I'm sure this has been posted somewhere on here before but, which do you prefer? I don't often have to use either but, in the rare instances where I have, I've gone w/tear-offs but always seem to grab way too many when pulling them off.
used both and more. and even tried the electric roll off kit , great idea if better executed, but too much gimmick not enough real world testing. The older stacked tear offs can get fouled with water/dirt/mud between the layers which can screw things up, and they are easy to multi layer pull off. But Tear offs are really best-simpler less moving parts. the latest type have the laminated type. watch what the pros use---most use laminated tear offs Its all about the pre set up, folding the tabs effectively so the tabs pop in a singular manner so you pull one at a time. My personal recommendation is laminated tear offs (top tier brand-Scott, Oakley,Smith etc.) and do some research on pre set up (folding the tabs onto the post so they pop individually. The manual roll off set up I have also used and it works well, but again water can get under the tape and it really ruins your day until you go nuts and rip the whole tape off (been there). Ive done all the tricks ie fishing line across the lens to keep the tape from sticking to the lens when wet--etc etc etc. So after all this the new laminated type tear offs are my ticket. PS downfall with these things is I become spoiled and keep grabbing for a new one for perfect vision.......and running out way before the end of the event ( wet Tecate HS for example- great first 25mi loop great few hundred yards into second......blind mostly for most of the second loop) PPS the old school safety glasses trick is a good one as well
Thanks Rob. My biggest gripe is pulling off more than I intend to (when I actually have to use tear-offs).
Do you set your tear-offs properly or let the tails of each tear-off loose and flap out in the open? You have to start from the bottom tear-off and work up. Each tail flap piece should be folded over to create a little loop to prevent pulling multiple tear-offs at once. Hopefully you understand
there are tutorials look up on youtube View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blNbTmHsO9I View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuc0Gxvhsg8
After my 40+ years of off road riding and racing I have used lots of different goggle set ups and I go with roll offs about 90% of the time. About the only time I have used tear offs was back when the Hilltoppers used to run their beach race in Rosarito Beach, MX. With the fine blowing, (roosted) sand mixed with the moist marine layer clear vision was at a premium. I would use a tear off until it was semi opaque and then would be very carefull to pull just one layer and not the whole stack. Those races were 2 hours in length so I would pit for fuel at about the 1 hour mark and would have a fresh pair of goggles loaded up with tear offs to change during the pit. If I was riding/racing at night I would go with a plain clear lens with no tear off or roll off at all. If I was going to be in pouring rain I would go with a clear lens coated with Rain-Ex and have a clean rag and a spare pair of goggles in a fanny pack in case I needed to perform some trail side vision maintenence. In most every other situation I would go back to the trusty roll offs. May I add that I have been wearing glasses for the past 50+ years so I wear contact lenses when I ride so pulling my goggles off during a ride is NOT an option...
Racing in the East Coast for 13 years now..... I'm not a roll off fan because to many thing to go wrong.... film sticking to lens (because of water behind film), gummed with mud, broke string, broke film, water behind film (blurred vision), turn head at speed and wind pulls film out which you then have 6 miles of film flapping..... My set up- I always where a vest for wet races- 1 pocket- Dry gloves in zip lock (usually pocket on back of vest) 2 pockets- clear safety glasses in zip locks(yes the kind you get at work) 1-2 golf style towels hanging from rear of pants.... helps to wipe stuff off.... I also use 2 set of laminated tear offs of 28 total..... I also flip flop the packs so I don't rip off too many at a time(but you have to remember which side to start on) Riding/racing on wet nasty days is all about prep.... if you are prepared it can be extremely fun until clean up time....
I have both, but have only raced with the roll offs one time. As mentioned careful set-up is the key with tear offs. If I was in a really nasty situation, I'd go with my roll offs with a stack of 5 tear offs on top. The tear offs are great for the start where roost is most heavy, then as things spread out as they tend to, the roll offs would be cool. I use EKS these days and the roll off lens is designed to keep the film on track and keep intrusion to a minimum.
i have oakley air brake goggles with roll offs. They work well but the little rubber things that hold the room off to the lens get annoying as they get in the road of your vision
Been riding and racing on and off in the SE since '90. Many HS and Enduro races are held on national or state forest land, no tear offs allowed! Been to a couple private land races where tear offs not allowed. Anyway, jumped on the roll off wagon and have used them since. Have had most of the issues above happen, except the wind pulling out 6 miles of film but still worth it to me. Have ridden with vest, fanny pack, back pack with extra goggles, towels, etc. Now I basically don't ride or race in the rain or mud, so that eliminates most of the issues with roll offs. What's up with Smith? Been using their goggles and roll offs forever, now lenses I want are hard to find, closeouts, no new MX models in years. I just got Scott works system and some lenses.
