Flight Deck XM Snow Goggle 2021

Superb

TLDR: Superb optics and comfort. Terrible lens changing. Enjoyed using during a week in Thredbo in mid-Aug. I bought the Oakley *********** XM 2021 Jasmine Grenache Camo with PRIZM Torch Iridium 17% VLT lens. Love the pink colour palette. I haven't skied in 10 years so accidentally went down a goggle tech rabbit hole and ended up also owning a pair of Anon M2 2022 goggles. I'll add comparison notes, mainly for catharsis after holding all this wisdom within. I'm relatively light-sensitive. Comparing side-by-side and taking into consideration the differences in VLT, the Anon M2s have more optical anomalies esp. lens ******************************************************************************************************************************************* with either. If pushed, the material differences would be somewhat better recognition of terrain contours and less eye fatigue from the Oakley PRIZM lenses after a long day. Comfort-wise, the Oakleys were superb with generous, soft foam padding perfect for my delicate face. I have a 55 cm circumference noggin with a high nasal bridge and high cheek bones. While the Anons were very comfortable too, I think the Oakleys would be better right through to the end of a long day. I didn't get hotspots from either and really would be happy with either. I found the Oakleys' lens changing unacceptably slow and fiddly, especially since I couldn't do it without risking rubbing the insides of the lenses with my peanut butter fingers. I almost returned the goggles because of this after my first lens-changing tribulation but they would definitely have be considered used! A good workaround was to take the lens off while keeping the goggles in their bag. The Anons' lens magnet-based changing system was so much easier and faster! I found myself fitting the Oakley lenses in the mornings in my room before heading out, choosing the lens according to the weather forecast, then switching to my Anons and changing their lenses (effortlessly!) as conditions changed while on the lifts. Anon lenses: Perceive Variable Green 22% VLT and Perceive Cloudy Pink 53% VLT. My other Oakley lens was the PRIZM Persimmon 46% VLT whose rendition esp. contrast is exceptional; my fav. Yes, I've massively overcooked all this, but it ended up being perfectly manageable and I was prepared for any light: during my trip I experienced highly variable conditions. All made possible by packing the other goggles and spare Anon lens in the wonderfully compact and comfortable Osprey Glade 5. To my eyes, marginally greater field of view compared to the Anons M2s. Was tempted to get XL but so glad I didn't as comparing with a mate's, they were too big and the XMs fit my face and generic rental helmet perfectly. He has a big noggin, craves depth of field and owns a matching helmet so XL works for him. While I tend to baby my gear so didn't trash it, I could tell the build quality was excellent (as was that of the Anons). As an side, buy a Gogglesoc! They saved my goggles many times during rest breaks when they slipped off my helmet or my helmet rolled with them on, reminiscent of 'peanut buttered toast fallen on the floor face down yet again' situations. I skied front of mountain only and didn't exert myself too much, sticking to green and blue runs, so the only time I experienced fogging was because my face mask was awry. This was never an issue with the Anons because I had an MFI face mask fitted. Anon's MFI system really is superb. If you can, try before you buy! I got really lucky with the Oakleys as they fit perfectly without trying them first. By contrast, I tried on Smith I/O Mag 2022s (S, M and L!) and they all left a surprisingly large gap midway down my perfect nose! (I got to try the Anons before I bought). I love the two-goggle setup. I just hope the foam on the goggles last long enough to really get use out of both of them to justify the extravagance. Thanks for making it to the end!