Comparison review: Even though it's cloudy, the snow surface is clear. Let's compare the rumored high contrast goggles for skiing and snowboarding.
Written by Makoto Hamaguchi
This season is said to be a warm winter, but it still snows, and when it does, you can enjoy the powder snow. I've been really feeling glad to be born in Japan lately
So, when it comes to winter sports, what do you imagine is the most important piece of equipment for enjoying skiing and snowboarding?
Of course, you need skis and boards to ski! And
of course, boots are the link between the skis and boards!
But the most important thing is the look! And the clothing!
There are many different opinions, but I think the most important piece of gear is goggles
It is said that humans obtain 90% of information through their vision, that is, their eyes. If you are blindfolded, 90% of the information is lost. That is why I believe that goggles, an essential item for seeing, are the most important!
With this in mind, I have been using SMITH
It all started with this comment muttered by a senior patrolman who was color-blind
"I tried a lot of different lenses, but only this SMIT
Before that, I was a big fan of OAKLEY , I started using SMITH SMITH exclusively for about 10 years. In other words, before I started this review, I was a total SMITH fan.
looking at the recent SMITH
"Is the quality really different from cheaper goggles?"
"Is it really worth the price?"
"Other brands say the same thing, but which one is really better?"
It is also true that questions are beginning to arise
So this time, we picked three popular major brands plus one benchmark company to compare high-contrast lens goggles, which use the latest lens technology!
table of contents
table of contents
- About the items we compared and tested this time
- Test results and spec comparison table
- If you had to choose one, what would it be? My recommendation
- Other recommended models by preference
- Summary: Tips for choosing the perfect goggles for you, as revealed by the test
About the ski and snowboard goggles we compared this time
The goggles used for this comparison are listed below. *The numbers in parentheses indicate the lens type and visible light transmittance (VLT)
- SMITH Squad XL (Cromapop Storm Rose Flash lens 50%)
- OAKLEY Line Miner XM (Prizm Rose 26%)
- POC Retina Big Clarity (Spektris Rose Gold 35% *Included lenses are Spectris Orange 22%)
- (Benchmark) SWANS RIDGELINE-U (ULTRA Lens 35%)
When choosing these four models, I first wanted to test the following three criteria:
- Wearing high-contrast lenses
- Flat lens type
- Being a major domestic brand
Why did you choose a high-contrast lens?
One of the most cutting-edge technologies that has recently become popular in ski goggle lenses is the "high contrast lens." Put simply, it's a technology that allows you to see more clearly and sharply (see SMITH's "Chromapop" ), making it much easier to see bumps in the snow.
Just how advanced have the latest lenses been? As a gear enthusiast, I couldn't help but try them out. There was another reason why I chose the latest high-contrast lens: price
As the level of product technology improves, the price of goggles has continued to rise recently. But are they really worth the price? You've already had to replace your unsatisfactory shoes, so is it really necessary to use an expensive model with high-contrast lenses now? You won't know until you try them out
Why did we choose to compare flat lenses?
First and foremost, it looks cool (lol).
I simply think that flat lenses are the latest trend (lol).
this guy and that guy who compete in the Olympics and X Games also prefer to use flat surfaces.
When I asked why, I was told that flat screens have less distortion. In my own experience, I had to try them out multiple times before I could notice a difference, perhaps at the edge of my field of vision. However, flat screens do have less distortion and provide a more natural field of vision. In a world where instant, delicate, and precise movements are required, you want to choose the most accurate information from the outside world, and this made a lot of sense to me
It is generally said that spherical lenses have the advantage of providing a wider field of view than flat lenses, but in the end, there are also flat lenses that provide a wider field of view. For this reason, I chose flat lenses this time, as they are the most up-to-date
Why did you choose these three brands?
First of all, SMITH and OAKLEY are top brands worldwide. Both support high-level riders, and some riders even say that when it comes to goggles, they only have two choices: SMITH or OAKLEY
Another reason POC on the slopes and among backcountry skiers, and I have the impression that it is often used by foreign tourists! (Actually, I also wanted to see for myself how good they are, as Fullmarks, who has a good eye for quality and branding, is the domestic distributor.)
SWANS given their popularity in Japan and their domestic brand status, but there were no suitable flat lens models available, so this time I picked out a high-end model from their lineup and used it for comparison.
other DRAGON , which also has high-contrast lens models aimed at Japanese people, but after consulting with the editor-in-chief, we narrowed down the comparison models to the four above. Incidentally, I'm a telemark skier who loves powder, so I've made my selections assuming they'll be used in powder or the backcountry.
