From self-service reading glasses to sports equipment: Ski goggles from Izipizi
9.1.2023
Translation: machine translated
Izipizi originally produced reading glasses for people with age-related farsightedness. Then sunglasses were added. The French brand now also produces ski goggles.
Three former students from Lyon founded the Izipizi brand in 2010. The original aim was to present a new concept for reading glasses to people with age-related farsightedness. To this end, the company launched "See up", a pair of self-service glasses with a stand in establishments open to the public such as banks, insurance companies or hotels.
Source: Izipizi
French chic for everyday life and the piste
In 2013, the French company launched its first ready-to-wear reading glasses, followed by "normal" sunglasses, the first concept of work glasses with "Screen" and finally the first ski goggle collection in 2018. The latest models for the piste were recently presented by the Paris-based brand at the world's largest sports trade fair in Munich.
Izipizi ski goggles are made from thermo-moulded foam. This plastic moulds to the contours of the face, while the non-slip coating on the adjustable headband is designed to ensure a good fit. The UV category 2 lens can be used in different visibility and weather conditions (VLT 20%). It is also anti-fog treated, which should further increase visual comfort. You can wear the Izipizi ski goggles over your prescription goggles and they fit all standard helmets on the market.
VLT stands for "Visible Light Transmission". This value refers to the amount of light that passes through the lens of the ski goggles. It is given as a per cent and depends on factors such as colour and coating. The higher the VLT number on a product, the brighter the lens.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
The "Snow" model is also available with category 1 red lenses for low light conditions (VLT 49%) and category 3 brown lenses for high light conditions (VLT 12%). The models fulfil the international standards for eye protection when skiing or similar activities such as snowboarding (NF EN 174).
I am particularly impressed by the sleek design of Izipizi ski goggles. The disadvantage of the French concept: three types of goggles without interchangeable lenses for different light conditions. Do I take goggles in UV category 2 and hope for the most moderate light conditions possible during my skiing holiday? Do I buy UV category 1 and 3 glasses for very poor and very sunny weather? And what do I do in this case in moderate conditions?
Buy all three models. On the one hand, that's quite expensive and on the other, I'm carrying three pairs of glasses around with me. So this high-tech part, which uses a chip to automatically adjust the light transmission of the lens within fractions of a second, suddenly becomes interesting again. Despite its price.
Or I don't care about cool design and high-tech and buy a cheap pair of ski goggles with interchangeable lenses from another manufacturer.
Cover photo: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
Winter sports
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