Guide to selecting a pair of downhill skiing goggles for a child skier.
Though the stresses of downhill skiing can take a toll on all parts of the body, the eyes are especially susceptible to damage from time spent on the slopes. Less humid winter air can dry the eyeball, leading to irritation and corneal damage. Bright, cloudless skies and miles of white, reflective snow can overwork the iris, leading to fatigue, temporary blindness, and even permanent retinal damage. Add to this the high speeds of descent, the various forms of winter precipitation, low-hanging branches and windblown powder and debris, and you've got a very dangerous combination, to which the developing eyes of children are especially vulnerable.
The first step in selecting children's downhill ski goggles is to find a pair that fits. Even with the myriad of style, design, feature and price choices available, the goggle attribute that trumps them all is fit. If a set of goggles doesn't fit, then it doesn't protect; if it doesn't protect than there's no point in wearing it. Good fit consists of a secure, but not too tight, seal around the eyes. Firm taps should not be able to dislodge the goggles, but if they leave a depressed, red imprint on your child's face, then they're too tight. Keep in mind that the goggles may need to fit over other outwear and ski equipment, such as a headband, glasses, winter hat or helmet. Bring these items to the ski shop with you to ensure a good fit. Nearly all modern goggles come with an adjustable elastic strap. Though no product will fit your kid forever, picking a pair of goggles with a wide range of adjustability will help them last on a growing head.
Though downhill ski goggles come with hundreds of advanced features these days, such as scratch-proofing, photochromic lenses and extra-wide viewing fields, it may be best to forgo these expensive features for a while. Keep in mind that these goggles are going to be used by a child whose primary concern is not caring for and keeping track of their equipment. You can almost count on your child's ski goggles being lost, stolen or broken at least once, so modify your price range accordingly. This is not to say, of course, that you should buy the cheapest goggles in the store. Go for basic features, such as anti-fog and dual-lenses, which will keep the goggles clear and, hopefully, as a result, on your child's face. Go for brands with a good reputation for durability and value; if this is your first ski purchase, don't hesitate to ask more experienced skiers or parents what they would recommend.
In terms of style, pick something your child will wear. Many types of children's goggles feature popular cartoon characters, in an attempt to make them "cooler" in the eyes of children. Knowing your child's taste in clothing and gear will improve your chances that they will wear their goggles whenever they ski. Since kids generally don't get different pairs of goggles for different weather conditions, it's important to choose a lens that will protect eyes from bright sunlight, but maintain visibility in lower light conditions. Rose-tinted lenses cut down on glare, while giving high visibility of surface features; especially the blaze orange generally used in trail signs, though they can be less effective for night or twilight skiing. Orange lenses don't protect as well in bright conditions, but are great for overcast days and the last few runs of the day. Lightly-tinted gold or amber lenses will suffice in nearly all conditions, but avoid dark, highly reflective lenses and clear, or light yellow tints, as these work only in a narrow range of circumstances.
