Photo courtesy of Yamamoto Optical
In the middle of the season, manufacturers are already holding exhibitions in various places to unveil their new models for the 2023-24 season. We asked manufacturer PR representatives at various locations, including individual manufacturer exhibitions, collective trade shows, and snow test ride events, about the new models and hot topics that are attracting attention for the 2023-24 season
This time, we spoke to SWANS at the SNOW SPORTS Joint Exhibition (held from February 14th at Pacifico Yokohama) about the company that has continued to evolve snow eyewear using the optical technology it has cultivated over its 110-year history since its founding
"OUTBACK" debuts, breaking into uncharted territory!
For the past nine years, SWANS has been offering the "A-BLOW System," a system that forces ventilation by opening and closing the lenses to remove moisture that has accumulated inside the goggles. The A-BLOW System works by opening a lever on the side of the goggles, which pushes the lenses forward, creating a gap between the lens and the frame, automatically promoting air circulation. It can be operated even while wearing gloves, making it highly effective and immediate, making it a truly convenient and groundbreaking technology
For the 2023-2024 season, SWANS will release a new model, the "OUTBACK," equipped with the A-BLOW system. This will likely be SWANS' most anticipated item for next season
While the company has previously developed spherical goggles, OUTBACK is the first to use cylindrical lenses. By exploring uncharted territory, the goggles offer a clean shape and a wide, distortion-free field of view. The flat lenses also make the frame itself slightly flatter, providing a flexible fit. Another benefit is that they provide a better fit even for those who previously felt a gap around the nose. The double frame structure combines a flexible fit with the rigidity of a solid frame, making them compatible with glasses
The "OUTBACK" line is available in a choice of excellent photochromic lenses that use SWANS's proud photochromic technology to reduce UV rays to minute amounts, as well as the MIT lens series, the world's only mirror lenses that do not peel off
▼OUTBACK explanatory video (by Nakamura from Marketing)
Smart goggles that use electricity and wind to eliminate fog
Goggles are inevitably prone to fogging due to natural physics, but these goggles will be equipped with ventilation functions that use electricity or wind to remove fogging. Other notable models include the "HELI" goggles, which are equipped with a micro turbo fan that uses a fan built into the goggles to remove fogging, and the "RACAN" from the XED series, which uses heated lenses to remove fogging
HELI uses a micro turbo fan built into the top of the goggles to suck up moisture from inside the goggles and release it. The smart feature is that the fan only turns on automatically when the humidity inside the goggles rises due to a humidity sensor
The RACAN lenses have a transparent heating element that heats them up, completely preventing fogging and freezing. The entire goggle heats up to about 35-40°, evaporating water vapor, providing excellent anti-fogging performance and maintaining good visibility even in blizzards and extremely cold weather. This is a model you can rely on for safety
▼RACAN explanatory video
Unfudge x SWANS collaboration model
This is a collaboration model with the popular domestic snowwear brand "unfudge," known for its stylish style. To match the functional and fashionable Unfudge brand, two RIDGELINE models equipped with the A-BLOW system and one RACAN model are available with lens specifications suited to the Japanese climate. SWANS, proud of being a Japanese brand, also released a collaboration model with HAKUBA VALLEY last season, highlighting their commitment to being made in Japan
▼Unfudge explanatory video
Official website: https://www.swans.co.jp/
Social media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube