Goggles?

[Max_501]

Looking for a great pair of goggles... in particular excellent lenses. Any suggestions?

[dan.boisvert]

I like the Smith lenses. I find the Phenom fits my face and helmet well, and I like the spherical lenses that come with it. I have two pairs--one the Sensor Mirror, which I use every day during the winter here due to its exceptional performance in flat light, and one the Platinum Mirror, which is great for sunny spring days here and bluebird days out west.

The Sensor Mirror is pretty close to magic. It's fantastic in flat light, just dark enough that I can use it all winter in New England without ever squinting, and still light enough that I can use it for night skiing without crashing into things. I'm really not sure how it manages all three of these things, but it does.

I'm reasonably sensitive to visual distortions, and don't have any trouble with the Smith lenses. They seem to be pretty durable--I've crashed a lot, and the only damage to them is from a lovely fellow skier one day last year who spun around quickly with skis shouldered at head height and clocked me. The goggles were up on my helmet at the time, and have a gouge from the edges of the skis that got me. They still work great and there's no spalling or distortion or anything. I haven't noticed any scratches from tree branches or anything either, and while I try to avoid them, I've definitely taken some to the face. I also have a pair of Oakley A Frames w/ Persimmon lenses I lend out to friends that were pretty good as far as distortion goes, but the Smith lens colors work a lot better for me.

I've never had any problems with goggles fogging that weren't caused by user error, so I can't speak to that. I think the fit and finish of the Oakleys are a bit more tidy than the Smiths, but I prefer the Smith lenses by far. If either of my pairs broke tomorrow, I'd order an identical replacement.

[Icanski]

I have three goggles I use. For everyday teaching I have Brikos with the Icarus model with Photochromatic DC3 lense. This lense changes according to the light conditions. It works really well on all but the super brightest days.
I also have a pair of Smiths for night skiing or flat light,
and also the Smith Prodigy Turbo, which has the built in fan. It could be a great goggle for the Olympics, given the fog and rain. There's a little fan on the top that keeps the air moving over the lense and prevents fog ups. I find when I ski someplace with a big altitude change and different temps from bottom to top, this helps prevent condensation and fogging. They're pricey, but after having a complete fog up on a double black at Fernie and not being able to see anything, these were well worth the expense to be able to see. Get the special helmet converter for the strap. they're finicky with some helmets.
see ya'
Icanski

[zuschauer]

Max, Three answers: The best clarity, versatility, great fit and lens selection.
if you don't mind a single lens, the Race model from Uvex (L Vonns' Goggle) has great optical clarity that few if any dual lens goggles can match. It also has a impregnated antifog treatment. (clarity)

For a dual lens non sperical I use a Bolle with the photochromatic lens and find it great 98% of the time. (versatility)

For a spherical, I like the better smith models with a lens color appropriate to where you live/ski. (fit lens selection, quality)

Also, ask Harald about the Fuxi goggles his friend produces.

there you go, a quiver of goggles to match many of our ski collections

Richard B

[newskier]

I have Smith Goggles with sensor mirror. It does not work for me in flat light when it is above tree line.

[ginaliam]

Max,

TRy the Native Eyewear Goggles-they come with multiple lenses easy to switch 1. Polarized bright sun lens and 1 sportflex (High Light Transmission) flat-light lens.

Sierra Trading Post is selling them at like 60% off-I picked up a pair (with an additional 30% discount as a frequent buyer). I liked the Mission Model as it's a pretty small frame and fits nicely with a helmet.

The lenses are awesome btw. I like their sunglasses as well.

[Max_501]

I ended up with the Smith I/O. Best goggles I've ever used. The lenses are outstanding.