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
From here on, we will introduce recommended models based on various points of interest from various perspectives. Please use this if you want to judge for yourself which model suits you best based on the test results. It is quite a niche topic, so please enjoy it even if you like it
table of contents
Bright and high-contrast lenses: OAKLEY
What I was most interested in was the comparison of high contrast lens performance. To be honest, this is the area the brand has been putting the most effort into, and each lens has its own merits and demerits in the finer details, so there is no model that stands out the most overall, making it a very difficult choice .
First of all, in terms of the strength of the much talked about high contrast (how clearly shadows can be seen), OAKLEY was the most noticeably clear. It was clear on the slopes, but it was surprising how clear it was even in the city. Primary colors in particular look fluorescent. SMITH has a strong sense of contrast, partly due to the bright lenses. POC and SWANS also made shadows stand out more clearly on snow, but when viewed in complex environments, including in the city, they were a little milder than the other two.
Next, in terms of lens brightness, the VLT is different so it's not possible to give an exact difference, but in terms of lenses that feel brighter, OAKLEY has the best visibility on sunny days and the contrast is clear, so it feels brighter. Incidentally, SMITH is excellent in overall brightness, and looks brighter especially in dim light. It almost feels brighter than with the naked eye. POC and SWANS also generally bright and easy to see through, and SWANS has a color that appears close to the naked eye, so they cause the least discomfort when worn.
High resolution and wide field of view: POC
the POC lenses provided a clearer and sharper field of view . I can't explain why, but the lenses, made by camera lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss, definitely provided a clearer field of view than the others. It felt like the image quality had been adjusted on my smartphone.
Finally, there's the field of view. The shape of the goggles and the shape of the frame have a big impact on the field of view. Naturally, a wider field of view makes it easier to see, but the easier it is to see the parts you need, the easier the goggles are to use. With this in mind, POC . The drooping shape of the goggles, like teardrop sunglasses, provides a wide field of view on the lower left and right, and the shape and size of the frame also make it easy to obtain a wide field of view.
Cost performance: SMITH
They offer high levels of visibility, anti-fogging, and a comfortable fit, and for the price (23,000 yen) with two lenses, I can only say that they are a great value for the money. If you're buying goggles for the first time, or if your current goggles are no longer suitable, I would definitely recommend SMITH
Also, if you already have goggles that you can use, I recommend OAKLEY as your next pair because of the careful construction
Anti-fog: SMITH, OAKLEY
I believe that anti-fog goggles are very important when enjoying powder snow in the backcountry, so this "anti-fog" feature was something I was particularly interested in
Based on various test results, including not only actual skiing but also leaving them in the bath and spraying them with mist, either SMITH or OAKLEY are perfect for anti-fogging! They are anti-fogging and absorb and release moisture very quickly, so even if you fall and snow gets in your glasses, a quick lift ride will restore them to a level where you can still see clearly. POC also had no issues with anti-fogging on the inside. However, I did feel like the outside of the lenses were a little more prone to fogging when riding in a gondola
If the lens is anti-fog, the lens will absorb any slight fogging, and even if you spray water on it with a spray bottle, it will quickly absorb and release the moisture (photo shows SMITH)
Regarding SWANS, I didn't have a good impression of them before. However, after this experience, my impression changed and I bought a pair of SWANS goggles for my child. That's how good my impression of SWANS is, but when it comes to backcountry skiing, I don't recommend SWANS
If snow gets inside SWANS and water droplets form, the lenses absorb the water and expand, making it difficult to see. Furthermore, once they absorb water, they take a long time to recover, causing the lenses to become distorted. In this case, a secondary pair of goggles is essential
If moisture accumulates on the inside of the lens to a certain extent, the surface of the inside of the lens will become uneven like a crater. Naturally, this will distort your vision. It will take several minutes to several tens of minutes for the lens to recover from this
Comfort: SMITH
(From right: SMITH, OAKLEY, POC, SWANS)
SMITH was the most comfortable overall, taking into account fit, cushioning, and breathability . It's easy to see this when you remove the lenses and try on the frame alone: while other brands' lenses start to touch the sides and temples, SMITH lenses start to touch the center. This means that gaps tend to form around the nose, making them a better fit for Japanese people, whose faces tend to have a gentler curve than Westerners. The reason for this is that the nose area of the Japan Fit lenses has a substantial volume boost, and the foam pads are tapered, with different thicknesses in the center and on the sides.
