all over my face in the bumps.”

DragoLucy
Fit: 4
Lens: 2
Style: 5
Comments:
“These were light, comfortable, and didn’t move or have any pressure points.”
“I was kind of annoyed that I could see the bottom of the frame while I was wearing them.”
“Not for active wear – too dark for inside wear.”
“I was hit on by five guys on my way to the bar.”

Dragon Twin
Fit: 3
Lens: 4
Style: 5
Comments:
“Lens was nice but not dark enough for high sunlight days. Brought out contrasts nicely.”
“Slipped around on my face some.”
“Wind got around the frame and made my eyes tear.”
“Super stylish look that fits on most faces.”

Oakley Eye Jacket 2.0
Fit: 5
Lens: 4
Style: 4
Comments:
“Great fit and blocked the wind almost as well as goggles.”
“A little wide for almost any face. Definitely not for women.”
“I cried like a baby at high speeds.”
“Lens is a bit dark for all but the sunniest days.”
“Extended temples and rubber nosepads made for great comfort and no slipping.”

Oakley Full Metal
Fit: 5
Lens: 4
Style: 5
Comments:
“Silver frame + fire lens = As hard core as the Wu Tang Clan.”
“Extended temples made for added comfort and no slippage.”
“Pretty good wind-blockage though my eyes teared a bit at high speeds.”
“I thought the lens would be super-dark, but it wasn’t and brought the contrast in the snow out very well.”

Rudy Project Poonga
Fit: 3
Lens: 4
Style: 5
Comments:
“Great fit, very comfortable, no pressure points”
“The lens was great for low-light days but not dark enough for bright days”
“My eyes teared a bunch on the way down.”
“Stylin’!”
“Comfortable, but not very secure.”

Scott Seventy 5
Fit: 5
Lens: 4
Style: 4
Comments:
“Classic sunglasses fit and a classic sporty look.”
“Bounced a bit in the bumps.”
“Too square for many faces.”
“My eyelashes brushed against most of the sunglasses, but not these- great fit.”
“Decent coverage from the wind, though my eyes teared a bit.”
“Great lens for bright light days.”

Spy HybridScoop
Fit: 4
Lens: 4
Style: 4
Comments:
“One of the most secure fits of any shades I wore.”
“Lens was great for blocking the sun without sacrificing visibility of the terrain.”
“Snug! I got punched in the face and my frames didn’t even move- those rubber earpieces are awesome.”
“New school look and a little boxy, but fits well and looks good on nearly any face.”

Spy MicroScoop
Fit: 5
Lens: 5
Style: 5
Commets:
“These are the all-around bomb-diggity!”
“Great, snug fit, though I began to feel some pressure building behind my ears.”
“Lens seemed to darken under high-light conditions and vice versa. Very cool.”
“Best looking and one of the best fitting shades I wore.””Very secure fit. Maybe too secure- after another 10 minutes I might have felt some pain behind my ears.”

Contact Information

Arnette: www.arnette.com
Dragon: www.dragonoptical.com
Oakley: www.oakley.com
Rudy Project: www.rudyprojectusa.com
Scott: www.scottusa.com
Smith: www.smithsport.com
Spy: www.spyeyes.com

The Team
Nikki Cox: Winter Park, CO ski instructor and all around hottie.
Ryan Miller: Competitive freestyle skier, FREEZE Magazine Promotions Assistant, and 24/7 radical and aggressive mastermind.
Trina Hosmer: Ex-Middlebury College racer and rippin’ freeskier extraordinaire.
Ben Rifkin: Ex-Dartmouth College racer and coordinator of test, probably planted facedown in a tree-well somewhere off-piste.
Jaime Frattaroli: Snowboard goddess soon to be trying cases at a court near you.
Carolyn Bruce: The queen of style and carve, Carolyn probably turned your head at least once in the liftline.e queen of style and carve, Carolyn probably turned your head at least once in the liftline.