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Hi guys, would julbo cat4 shades be too dark for british winter climbing and ice climbing in and around the alps at low level like chams argentiere area,cheers for any advice.
In reply to blackcat:
Cat 4 will be too dark for the UK probably. I've only ever used cat3 in the alps as well. I'd probably only get cat 4 if i was going to himalayas with extended periods of time exposed to intense sun light.
Cat 4 will be too dark for the UK probably. I've only ever used cat3 in the alps as well. I'd probably only get cat 4 if i was going to himalayas with extended periods of time exposed to intense sun light.
In reply to blackcat:
You won't need category whatever shades for British Winter Climbing. I also think it's unlikely you'll need them winter alpine ice climbing as the sun is generally low in the sky and the places that are good for ice climbing tend to be in the shade!
You won't need category whatever shades for British Winter Climbing. I also think it's unlikely you'll need them winter alpine ice climbing as the sun is generally low in the sky and the places that are good for ice climbing tend to be in the shade!
Post edited at 16:33
In reply to blackcat:
I quite like cat 4 lenses for the alps but i have sensitive eyes! blue.
clear or antifog goggles might be your best bet for scotland
I quite like cat 4 lenses for the alps but i have sensitive eyes! blue.
clear or antifog goggles might be your best bet for scotland
In reply to franksnb:
"I quite like cat 4 lenses for the alps but i have sensitive eyes"
summer alpine or winter alpine ice cragging?
Whilst I wouldn't rule out glacier glasses completely for winter alpine ice climbing, I'd only take them on very specific routes I knew were going to be very sunny and fairly high altitude and I certainly wouldn't buy any upfront only for this. For Scottish winter I've never taken or needed glacier glasses.
"I quite like cat 4 lenses for the alps but i have sensitive eyes"
summer alpine or winter alpine ice cragging?
Whilst I wouldn't rule out glacier glasses completely for winter alpine ice climbing, I'd only take them on very specific routes I knew were going to be very sunny and fairly high altitude and I certainly wouldn't buy any upfront only for this. For Scottish winter I've never taken or needed glacier glasses.
In reply to blackcat:
£10 Cat 3 polarised from an ebay shop, redfrog or something do the job perfectly. Replace every other year when I lose/break them.
£10 Cat 3 polarised from an ebay shop, redfrog or something do the job perfectly. Replace every other year when I lose/break them.
In reply to CurlyStevo:
I've climbed in glacier glasses on occasion (when it's very sunny), but realistically any sunglasses will do. Glacier glasses are practical though if you happen to have a pair, as the blocked in side pieces help protect the eyes against spindrift.
Cat 3 isn't too dark when it's sunny in Scotland, but unfortunately that's rarely the case!
> For Scottish winter I've never taken or needed glacier glasses.
I've climbed in glacier glasses on occasion (when it's very sunny), but realistically any sunglasses will do. Glacier glasses are practical though if you happen to have a pair, as the blocked in side pieces help protect the eyes against spindrift.
Cat 3 isn't too dark when it's sunny in Scotland, but unfortunately that's rarely the case!
In reply to blackcat:
Julbo zebra dirt 2-4 shades. Think aimed at mountain bikers but rated for glacier skiing/sun too.
I use mine- driving, biking, ski touring, climbing, running. Sit nicely under a helmet. Lens changes in about 20 secs so I hardly ever take them off. Topping out of Poachers on Liathach into the sunshine was definitely a 'shades on' moment!
Julbo zebra dirt 2-4 shades. Think aimed at mountain bikers but rated for glacier skiing/sun too.
I use mine- driving, biking, ski touring, climbing, running. Sit nicely under a helmet. Lens changes in about 20 secs so I hardly ever take them off. Topping out of Poachers on Liathach into the sunshine was definitely a 'shades on' moment!
In reply to Only a hill:
sure. in my last couple of seasons living in scotland I realised its all about quality not quantity and I got a lot of sunny mid week days (taken as last minute holiday) and climbed much less on poor days. Whilst it may be technically possible to get snow blindness in scotland, this must be incredibly unlikely especially winter mountaineering on the more shaded aspects (normally anyways). in any case ive never packed or needed sun shades or glacier glasses, although I must confess im not a big fan of them and mainly use them when needs must.
sure. in my last couple of seasons living in scotland I realised its all about quality not quantity and I got a lot of sunny mid week days (taken as last minute holiday) and climbed much less on poor days. Whilst it may be technically possible to get snow blindness in scotland, this must be incredibly unlikely especially winter mountaineering on the more shaded aspects (normally anyways). in any case ive never packed or needed sun shades or glacier glasses, although I must confess im not a big fan of them and mainly use them when needs must.
