Trying to find and purchase the perfect goggles for an upcoming ride? Goggles are the ideal type of eyewear when riding in foggy or dusty weather, and riders don’t even have to worry if it is raining out.
Even better, there are a wide array of styles to consider, offered at multiple price points. However, not all goggles are created equal. As such, it’s up to the rider to find the pair that meets their particular needs and riding style.
Keep in mind, while the look of the goggles is important, it’s not as important as how durable and protective the goggles are. These are factors that need to be considered, as the goggles that are selected are typically the only thing that stands between the rider’s eyes and all the potential hazards of riding.
American Legend Rider offers a wide array of goggle options, with some highlighted here.
Choosing your next pair of motorcycle goggles could be the difference between a fulfilling and safe ride and where your eyes are exposed to all manner of ocular problems.
A sturdy pair of motorcycle goggles will protect your eyes from dust, dirt and eye dryness. Experienced motorcycle riders understand the importance of having the best motorcycle goggles that tick all the boxes when it comes to safety, comfort and style. Since not all motorcycle goggles are made equal— some are better suited for lighter weather conditions and others pretty much all weather conditions—it is vital to choose eyewear that will serve you when you need them the most. When compiling the list of the best motorcycle goggles in 2020, we had to look at several key features that make the best riding goggles stand out from the rest. These key features are explained below.
Other factors to look out for include transition lenses, which can be used interchangeably depending on the lighting conditions, comfort, and style. Keeping this in mind, you will be able to pick out a pair of motorcycle riding goggles that meet your expectations.
Sometimes, your prescription glasses may come in the way when you are trying to put on your motorcycle goggles. And this can be quite a challenge especially if you have eyesight problems. Some people can’t just wear contact lenses for various reasons, and the only option they have left is to wear prescription glasses. These glasses are not the kind you would wear for outdoor activities like swimming much less for motorcycling. It is for this reason that you will need over the glasses motorcycle goggles. Motorcycle goggles over glasses will protect the lens and frame of your prescription eyewear and give you the confidence to enjoy outdoor activities.
Motorcycle goggles are designed to protect your eyes from elements such as wind and rain. But not all goggles are reliable when it comes to preventing rain from dripping into your eyes. While a full-face helmet fixes the rain problem for the most part, some riders simply like to ride with the visor down for fresh air. If you are looking for some great rain goggles, consider ones that are totally sealed with ample foam padding. This is great for keeping water out while fitting snugly around your face. Foam sealed goggles will do a great job to keep out rain drops and prevent fog from forming on the inside. Some have vents that prevent misty fog and allow air flow to your eyes. The vintage biker goggles and the Bobster pilot goggles are good options to begin with. Their snug fit and foam seal ensure that drips are kept out. They are also pretty solid and can fit easily within any type of motorcycle helmet.
Photochromic motorcycle goggles are essential for protecting your eyes in different lighting conditions. During spring when the amount of sunlight exposure is longer, purchasing riding sunglasses might be the best decision. But when the light goes out, they will be of little help in the darkness. This why you need photochromic goggles that adapt to the different lighting conditions without you having to carry an extra pair of riding glasses for when it’s dark. Photochromic riding goggles can be worn both outdoors and indoors. They are comfortable to wear and are perfect for absorbing harmful UV rays. Thanks to latest improvements in lens technology, the speed at which they adapt to different brightness levels is fast enough. They can go from dark to light within seconds and light to dark within a fraction of a second.
Many riders wonder what the real difference is in motorcycle sunglasses and goggles. There are a few differences worth mentioning to help a person better understand what each of these eyewear options has to offer.
The glasses are usually lighter weight and offer more lens choices. They can also be worn when a rider isn’t actually on their bike. Some sunglasses can go inside of a helmet, and they come with anti-fog features.
Goggles, on the other hand, can fit all head sizes and are designed to ensure they don’t fall off while riding. Most goggles are designed to fit around a helmet and provide a better seal and protection against rain, wind, and flying debris. While they are slightly heavier, they are still a lightweight option that doesn’t impede the ride in any way.
The type of goggles a rider chooses are going to be dependent, largely, on what they have to spend and how they plan to use them. There are several mid-range and budget goggles available on the market today, and all of these provide a level of facial and eye protection that is preferable to having none at all.
While this is true, investing in a pair of goggles that are on the higher end of the spectrum are going to provide a number of appealing rewards, such as frame strength, superior optical technology, and other features, including interchangeable lens options.
Regardless of how much a person wants to spend, there are a few things to consider.
Goggle Safety. The main function of goggles is to provide protection and increase a rider’s safety while on their bike. Be sure that any goggles purchased have met the safety certification standards. Impact resistant and tough frame materials, such as polyurethane and polycarbonate) along with scratch-resistant and shatterproof lenses are a must-have.
