Smith vs Oakley googles for pnw

[carlh]

I am planning to buy new googles for this winter since my the smiths I have had for a few years have been getting moisture in between the lenses. My current quiver is an old set of smith prophecy’s with a sun lens, smith vice with igniter mirror and outdoor master clears for nights. Mostly skiing alpental or hyak and might make a trip to Whistler. The sun lense is starting to shed foam but still works and doesnt get out often but I’m happy with it for when it does. I am pretty light sensitive and tend to prefer a high contrast but darker lens for everything except night skiing.

I am comparing the smith everyday lenses (not sure which color) vs the Oakley prism in the rose or garnet color most likely. Shooting for 20-30% light transmission and max contrast. I tend to prefer reddish base tints.

Any comparison between these options or others I should consider? I have tried low light lenses in the past a they give me a headache if the clouds start to thin even a little. I am also open to photochromatic options if they actually work.

[tenB]

There are Smith and Oakley fans here, both work well. If low light lenses give you headaches definitely stay away from the Smith blue or yellow low light options. I like the smith storm rose lens for everyday, friends like the Oakley lens with similar red tint.

Also, both have good warranty replacements, you might get credit for your pair with moisture between the lenses.

[enginerd]

Julbo photo chromic options are pretty awesome too…


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[gaijin]

In my decades of experience between these two brands, it comes down to this-- Nothing beats the clarity/visual experience of an Oakley lens. But they're fragile with the no-wipe the inside pain in the ass coating. Smith is less of a visual experience but isn't a nightmare if you get snow inside. Both foams will die after a few years.

I can't remember the name of the Prizm I got last year but within seconds of putting them on I said-- this is the sickest lens I've ever had in my life.

Either way-- fuck retail. For a while I had A-frames and about 8 lenses. I tried doing that with Smith I/O but the foam deteriorated after 3 years. Went back to Oakley because of a sale. Money-no-matter = oakley all the way.

[MHSP1497]

I’ve been rocking a set of Zeal Portal’s since 2019. The foam has held up and the extra lenses can be found cheap online.

[Benneke10]

I have some Julbo Photochromic goggles, they stay dark out in winter temps even in low light conditions, so pretty much unusable a lot of the time. I bought these to use on storm days this season https://www.levelninesports.com/prod...-m-goggle-2022

[SoVT Joey]

I use the Oakley rose and the dark. My eyes are really sensitive to light as well. The rose is great as long as it’s overcast or snowing. Nothing better. The dark is also amazing. The clarity is really really good. Far beyond smith. I am a Oakley die hard. Used to have smith and will never go back. Flight deck is a killer goggle and very easy to switch lenses. Fall lines are found with really good deals though and I have a couple buddies that love them but they are not as great as the flight deck. And very helmet compatible

[californiagrown]

Purchase the ones you can get the best deal on. The differences are negligible and will be offset by the rimeing up of the lense and the water droplets on the outside.

[Ted Striker]

Photochromatic doesn't react fast enough for a lot of PNW skiing. Oakley lenses/tints are marginally better than Smith.

Both are going to get covered in water droplets, and how that water refracts the color of the lens coating may be more/less annoying (for instance, smith gold is less distracting than violet/purple). Both are dramatically overpriced.

[fbw360]

Smith storm rose works pretty well for me as an every day lens in WA if it is snowing or there is cloud cover. Even when it clears up a bit I've been pretty happy to run it until the end of the day. I find that it is usually pretty obvious here by 9am if itll be a crazy clear/bright day and you should be going for a high light lense...

To note, had problems with fogging on my first pair of brand new storm rose lenses but smith warranty took care of it without any questions asked - been very happy with the replacement they sent and no issues after 2 years of heavy use.

fwiw both are great, probably best to just get what you can find for cheapest.

[BC.]

Funny to hear about Oakley>Smith. I used to be an Oakley guy…then switched to Smith based on recommendations/comments…..and now I’m a Smith guy….

Both companies worked for me/“my eyes”….

Smith Blue Sensor lens has become my daily lens here in NE. Not because it snows, but because the sun never comes out…and the weather sucks.

[carlh]

Thanks for the confirmation on the photochromatic that was my expectation on those.
No way I can wear a 50% vlt lens on a non whiteout day. I’m looking at the 20% everyday type lenses from both companies.
I can get deals on either so price is similar for a flight deck vs non mag smith. The mag smith is more expensive but comes with a second lens. Sounds like I should go look through some and see how they fit with my helmet the next time I have a chance.

[plugboots]

How old are you guy’s Julbo reactiv? Mine are from last year, and they do not react slowly, and I’m amazed at how quick they react, and are unaffected by temp.

