Bollé Lightshifter with Phantom Lens for the Backcountry
Bollé Lightshifter with Phantom Lens for the Backcountry
Aaron Rose
Aaron breaking through the flat light at Vail Pass with the Bollé Lightshifters/Phantom Lens tech
After 8 tours and over 25k of earned turns in the Colorado backcountry with the Bollé Lightshifters ($200) with Phantom Lens Technology, I’m stoked on having lens that allow me to have eye protection on the skintrack in variable conditions.
Intended for the bike cycling market, the Bollé Lightshifters are made with NXT material with shifting lens tint, and high contrast filters. As the gear destroyer, I decided to apply these to splitboarding and see how they hold up to multiple transitions in different types of weather.
Visibility – NXT(R) and Photochromatic Performance
My first tour out in the Bollé Lightshifters at Vail Pass was in flat light and I found myself exclaiming some expletives as I marveled at the clarity thanks to the NXT(R) lens material. The high contrast filters gave sharp definition to the snow features.
Bollé Lightshifter with Phantom Lens on the snow
In the dark, I can wear the Lightshifters and still feel like I’m able to see my surroundings effectively with a little of ambient light or the headlamp in red mode or the lowest light setting.
In the light, I didn’t feel like I was squinting as much on these really bright days as I did with my box-store brand polarized sunglasses.
Aaron skinning through the storm with the Bollé Lightshifters with Phantom Lens in the Front Range. Photo by Tjay Gerber
Fogging and Moisture
I only wear two layers at the most, even in zero degree weather, and I’ve struggled to find sunglasses that really hold up to my furnace of a body in terms of dumping sweat and not fogging my sunglasses, or rather recovering pretty quickly while I vent out my heat. The Bollé Lightshifters fit the bill as having enough air flow to take away that sweat moisture while keeping the wind at bay.
Given the nature of the Lightshifter frame design, it would go a long ways to wear a baseball cap to prevent those stray snowflakes from floating into the inside of the lens on these days when it’s nuking.
Aaron slashing through the snow with the Bollé Lightshifter w/ Phantom Lens at Loveland Pass. Photo by Tjay Gerber
On the Descent – High Contrast
On the days where I was in “splitmo” mode focused on earning vert in less time, I opted to keep the Bollé Lightshifters on for quicker transitions. Even though it could feel tight with the handles under the helmet at times (protect that melon!), the Phantom lens helped me navigate sharky terrain and subtle rollers in various light thanks to the high contrast filter.
Depending on the angle of the sun, bluebird light could be intense at times, which brings me to the Phantom+ lens tech, which are a polarized version and available on the goggles line.
Aaron enjoying the summit views with his crew. Bollé Lightshifters with Phantom Lens in Butler Gulch. Photo by Seth Linden
Conclusion – Bollé Phantom Lens technology Worth the Investment for the Uphill
Overall, the main takeaway from my experience with the Bollé Lightshifters with Phantom lens technology is that it’s definitely worth investing in a pair of lens that hold up to a variety of conditions, especially for the uphill skin track. This season I’ve not ever found myself feeling frustrated with my sunglasses due to sweat moisture or flat light.
Aaron on the up with the Bollé Lightshifters with Phantom Lens tech
For a pair of sunglasses designed for cyclists, the Bollé Lightshifters get the Gear Destroyer stamp of approval!
Available for $200 MRSP
Check out Sean’s review on the Bollé Nevada Neo goggles with Phantom+ lens tech!
Bolle Nevada Neo Phantom+ Goggles – Category 1-3 Optical Greatness
