Opinion
Why I’m never biking without React's Optray sports glasses again
by Patrick Bardelli
Testing the Sight 2.0 ski goggles by React
20.2.2024
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
This year I took the React Sight 2.0 ski goggles with me on the slopes. Thanks to light-adaptive technology, the lenses of these goggles automatically switch between three tint levels. My verdict: top visibility and no more annoying lens changes at the edge of the slope.
There’s not much snow in the Bernese Oberland during the sports vacation in mid-February any more. In Diemtigtal, to be precise. But the sun shines almost every day over the small ski resort on the Wiriehorn. Almost all the slopes are open and almost all lifts are working. And the slopes are still in surprisingly good condition, with temperatures in the double digits during the day.
The snow is crisp in the morning, grippy at midday and then slushy in the late afternoon from the strong sunlight. No matter what the snow conditions are like, good ground visibility on the piste makes skiing a pleasure. In poor lighting conditions, however, this quickly becomes a very dangerous sport. As a rule, conventional ski goggles therefore come with two different lenses for sunny and all other conditions. Then there are the self-tinting models, which automatically adapt to the ambient light thanks to so-called photochromic or photochromic technology.
Swiss manufacturer React also uses this technology in its sports eyewear. I’ve been using the cycling glasses from Wattwil for a year now and I’m really happy. I’ve just tested the Sight 2.0 ski goggles for the first time.
Sight 2.0 ski goggles by React
The Sight 2.0 change automatically and continuously from protection category 2 to 4, from a medium to a dark to a very dark tint. This means you don’t need to switch the lens by the edge of the slope if conditions change during the course of the day. The solar cells built into the goggles power the liquid crystals in the lens. Just like the cycling goggles, the goggles adapt to light conditions in a tenth of a second. This happens so quickly that the eye doesn’t even notice.
The Sight 2.0 really show you what they’re capable of, especially on cloudless days. If I drive from a sunny section of the slope into a shady part, the goggles immediately brighten. The reverse is even more impressive. While other photochromic goggles often take a moment to do this, the React goggles do it in no time at all.
You can also manually adjust the dimming intensity as required using a small control above the solar cells. From maximum dimming to complete deactivation, for example in fog, the options are endless. However, I didn’t need to use this. I was completely satisfied with the automatic function of the goggles.
Technical data:
- Weight: 149 grammes
- Protection category: 2 to 4
- UVA, UVB and UVC protection: up to 400 nm
- Disc shape: cylindrical
- Lens colours: orange, black, blue
- Made in Switzerland
According to the manufacturer, the polarised lenses are scratch-resistant, shatterproof and don’t fog up thanks to the ventilation in the frame. Sight 2.0 are said to be compatible with all common helmet brands and can be worn over prescription glasses without any problems. The goggles fit my Grid by Giro perfectly.
They came with a hard case, a cleaning cloth and a goggle sock. The red mirror coating has a contrast-enhancing effect for bluish details, the blue one for reddish details. Its silver coating doesn’t have a contrast-enhancing effect.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
In a nutshell
The Sight 2.0 by React is a great ski goggle for optimum vision
I’ve been skiing with these goggles for three days now. Two days were very sunny, one was mixed with often soft light conditions. In all conditions, I always had a good feeling on the slopes and optimal visibility.
The Sight 2.0 is particularly impressive on beautiful sunny days. Regardless of whether a slope is in the sun or in the shade, the lenses darken or lighten without your eyes noticing. In combination with its sports eyewear for spring and summer, the brand from Wattwil offers it all.
Pro
- Adapts to lighting conditions in 0.1 seconds
- Good visibility in all conditions
- Dimming intensity can be set manually
- Also suitable for those with glasses
- Made in Switzerland
Contra
- At just under 400 francs quite expensive
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
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
12 comments
later