Test environment
The test conditions were as follows: from January to February, the glasses were tested at ski resorts and backcountry areas, on sunny to cloudy days, and in the morning and evening, to consider visibility, comfort, etc. We also conducted tests in indoor environments to consider details such as anti-fogging
In addition, the following five items were evaluated for each model, loads were allocated according to their importance, and the graded items for each model were set as follows.
- Visibility...The high-contrast lenses that inspired this project were not only about how easy it was to see in the snow, but also about how comfortable the field of view was, including the width of the field of view
- Anti-fog: Anti-fog goggles are very important when enjoying powder snow in the backcountry
- Comfort: Check the overall fit, cushioning, breathability, etc
- Ease of use: Compares the small aspects of satisfaction when using the glasses, such as ease of fastening and removing the strap, adjusting the strap, ease of changing lenses, and quality of construction
- Cost performance: Evaluates the balance between the above functions and performance and price
What are your expectations before the test?
My prediction before the test was that, as I am a SMITH fan, the number one choice would be the classic `` SMITH .''
How will
another long-established brand, OAKLEY, And what about the up-and-coming Scandinavian brand POC ?
In the end, is the benchmark SWANS better?
If things go as expected, the order would be SMITH > OAKLEY > POC, but what was the actual result? Let's announce the results right away!
Test results and spec comparison table
If you find it difficult to see the table because it is lightweight for smartphones, click here
| comprehensive evaluation | AAA | AA | AA | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| item |  OAKLEY Line Miner XM |  POC Retina Big Clarity |  SMITH Squad XL |  SWANS RIDGELINE-U |
| Reference price | 17,280 yen | 27,000 yen | 24,840 yen | 27,000 yen |
| This is ◎ |
|
|
|
|
| This is △ |
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|
|
|
| Ease of viewing | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Not cloudy | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of use | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cost Performance | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Specs | ||||
| lens | Prizm Lenses | Clarity Lens | Cromapop | ULTRA Lens |
| Lens color | Prizm Rose | Spectris Orange (reviewed as Spektris Rose Gold) | Storm Rose Flash | Ice Mirror x Ultra Light Purple |
| Visible light transmittance (VLT) | 26% | 22% (35% in reviews) | 50% | 35% |
| accessories |
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If you had to choose one, what would it be? My recommendation
All of the products I chose this time were from well-known brands, so there were no major issues with their basic performance, and I didn't find any major drawbacks in terms of ease of viewing or resistance to fogging
However, when it comes to using them in powder or backcountry skiing, the basic performance plus a little extra is very important. For this reason, I compared them from a more detailed perspective. After comprehensively examining lens performance, fit, anti-fogging, build quality, cost performance, etc., the goggles I would recommend right now the OAKLEY Line Miner XM !
To be honest, I was basically satisfied with the performance of all the lenses and it was hard to choose a favorite, but this model provided the clearest contrast, and the other lens performance and fit were flawless, making it safe to use in the backcountry. Another deciding factor in my choice was the excellent build quality
The installation of the pads, bonding of the lenses, construction of the foam, and construction of the lenses are all of high quality down to the smallest details, and I felt that this was a product worth the price. For example, looking at the bonding of the lenses, you can see that the two lenses are bonded together neatly, with almost no misalignment, protrusions, or wrinkles
The whole thing is neatly pasted together, with almost no misalignment, overhangs, or wrinkles
It may seem obvious, but there are very few manufacturers that are so thorough with this even in the parts that cannot be seen. By the way, with SMITH , I am quite concerned about things like excess glue.
The quality of the construction can be seen by comparing the details. Misalignment of the adhesive, as shown in the photo, has a subtle effect on performance and durability
However, I will be purchasing a different lens color. The Prizm Rose lenses (VLT 26%) used in this test are a little too dark, so while they work well on sunny days, they are harder to see through in lightly cloudy or snowy conditions than other bright lenses
The color is so dark that it doesn't bother me on sunny days, but even on a lightly cloudy day like this, it was quite red and stressful
Therefore, I felt that a VLT lens that was a little brighter (around 35-50%) and had a lighter color that could be used in both sunny and slightly cloudy conditions would make it easier to see overall
However, if you have never used a pair of high-quality goggles before, the SMITH Squad XL . While the assembly quality OAKLEY , the fit is particularly high, and the high cost performance of the two-lens set is a plus for a first model.
When it comes to products of this level, performance is comparable, so it all comes down to the fit, and whether the lenses meet your needs. Having two lenses is like having two pairs of goggles, so if one lens becomes unusable, you can just use the other one to cover it
When you think about it, SMITH is so popular.