Photo courtesy of TALEX
In backcountry skiing (BC), where you have to deal with ever-changing weather and a variety of terrain, visibility is paramount for a safe and comfortable skiing experience. In the unique terrain of BC, where the vast snow surface is dazzling and UV rays are high, goggles alone are not enough. Even on sunny days, sweat can cause your goggles to fog up and make you hot... Sunglasses are also a necessity. Here, we introduce some of the favorite sunglasses of professional BC guides
OAKLEY Half Jacket 2.0
Packed with unique technology, the definitive edition that is "highly visible, lightweight, durable, and stays in place."
This model is based on Oakley's most popular sports sunglasses, the Flac 2.0. The 8.75 curve is designed to wrap around the eyes, ensuring a wide field of view and distortion-free vision. The frame is made of Oakley's proprietary material, which is flexible, impact-resistant, lightweight, and comfortable to wear
The nose pads and temple arms are made of a material that becomes more adhesive and grippy as it absorbs sweat and other moisture, creating an exceptional fit with Oakley's exclusive grip technology. The lenses enhance color and contrast, making it easier to see the boundaries between your surroundings and sharpening details with Oakley's exclusive PRIZM™ lens technology, which also features polarization. The lenses are also interchangeable
LENS: Prizm Black Polarized Lens
visible light transmittance: 18%
REVIEW
Makoto Kuroda | Kuroda Mountain Guide Office
The lenses are interchangeable, so you can adjust them to suit the weather and they're easy to use. The lighter lenses help you draw better lines when visibility is poor.
◆Official website／ https://www.oakley.com/ja-jp/custom-product/0OO9144CP
OAKLEY｜Latch (Low Bridge Fit)
It comes with a clip that can be hung around your neck, making it super convenient and fashionable!
"Latch" was born from a design collaboration with the skateboarding world. "Latch" means a hook or a latch. The name comes from the innovative latch piece that clips to a T-shirt. Hanging sunglasses around your neck is not only fashionable, but also extremely convenient for mountain climbing. If you need to take off your sunglasses mid-hike, simply resting them on your head can be a worry, as they may fall off. Latch keeps them securely in place.
The frame is made of lightweight O Matter™. The Square O metal icon accents add a cool touch, while the rounded lens curves create a unique look. The lenses are equipped with OAKLEY's renowned Prizm™ lens technology, which enhances color and contrast, making it easier to distinguish the boundaries of your surroundings and providing a clear view of every detail. Polarized and Iridium® lenses are also available as options. Authentic Oakley prescription lenses are also available. The curve of the round lens creates a unique atmosphere.
The "Low Bridge Fit" is an Asian fit type. The lens shape, frame angle, and nose piece ensure a comfortable fit even for those with low noses. This is sure to please many Japanese people
LENS: Prizm Grey Gradient Lens
Color: 5 colors
REVIEW
Nakajima Riki |
RIKI JAPOW GUIDEIt 's extremely lightweight and simple, so it doesn't take up much space when folded.It can be stored in even the smallest of spaces, so it's easy to keep with you wherever you go.
◆Official website／ https://www.oakley.com/ja-jp/product/W0OO9349
OUTLAND｜BAATARA
Sunglasses that shine with Yamamoto Kogaku's technology, which is well-versed in the Japanese face
OUTLAND is a sunglasses brand produced by Yamamoto Kogaku, a long-established Japanese eyewear manufacturer with over 100 years of tradition. They are also well-known for their SWANS ski goggles and DICE snowboard goggles. Yamamoto Kogaku is well-versed in the Japanese head, so naturally, their sunglasses utilize the advanced technology they have cultivated through their goggle development. Many of their lenses are equipped with the same technology as goggles, such as "ULTRA Lens" and "PHOTOCHROMIC."
Professional guides in the backcountry have a high level of trust in Yamamoto Kogaku's technical capabilities, and BAATARA is one of their most popular models. It's packed with useful features to suit any situation.
The nose pads can be adjusted to fit the height of your nose, and the temple arms can be bent and stretched to fit your head. The detachable side hoods block out light, wind, dust, and other elements from the sides. A leash cord can be attached to the end of the temples, allowing you to conveniently hang the glasses around your neck. There's also less risk of losing them. It even comes with an original case with a strap.
