Smith I/O Goggles Review: Pros, Cons & Verdict (2023) (2023)

FAQs

Are Smith goggles worth it? ›

Smith is an indisputable leader in the snow goggle market, and the fifth design of theirs to make our list this season is the Squad Mag. Slotting below the 4D and I/O in price, it combines a quick-change system that is nearly identical to the 4D with a more budget-friendly cylindrical shape.

SMITH goggles provide the best clarity, comfort, and style, making a day on the slopes a breeze.

The Giro Blok is the best value ski goggles or the best goggles for beginners. The Giro Blok has a cylindrical shape compared to the spherical shape found in more expensive goggles. While it's tempting to cut corners financially in this really expensive sport, the Giro Blok will hold up and is worth the investment.

The recommended VLT for all conditions (ie. one lens for everything) is usually around the 30% mark as it gives a good amount of sun protection while not being too dark for low light days. Goggles with a 30% (or close) VLT are often shades of red, and even some blue lenses have a 20-30% VLT rating.

Smith Rx Glasses are all designed to be anti-reflective, scratch resistant, and dirt-repellent. You can also upgrade your pair with some everyday enhancements.

And how does Phelps feel about his goggles? The XCEED goggles are the best goggles that I have ever worn – they are super comfortable and the vision is insane. The ability to see so clearly with incredible peripheral vision allows me to see the wall and other swimmers underwater unlike ever before.”

Blue, green and violet ski goggle lenses are all generally best for higher light conditions. If you choose blue lenses, you can take advantage of the fact that your goggles will help to reduce glare while you're skiing. If you choose violet, you can enjoy greater detail in your vision.

Smith Goggles Provide Fog Free Vision

The most common goggle problem is fogging, humidity inside the goggle doesn't help - the more humid the air, the more potential for fog. Smith goggles are manufactured with the best anti-fog features to help prevent lens fogging.

The best lenses for bright conditions on the mountain are either a plain dark grey, dark brown, or dark rose lens coupled with a heavy mirror. A solid mirror helps deflect glare, while the grey, brown, or rose colors add contrast. Contrast helps you see all the bumps and troughs of the snow both in and out of shadows.

Good-quality ski goggles can last anywhere from three to eight years, depending on how often you use them. Taking care of your goggles by replacing their lenses and regularly cleaning them can lengthen their lifespan even more.

What does S3 mean for ski goggles? ›

Category 3 / S3 – Dark – Dark lenses that cut out a lot of the suns rays, ideal for sensitive eyes and bright sunny days. Category 4 / S4 – Very Dark – Very dark lenses for high altitude glaciers and intense bright light.

The higher the VLT percentage, the more light goes through (a high % is usually ideal for dark conditions), the lower the percentage the less light goes through (a low % is usually ideal for bright conditions).

In sunny weather, goggles with a low VLT offer the most protection and eye comfort; look for lenses with less than 25% VLT. In flat light or on overcast days, you're going to need a higher VLT; 20-70% VLT will cover the range of conditions you might encounter.

This VLT range goes from about 10-18%. Tints of this density are typical for everyday sunglasses. The lower end of this VLT range is usually coupled with a mirror coating. They're a great option for driving, activities on the water, or being in the snow.

Current Navy Seal Eyewear

The current top choices include the Wiley X Saint Sunglasses and the ESS Flight Deck Military Goggles. The Wiley X Saint provides excellent protection and excellent visibility. It's also ergonomic, which means good protection from wind and debris.

The US Army developed the IVAS goggles for use by close-combat forces. According to a press statement previously released by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), the new goggles will increase the situational awareness of the infantry personnel.

ESS goggles have premium ClearZone™ anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings. Clear and Smoke Grey lenses are included with all military products. The ICE 2.4™ adds an Amber lens, as well. Corrective lens inserts, tear-off lens covers and Laser Protective Lenses are available.

Many of the cheaper sunglasses have a sprayed-on UV coating which often get washed off after the first few times you clean your glasses. This leaves your eyes unprotected. The UV protection is gone, but the dark tinting on the lenses remains and causes your pupils to dilate (because they think it's night time).

From the United States. The good: the glasses are not made in China, which seems to be rare with Smith glasses these days.

What goggles do Katie Ledecky use? ›

Much of the popularity of Swedish goggles is due to their customizable fit. The goggles are sold unassembled, with each goggle set including a pair of eye cups, one long (around 36") latex rubber strip, and a nose piece consisting of string that fits inside a plastic or rubber tube.

Adam Peaty Wears The Arena Cobra Ultra Racing Goggles (With Video) The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled.

Dark or mirrored lenses such as platinum, gray, black and red are suitable for days when the sun is blazing. They typically have a lower VLT (about 25 percent or less), which means less light passes through the lens and more glare is blocked.

Opaque coloured tints are the best choice if you have dark eyes. For a natural-looking change, try a lighter honey brown or hazel coloured lens. But if you really want to stand out from the crowd, opt for contact lenses in vivid colours, such as blue, green or violet.

