What are Goggle Roll-offs? our guide to everything you need to know

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

For those new to motocross, roll-offs might be one of them: “I’ve heard about them but don’t know what they really are…”

Here we’ll walk you through what roll-offs are, how you install em best, discuss the differences and benefits between different types of roll-offs, and more.

What are Goggle Roll-offs?

A Roll-Off system uses a thin transparent roll-off film. This film starts out in a canister on one side of your goggle and runs across the front of your goggle lens and into a secondary canister on the other side.

By pulling a cord string, the system rolls the clear film across your lens leaving you with clear vision.

With a roll-off system on your motocross goggles, you can quickly improve your vision under severe conditions. The system ensures that mud and sand are removed from your field of view.

How do they work?

On each side of the roll off lens you have canisters. One feed canister and one uptake canister. Between them a roll of transparent sheet material (film) can move horizontally across the motocross goggles.

The film can be fed from one roll and taken up by the other roll. The uptake roll is rotated by pulling a cord that sits on the uptake canister. With one pull the dirty film is rolled up and clean film covers the lens.

One pull gives you one clearing. This can be done repeatedly until all clean film have been used.

A Roll-Off system consists of these different parts

• Lens – polycarbonate or Lexan with anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings. For roll offs the lens is often manufactured with some sort of anti stick to keep the film from sticking to the lens.
• A roll of film – usually 2-5 extra rolls are included.
• 2 Canisters (one on each side of the lens) – holds the film and the left canister also have the string cord. They are often transparent which makes it easy to see the remaining film supply. It also widens the field of view.
• Mudguard or mud flap visor – this sticks to the top of the lens and sits on top of the film to make sure no water or debris gets in between the film and lens.

How wide are the roll-off films?

In earlier versions, back in the 90s and early 00s, a 32 mm film system was used but now many brands use a 45 or 50 mm wide film.

This gives you a wider and higher field of vision. This is very helpful in extremely muddy conditions with sticky mud.

What are they made of?

The film is typically made out of thin polyester.

Lenses are made out of some sort of Lexan® and the canisters hard plastics.

Are there special roll-off lenses?

Yes.

Most goggle companies have pre-drilled holes in the lens to mount the roll-off canisters on.

Some brands like 100% and Oakley have their own unique system. The 100% Forecast roll-off system sits on top of the goggle frame. The Oakley Airbrakes actually use the tear-off lens.

Are Goggle Roll offs universal?

Unfortunately, no.

Every goggle company have their own roll-off system. The different parts like lenses, canisters and film only fit their specific system.

You can however buy third party roll-offs made for the different Goggle brands. They are often cheaper than original.

How to use Roll-offs?

The roll-offs system is designed to be very easy to use. This is a must when riding and racing.

You just pull the cord on the left-hand side of your goggles. Doing this will drag a “new” fresh line of film across the lens.

And there you go. You can once again see the track!

Note: The cord is always placed on the left side. Why? You do not want to take your right hand (throttle hand) of the bars.

When to use Roll-offs?

Roll offs are mainly used during races. Especially when it’s wet and muddy conditions.

If the race is longer, Roll-offs lasts longer than tear-offs do.

With a roll-off system you can expect to get around 30-50 pulls. With tear-offs you can’t install that many without really compromising your vision.

Note: Because tear-offs are banned in many countries and races roll-offs are your only option. So make sure you are familiar with them (wear them in training) before you start any race.

Downsides with Roll-offs?

There are some drawbacks to using them though. Especially under these 2 circumstances:

• If it’s raining, and we mean pouring down, water tend to find its way under the film. This will blur up your vision but can also make the film stuck to your lens. The rolling mechanism won’t let you pull a new line.
• When you got a lot of sticky mud and dirt that attaches to your goggles and lens. You’ll end up with a very thin line of sight. This will over time be very frustrating and might lead to you removing your goggles altogether. Big no no.

How to install (load) Roll-offs

When you buy a pair of Roll-off Goggles they come race ready. The film is in place, and you can start to rip thru it.

But when the roll of film is used up you need to replace the old roll white a new one.

Here is our step-by-step guide on how to load a new roll of film onto your roll-off goggles:

1. Remove the doors from both the feed canister and the motor canister (uptake one). Usually there are small tabs that you press to open the canister doors.
2. Remove the old roll of film. Before you throw it away, make sure you have a new blank roll that goes in the uptake canister. If not, you need to reuse the old one.
3. Clean the goggles and lens. You do not want any dirt sitting between the lens and new film. Clean lens means that you’ll have crystal clear vision.
4. Peel back the tape from the new roll of film. Expose the first few centimeters of film and orient the film roll.
   
   Note: The film needs to be loaded so that it feeds from the back of the film roll closest to the lens (anti-clockwise).
5. Insert the film roll into the feed canister and position the film beneath the mudflap (if you have one). Then reattach the door to the supply canister.
6. Attach the exposed tail of the roll onto the motor side (uptake side). There is an axle in the bottom of the canister that hooks onto the tail of the roll.
7. Fix the uptake canister door into position. Now pull the string once or twice to ensure that the film runs smoothly and everything sits secured in its place.

Now you’re once again prepared for when the riding conditions gets worse!

Here are a couple of more videos showing how to install roll-offs on a few different goggle brands.

Install Oakley Airbrake MX Roll Offs

Install Oakley Front Line MX Roll Offs

Install 100% Armega Roll Offs

Install Scott Prospect Roll Offs

Install Leatt Roll Offs

Can you use Tear-offs with Roll-offs?

Yes, some brands have a system where you can install tear-offs over your roll-offs.

Built-in posts make this possible.

This is very helpful in starts during a muddy race were your goggles might end up totally covered in dirt. Then you just rip the tear-offs and start using the still fresh roll-off later in the race.

How much do Roll-offs cost?

You can buy both complete Roll-off Goggles and a Roll-off kit that you install on your existing goggles by replacing your “normal” lens.

• A complete set of Roll-offs will cost you between $60 and $200.
• A Roll-off Kit costs from $25 up to $70.

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

The main difference between the two are:

• Tear-offs come in a stack with tabs. You install the whole stack of tear-offs and then pull off one at a time. With tear-offs you get a full clear vision since they cover the whole lens. You are however limited in how many you can install without making your vision cloudy.
• Roll-offs have a thin clean film that goes over the lens. When the goggles get muddy you pull the cord to release a whole new fresh field of vision.

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

Conclusion

Vision if super important when you ride. In races and/or muddy conditions your goggles tend to get dirt sticking to them.

Here Roll-offs will help keep your vision clear.

Roll-offs use rolls of thin plastic film that goes across your lens. This film can be pulled from one side to the other via a cord.

One pull gives you clear vision!

So no more stopping to wipe off your goggles!

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