20 Years of Evolution in a Brand, Alongside the Challenges of Masahiro Yamaki | GIRO

Founded in 1999 as a helmet brand, GIRO ventured into the new field of goggles in 2008. Skier Masahiro Yamaki has been using GIRO products in the field since its early days. Join him as we trace GIRO's evolution

Chapter 1: The Adventure That Began Together

For nearly 20 years, Masahiro Yamaki has skied on snow-covered mountains all over the world. Not only in Japan, but also in South America, he has skied down Pisco Peak on the majestic Mt. Alpamayo in Peru, and raced down the steep slopes of Pequeño Alpamayo in Bolivia. In the Canadian Rockies, he skied down the towering Mt. Clemenceau, and he has also embarked on a ski expedition to Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia

For someone like him, who skis on so many different mountains, goggles are an indispensable partner for navigating the rapidly changing weather and complex terrain to find the right skiing line. Yamaki recalls the first time he got his hands on a pair of GIRO goggles in 2008

"At first, I wondered what it would be like for a helmet manufacturer to release goggles... After all, it was their first year's product. To be honest, I was quite skeptical."

It's understandable that Yamaki would think that. Even brands that have been around for decades often have problems with their first production run

However, Yamaki saw great potential and room for growth there. He felt that together they could create the best goggles

During the South American expedition, following goggle testing in New Zealand, we encountered situations involving long hikes in bad weather. As we moved, our breathing became increasingly heavy, and the heat and humidity emanating from our bodies made us acutely aware of the quality of our gear and gave us insight into what we were lacking

Chapter 2: Innovative Lenses and Fit in 2014

GIRO goggles reached a major turning point in 2014. They became the first in the industry to partner with Zeiss, a company founded in 1846 with a global track record in camera lenses and medical optical equipment. Zeiss's lenses, which are distortion-free and provide an extremely clear field of view, are surprisingly sharp and have high resolution in snowy mountain conditions, allowing skiers to instantly grasp the terrain. As clear vision was maintained, skier performance also improved proportionally

"When I looked through the lens, the scenery looked completely new. I could see even the slightest undulations on the snow surface, regardless of the shadows, as if I could hold it in my hand. More than that, I felt that the fact that the historic Zeiss brand was used in the product made it feel more complete as an item."

At the same time, development of a Japan-fit helmet for Japanese skiers also began in earnest. To do this, GIRO first visited ski resorts and shops in Japan and meticulously measured the skeletal data of Japanese people. They thinned the foam on the sides and focused on adjusting the shape of the foam around the nose, designing the helmet to improve the fit down to the millimeter

"Around this time, the frames had become significantly larger compared to the earlier models. Because the surface area was larger, the arch inevitably became steeper. Even so, because they fit snugly to the face, the fine snow that was kicked up when skiing on fresh snow didn't get into the goggles at all, and it no longer bothered me."

The goggles, which combine the overwhelming field of view provided by Zeiss lenses, a Japan Fit that flexibly adapts to the shape of the face, and the highly acclaimed EXV technology that widens the field of view, are a trinity that will boost Yamaki's performance

Chapter 3: The revolutionary clarity brought about by VIVID lenses

In adverse weather conditions and flat light, even in a world where visibility is obscured by fog, the VIVID lens, introduced in 2018, accurately captures the snow surface and draws smooth lines. It was in these environments that the performance was further enhanced

The VIVID lens, jointly developed by Zeiss and GIRO, efficiently captures blue light to enhance contrast on snow, clearly highlighting even the slightest undulations and shadows on the ski base. This perfectly resonated with Yamaki's sensibilities

"The contrast has improved dramatically. Even in a blizzard, the unevenness of the snow surface is clearly visible, allowing me to draw the lines I want."

Generally, the rule of thumb is to choose bright lenses on cloudy or snowy days. However, Yamaki has always preferred using darker lenses with reduced light transmission. This is because individual vision varies. He aims for a state where the terrain is clearly visible even in dark environments

"If you make the lenses too bright on a cloudy day, too much light will come in, and the shadows and unevenness of the snow surface will disappear, making them invisible. Simply making them darker will worsen visibility, but with VIVID lenses, even on cloudy days when the light tends to be flat, the shadows on the snow surface are clearly highlighted, allowing you to see the terrain between the trees and the subtle changes in the undulations, making it easier to determine your line and ski."

In 2026, the "VIVID Plus Photochromic Lens" will be released, which naturally changes color even in extreme cold. The change is gradual, but the lenses change seamlessly and received high praise from riders who tested them. This is also a sign that VIVID lenses have entered a new phase

Chapter 4: Perfected Tools and Playful Designs

Currently, Yamaki places his absolute trust in the "Contour," which boasts an overwhelming field of view and a magnetic lens exchange system, and the "Reverb," ​​which has a robust frame

"What I love most about the 'Contour' is the excellent balance of functionality, fit, and field of view, and I use it as my main goggles throughout the season. The 'Reverb' is incredibly robust and reassuring in protecting the lenses even during tough mountain climbs. Unexpected accidents are bound to happen, such as hitting trees or branches, skis unexpectedly falling and the edges hitting the goggles when changing modes, or even just falling. It's a relief to be able to handle them roughly."

Interestingly, despite using GIRO goggles for nearly 20 years, Yamaki has few dramatic stories where he says, "The goggles saved me." Why is that?

"We take goggles for granted; we take them for granted that they'll work and that we'll be able to see through them. We've become so used to them being in good condition that we forget to even think about it."

When it's functioning without any problems, you don't even think about it. That's what speaks volumes about the high level of perfection GIRO's products have achieved. That absolute sense of security has become like an indispensable part of his mountain climbing

Overwhelming reliability. And sophisticated design. Masahiro Yamaki's endless skiing and the GIRO products that accompany him will undoubtedly continue to paint clear and beautiful lines in a pure white world

Model used

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Photo = Joe Kobashi, Hiroya Nakata

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