Ski goggles and masks on clearance

Screen categories: from zero to four according to light

A mask's screen is classified according to the amount of light it lets through, from category zero, almost transparent, to category four, very dark. In the resort, category three covers most sunny days; categories one and two, lighter ones, are used in overcast weather, under snow, or in fog. Category four, reserved for high mountains and glaciers, is not allowed for driving. The yellow, orange or pink tints enhance contrasts and help to see bumps in flat light. Regardless of its tint, a quality mask filters ultraviolet rays, which are intense at altitude and reflected by the snow.

The other clearance items

The winter sports clearance also features:

• Men's Textile.
• Women's Textile.
• Gloves.
• Accessories.

All clearance items are gathered on the winter sports page.

Photochromic, mirror, magnetic: screen technologies

The photochromic lens, like that of the POC Fovea Photochromic or the Head Neves Pro Photo, darkens in sunlight and lightens in shade: one mask is enough for the day, from the sunny chairlift to the covered forest. The mirror lens reflects part of the light and provides more protection on sunny days. The interchangeable lens option allows you to carry a clear and a dark lens: on the Casco FX Magnet Link, magnets hold the lens in place and allow you to change it in seconds, with gloves on. Head also offers replacement lenses, like the Cinema or the Radar, that can be fitted to their compatible masks, and Red Bull Spect provides replacement lenses for its models.

Glasses wearers, children and helmets: a well-fitting mask

Eyeglass wearers should choose an OTG mask, for over the glasses, which is deep enough to fit over the frames, like the Cairn Genius OTG. For children, the Cairn Rush and Neoface, which are smaller, fit a narrow face and leave room for the helmet on the forehead. The mask should also match the helmet: no gap should be visible between the top of the mask and the shell, otherwise the forehead is exposed to the cold. The strap, usually silicone-lined on the inside, stays on the back of the helmet without slipping. The Mid versions, like the POC Retina Mid or the Fovea Mid, are designed for thinner faces.

Double lens and ventilation: prevent fogging

Fog forms when the warm, humid air from your face meets a lens cooled by outside air. The double lens, two lenses separated by an air layer, limits this temperature difference, like double glazing in a window. The ventilation at the top and bottom of the mask renews the air, as long as you don’t block them with a neck tube pulled up too high. The anti-fog treatment applied to the inside of the lens is fragile: never wipe it while wet. When stationary, avoid pulling the mask up onto a sweating forehead and let it dry in the open air in the evening. These clearance items offer these technologies on models that will not be renewed.

Frequently asked questions

Mask or sunglasses for skiing?

The mask provides better protection from wind, cold, and snow spray, and it fits the helmet without leaving any gaps. Sunglasses are more suited for spring skiing in good weather or for leisurely outings.

How do you clean a ski mask's lens?

First, let the lens dry in the air, then wipe the outside with the included microfiber pouch, without any household product. For the inside, dab without rubbing to preserve the anti-fog treatment.

What glasses for cross-country skiing?

In cross-country skiing, effort quickly warms the face: wraparound and well-ventilated sunglasses often replace the mask, which can fog up at this intensity. A category three lens is suitable for sunny conditions, and a clearer lens is better for grey days in the woods.

At what age can a child wear a ski mask?

From their first outings in the snow, a mask protects the child’s eyes from the sun, wind, and spray. Choose a child size compatible with their helmet, like the Cairn Rush or Neoface, so it doesn't slide down their nose.

How do you store a ski mask between outings?

Store it dry in its microfiber pouch, with the lens protected, away from a source of heat that could distort the frame. Avoid placing it lens against a hard surface, where the outer coating could be damaged.