What are Goggle Tear offs? – our guide to how, what and when

Having clear vision is one of the most important aspects to racing and riding motocross. By using tear-offs you can prevent roost, mud and debris from blocking your sight.

For those new to motocross – tear-offs might not be that familiar.

Here we’ll walk you through the process of attaching and removing tear-offs, discuss the differences and benefits of different types of tear-offs, and more.

What are Goggle Tear-offs?

A Tear-off is a thin plastic sheet that is installed onto the goggle lens. They can then be torn off when they get too dirty.

To remove the tear-off you grab the strip and tab that’s hanging out on the left side of your goggles.

They also protect the goggles and lens from scratching.

The tear-off sheet is very light and thin and is installed on the external pivots that are on both sides of the goggle lens.

You can install more than one sheet, up to 5-7 is possible. They are then “tear-offed” one by one as they get dirty.

A normal pack of tear-offs include around 20 individual tear-off layers. Some brands offer larger packs as well.

What are they made of?

Different brands use different materials. But some sort of polyethylene (plastic) is often used.

Oakley uses the finest optical grade MYLAR® for their tear-offs.

Are there special tear-off lenses?

Both yes and no.

Tear-off lenses have pins (also called pegs, posts or pivots) that you fit the tear-off sheet on. So your lens need to have these. If not, you have to buy a new lens.

There are also tear-off kits available that have sticker pins. So this one can be used with a “standard” lens.

What are Tear-off pins?

The pins are where you place the tear-off.

The tear-off sheets have holes on both sides that fit perfectly on the pins.

Note: Some goggles have the posts for the tear-offs installed on the goggle frame. Instead of on the lens.

You also have a pin on the frame, outrigger or goggle strap. Here you attach the tear-off strip and tab on the side of the goggles (left side).

Are goggle tear offs universal?

Unfortunately, no.

Every goggle company have their own tear-offs that fit all or some of their goggle models. Most models have its own design which require specially fitted tear-offs.

You might find a third party “universal” tear-off but many of these fit so badly that they are just not worth it.

When to use Tear-offs?

Tear offs are mainly used during races. When you ride with or close to other riders tire roost will hit and stick to your goggles. Making it harder and harder to see.

But they can also help when you are riding alone. Especially in wet or dusty conditions.

Note: I often use just 1 tear-off when I’m riding, also by myself. Not so much for vision but rather for lens protection. Lenses are expensive and to make them last longer a tear-off is the perfect anti scratcher.

Tip: if you use a tear off for protection like I mentioned above. Cut the tab and handle, so it isn’t flapping around and disturbing you when you ride.

How to install Tear-offs

It might sound easy to install them, but it can actually be a bit tricky.

It’s pretty common that we pull off several layers, or even the whole stack, in one pull. To avoid this you need to fit them correctly.

Here are our step-by-step guide on how to install tear-offs so that you only pull off one at a time.

1. Start by making sure that the goggles are clean. Clean goggles means that you’ll have crystal clear vision from the get go and that the tear-offs won’t risk being scratched.
2. Take your first tear-off (do not touch the center of it – will leave fingerprints), and push it down onto the pins on the right side of the lens. Then on the left side.
3. Now onto the tear-off tab. You’ll see that we have three holes left, two small and one large.
   
   Take the hole closest to the lens and push it down onto the last pin on your goggles. This pin might be on the outrigger or on the strap. Wherever it is, the process is the same. Now you have one tear-off installed!
4. If you want to install more just take another tear-off and push it down onto the pins on the lens. Just like you did with the previous one.
5. Here’s were the process differs though. Before attaching the tear-off to the 3:rd pin, fold the first tear-off back over itself and push it down and push it down.
6. Now you fold it back again and hook that last hole, the big one, on the pin. This hole is bigger, so you can’t push it down. It just sits, or rests, on the pin.
7. Now you take the second tear-off and push it down on to the third pin. Just make sure that the first tear off sits in its place.
   