In reply to CurlyStevo:
Not a clue about these cat 3 things (other than that the avalanche risk must be very low at the moment) but it's definitely much more pleasant to have sunglasses some days.
Not a clue about these cat 3 things (other than that the avalanche risk must be very low at the moment) but it's definitely much more pleasant to have sunglasses some days.
In reply to blackcat:
What are these things "sunglasses" of which you speak? Come to think of it, what is this thing "sun"? Sounds like a continental refinement, unlikely to catch on in Scotland..
What are these things "sunglasses" of which you speak? Come to think of it, what is this thing "sun"? Sounds like a continental refinement, unlikely to catch on in Scotland..
In reply to blackcat:
Sunglasses in Scotland suggests much daftness. Or an existing eye complaint.
Sunglasses in Scotland suggests much daftness. Or an existing eye complaint.
Post edited at 01:13
In reply to Michael Gordon:
Indeed. I've been on the hill loads of times in bright sunshine and snow. A pair of sunglasses definitely reduces the need to squint and make the whole day more pleasurable. Any shades will do though- I suspect many high street sunglasses are 'cat 2' or 'cat 3' but just don't say so on the label?
Indeed. I've been on the hill loads of times in bright sunshine and snow. A pair of sunglasses definitely reduces the need to squint and make the whole day more pleasurable. Any shades will do though- I suspect many high street sunglasses are 'cat 2' or 'cat 3' but just don't say so on the label?
I also knew a man who got snow blindess in Scotland after a fantastic sunny weekend.
If you don't wear glasses normally, I'd just get a cheapo pair of sunnies with a reasonable UVA & UVB rating, if possible ones that block light entry from the sides (should you be intending to use them in the Alps.) Ones you won't cry about breaking, scratching or loosing.......
If you don't wear glasses normally, I'd just get a cheapo pair of sunnies with a reasonable UVA & UVB rating, if possible ones that block light entry from the sides (should you be intending to use them in the Alps.) Ones you won't cry about breaking, scratching or loosing.......
In reply to CurlyStevo:
summer alpine
these
http://www.eyekit.co/sunglasses/julbo-sunglasses/julbo-speed-sunglasses-j37...
i look dead cool in them
summer alpine
these
http://www.eyekit.co/sunglasses/julbo-sunglasses/julbo-speed-sunglasses-j37...
i look dead cool in them
Post edited at 16:57
In reply to franksnb:
Well you'd be pretty silly to head up in to the Alpine snow line in summer and not wear glacier glasses IMO, but the OP asked about winter climbing (both summer and alpine)
Well you'd be pretty silly to head up in to the Alpine snow line in summer and not wear glacier glasses IMO, but the OP asked about winter climbing (both summer and alpine)
In reply to franksnb:
It's interesting that none of the suggested options mention polarised lenses. I'd consider this to me more important than the category of the lens...
It's interesting that none of the suggested options mention polarised lenses. I'd consider this to me more important than the category of the lens...
In reply to knighty:
I've never used polarized lenses, but I've heard it said they're not great for skiing (and possibly by extension climbing/general mountaineering) as they diminish the distinctive bright reflection you get from icy patches of snow, so you're less good at spotting icy patches. Anyone found that a problem?
I've never used polarized lenses, but I've heard it said they're not great for skiing (and possibly by extension climbing/general mountaineering) as they diminish the distinctive bright reflection you get from icy patches of snow, so you're less good at spotting icy patches. Anyone found that a problem?
In reply to blackcat:
Thanks for your input guys,ive got a pair of polarised cat 3 for 21 quid,just to have on me if needed,cheers.
Thanks for your input guys,ive got a pair of polarised cat 3 for 21 quid,just to have on me if needed,cheers.
In reply to blackcat:
When the going gets tough in Scottish Winter these will see you through
http://www.auroravizion.com/collections/el-wire-glasses?gclid=CJy04oTUprsCF...
When the going gets tough in Scottish Winter these will see you through
http://www.auroravizion.com/collections/el-wire-glasses?gclid=CJy04oTUprsCF...
In reply to Only a hill:
I've had it too and the worse sunburn ever, after crossing the Cairngorm plateau...
> Seriously? I've had snow blindness before in Scotland and it wasn't pleasant.
I've had it too and the worse sunburn ever, after crossing the Cairngorm plateau...
In reply to Michael Gordon:
Maybe my eyes have been dumbed down with countless UV welding 'flashes'. Climbed the Rimpfischhorn with no glasses (lost) and had no reaction at all. Its a long day in the Summer sun.
Maybe my eyes have been dumbed down with countless UV welding 'flashes'. Climbed the Rimpfischhorn with no glasses (lost) and had no reaction at all. Its a long day in the Summer sun.
