D Curve Snowboard Goggles
D Curve Women’s Snowboard Goggles
I wanted to not like these goggles. First because of the name (D Curve). And second because of the branding (not my jam). Somewhat shallow, I know. But also not really—names and branding are how we gravitate towards or repel from a known quantity. They’re how we come to self-identify and align with a thing, at least initially.
I’m also someone who embraces fashion and style as a means of expression (of the self, of the body, of politics and voice and femme-ness) and resistance, and D Curve just didn’t give me that je ne sais quoi out the gate. To be honest, chances are D Curve isn’t all about the name Eat Gold Snow either. They also most likely aren’t about our irreverent voice and cheeky branding, or our photo shoot with Lisa Left Eye (Lisa’s the sweet chicken here, and she had been missing her left eye for years… until she fucking grew it back). And that’s fine. Celebrating our differences is important.
BUT. And this is a huge but. Like a 180-degree-turnaround but in which I say: I was wrong and/or I stand corrected. The women’s snowboard goggles I tested out from D Curve are phenomenal. I cannot not like them.
The Scoop On These High Quality Women’s Snowboard Goggles From D Curve
I love it when I assume one thing, and then come to experience a different story. It’s like when you judge the man in the MAGA hat standing in line at the DMV, and then actually start a human conversation with him and come to find out that, indeed, he is a real person with a heart and feelings and thoughts. And he practices watercolor in the evenings after laboring on the farm all day. Ultimately, neither of you have to agree with one another’s politics (you can even loathe and/or shoot piercing mind bullets at one another for them). But acknowledging that you’re both alive, both valid and wading through this weird thing called life—there’s something to that.
As for D Curve, I judged their high-quality women’s snowboard goggles hard before ever getting to know them. And I am very happy to have had my doubts squashed and my assumptions dismantled. No, the branding still isn’t for me. But you know what? I don’t fucking care. I now have snowboard goggles through which I can see crisply and clearly, without peripheral hindrance or fogging or any of the other drawbacks usually associated with snowboard goggles. And that’s a fucking win.
With UV+ eye protection (Nastek P3 lens technology that protects against UVA, UVB, UVC, and harmful blue light), antimicrobial foam that’s (holy shit) removable, washable, reusable, and replaceable, and pricing that’s not trying to crush you, D Curve ‘s snowboard goggles for women are #worthit. Ever rock a pair of snowboard goggles long enough to where the foam either starts disintegrating or leaving your skin feeling dirty after each use? Yeah well, somehow D Curve serves up washable, replaceable foam. Which is almost unheard of. Nice work, DC.
A Little More About D Curve & Their Women’s Snowboard Goggle Lineup
While Andrew, the owner of D Curve, sent Gold Snow four sets of women’s snowboard goggles to test run, I was most drawn to the pink and teal versions of the Nuptse 133. Their minimalist frames and colorways are aesthetically closer to the styles I most appreciate in other, more hip goggle brands, and they fit oh so nicely on the face. With my Giro Ledge MIPS snowboard helmet, there’s no gaper gap. In fact, there are no gaps at all. The face/foam/frame relationship is seamless.
Clarity and line of sight are also unexpectedly crystalline and unrestricted. I can see lines through the trees, and look down and up, without the frame a constant reminder in my peripheral vision. I even cried in these goggles, and they stayed as clear as the night sky full of stars in winter. Once I stopped crying that is.
A final note on the maker and the name of these women’s snowboard goggles.
Except for a few email exchanges, I do not personally know Andrew, the owner of D Curve. I did, however, appreciate his ability to humor me, even joke a little, when I inquired about the name. Here’s what he has to say about the meaning behind D Curve:
It’s where 2 leading edges intersect on an airplane wing. (Aeronautics, cool)
It refers to the double-lens curve on our signature goggles, which creates a thermal barrier that reduces fogging and enhances your peripheral view. (The double curve is real, folx! Like a double rainbow I felt it!)
It’s slang for parts of the human anatomy. (THIS is where my mind went. And still goes. Oh, well.)
Word, so now that we’re done with this semi-useful review of women’s snowboard goggles from D Curve, I highly suggest you do whatever mind ritual you need to do in order to separate yourself from their phallic brand name, and go get yourself a fresh pair for your peepers. Buying direct from DC? Be sure to tell them the Gold Snow bitches sent you. Mmwwwhuah (that’s a kiss).