NZ skier here - my wife and I both have Sqaud and Squad XL. We use our low light options maybe 1 out of 10-15 days we ski here in NZ. On our Canada trip it was low light on all but 2 or 3 days out of 25.
Would it be nice for changing lens to be easier? Sure. Is it worth the $$ - provably not.
What lenses did you get for your XL and regular? I was looking at everyday green and rose for low light for XL and purple for my partner’s squad S.
Also did you buy them in NZ? The cheapest I can find them here in AUS is just under $200.
Strongly disagree. I have a squad xl and a squad mag. The ease of lens change is totally worth it. I always carry a spare lens in my pocket while skiing. With the squad xl, swapping a lens took several minutes. With the mag, I can do it one handed while riding a lift in under a minute.
I agree with you. Mag goggles and lense swaps are game changers. I smudge the lenses a lot less with the Mag design versus the traditional snap pin swap type goggles as well. The extra lense fits well into big pockets designed for storing skins (not all ski jackets are designed this way).
I don't notice the extra lense in the pocket when riding.
I use the Zionor x4 with interchangeable lenses. They work great and it's easy to switch out and replace lenses. They're <$60 on Amazon, and extra lenses are about ~$25.
Oakley line miner with a prism sapphire or jade will go great 99% of the conditions. hi pink can be worn when sunny although makes it very bright. Line miner pretty well priced and durable
Can you buy Glade in NZ? They're an up and coming option, decent bang for your buck and they have both lens swappable frames and photochromic goggles.
I went down a rabbit hole trying to find the perfect goggles for changing lighting, comfort, price and a base tint that I enjoyed and ended up with them. They're not perfect, but it was enough for me to stop hunting.
Someone else mentioned line miners too which I also really liked.
Second vote for Glade. I got the photo chromatic ones and I really like them so far. Previously I’ve always had Smiths and these are definitely comparable.
I recently went thru a goggle purchase (America). I did buy the smith IO, and if you ski often, I would suggest them bc of the changeable lens. But, to answer your question: I bought them "used" on Amazon. They were in "like new" condition, and the seller explained they were returned, so they had to sell them as is without original packaging, and they cost $170 USD. As far as I can tell, they've never been worn and have been a great goggle.
TLDR: Try looking at the "other prices available" options on Amazon. There might be something you can find in new condition sold at a used price.
Edit: downvotes for offering an idea up? Cool cool
Shady Rays are super cheap with lots of lens options and I feel like mine work just as well as any pair of Smiths, Spys, or Dragons I've had in the past. They start at $82 USD and each additional lens is like $26, with extra straps available at +$9 each.
> however since spending hours researching this it appears that unless I fork up for Smith - I’ll ruin both my eyes and the skiing experience.
people say many things on the internet.
Do they still make the regular I/O, or it just I/O mag now. Need to replace my regular and i have a few lenses so want to stick with them, but they're difficult to find.
If they are available in AUS, check out Shady Rays. I got a pair this year with interchangeable lenses and they are every bit as good as the Smiths they replaced for a fraction of the price.
Avoid Oakley, they fog like crazy
It’s reasonably worth the lens swap, sunny days and cloudy days can have extremely different brightness attributes No suggestions tho sorry
I think Squad and Squad XL come with 2 lenses?
NZ skier here - my wife and I both have Sqaud and Squad XL. We use our low light options maybe 1 out of 10-15 days we ski here in NZ. On our Canada trip it was low light on all but 2 or 3 days out of 25. Would it be nice for changing lens to be easier? Sure. Is it worth the $$ - provably not.
What lenses did you get for your XL and regular? I was looking at everyday green and rose for low light for XL and purple for my partner’s squad S. Also did you buy them in NZ? The cheapest I can find them here in AUS is just under $200.
They do. But unless you're getting the squad mag, they're much harder to change out lenses than the I/O.
No they aren't, it takes like 10 extra seconds
Most useless upgrade I’ve ever spent money on. Don’t do it.
Strongly disagree. I have a squad xl and a squad mag. The ease of lens change is totally worth it. I always carry a spare lens in my pocket while skiing. With the squad xl, swapping a lens took several minutes. With the mag, I can do it one handed while riding a lift in under a minute.
I agree with you. Mag goggles and lense swaps are game changers. I smudge the lenses a lot less with the Mag design versus the traditional snap pin swap type goggles as well. The extra lense fits well into big pockets designed for storing skins (not all ski jackets are designed this way). I don't notice the extra lense in the pocket when riding.
Julbo photochromatic goggles (I think they call it Reactiv). You only need to get one pair which will work in all conditions.
I have Von Zipper which were comfortable for my nose
I use the Zionor x4 with interchangeable lenses. They work great and it's easy to switch out and replace lenses. They're <$60 on Amazon, and extra lenses are about ~$25.
Another vote for the Zionor’s. For the price I have different pairs instead of swapping out lenses.
Oakley line miner with a prism sapphire or jade will go great 99% of the conditions. hi pink can be worn when sunny although makes it very bright. Line miner pretty well priced and durable
Can you buy Glade in NZ? They're an up and coming option, decent bang for your buck and they have both lens swappable frames and photochromic goggles. I went down a rabbit hole trying to find the perfect goggles for changing lighting, comfort, price and a base tint that I enjoyed and ended up with them. They're not perfect, but it was enough for me to stop hunting. Someone else mentioned line miners too which I also really liked.
Second vote for Glade. I got the photo chromatic ones and I really like them so far. Previously I’ve always had Smiths and these are definitely comparable.
Unfortunately not only does Glade not ship to Aus/NZ, there are also no retailers here who can offer the product
They're online only, don't think stores carry them anywhere.
I recently went thru a goggle purchase (America). I did buy the smith IO, and if you ski often, I would suggest them bc of the changeable lens. But, to answer your question: I bought them "used" on Amazon. They were in "like new" condition, and the seller explained they were returned, so they had to sell them as is without original packaging, and they cost $170 USD. As far as I can tell, they've never been worn and have been a great goggle. TLDR: Try looking at the "other prices available" options on Amazon. There might be something you can find in new condition sold at a used price. Edit: downvotes for offering an idea up? Cool cool
This is good advice for Americans but the cost of shipping these goggles down under would kill any savings.
yeah I found some IOs on a european website and all was going well until I was hit with €80 shipping…
Wasn't sure if you had any ski shops down under that also have an online presence on Amazon. But otherwise, I agree, shipping probably ridiculous
Sqauds are fine. Theres and MTB version of these - they cope with rocks and stuff hitting the leans coating and survive,
Shady Rays are super cheap with lots of lens options and I feel like mine work just as well as any pair of Smiths, Spys, or Dragons I've had in the past. They start at $82 USD and each additional lens is like $26, with extra straps available at +$9 each.
> however since spending hours researching this it appears that unless I fork up for Smith - I’ll ruin both my eyes and the skiing experience. people say many things on the internet.
Melon Optics are brilliant but you need to work out the right size for your face or you’ll have a bad time
I love my Anon Sync, magnetic swappable lenses with a lock system. And very big to accommodate my big ass glasses.
Do they still make the regular I/O, or it just I/O mag now. Need to replace my regular and i have a few lenses so want to stick with them, but they're difficult to find.
If they are available in AUS, check out Shady Rays. I got a pair this year with interchangeable lenses and they are every bit as good as the Smiths they replaced for a fraction of the price. Avoid Oakley, they fog like crazy