Tested: Dragon PXV2 Gigi Rüf
30 years is a lifetime in snowboarding – in fact is almost THE lifetime of snowboarding – and with 2023 marking Dragon’s 30th season in the game, it’s an impressive milestone. Dragon were possibly the first ever snowboard-specific eyewear manufacturer and from early days in a Californian garage, the brand has grown to be one of the most instantly recognisable eyewear brands in action sports. Austria’s Gigi Rüf has been with Dragon since it’s very early days, being given his first pro model in 2003 – that’s 20 years of pro model goggles, something that no other rider had achieved.
Gigi’s goggles have always utilised the cutting edge of Dragon’s eyewear tech and the 2023 version is no different, being based on the latest-and-greatest PXV2 model. With more than 220 degrees of visibility, thanks to the Toric-shaped Panotech lens and frameless design, the PXV2 offers Dragon’s widest field of vision, yet is sized in the perfect place, being slightly smaller than it’s big brother the PXV, yet larger than the ever popular NFX2. This means that not only is the goggle also suitable for those with smaller face shapes, the PXV2 is also better-suited to those riding with a helmet – an increasing number of riders these days.
Dragon’s insanely pliable, yet durable, frame material means that it forms and fits close to your face no matter how cold it gets, backed up by a triple layer of foam of varying densities around the frame which ensures a good seal to keep the weather out and day-long comfort on your face. The strap is wide, soft and comfortable to disperse the pressure around your head and it also comes with a silicone strip on the back of the strap to make sure it stays put, whether you’re clad in a beanie or a helmet.
The lens has been treated with Lumalens tint that enhances colour pop and reduces glare from the sun and snow, while also offering industry-leading anti-fog properties meaning you won’t be stopping every five minutes to wipe your lenses. Talking of lenses, you get two in the package, a dark smoke one suitable for bright and sunny conditions and a light rose one which excels in flat light and at night. Lenses are kept in the frame by Dragon’s Swiftlock technology, a quick-release lever retention system that not only makes sure your lenses stay put however hard you slam, they’re also super easy to change out when the conditions demand it. Ventilation is taking care of what Dragon call Armoured Venting, which retains strength in the google frame even while it’s doing its job helping to venting warm air away from the inside.
Sitting in the ‘premium’ category, the 2023 Dragon PXV2 Gigi Rüf model is a triumph and will make your day on the hill better.