In reply to kemmar:
Lucky you. Some degree of snow blindness is very achievable in Scotland and rather unpleasant! Dunno about categories but UV blocks and a bit of a tint would do the job. I like my julbos too fwiw...
Lucky you. Some degree of snow blindness is very achievable in Scotland and rather unpleasant! Dunno about categories but UV blocks and a bit of a tint would do the job. I like my julbos too fwiw...
In reply to kemmar:
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photokeratitis
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photokeratitis
In reply to whispering nic:
I guess some people are more resistant to it than others. I have fairly dark skin for a white man. I noticed when I lived in Scotland many of the Scots were incredibly intolerant to UV (in general). From my summer alpine experience I'd also say I'm pretty resistant to snow blindness as I wasn't wearing glasses all the time and I didn't suffer.
I guess some people are more resistant to it than others. I have fairly dark skin for a white man. I noticed when I lived in Scotland many of the Scots were incredibly intolerant to UV (in general). From my summer alpine experience I'd also say I'm pretty resistant to snow blindness as I wasn't wearing glasses all the time and I didn't suffer.
In reply to blackcat:
I've got Cat 4 Jublos which I use in the Alps. I would say they are a must there. As for Scottish winter can't remember seeing the sun that often LOL. I sometimes use clear safety glasses keeps spin drift and ice chips out of your eyes and they dont steam up like goggles + they are very cheap.
RN
I've got Cat 4 Jublos which I use in the Alps. I would say they are a must there. As for Scottish winter can't remember seeing the sun that often LOL. I sometimes use clear safety glasses keeps spin drift and ice chips out of your eyes and they dont steam up like goggles + they are very cheap.
RN
In reply to blackcat:
Forgot to say when it is sunny in Scotland I tend to use ski type glasses probably 3s or 4s, stops you getting a head ache etc etc.
Forgot to say when it is sunny in Scotland I tend to use ski type glasses probably 3s or 4s, stops you getting a head ache etc etc.
In reply to CurlyStevo:
... Whereas I am practically a vampire and am liable to self-combust if I wander onto a glacier without eye protection :P
... Whereas I am practically a vampire and am liable to self-combust if I wander onto a glacier without eye protection :P
In reply to Ron Walker:
I was starting to wonder if it was just me, I frequently wear sunglasses in Scotland. I had a touch of snowblindness after a gorgeous day on the Ben (horrible gritty feeling in my eyes) and bad sunburn after a day in the Cairngorms in winter, and I had suncream on. I must have had sun stroke as well becasue I remember having a pint of Cairngorm Wildcat afterwards and not enjoying it!!
> (In reply to Only a hill)
>
> [...]
>
> I've had it too and the worse sunburn ever, after crossing the Cairngorm plateau...
>
> [...]
>
> I've had it too and the worse sunburn ever, after crossing the Cairngorm plateau...
I was starting to wonder if it was just me, I frequently wear sunglasses in Scotland. I had a touch of snowblindness after a gorgeous day on the Ben (horrible gritty feeling in my eyes) and bad sunburn after a day in the Cairngorms in winter, and I had suncream on. I must have had sun stroke as well becasue I remember having a pint of Cairngorm Wildcat afterwards and not enjoying it!!
In reply to rossn:
Perhaps for you but as said above i've been fine with Cat 3 on the brightest spring ski touring days.
> I've got Cat 4 Jublos which I use in the Alps. I would say they are a must there.
Perhaps for you but as said above i've been fine with Cat 3 on the brightest spring ski touring days.
In reply to Michael Gordon:
I remember the winter of 09/10 that was very sunny and very cold, I think I only climbed one day that wasn't a blue sky sunshine day, however I didn't need sunglasses at all. The sun is just too low in the sky at that time of year to cause problems for me.
I remember the winter of 09/10 that was very sunny and very cold, I think I only climbed one day that wasn't a blue sky sunshine day, however I didn't need sunglasses at all. The sun is just too low in the sky at that time of year to cause problems for me.
In reply to Only a hill:
Low wattage lightbulbs in your house then Fair enough, i didnt realise folk could be affected to that extent in Scotland. Ironically my skin burns easily and ive been sunburnt in February. I do believe though that the majority of folk wearing sunglasses in Winter here dont actually need them. Eye protection from wind driven snow particles would be more relevant.
Low wattage lightbulbs in your house then Fair enough, i didnt realise folk could be affected to that extent in Scotland. Ironically my skin burns easily and ive been sunburnt in February. I do believe though that the majority of folk wearing sunglasses in Winter here dont actually need them. Eye protection from wind driven snow particles would be more relevant.
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