One of the downsides of not skiing this season is that I am unable to experience some new and interesting products in a skiing environment. I make clear in each article I’ve written about these products that it is not a product review. These pieces may be about the product’s features and benefits and how I think it will benefit other senior skiers, but, at least for this season, these product articles are not full reviews based on my on-hill experience.
That said, I’ve been using my new SnowVision prescription ski goggles in a number of non-skiing settings. SnowVision is a Belgian company that advertises with SeniorsSkiing.com. It utilizes a patented lens technology that integrates the prescription lens into the inner lens of the goggle. The picture accompanying this article explains it quickly.
A Better Rx Goggle
The SnowVision approach has numerous advantages over goggles using prescription lens inserts or over-the-glasses (OTG) goggles. The most obvious is the total lack of fogging. I believe that has something to do with the face to lens distance. I’ve used SnowVision while hiking on a cold, wintery day and fogging never occurred. I can’t imagine it would be an issue while skiing.
I’ve never found OTG goggles acceptable. My experience is they fog-up too easily. Also, with prescription inserts, there’s always the issue of matching the insert with the correct goggle. Once, after purchasing the insert, I had to search for a compatible goggle.
Perhaps the most significant and satisfying difference between SnowVision and other prescription goggles is the clarity and full range of vision. My prescription-insert goggles provide decent enough vision looking straight ahead. SnowVision, however, gives full, clear vision at the periphery. This, because the integrated prescription lens, like the goggle’s outer lens, is curved. The difference in vision is dramatic.
SnowVision prescription lenses are available as unifocals, progressives or bifocals. The company sent me a pair with bifocals. In all my years wearing glasses, this is the first time with bifocals, and I adjusted immediately. Also, the lenses are fully photochromic: they darken when conditions are lighter and lighten when conditions get dark.
But I have not yet skied with SnowVision, so I can’t comment on their effectiveness in flat light and other on-hill conditions. As for comfort of fit, hiking in a cold and snowy forest, they provided excellent, fog-free vision.
The Belgian company has its goggle components manufactured by high-quality vendors in Germany, Italy and Japan. That quality is reflected in the design and robust look and performance of SnowVision.
Price ranges start about $300 for the unifocal. The custom-made goggle comes in a box with a cloth carrying case, a lens-cover and free shipping, worldwide.
I’ll write a full review when I’m back on snow next season, but, in the meanwhile, if you’re like me and rely on prescription goggles, SnowVision offers a unique, new approach which I think is superior to the existing options.
I have been using the Smith OTG Turbo fan model since they were introduced more than 20 years ago. I’m now on my 2nd pair purchased about 7 years ago.
I wear the Smith OTG goggle in combination with a Smith helmet.
Absolutely fabulous-never a problem with my glasses fogging. Whenever fogging begins, simply switch the fan on.
My glasses are progressive bifocals.
Prior to Smith’s introduction of OTG goggles with fan, I used Bolle goggles with insert, never worked well.
I’d stay away from the SnowVision system and buy the Smith OTG turbo model
I’ve owned a few pairs of Smith’s OTG Turbo Goggle. Three things I recall about the product: 1) fan wires broke rather easily (I hope they’ve corrected that problem); 2) occassionally the fan jammed; 3) on powder days when exertion made me run hot, the damn things fogged, even with fan running. Perhaps my metabolism caused that to happen. One last thing: I recall a fall in powder when the goggle filled with snow. Its a good product, but, IMO has some serious limitations. Jon
Haven’t had a problem with the Smith OTG Turbo in 3 seasons until this year with the advent of having to use a face mask over the nose and mouth with the goggle and the Turbo. The glasses are prone to fog up this season but hopefully the issuer is short lived. I’m. Smith Optics fan due to their excellent customer service.
Is this a Smith OTG forum?!
I have been a long time contact lens user and accordingly don’t have issues with matching goggles to glasses but my wife isn’t able to wear contacts and accordingly has to struggle with glasses in goggles
I am very interested in whether any people have experience with these Snowvision goggles?
For years, there was an integrated lens like this but they could only accept prescriptions up to like 4 diopters, this seems to say plus or minus 8 which may be the same. This is the way to go if you can do it. I went through 2 or 3 Smith Turbo Fan goggles, they warranty the motor and electronics for life, they repaired couple times for me. The farther the corrective lens is away from the heat of the face, the less it will fog. Which is why I went away from glasses underneath to a butterfly shaped insert. Thankfully now I’ve had cataract surgery which corrected my vision. I still am using a turbo fan with no insert, just in case I run into a high humidity day which causes fog. Seems warm, snowy days then humidity is high are the worst. I was really prone to fogging. I tried all kinds of anti fog applications.
A simple fix I stumbled on was to put goggles on inside before going out into the cold, and just lifting them a small amount for a couple seconds if they did fog. Then I got lasic surgery. That was the best!
Just a quick note to all the Smith Turbo fans, that model has been discontinued a few years back .They still use the turbo fan in a Tactical model, used by first responders, but not in an Alpine models. With mandatory mask wearing in lift lines and around the Resort this product is surely missed.
Am so sorry to hear that the Smith Rx Turbo fans model has been discontinued! I used them so many years ago, and they were the ONLY answer to my foggy glasses-under-goggles dilemma! Will be interested to hear comments from users of SnowVision. (Tho now I’ve developed a cataract, so who knows WHAT I’ll require in the future!!) Ah the fun of being an ageing Baby Boomer!! 😮
Looks like they only offer three colors for the lenses red, blue or green. Which would work best for flat gray days?
I use a Smith IO Mag and they were relatively new so I did not want to replace them. I took. my eye glass prescription to GogglesNMore and they made an insert for my IOs. Perfect fit and the cost was about $210. They have different templates that fit a wide variety of goggle brands/models..