OL-108 / DMSM
The OL-108/DMSM is equipped with a "PHOTOCHROMIC" function that changes color (dimming) according to environmental changes. With a visible light transmittance of 47% to 17%, it can adapt to changing weather conditions on snowy mountains. This is a new color for the 2022 model
LENS: SILVER MIRROR + PHOTOCHROMIC
Visible light transmittance: 47%⇔17%
OL-107/GRY
The OL-107/GRY is equipped with Yamamoto Kogaku's proud lens technology, ULTRA LENS, a polarized lens that is effective in bad weather such as snow and rain. By emphasizing specific color ranges according to the purpose and use, objects can be seen clearly and visibility is improved, making it extremely useful in the backcountry
LENS: ULTRA ICE BLUE + MULTI COAT (POLARIZED)
Visible light transmittance: 29%
REVIEW
Akiko Nakae | Epic Japan
I love that they're light and come with a leash cord. I regularly lose or damage my sunglasses, so cost-effectiveness is key.
Ryuta Furuichi | Mountain Guide Coyote
The polarized lenses block scattered reflections from the snow surface, making them very easy to see. They also come with a detachable side hood, which, when worn, blocks scattered reflections from the snow surface, wind, and dust, making them perfect for spring skiing. As they're made by a Japanese manufacturer, they fit my face perfectly. These are reliable sunglasses.
◆Official website: www.outland1995.jp
POC｜DEFINE
Equipped with high-level clarity lenses developed in collaboration with CARL ZEISS
Featuring Clarity Lens Technology, developed in collaboration with optics industry leader Carl Zeiss, Clarity Lens technology controls the color spectrum to enhance contrast, providing sharper vision in any environment
The frame is made of Grilamid, which is elastic, lightweight, and durable, and the nose pads and temple arms are made of hydrophilic rubber that retains its grip even when wet. The grip of these nose pads and temples ensures that the sunglasses stay in place even during performances. The nose pads can be adjusted to fit your nose
Color: 9 colors
REVIEW
Tsukahara Satoshi | Hokkaido Backcountry Guys
: Great fit and light weight!
POC｜REQUIRE
Versatile enough for everything from snowy mountains to the city, it provides clear visibility anywhere
This all-around model features a popular classic frame design and is designed using high-performance materials and parts. The lightweight Grilamid frame with in-mold hinges and hydrophilic rubber nose pads provide a comfortable fit
The Clarity lenses offer superior optical performance compared to conventional nylon lenses, ensuring clear vision in all situations, from snowy mountains to everyday life. Polarized models are also available, cutting out diffused reflections and reducing glare
Color: 8 colors
REVIEW
Tomohiro Shagawa | COLOR SPORT CLUB
With a design that matches any scene and a flexible rigidity, it fits comfortably on the face. The flexible material will cover even a little rough use.
◆Official website: https://www.full-marks.com/poc/
SMITH｜LOWDOWN2
Lowdown 2 Matte Black Marble
Lowdown 2 Tortoise
Lowdown 2 Matte Black
Compared to the early Lowdown models, the frame itself is thinner and the lens curve has been changed to 4-base. The style is a 1970s Wellington with a SMITH twist, and is simple yet sophisticated and stylish
The glasses also feature SMITH's proprietary chromapop lens technology, which controls the three primary colors of light to provide a clearer view. Guides have praised the lenses for their outstanding clarity and ability to see the fine details of uneven snow surfaces on snowy mountains. 100% UV protection reduces glare from reflected light, and the polarized lenses ensure clear vision and reduce eye fatigue.
Matte Black Marble is a hot new color for the 2022 model.
Includes hard case
Lens: ChromaPop Polarized Violet Mirror.
REVIEW
Ryuta Asahi | Rhythm Works
It's a 70s Wellington style, but it fits well and is stylish with a sophisticated simplicity that follows the trends of the time.
Toyokazu Nakano | Infield A
classic model that is easy to wear and easy to see, it's perfect for any occasion, from driving to backcountry tours.
◆Official website: https://smithjapan.co.jp/
SMITH｜Resolve
Equipped with SMITH's chromapop lens that provides overwhelmingly clear vision
Resolve French Navy
Resolve White
Resolve Matte Black
The Resolve was originally a popular Japanese-designed model called the Reactor MK2, and was later renamed the Resolve in its home country. In the untouched backcountry, being able to see the snow surface clearly is crucial for safe climbing and skiing. It features SMITH's signature ChromaPop lens, which controls the balance of light and provides a clear view that makes objects stand out
The nose section also changes to provide an excellent fit. The upper part of the lens is ventilated, providing excellent anti-fog protection. Packed with features, SMITH also includes two sets of lenses, making it extremely versatile. All three colors above are new for the 2022 model
Includes two sets of
lenses
with hard case - ChromaPop Rose Gold Mirror
- Clear
REVIEW
Ito Hiroki | Vertical Land
The visibility is clear and it is easy to use when skiing or climbing.
