BURTON has been leading the evolution of snowboarding gear since its founding in 1977. ANON is a goggle brand that was born in 2001 as a spinoff from BURTON.
The spirit of challengePaving the way
Nowadays, goggles that use magnets to attach lenses to frames are on display at any board shop. However, if you trace their origins back to the M2013, released by ANON in 1. Although the first model was much talked about, some people said that it was not very functional. More than 10 years have passed since then, and ANON's magnetic goggles have evolved to an amazing extent, providing many users with a comfortable and clear view.
Also, like other goggle brands, ANON has started developing helmets, albeit a little late. In addition to its popular lightweight helmets at affordable prices, in 2021 it released a model equipped with WAVECEL, the only shock mitigation system in the snowboarding industry that pursues safety to the fullest. As the rate of helmet wearing in Japan increases in the future, this feature is sure to attract even more attention.
We have always strived to create products from the player's perspective.In goggles and helmetsANON has released a variety of innovative products to the world. What we are curious about is their true capabilities. Here, we will compare the performance of other brands.We also carry a wide range of goggles and helmets.We spoke with the managers of two board shops: FREAK in Gifu and KONA SURF in Hokkaido.
FREAK (Gifu) Manager Bambi
WEB: https://freak.co.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freaksince1983/
Magnets are super convenient after all
"Anon was the first to produce magnetic goggles, which are now the mainstream. At first, there were problems with them, such as them fogging up easily and gaps appearing, but now all of that has been improved and they are very comfortable.
Long time ago"The selling point of magnetic goggles was that they were easy to replace lenses, but now, with the evolution of lenses, one lens can cover almost all weather conditions. You may be wondering, "Why do we recommend magnetic goggles when there is no need to replace lenses as much as before?" This is because if you notice that the lenses are fogging up, you can quickly remove them from the frame to prevent fogging.
With other brands, you have to use a lever or something to hold it in place in addition to the magnet.The lens of the ANON is only connected by magnets. Therefore, the lens can be easily removed even while wearing gloves and with the lens still attached to your face. That is its strength."
MAGNA-TECH:This function uses the magnetic force of a strong magnet to firmly connect the lens to the frame. In the case of the M4, there are nine magnetic connection points.It's a very reliable system that won't come off or let moisture in while you're riding.
Best of all, it's easy to put on and take off even when wearing gloves.
Speaking of magnets,The MFI function, which allows a special face mask to be attached to the bottom of the frame with a magnet, is also convenient. I think this function is especially helpful for parents with children. My child does this too, and when he feels hot, he puts on the face mask himself.You can pull them off and when you feel cold, they just snap back on. It's really helpful that you don't have to put a face mask under your goggles every time they slip off."
MFI:An interface that connects a face mask and goggles with magnets.When you want to refresh, open it immediately. Close it precisely and instantly.
The M4's well thought-out fit is great
"The most popular and recommended product in our shop is the ANON M4. Its biggest feature is that it can hold both flat and spherical lenses on one frame. In addition, the lens is surrounded by a thin frame-like material, so the sponge between the two lenses is not exposed and water cannot get in.
Also, some of the higher-end models from other brands are so bulky that they look like VR goggles, but the M4 has a frame that fits close to the face, which is a nice feature. Even if you're skating while looking for an interesting spot and suddenly turn your head, you don't feel like the goggles are swinging your head around. The frame is soft and fits snugly to your face, and the M4 comes in several sizes. It feels like the product is made with the player's perspective in mind, even down to the smallest details.
However, because it is a high-end model, the price is a little high (laughs). Still, it comes with a spare high-performance high-contrast lens, and if you decide that you want a flat lens after buying a spherical lens, you can just buy the lens, so it may actually be surprisingly cost-effective.
The lens is not exposed, and the plastic parts prevent water from entering.
The PREVEIVE PINK lens (right) is included as a spare lens for the mirror-finished PREVEIVE GREEN (left).
the ANO
M4S Toric(Spherical lens type)
M4S Cylindrical(Flat lens type)
Among the M4 goggles, this is a high-end model that incorporates all of ANON's cutting-edge technology while being sized to suit people with small faces. The same frame can be used with both spherical and flat lenses.
