Bolle Goggles- any mags with insight?

**RShea** · 12-17-2008, 12:38 PM

I've been skiing since high school. Way way back (about the time I was ready to purchase my 2nd pair of goggles- I came across the Bolle X500 Phototropic. They were OTG (over the glasses) series, had one of the few lenses back then that lightened and darkened depending on conditions and were not a fortune. I don't think I've ever paid more than $30 for any of the ones I've owned. The replacement lenses direct from Bolle were most always more than new goggles ran.

Campmor handled them for years, and I also purchased some off Ebay in recent years if they were new and a good price. Then to add to the advantage of them Bolle started making the Tactical series- with clear lenses. Many times the lenses of course become damaged or scratched before the goggles frames are worn. I got a second pair of those so I do not have to switch out between the tinted and clear lenses. Then a Ebay auction came up awhile ago with just replacement lenses- 4 or more new pair of both the clear and Phototropic all in a single batch. I purchased them. So I have years of goggle needs at that point.

So now this season the oldest pair I still use (basic black frame) have gotten so old the foam for the air vent holes is gone completely (other frames are probably shot or ugly green or some color that I purchased just for the lenses at the time.

I went shopping (online of course as no local shop handles Bolle near me) for another new pair- and they are gone. Hardly any new pairs at any price on Ebay, Campmor has noting and Google and other shopping sites show nothing.

So has Bolle discontinued the X500 series goggles, and if so any recommendations of replacing the foam on the oldest pair of goggles. It is not bad on dry days, but and snowy days the goggles are too much work to keep clear and not have water spots inside.