SMITH Hidemitsu Okada x Ayana Onozuka | SKIER'S TALK ROOM -Let's talk about gear-

"Let's talk about gear. It might help you get better quickly."

Everyone has their own way of getting better at skiing. Of course it's important to practice hard, but you can improve by using your favorite gear. So how do you choose your gear? Under this theme, ``skilled'' riders from various manufacturers who are active on the front lines gathered together.

This time, we asked Hidemitsu Okada and Ayana Onozuka, who are well-known from STEEP, to talk about the ``SMITH'' goggles. Let's talk about the benefits of SMITH's goggles, which continue to be used in harsher natural environments such as backcountry and freeride.

I want people to know more about the quality of Smith goggles - Hidemitsu Okada

Ayana Onozuka (hereinafter referred to as Onozuka) When she started her career in the United States, the helmet she had been using was subject to competition regulations, so she purchased a Smith locally. After receiving support, she started using goggles, first the spherical lens "I/O", then the flat lens "SQUAD", and now the magnetic lens exchange "SQUAD MAG". I love using it.

Hidemitsu Okada (hereinafter referred to as Okada): I've been using Smiths since the 5th grade of elementary school, so these are the only goggles I have. In the backcountry, I use 4D MAG, and the lens shape is halfway between a spherical and a flat surface, so it has an overwhelmingly wide field of view. It's easy to see your hands and chest, making it easy to prepare equipment. When skiing, the information you get from your field of vision is important. This is related to risk management. But when I'm skiing on the slopes, I use the cool-looking SQUAD MAG.

With MAG, you don't need extra goggles - Ayana Onozuka

Onozuka MAG allows you to change lenses with just one touch, so it's nice that you don't have to carry spare goggles. You can change the lenses while wearing the goggles, and since they lock, you don't have to worry about the lenses coming off due to impact.

OkadaIt 's easy to wipe the lens when it becomes difficult to see.

Onozuka Asian fit, the frame fits my face and doesn't lift the base of my nose. I like the wide field of view and the sharp field of view of the ChromaPop lens.

markets feel darker in color. In that respect, ChromaPop suits Japanese people as well.

Onozuka Chroma Pop's lens color is Storm Umber, right? It's clear but slightly yellowish, which is really useful when the weather is bad.

Okada : Yes, that lens is revolutionary. If you have a photochromic lens, you can handle a wide range of weather with just one lens, but when visibility is really dark, such as during a blizzard, use Storm Umber.

Onozuka Halfpipe, I used clear lenses when visibility was dark, but the lights were too bright. Since Storm Amber came out, this is my only choice.

Okada : Moreover, there are also models that come with it as a spare lens. That's why I recommend a model with a combination of dimming and storm umber. Considering this, I think that even though it is expensive, it is worth the price. I wish more people knew about the quality of Smith's goggles.

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Text＝Chiho Kuriyama

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