From the right: SMITH, OAKLEY, POC, SWANS
Additionally, OAKLEY also has a comfortable fit thanks to its shape that is relatively easy to fit for Japanese people and the cushioning in the areas that touch. On the other hand POC , while offering an Asian fit, still has a somewhat sharp curve in the frame, and the frame shape makes it easy for gaps to form on the cheeks, so the fit may vary from person to person (although the nose pads are thicker, so they don't tend to be too tight).
Many people may be wondering, "What about the Japanese-made SWANS SWANS also have a gentle curve, but the nose pads are actually thin. Because they are thin (especially around the nose), they may not fit well on some people.
From the right: SMITH, OAKLEY, POC, SWANS. The fit felt quite different depending on the thickness of the nose pads
Summary: Tips for choosing the perfect goggles for you, as revealed by the test
SMITH, OAKLEY, POC, SWANS - all top brands - all of them were great products! It was also a lot of fun to discuss them
Based on the results of this study, we can say the following about goggle selection:
- fitting
- Lens Selection
Finally, I would like to share some tips on how to choose that I learned through this review
1: Fitting
It has been said that fitting is important when choosing goggles. However, you may be wondering, "What should I look at when it comes to fitting?" I myself had only ever paid attention to the gap around my nose. However, after testing this time, I realized that there are several points to consider when it comes to fitting
- Is the frame size right for me?
- Does the frame form curve fit your face?
- Is there a gap in the nose?
- Do you find the hardness of the foam or the feel of the material unpleasant?
When choosing goggles, try out a variety of styles, from expensive to cheap. There's no point in buying expensive ones if they don't fit properly.
Try on five or six brands and models and you'll get a general idea. In particular, when it comes to frame size and dimensions, even if large lenses are in fashion, if they're too big they'll look childish, and if you're wearing a helmet, compatibility with the helmet is also important. If they're too big, the goggles will hang down on the helmet and won't fit.
I think the most important thing is whether you like the model or not, but I hope you'll remember the results of this study when you find yourself thinking, "This one and this one are both good, but what should I do?"
2: Lens selection
Personally, I recommend choosing lenses that are on the bright side. In terms of VLT, this is around 35% to 50%. Basically, it's a lens that can cover everything from sunny to cloudy conditions
Although it depends on the individual, I feel that the lens color is too dark at 25%, making it difficult to see. Lenses designed for foreigners, especially Westerners, seem to be too dark for Japanese people
Foreigners, especially Westerners, wear sunglasses. It's partly a fashion statement, but apparently they're simply too bright. Westerners have lighter eye pigmentation, so they're more susceptible to glare
It also snows a lot in Japan. In January and February, it snows a lot and it's often cloudy, so I don't think you actually need lenses that are that dark
In terms of this lens,
- SWANS RIDGELINE-U (ULTRA lens VLT 35%)
- POC Retina Big Clarity (Spektris Rose Gold VLT 35%)
It seems to be easy to use
Left: SWANS RIDGELINE-U (ULTRA Lens VLT 35%), Right: POC Retina Big Clarity (Spektris Rose Gold VLT 35%)
Of course, it depends on the individual, so there is no absolute answer. In fact, I am fine with bright lenses, so my favorite lens is the SMITH Cromapop Storm Rose Flash lens 50%
However, some people say that this is too bright and dazzling on sunny days
If it's too bright, it's not good for your eyes and will make you tired, so considering the average lens color, I think 35% is a safe bet. If you have a larger budget, there are now high-contrast and photochromic lenses available, which were not available in this model, so those are probably the best!
The best goggles will depend on how you use them and the primary use you will have. From the perspective of a backcountry skier, the results are as shown here
We hope this helps you choose your goggles!
Hamaguchi Makoto
When I quit my job as an office worker and stayed at a ski resort, I became interested in powder riding after seeing friends who enjoyed powder. After that, I worked as a ski shop clerk before heading to my family's soba restaurant. In the summer we go to a soba restaurant. My goal is to work as a skier in the winter.
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