Gear Review
I am a snowboarder of a certain age who makes my living as a writer. Why do I mention this? Because I can’t see very well in most circumstances, never mind blazing down a snowy trail. Apart from the board strapped to my feet, the most important piece of snowboarding equipment is an excellent pair of goggles.
I ride mainly in the northeastern United States and Canada, where mother nature serves up variable weather conditions in winter. It is common to experience low light to bluebird to back again on the same day. We also do a lot of night skiing. Our local, Bromont, is open until 10:00 p.m. weekly. Goggles that adjust to light conditions, don’t fog up, are comfortable and stylish, and don’t break the bank are key. Goggles with interchangeable lenses? A welcome luxury!
We were excited to test Khuno’s newly launched Nimbus line of goggles with ZEISS lenses. The company sent the product right before the ski/ride season started here in the northeast, and my bestie in stoke Karen and I took our new Nimbus goggles for some trial turns opening weekend at Bolton Valley, one of our favorite nearby resorts just south of the Quebec/Vermont border.
The Look
Mine is a household of women. I have teenage daughters: one skis and one snowboards. As often as you hear “it’s not a fashion show,” looking rad can be the icing on the confidence cake that helps take your skiing/riding to the next level. Khuno Nimbus goggles are sleek and cylindrical and come in gorgeous colorways and lens tints for all sensibilities. Opening the shipment from Khuno was like Christmas in November. They sent us six goggles to try, and we all chose our favorite colorway. I went with the ‘rainstorm’ goggles that mimic the blues and purples of an ice coast winter.
The Specs
The designers and technicians at Khuno Sports have thought of every possible feature in the conception of the Nimbus line. Lenses are from German company ZEISS, a pioneer in scientific optics and industry leader for nearly two centuries. It was ZEISS camera lenses that captured the 1969 moon landing.
Specs include:
- ZEISS collaboration for optimal optical clarity
- Bonus spare S1 High VLT ZEISS sonar lens
- 10 magnets for maximum stability, prime filament, and rapid lens-swapping
- Cylindrical frame style for a sleek, polished look
- Impeccable anti-fog coating
- Advanced ventilation system for enhanced airflow and moisture management
- Color optimization technology for vivid, true-to-life rendering
- Multiple lens tint options for varying light conditions and preferences
- Reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composite frame for a more rigid, fixed appearance
- Adjustable, versatile strap for a customized fit on any helmet
- Luxurious triple-layer microfiber foam for comfort and moisture-wicking properties
- Scratch-resistant lens for durability
- Helmet compatibility for seamless integration with your gear (no gap!)
- Stylish and functional design for both performance and aesthetics
- 100 percent UV protection to protect your eyes in all weather conditions
- Quick and easy interchange system for versatility on the slopes
- A protective carrying case and microfiber cleaning cloth
Each pair of Nimbus goggles retails for a very reasonable $129.99 (USD), and replacement lenses are available on the Khuno website for $44.99.
The Feel & Performance
Comfort was top of mind in the design of the Nimbus line. The triple-layer microfoam is immediately felt when you put these on. These are the most comfortable goggles I’ve ever worn, and my go-to goggles before being introduced to Khuno are a famous, higher-priced brand. The Nimbus goggles fit seamlessly with our helmets. No gap! My only minor criticism is that speed is the name of the game in the East, and I had to adjust the strap to nearly its smallest fit to feel that it was secure.
We snowboarded for about four hours on an icy cold but beautiful bluebird day. The lens clarity was exceptional, and there was zero fog in sub-zero temperatures. With the sun shining, the interchangeable lens feature wasn’t required on our first day out. Still, we did test this feature on-mountain for its basic functionality, and switching lenses is easily accomplished with a gentle pull to the lens to remove it from the frame. 10 powerful magnets gripping the new lens to hold it securely in place. Each pair of goggles comes with a protective carrying case to safely stash the lens you’re not using in your jacket or backpack when on a mountain. Another small suggestion to Khuno is to incorporate a lens pocket into the carrying case so that the two lenses aren’t rubbing together when storing the goggles.
Closing Comments
We love the Nimbus goggles from Khuno. They’re beautiful, functional, comfortable, and the price is right. They are a welcome addition to my snowboarding (and winter biking) gear, and I would highly recommend them to skiers and riders of all levels and abilities.
Let it snow!
