Whether you practice alpine skiing, ski touring, freeride, snowboarding, or any other snow sport, it is essential to protect your eyes well. In the mountains, the combination of snow + sun can be particularly aggressive for the eyes.
Snow reflects up to 85% of UV rays. It is therefore essential to use suitable sun protection, whether through sunglasses or, for better comfort, a ski mask.
The ski mask offers not only maximum UV protection but also optimal comfort thanks to its panoramic shape. It protects your eyes from the wind and improves your vision on the slopes. In this article, discover the essential criteria to consider when choosing your ski mask.
WHAT CRITERIA TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR MASK?
There are several types of sun protection and screen shapes depending on the weather conditions.
The ideal is to have several masks or several interchangeable screens to adapt your vision to each situation.
CHOOSING THE SHAPE: OPTIMIZE THE FIELD OF VISION
The type of screen directly influences your visual comfort:
- Cylindrical screens → offer a wide panoramic field of vision.
- Spherical screens → ensure excellent optical quality and reduce distortion.
For more comfort, opt for models equipped with an anti-fog treatment to maintain a clear vision even during exertion.
SUN PROTECTION: FIND THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY
Several screen technologies exist:
- Evolight NXT® → ultra-resistant, lightweight screens with exceptional optical clarity. Their tint automatically adapts to light, quickly switching from category 1 to 3.
- Photochromic → same principle as the Evolight NXT®: the tint varies according to brightness. The orange glass improves the perception of reliefs and depth, even in bad weather.
- Polarized → the polarizing film enhances contrasts and improves terrain readability, regardless of the glass category.
THE DIFFERENT PROTECTION INDICES
The choice of screen category depends on the weather conditions:
- Category 3 → recommended in good weather. Very versatile, these screens provide excellent protection, especially for children.
- Category 1 → to be favored only in bad weather to maintain good visibility.
THE ADVANTAGE OF CAIRN MAGNETIC TECHNOLOGY
At Cairn, some models integrate Magnetic Technology, allowing easy screen changes thanks to 8 powerful magnets.
You can thus adapt your vision in a few seconds without removing your gloves. The masks are delivered with:
- A cat.3 screen → for good weather
- A cat.1 screen → for bad weather
- A transparent cat.0 screen → ideal for low light conditions.
