Athletes often play a vital role in developing new Salomon products. From the earliest trail running footwear to the S/LAB Shift ski-touring binding to Kilian Jornet’s insight into the creating the first running vests for long-distance ultraraces, the brand has a long history of putting performance first and relying on the leaders of the sport drive the direction of products.
Given this history, asking freeski athlete Nicolas Vuignier to collaborate on the creation of a Limited Edition LO-FI ski goggle was not out of the norm. What was different about the project is the all-around creative talents that Vuignier brings to the table. In addition to being an accomplished backcountry skier, the 27-year-old from Crans-Montana, Switzerland is a self-taught graphic designer and video editor whose video productions and digital designs have been featured by media around the world and set social media abuzz. To help design the Limited Edition LO-FI goggle, he created his own mood board and worked closely with Salomon designers and product developers.
“The goal was to create a goggle with elements that felt raw, but with a modern, progressive design,” Vuignier says. “It was actually quite a fast process because when I met with the designer, we had the similar thoughts. About a week later we had the idea. The final design is quite straightforward with a mix of rounded and straight edges. And the printing on the foam on the top is really cool and not anything I have seen before.”
Performance-wise, the Limited Edition LO-FI Goggles feature Salomon's Custom ID Fit technology, fast change lens technology and amplified field of vision. The LO-FI also has an A-cut frame shape that delivers a wider field of vision, especially on the lower extremities where you want it most. Custom ID Fit helps the frame automatically and precisely adjust to every face shape. Finally, the goggle’s Jet-lens technology means you can change lenses quickly and easily from the lens designed for sunny days to the one for flat-light days. The Limited Edition LO-FI will be available at select retailers and here on Salomon.com in select countries in limited quantities.
The Limited Edition LO-FI goggle designed in collaboration with Nico Vuignier is the first model available in the new LO-FI range. Beginning in the Fall of 2019, an expanded offering of the range will be available worldwide.
To watch Nicolas Vuignier’s latest video creation “Heatseeker”, visit his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4I4fzmfZXw&t=4s
