Just launched in the US, the Goggle Gap Project is an intiative designed to raise awareness of the problem of Goggle Gap amongst kids, pre-teens and parents. It's focus is on ensuring that your child's helmet and goggle system fits correctly and so erases the gap - any skin exposed on the forehead making it susceptible to wind/sun burn or frost bite.
Whilst it's not yet in Europe, it's certainly something for all parents to be aware of.
When a helmet and goggle system doesn’t fit well together, it can leave a portion of the forehead exposed creating Goggle Gap. The space on your forehead, or Goggle Gap, can be left completely bare due to a poor-fitting helmet and goggle system, becoming severely sun or wind burned or exposed to frostbite on cold days.
“Like with any sport, there are many details to consider when purchasing ski and snowboard gear, the Goggle Gap Project is just another way that equipment manufacturers and specialty retail stores are collaborating to educate parents, teens and really everyone on the importance of proper fitting snow sports headgear,” says David Ingemie, president of SnowSports Industries America.
For a proper fit, the brim of the helmet should be flush with the top of the goggles. Any space larger than 1/4 inch means your helmet and goggle setup does not fit properly, 1/4 inch or more is probably acceptable only if the liner materials of the goggle and helmet cover all skin areas.
“With so many choices in goggles and helmets - there’s really no reason not to have a system that works great and looks great as well,” added Ingemie.
To fix the dreaded Goggle Gap, consumers can find information on helmet/goggle proper fit in the KidZone section of SIA’s consumer website Snowlink.com.
So whilst the campaign probably won't extend to Europe, we thought it was a useful point for parents to be aware of - especially if you're taking the family skiing at Christmas when there's less sunshine, it's cold and nursery slopes can often be in the shadows in lower parts of resorts.