▷Frame Color: Powder Mint, 8 other colors
▷Lens Color: Precieve Variable Green, 5 other colors
▷Price: 49,500 yen (tax included)
RELAX
Kids' goggles equipped with MFI. High-performance high-contrast lenses provide excellent visibility. Colorful design adds fun.
▷Frame color (lens color): Hotdoggin (Blue Amber), Black (Red Solex), Pink (Smoke), Western (Pink Amber), Zig Zag (Smoke)
▷Price: 17,600 yen (tax included)
KONA SURF(Hokkaido) Manager Hikaru
WEB: https://konasurf57.base.shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/konasurf/
If safety comes first, choose WAVECEL
"Maybe because there are a lot of foreign snowboarders in Hokkaido, many of them wear helmets on the slopes. It seems like it's normal for people from overseas to wear helmets after all... I don't know if it's a trend, but recently I think there are more customers asking, 'Do I need a helmet?' Whenever this happens, I tell them, 'It's safer and more secure to wear a helmet to protect your precious head.'
Considering safety, we recommend ANON's WAVECEL model. MIPS has a sheet to shift the direction of impact, while WAVECEL is a system that releases force by bending, crushing, and sliding when a lattice-like material is impacted. It is built into the helmet itself. So, this may just be my own intuition, but it gives me a sense of security. Moreover, the lattice pattern allows for good ventilation, so it doesn't get stuffy. I think this is also an advantage.
However, models equipped with WAVECEL are quite expensive (laughs). So, it's not rare for them to be over budget. Furthermore, in the case of children, there is a possibility that they will grow out of the size. Therefore, we consider how hard they will ski and think together with them about which model is best for them and make a proposal.
WAVECEL:Hundreds of shock absorber cells are spread out in a mesh-like pattern, and these cells "bend" and "crush" to reduce linear impact forces, while also "sliding" to deflect rotational impact forces.The lattice structure provides good ventilation and prevents the inside of the helmet from becoming stuffy.
OSLO is the lightest model in the WAVECEL helmet lineup.Designed to fit rounded heads for a comfortable fit
OSLO is full of attractions other than WAVECEL
"If I had to pick one model that we recommend at our store, it would be the cool, freestyle-style OLSO. This model is available for both adults and children.
Aside from the WAVECEL, other great features of this helmet include the BOA dial for fine adjustment of size, and the magnetic chin strap that can be easily removed by simply sliding the buckle to the side, making it very easy to use. Even children can remove the chin strap while wearing gloves, and it's really useful for adults when their hands are numb. It really feels like a snowboard brand helmet.
Also, ANON also makes goggles, so it's easy to recommend them together with helmets. After all, they're the same brand, so they go well together."
BOA dial for easy size adjustment even while wearing gloves
Fidlock® magnetic helmet strap buckles allow for one-handed fastening and unfastening, even while wearing gloves
the ANO
OSLO WAVECEL
This helmet features an injection-molded construction with WAVECEL protection, a lightweight, compact look, and a round head design for a comfortable fit.
▷Sizes: S, M, L, XL
▷Color: Summit Taupe and 3 other colors
▷Price: 36,300 yen (tax included)
KID'S OSLO WAVECEL
This kids helmet uses cutting-edge shock absorption technology to achieve high safety and lightweight performance. Equipped with BOA for easy fine-tuning of the fit.
▷Size: S/M, L/XL
▷Color: Powder Mint, 1 other color
▷Price: 36,300 yen (tax included)
ANON has been introducing and evolving a series of riding-first functions and innovative systems through product development from the player's perspective and a snowboarder's adventurous spirit. ANON's appeal is not only that it is functionally excellent, but also that it is easy to use and looks cool. This is why shop staff can confidently recommend it to many snowboarders.
As the shop says, high-performance products can sometimes be over budget. However, if you think of it as an investment in a comfortable skiing experience, and above all, a safe and comfortable skiing experience, it's worth it. Furthermore, buying good products and using them for a long time is also a good choice when choosing gear.
The riding season is just around the corner, so choose the best items for you to enjoy riding safely.
ANON's official website ishere
Click here for information on ANON's latest lineup.
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