   What these folds do is to help make sure you only pull off one tear-off at a time.
8. For more tear-offs, just repeat steps #5 to #7 until your happy :).
9. If you prepped your goggles for later use. Put them in a goggle bag for protection.

If you’ve done everything correct your folded tear-offs should now look like this:

Note: make sure that the pulling tabs are on your left side. You don’t want to use your throttle hand (right one) to pull the tear offs.

For visual learners

More of a visual learner?

Here’s a great guide from Rocky Mountain ATVMC:

How to install laminated tear-offs

Here’s how you install a stack of laminated tear-offs:

1. Start by making sure that the goggles are clean. Strive for spotless vision.
2. Remove the protecting film, both sides. Try to not touch the stack of laminates other than on the sides and edges.
3. If your goggles and tear-off have clear cut-outs you can use them and work from the center out. Otherwise, it’s best to start from left-hand side out to the right (when you have the goggles lying in front of you). Push it down onto the pins and make sure that they stick to the lens without any air bubbles.
4. Now onto the tear-off tab. You’ll have to fold each laminate and pin them down. Start with the bottom one and work your way up. The last one you’ll leave pinned just once.
5. If you want to fit another stack on top of the first one. Just follow the steps again. Fold and pin down the last pull tab from the first stack before proceeding with folding the new laminates from the last stack.
6. Go out and ride. Or if you prepped your goggles for later use. Put them in a goggle bag for protection.

How many Tear-offs can you install?

It depends.

But you can use as many as you like without compromising you vision. You’ll notice a difference in clarity when you have installed one to many.

This is where the laminated ones are superior. Some riders have installed 3 stacks (21 tear-offs in total) and still been able to ride and see very clearly.

Standard Tear-offs vs Laminated Tear-offs

When it’s time to buy some tear-offs you’ll notice two different categories or variants; standard and laminated.

Standard

Standard tear-offs are as the name suggest, standard cheap thicker ones. Their visibility is great until you go past maybe 5-6 tear-offs, then it starts getting cloudy.

Since they are a bit thicker they’re less likely to tear off on their own, wasting your money.

Laminated

Laminated tear-offs are thinner with great visibility and normally come in stacks of 7s.

The laminated tear off technology allows us to add multiple stacks of 7 tear-off’s to our goggles. This with very little vision loss or distortion. Perfect for longer races.

Since the stacks are stuck closer together there is never any dirt, dust, or debris that gets caught between the tear-offs sheets. This can happen with standards ones.

The stack also have a strip of clear adhesive around the bottom tear-off. This creates a “seal” around the perimeter and stops any moisture from getting in between the tear-off stack and lens.

Laminated are also more expensive compared to standard.

Choosing between the two? It depends. But you have to make sure they fit your goggles before you buy them.

Are Tear offs banned?

Yes, in some countries tear offs are in fact banned. Especially in races.

In Australia and United Kingdom for example this has been the case for a few years. Other countries have also banned them.

Why are they banned?

For environmental reasons.

Tear-offs are made of plastic and that is of course not something we want in nature.

What is the difference between Tear-Offs and Roll-Offs?

The main difference between the two are:

• Tear-offs come in a stack with tabs. You install the whole stack and then pull off one at a time.
• Roll-offs come in a roll, like an old camera film if you happen to remember those. A thin clean film goes over the lens. If, or when the goggles get muddy you pull the cord to release a whole new fresh field of vision. They give you approx 30 pulls.

We have an article that goes into more detail about the differences and which one might be the best option for you.

Conclusion

Tear-offs are thins plastic sheets that you fit onto your goggle lens. When mud sticks to your goggles you pull the tear-off tab and throw away that sheet.

You can repeat this process for as many times as you have tear offs installed.

They can be tricky to put on the first time. But you’ll soon get the hang of it. Tear-offs are not only for helping you to have clear vision. They will also protect your lens.

So no more stopping to wipe off your goggles!

Do you use tear-offs? Pros and cons? Let us know your opinion.