◆Official website: https://smithjapan.co.jp/
SMITH｜WILDCAT
Provides a wide field of view like SMITH goggles
WILDCAT White
Wildcat Matte Cement
Wildcat Matte Safari
WILDCAT is an all-around sunglasses inspired by goggles. Its appearance is very similar to goggles. It has a hybrid frame made of durable TR90, which is used in sunglasses, and flexible TPU, which is used in goggles. SMITH's proud chromapop lens provides a wide field of view with clear vision. While maintaining a wide field of view like goggles, it is comfortable because it does not sacrifice breathability
White and Matte Safari are new colors for the 2022 model
hard case and
2 sets of lenses
REVIEW
Takeo Yu | Bantei ~bamboo tail~
With a wide field of view, UV rays are barely visible to the eyes. These sunglasses fit so well that you'll forget you're wearing them.
◆Official website: https://smithjapan.co.jp/
TALEX | Overglasses, Clip-on, Prescription Original
TALEX is the world's only manufacturer specializing in polarized lenses, with a history of over 50 years. TALEX sunglasses use a proprietary high-performance stray light® cut filter, and over 60% of the process, including the final finishing, is handmade. In the winter sports world, mountaineer and skier Yuichiro Miura is a fan, commenting, "The view is more amazing than with the naked eye, and I definitely feel less tired. This is because the filter effectively removes excess light."
Overglasses
are convenient because you can wear them over your own glasses!
These over-glasses can be worn over your glasses. For those who wear glasses, they are convenient and appreciated as they eliminate the need for prescription sunglasses. They are sized to fit any type of glasses, and their wide width and outer dimensions are large enough to accommodate any eyeglass frame. Furthermore, the frame tightly wraps around the eyes, blocking not only light but also UV rays and pollen, making them useful in a variety of situations all year round
The TALEX-developed stray light cut filter built into the lenses is the only technology in the world that cuts out unwanted stray light, such as ultraviolet rays and reflected light, and has earned high praise from professional athletes and outdoor sports fans for its excellent visibility. You can try out TALEX lenses at certified pro shops nationwide. Pro shops will also create original prescription sunglasses for you
Switch to clip-on
It clips onto your glasses, and when you want to wear sunglasses, just drop them down. Switching to sunglasses is quick and easy with just one touch, making it incredibly convenient. You can keep them on at all times, so there's no need to take the time to put them on and take them off. Since it has no arms, it's compact and fits easily in your pocket or bag, making it easy to carry around without taking up too much space. It's perfect for people who want to switch between sunglasses for short periods of time or depending on the situation
The clip-on handle prevents the lenses from getting dirty, making it easy to use. You can choose from four frame colors. Glasses wearers will want to try them out. You can also try them out at a certified pro shop
REVIEW
Kazuya Igarashi | Kagura Powder Station
When I went to the Himalayas, I had prescription sunglasses made to suit my eyesight. Because UV rays are strong on the snow, the tint is darker than regular sunglasses. I often use TALEX overglasses when fishing. Both overglasses and clip-on glasses are convenient for people who wear glasses.
◆Official website: https://talex.co.jp/ct/wintersport/
UVEX｜uvex sportstyle 236
A unique model that allows you to remove and replace frame parts from the lens
This highly functional shield model combines a smart, sharp design with sporty functionality. It features mirrored lenses and comes with clear interchangeable lenses. These sunglasses feature a unique lens replacement system, allowing you to remove and replace each frame part. The
extremely wide-field lenses are made of one piece and are designed to fit snugly to your face. Adjustable nose pads and temple ends further enhance the perfect fit. The upper ventilation and ultra-anti-fog coating on the inside of the lenses with uvex supravision® (anti-fog) technology ensure clear vision. They are also windproof, providing excellent eye protection. UVA
, UVB, and UVC protection up to 400 nm
Includes clear lenses and a case.
Available in four colors.
REVIEW
Terui Daichi |
Terui Daichi I really like uvex sunglasses because they have distortion-free lenses with a wide field of view. They're also lightweight and stay in place. The nose and temples are adjustable for a comfortable fit. I use white frames. White frames look great with any season or outfit.
◆Official website: http://www.uvex-sports.jp/uvex/index/