“On the screen, I can choose to display almost any kind of real-time statistics. I’ve chosen to show heart rate, average heart rate, current speed, average pace, elevation, kilometers, and elapsed time”, says the Pro Team athlete to ProXCskiing.com’s sister site Langrenn.com.

Practical and Tactical Tool

The Team Rustad IL Oslo skier, who claimed his first victory in the Ski Classics Challengers last April, used the glasses for the first time in a race during this weekend’s double competition in northern Italy. He made use of the information right from the start.

“During Saturday’s 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, my hydration belt froze seven minutes into the race, and all my gels also froze. I knew that the first aid station for Rustad IL was after 20 kilometers. The glasses showed a warning for each kilometer passed, so I knew when I would reach it and could adjust my effort to avoid hitting the wall,” Waaler says, adding: “In races where the number of kilometers completed is not marked, you get a better overview and can pace yourself better.”

Tactical Decisions with Data in the Glasses

He also uses the data in the glasses to make tactical decisions during the race.

“I know that my threshold heart rate is around 168. Now that I can always see my heart rate in the glasses, I know whether I can push for a longer or shorter time in a group”, says Waaler, continuing:

“During Sunday’s individual race, I knew that the highest point on the course was 1970 meters above sea level. I could constantly see how many meters of elevation remained. I also saw that my heart rate was low, which means I was tired after Saturday’s race”.

We have asked Waaler whether it’s distracting to have this data in the glasses during the race, to which he replied, “I thought it would be distracting, but it’s not noticeable unless you actively look at it.”

Few Have Used the Technology So Far

Waaler doesn’t know anyone else who has used such glasses in competitions but believes more will follow.

He discovered the technology through a random post on his Instagram.

“I thought this could be very good for my development, and it would be fun to test the technology. In 2013, I bought a pair of Oakley Wave glasses with GPS for slalom, but they were discontinued because they were so bad,” says Waaler, noting that a lot has changed in twelve years.

Evaluation after the Weekend

After the weekend, the evaluation is that the glasses have potential.

“I thought it was really nice. Overall, they probably didn’t affect my total time significantly, but in the future, there may be races where I’ve learned to use the data even better. I’m still in an early stage”, says Waaler.

He also sees the glasses as a helpful training tool and a way to prepare for competitions.

“During interval sessions, where you want to stay within a certain heart rate zone, it’s often stressful to look at the watch, and when you do, you lose the rhythm. During ski tests, you can see which pairs give the highest speed,” says Waaler.

It Costs a Bit

The glasses Waaler uses are from the brand ENGO, and the price is roughly the same as other expensive sports glasses.

“The model I have cost $250, which is quite expensive. But regular sports glasses can cost even more”, says Magnus Waaler.

“It’s probably a product for those who want that extra bit, who think it’s worth investing in technology and would rather buy a training watch for 8000 SEK than one for 3000 SEK that does almost the same thing”, he finishes.

Also Read: Vasaloppet training tips: Who says there are no shortcuts?