I've been a devoted Smith IO/S goggle wearer for the past few years. They fit well with my Smith helmet and have a cool google strap that goes with my helmet and jacket. And I've actually become pretty good at swapping the lenses in and out.
But when I got a new Giro helmet, I started thinking about getting new goggles. The IO/S just didn't fit as well anymore. One of the Divas on the forum (I think it was @snoWYmonkey ) mentioned that she really loved her Dragon X1S Transition goggles, so I was intrigued. These automatically darken in bright sunlight and lighten in cloudy or snowy conditions. According to the website, the darkness of the lens tint will vary between 76% and 16% Visible Light Transmission (VLT). A high percentage rate signifies a lighter lens tint, which allows more natural light into the lens in overcast, shaded or low-light conditions. A lower percent signifies a darker lens tint, and is typically best for glare control in sunny conditions.
I had the opportunity to try them out at the industry on-snow demo days at Stratton a few weeks ago, and liked them a lot -- so much so that I ended up buying a pair. And yes, I have to say that I agree with snoWYmonkey; These goggles work as advertised. The first day was sunny and bright, the next day less so, and they really performed. Plus the clarity of the lens is first rate, which I also really liked. And the fit is good, too. They work well with my Giro helmet, and they don't pinch around my (rather large) nose, which the IO/S always did. The silicone-backed strap is also heftier and more non-slip than the one on the IO/S. A downside: it's not as graphically pleasing. Oh, well.
Right now the X1S Transitions are available with a yellow lens, though I think next year they'll be offering them in a rose lens, too, if that's your preference. The rep told me the yellow one is better for flat light days, which we get plenty of here in New England. So I decided to get that rather than wait.
If you want to know more about the goggle technology, you can go here.
But when I got a new Giro helmet, I started thinking about getting new goggles. The IO/S just didn't fit as well anymore. One of the Divas on the forum (I think it was @snoWYmonkey ) mentioned that she really loved her Dragon X1S Transition goggles, so I was intrigued. These automatically darken in bright sunlight and lighten in cloudy or snowy conditions. According to the website, the darkness of the lens tint will vary between 76% and 16% Visible Light Transmission (VLT). A high percentage rate signifies a lighter lens tint, which allows more natural light into the lens in overcast, shaded or low-light conditions. A lower percent signifies a darker lens tint, and is typically best for glare control in sunny conditions.
I had the opportunity to try them out at the industry on-snow demo days at Stratton a few weeks ago, and liked them a lot -- so much so that I ended up buying a pair. And yes, I have to say that I agree with snoWYmonkey; These goggles work as advertised. The first day was sunny and bright, the next day less so, and they really performed. Plus the clarity of the lens is first rate, which I also really liked. And the fit is good, too. They work well with my Giro helmet, and they don't pinch around my (rather large) nose, which the IO/S always did. The silicone-backed strap is also heftier and more non-slip than the one on the IO/S. A downside: it's not as graphically pleasing. Oh, well.
Right now the X1S Transitions are available with a yellow lens, though I think next year they'll be offering them in a rose lens, too, if that's your preference. The rep told me the yellow one is better for flat light days, which we get plenty of here in New England. So I decided to get that rather than wait.
If you want to know more about the goggle technology, you can go here.
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