The Overview:
Anyone out on the slopes needs a pair of goggles. Some end up wearing a hand me down pair or the first thing they find in a closet full of ski equipment. Most of the time, the fit is less than ideal. Women often have even more trouble finding a pair of goggles that work well on their face in a comfortable and attractive way. Enter the Julbo Eclipse Goggles. From the sleek fit to the pink color, these scream feminine.
The Test:
These goggles ventured out with me for two days on Buttermilk Mountain and one day on Aspen Mountain. The temperature resided in the negatives for the two days on Buttermilk and would go from windy and cloudy to bright and sunny within seconds. The first day I skied through open slopes with fresh powder and shady tree trails and the second day I snowboarded on groomed slopes. I found the goggles mostly agreeable for the variety of terrain and light/weather conditions I experienced. The only main concern was when the wind picked up on a trail lift ride and airflow through the goggles became too strong. The goggles worked the best when I skied Aspen Mountain on a day with warm temperatures and cloudless skies. Experiencing the different days showed me that the Julbo Eclipse goggles can handle a lot, despite their petite appearance.
Rating
4.75 (out of 5)
Design: Zebra photochromic, double spherical lenses help in the anti-fog department. They work for many different weather conditions because they can go from a category 2 on cloudy days to category 4 on sunny days. The lenses do not switch out which makes them a less ideal choice for extremely stormy or bright days, however it is more convenient because you don’t have to worry about switching them if the weather conditions change suddenly. +1
Style: A chic look: metallic pink rim and a pink strap. Unlike many bulky pairs of goggles, these feel and look more like sunglasses, but still provide average coverage on the face. +1
Durability: The strap feels strong and the lenses don’t scratch easily. Frame is effortlessly bendable which may be problematic after continued use. But for the most part everything feels sturdy. +1
Performance: Airflow exists to keep the goggles fog free. This worked, I never experienced foggy vision, however there was often too much of a draft, particularly on cold and windy days. This fit of the goggles may disagree with my Smith Allure helmet and could work better with a hat. However, the goggles came with an extended outrigger that made them fit around a helmet so it would seem that they were designed to go with bulkier head protection. +.75
Comfort: The soft face foam provides a comfortable fit around the cheeks and forehead. I was in no rush to take them off at the end of the day. +1
Buy the Julbo Eclipse Goggles at $160.