[enginerd]

see how they fit with my helmet the next time I have a chance.

It’s been a long time since I switched from Oakley to Smith but this is what did it for me. The vantage + I/o combo is just so good.


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[Jason4]

Photochromatic doesn't react fast enough for a lot of PNW skiing. Oakley lenses/tints are marginally better than Smith.

Both are going to get covered in water droplets, and how that water refracts the color of the lens coating may be more/less annoying (for instance, smith gold is less distracting than violet/purple). Both are dramatically overpriced.

My experience is the opposite. My favorite lenses are photochromatic, I don't care that they don't react going in and out of the trees, I care that I don't need to fuss with different lenses on different days. If the day is dark and stormy, I'm good; if the day is bright and sunny, I can still use the same lenses comfortably; even if the weather changes midday, not a big deal. At this point I just buy a new Smith frame and immediately match it with a photochromatic lens and it works for the season barring any mistakes on my part.

[MoeSnow]

I ski in the PNW and got a pair of Anon M4s last year. I have a blackout lens for blue bird days, a lens for cloudy day skiing, and some high VLT ones for night skiing. No issues with fogging all season.

[Huskier]

None of the above, cut the cord.

Seriously, no mfg has some voodoo magic you can't ski without. I'll second that photochromics didn't impress and most of our days are low light anyway.

Chinese Amazon goggles. Magnetic interface, change out super easy. Dual lens, never fog. Scratch easier than some but a new lens is $20. I was on the Anon train, then the Smith train. Never again, there are way better things to spend money on...

[CHAIR_97]

Nothing looks cooler than that big O logo right next to your ikon pass on your helmet. Definitely go with oakleys
However don't pay retail and buy 2 pairs . Oakleys must come inside for the night in the nw or the will be fog fucked the next day. You can't leave them in your car overnight .who cares if you can see ad long as you look core brah

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[carlh]

I have outdoor master clears for night riding and they have me convinced that name brand googles are worth the money. My smiths have much less distortion and are harder to fog. Maybe one of the other brands are better but I’m unimpressed with mine.

None of the above, cut the cord.

Seriously, no mfg has some voodoo magic you can't ski without. I'll second that photochromics didn't impress and most of our days are low light anyway.

Chinese Amazon goggles. Magnetic interface, change out super easy. Dual lens, never fog. Scratch easier than some but a new lens is $20. I was on the Anon train, then the Smith train. Never again, there are way better things to spend money on...

[CHAIR_97]

If you are really prone to fogging 509 makes heated goggles that are pretty hard to beat

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[scumpup]

If you compare the flagship level goggles from any of the big brands, it really comes down to how goggles fit your face and how the ventilation is. If it doesn't fit your face right it'll fog up no matter the brand.

I'm on oakley's (prizm green lens I think) right now and the scratch easily but the coloring/clarity is quite good. Never felt like I needed to swap the lens but I have good eyes. I have smith goggles too, they're good too.

If you like to swap lenses, swapping lenses on the oakleys is a pain. Smith has the magnets. That's really all I'd care about.

[scumpup]

Heated goggles sound awesome. Got to try that out some time!

[gregL]

I ski in the same conditions as carlh, and use the Oakley Flight Deck M with Torch PRIZM 95% of the time. For extremely thick conditions (or night) I have a pair of the same goggles with clear lenses in the car (HI Pink PRIZM isn't that effective in fog). If I went with Smith, I'd do the I/O Mag with Chromapop Blue Sensor Mirror most of the time, but you'd need a darker lens for bright days.

[gregL]

I ski in the same conditions as carlh, and use the Oakley Flight Deck M with Torch PRIZM 95% of the time. For extremely thick conditions (or night) I have a pair of the same goggles with clear lenses in the car (HI Pink PRIZM isn't that effective in fog). If I went with Smith, I'd do the I/O Mag with Chromapop Blue Sensor Mirror most of the time, but you'd need a darker lens for bright days.

PS I use a Julbo Cyclon with Reactiv 1-3 for touring, but the lightest tint isn't all that great for really low light. They're great as a do-it-all lens when you don't know what to expect, though.

[andrewo]

I think whatever you can get the best price on and whatever style of frame you’re most stoked on or fits your face the best. They are both going to be good. Try going to your local shop and trying on a few and see what you like better. I personally haven’t tried Oakley’s but I really like the ChromaPop Everyday Green Mirror from Smith, but if you are sensitive and like rose tint you could try the ChromaPop Photochromic Rose Flash lens. Good luck on the hunt, there are a lot of great options out there and sounds like some of the other folks are giving some good insights to check out as well.