Green Lenses

Lenses with a green tint are perfect for both sunny and low-light conditions, and reduce glare while making shadows brighter. Green lenses are a great all-purpose choice because they provide clear and comfortable vision, rain or shine.

All Smith lenses provide 100% protection from dangerous UV radiation. Prescription lenses are add ons and must be added to your shopping cart separately. Prescription lens prices are marked in the blue or yellow shaded boxes underneath all the frame color options.

INTERIOR LENS

Do not use cleaning solutions. Let the lens air dry, do not rub the inside of the lens.

Green Lens

Ideal for both sunny and low-light environments, green lenses have a way of reducing glare while brightening shadows. Perfect for water or field sports, cycling, or skiing, these lenses protect and comfort your eyes on foggy, cloudy, or bright, sunshiny days.

Wear blue lenses to reduce glare during snowy conditions, while enjoying water sports, or enjoying sunny leisure activities.

What is the best goggle lens for snowy days? ›

The best goggle lens colour for low light, snow and foggy conditions is either a yellow or rose-tinted lens. These colours are designed to allow maximum light through the lens which makes the terrain easier to see.

Got some of your old ski goggles sitting around that you don't know what to do with? Donate them to Goggles for Docs! Head to their page to learn about the organization and Find a Hospital near you. All hospitals listed have personally requested goggles and been vetted by Goggles for Docs team of volunteers.

Only ever clean the outside of your goggles!

Again, the inside of the lens is super-delicate and can easily be destroyed. If you absolutely have to clean the interior, use only a small amount of warm water. After cleaning, allow your goggles to air-dry.

Ultimately, most people should get at least a year of use out of their swimming goggles before they need to be replaced.

Size does matter, and not just because of the fit of the goggles either. Many manufacturers are producing large and/or oversized goggles with the intent of providing more peripheral vision.

Good ski goggles should provide 100 per cent UV protection. This is vital to keep your eyes protected in the mountains. Mirrored goggles reflect the sunlight and protect your eyes even better against light reflected off bright snow. Good-quality ski goggles usually reflect UVA, UVB and UVC rays as well as blue light.

Goggles are an essential part of skiing or snowboarding gear to protect your eyes from the elements and injury. These sports expose your eyes to prolonged periods of harsh wind and bright sunlight. Unlike sunglasses, goggles seal your eyes from the cold air, and many goggles come with lenses that block UV light.

In reality, safety glasses are the minimum. Preferably, this will have side shields to reduce the risk of foreign objects going around the lenses. On the other hand, safety goggles are more effective at protecting against hazards from going under or around the edges due to the seal.

Land Ops™ goggles are authorized for military use in the US and many other nations worldwide; ESS goggles are the most widely fielded for US troops.

Protective eyewear, such as specialized goggles and wraparound frames with polycarbonate lenses, helps to reduce or eliminate your risk of eye damage. An added bonus is that performance is often enhanced, due to the high quality vision provided from eyewear made for wearing on the playing field.

What color lens is best for skiing? ›

Clear Goggle Lenses are perfect for night time Skiing or Snowboarding. Even though they are clear, sometimes they provide protection from UV radiation. This is ideal in very low light conditions as there will still be UV light radiation.

Yellow, gold, amber, green or rose-colored lenses all offer increased VLT and make good choices on cloudy, socked-in days. Darker tints have lower VLT because less light passes through the lens.

The short answer is that safety goggles should be worn any time you are working with substances that could potentially harm your eyes.

Here are the key differences between goggles and glasses: Safety goggles offer complete protection around your eye. Safety glasses may only offer protection around the front and sides (not to the top).

Current Navy Seal Eyewear

The current top choices include the Wiley X Saint Sunglasses and the ESS Flight Deck Military Goggles. The Wiley X Saint provides excellent protection and excellent visibility. It's also ergonomic, which means good protection from wind and debris.

Features: The IBE is designed to protect Marines against sun, wind, dust, and ballistic fragmentation hazards that are common in the battle space. The eyewear can be worn during the day and night.

"The four-eyed night vision goggles are used by various military forces including US Navy seals. These help commandos to identify the target very easily even in dark.

When Is It Time to Toss Them? Goggles have a three- to five-month lifespan when used regularly. That's for sure a new pair every season, maybe two per season. Even if you don't hit that mark, be sure to discard them when the rubber eye gaskets are warped out of shape, as they'll cause leaks.

The Goggles Should Form a Good Seal

The easiest way to answer this question is that the swimming goggles should be tight enough to form a firm seal without giving someone a headache. While someone might be concerned about the "goggle rings" that form around the eyes, these will fade with time.

Are goggles less protective than safety glasses? ›

Goggles provide the most comprehensive eye protection. Glasses protect you from direct projectiles and may guard your sides with shields but do not defend your eyes against objects from above or very fine particles. Both types of protective eyewear fog easily, particularly if you're wearing a mask.