Vision Quality. Another important safety factor is the ability to clearly see what’s all around the rider at all times. The goggles should provide a level of optical clarity by using a high-quality lens material, along with a superior peripheral vision. No part of the frame should be blocking or obstructing the rider’s view in any way.
UV Protection. The majority of goggles are going to provide a superior level of protection from the UVA rays. However, as the quality of the lens goes up, so do the prices. A higher end goggle is also going to shield the eyes from the full spectrum of the UV rays, which include UVA, UVB, and UVC, along with other types of potentially harmful radiation, including blue light rays or HEV.
Lens Tint: Various colors of lenses are designed to work best in different lighting conditions. For example, an amber or yellow tint is a good option for low or moderately lit riding conditions and darker tints can improve contrast along with a rider’s comfort when riding in bright light. Zero-tint or clear lenses are a smart option for riding at night or during dusk or dawn.
There are some manufacturers that offer interchangeable lenses for their goggles.
When considering lens tint, it’s important to know that the degree to which a lens is tinted is actually a reflection of its VLT or Visible Light Transmission. Any lens with a 0 to 25 percent light transmission is going to be completely clear or just slightly tinted. However, a lens with a 90 percent VLT is extremely dark, and best used only in brightly lit conditions.
In most cases, the darker lenses are only suitable for brighter conditions, and yellow and orange are best for low-lit conditions. In lower light, the rose-colored, amber, and yellow lenses for goggles help to filter out the blue light, which highlights any shadows, so a rider is able to clearly see bumps in the road. These also work well in variable light and foggy conditions, which makes goggles with this color lens a good all-around option.
In brighter light conditions, darker tints, including green, copper, and grey are going to help improve contrast and ensure the eyes remain more comfortable, while mirror coating helps to reflect sunlight so it can’t penetrate through the lens.
Anti-Glare. There are some goggles that can be made with anti-glare treatments, such as polarization. This helps in combatting the often-intense light that is reflected from surfaces, such as wet roads or the snow. However, this is considered a personal choice with some riders regarding the polarized lens as filtering out too much of the light and affecting their quality of vision.
Anti-Fog. The majority of mid- to higher-end goggles are going to be uniquely designed to ensure they don’t fog up due to sweat or moisture. This is typically achieved by using a combination of ventilation and anti-fog treatment on the interior of the lens.
Fit and Comfort. Finding goggles that offer riders a close and a comfortable fit is absolutely essential. It’s important to find goggles that are not too small or too large and that are compatible with the helmet being worn.
If the goggles move about while on the face, they are too big. Also, if any of the interior molding on the goggles is in contact with the outer eye socket, then the goggles are too small. The majority of manufacturers provide different models to work for different faces.
One of the best ways to ensure that the right fit is purchased is by having a rider measure their head prior to making a purchase. When measuring, be sure to measure the width of the face, between both of the temples, and for the depth, measure from the center of the cheekbone to just over the eyebrow. These measurements are going to let a person know where the goggle’s foam is going to sit on the face and can help a rider find the perfect pair of goggles based on the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
There are many goggles manufacturers who now offer goggles specially designed for children’s faces, as “female-specific” models, and in youth sizes. Regardless of the goggles selected, it’s crucial they fit well and that they are compatible with the type of helmet the rider plans to use. If this isn’t checked, then the goggles may actually impede the ability a rider has to wear their helmet properly.
Look and Style. The look of the goggles should not be a top concern; however, it is something that most riders are going to take into consideration when they make plans for this purchase. The good news is there are a wide array of durable, well-made goggles available to choose from, that are also extremely stylish.
While the look of the goggles is something most people want to consider, it should come secondary to the level of protection offered by the goggles being considered.
There are several types of goggles to choose from, each one having unique features to consider.
Ski or snowboard goggles: This type of lens offers a much wider field of vision and are able to be worn with a helmet or without one. The lens tint on these is crucial for combating glare and improving contrast when driving on snow-covered surfaces, allowing a rider to clearly see any troughs and bumps up ahead.
MX goggles: These provide a durable level of eye protection and can be worn with the full-face motocross helmets. Some of the features include tear-offs, and the help to combat roost buildup.
MTB goggles: The majority of DH riders are going to opt for the standard MX googles; however, there are some manufacturers that offer a pared-down and lighter weight version that is targeted to the MTB market.
OTG Goggles: This type of goggle is designed to be worn over the prescription glasses and provide an option for riders who wear glasses to see clearly and who don’t want to purchase a pair of prescription glasses.
It’s important to carefully consider the factors and information here to find the right goggles. All riders need to use some type of eye protection when riding, and the goggles found here make a great option to protect from road debris and the potentially dangerous light.
