I’ve had the chance to try some ski apparel and equipment on my last trip to the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. This is the indoors ski slope north of London. This review is of the pair of Maier Sports Vroni Slim Pants I have used there.
When we came back from the Aosta Valley, there was a box waiting for me at home. I had no idea what it was, as I was not expecting anything. To my surprise, I saw it was the new Panda Optics lenses. Their name is Conquer and I got the pink frame lenses so I could write a review.
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Ozzy looking a dude with the new Panda Optics Conquer Lenses. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses,
My ski goggles are Panda Optics as well, and I do love the system of magnetic lens change. As far as I know, this is the first time that Panda Optics went on to do some sport lenses for outdoor sports.
I was expecting to try them out during the half term in the Italian Alps. But thanks to Italy not being anymore in a UK travel corridor, I had to cancel the trip. It was that, plus the need to get a swab test before arriving in Italy, which costs a bomb in the UK, that put me off. I hope we can visit in December though!
As I was not going to the Alps now, I’ve decided to try them out in London, going out in my long Nordic Walk. First impressions is that it looks like the old wrap-around lenses of the 90’s. Something like the Oakley Mosquitoes. Not sure if that was their name. Looking online now, I see ones called Oakley Radars. The Panda Optics have a smoother border if you compare them to the former. What I do like is that they fit well to my face. They are proper wraparound. This is great if you are biking or skiing, as it protects you from the wind or elements getting in your eyes.
Specifications of the Panda Optics Conquer. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses
The lenses come in a hard box that is great for storage, and they bring three colour lenses:
*the mirrored which are great for sunny weather, with a VLT of 9.73%. VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission.
*the amber lens. This is good for party cloudy to cloudy weather. The VLT is of 27.18% and it has a tint orange. I would use this one for flat light when skiing.
*the clear lens: This has a VLT of 89.87% and no tint nor coating. This is for rainy weather or night time.
Using my Panda Optics lenses today while on my nordic walk. My husband says that I was looking as if I was going out to climb the Eiger! Not quite the same walking to Greenwich… Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses.
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.
Now that the weather is nicer, maybe it is time to plan your next mountain adventure. You can sit in your garden, enjoying the sunny days we are having (at least in Britain) during this Covid19 epidemic and start taking your time, as a hobby, of thinking where your next road trip will be.
For me, it will always be to a mountain, and it will mostly be by car. Unless I travel to America (both North and South), I prefer, if possible, to take the car as driving to the mountains, is part of the trip.
So, I always like opening some maps and guides and see what I want to do. I just measure with my fingers the driving we’ll do as a family on one day- actually, the driving my husband will do, as for me it is too traumatising to change sides of the road again. I did it once from Argentina to the UK and I still have to think each time I drive, which side of the road I have to get in, and what side of the car I have to mount to! But I am a great co-pilot, and enjoy the planning of the trip, as much as the guiding.
Here is a selection of maps, many of which I have already bought- (you cannot ever have enough maps, right?) I might not spend too much in shoes, but I do like my maps, and some travel guides as well!
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I had the chance to get not one, but two pair of TOYSHADES lenses for using year-round and during this coming ski season. First of all, price is so cheap, that I was a bit sceptical how they would compare to my Oakleys or Raybans – the brands of choice since I was a young adult.
The TOYSHADES Hillwoods model, extremely light and with a lovely design.
I bought some lenses on the mountain two years ago in Pila, as my Oakleys were all scratched, and I was suffering then of conjunctivitis. The optician that see me at a ski resort, told me that I needed to purchase a new good pair of lenses. These were some cheap lenses bought at the ski school in Pila which were pretty decent, but not comparable to a more renown brand.
Two years ago, after the Mountain Travel Symposium, I’ve bought in San Francisco airport my last pair of Oakleys, which I love, and they are in very good nick. So, when I’ve got these two pairs of shades, I thought that they were not going to compare to my Oakleys. But I was surprised!
The new Future of Ski Bindings is here: Howell 880 Pro ACL friendly ski binding.
We all know how important ski bindings to skis are. You don’t want them to pre-release, making it dangerous while coming fast down the mountain. On the same way, you don’t want them not to release, as this implicates potential damage to your limbs.
Howell Ski Bindings 800 Pro. The new Future of Ski Bindings is here: Howell 880 Pro ACL friendly ski binding.
The typical binding has a lateral toe release and upward heel release. The Howell 880 Pro has both characteristics, PLUS a lateral heel release.
These bindings will be releasing end of October 2020 and you can pre-reserve with a USD 80 deposit here.
Rick Howell, owner of Howell SkiBindings has been in the business of creating bindings for over 4 decades. He was involved in the release of the Salomon 555, what became the number 1 selling alpine throughout the mid-1970’s. He has a fascinating story about his life – it did grip me and read it all – you can check it here.
He was involved with a group of technicians from Stuttgart on what is now called the ‘‘DIN’ System’, used worldwide for 37 years, by 20 million skiers, including today. Rick worked many years for Geze ski binding company and received the ‘Glass Award’ for successful business accomplishments that caused ‘over 100,000 pair of bindings to be sold in a single year. ‘
On our first review we explained how to choose the best skis for you.
We have to remember a couple of things that will help how to identify and choose the right model for your best ski day.
1-Dimensions
2-Underfoot
3-Radius
4.Length
SKI TEST – SKI REVIEW #2 – Nordica Enforcer 100 SKI REVIEWS -FAT OR NOT FAT – WHAT TO BUY?
With all these thoughts we are going to review the top #2 ski of our list for Men All-Mountain-Wide Skis:
#2: NORDICA ENFORCER 100
Before starting with this review, I’m going to talk about the ski factories.
Today, the ski factories must work together with ski brands because factories are manufacturing several brands under the same roof.
Back on the day, mostly in Europe, each brand had its own factory to develop its own skis.
Today things are different, and this is not a secret. One factory can manufacture several skis for different brands. This is not a problem nor a bad thing. In this case, the Nordica Enforcer 100 shares the same factory with the top #1 ski of our review, the Blizzard Bonafide 98.
SKI TEST -SKI REVIEWS -FAT OR NOT FAT? What Ski to Buy?
by Chino Martinez
Professional skier
Introduction to different types of skis
Review of #1 Male All Mountain Skis – Blizzard Bonafide 98.
These days the options when walking into a ski shop at the beginning of the ski season are too many!
Blizzard Bonafide skis. SKI TEST -SKI REVIEWS -FAT OR NOT FAT? What Ski to Buy?
This article is to inform skiers how to choose the best skis for your best ski day or ski season.
What do we have to look to choose the right skis?
A-What type of skier are you?
1-aggressive/expert 2-intermediate 3-beginner.
B-What kind of terrain do you ski the most? Off piste, all mountain, groomers (piste), racing?
C-How many skis do you have? or are you willing to have?
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