[Review] The I/O Goggles by Smith

The first time I tried Smith’s ChromaPop technology was in a pair of sunglasses and I’ve been hooked ever since. ChromaPop brings out the color and contrast in your view and not only did I think it would be nice to have in goggles; it would be highly beneficial especially on low light days. The I/O Goggles by Smith not only come with 2 ChromaPop lenses; they are comfortable and fit my face very well. When you throw them on, it’s hard to even tell they’re there.

The ChromaPop lenses are definitely my highlight feature in the I/O Goggles. “ChromaPop filters two specific wavelengths of light that cause color confusion. By doing this the lens delivers greater definition, more natural color, and unmatched clarity to allow you to see more detail” (www.smithoptics.com). Now I know what you’re thinking – oh just another marketing scam to trick people into buying a product. I thought the same thing at first – until I tried ChromaPop. It’s a very noticeable difference in the quality and amazing visual experience and I think all of my friends and family can attest to this too as I make them put on my Smith Comstocks to experience the difference. Having this technology in a pair of goggles can make or break a flat light day on the slopes. While it can still be hard to see on some low viz days, I think that the ChromaPop lens is bounds above some of my other normal goggles.

I love the fit of these goggles and while I thought they may be big when I ordered them, they are actually perfect. I would say I have a medium sized face and these don’t feel oversized or large in any way. The face foam is very soft and comfortable up against my skin and I also never experience any discomfort in the nasal area. It seals up nicely against my nose to prevent any drafts but it’s not overly tight. I bought I/OS Goggles about 6 years ago (and they’re still going strong folks) and I would say the nosepiece is a huge improvement since then. While the I/OS goggles were fine, it wasn’t the best seal on my nose. The new I/Os definitely have that area dialed!

These are very cost effective goggles as they come with two lenses – one for bright light and one for low light – and they’re both ChromaPop lenses. When I had my I/OS goggles I literally bought 6 different lenses and knew that I would only need one pair of goggles for any and every situation. This was especially nice for traveling. You could easily do this for the I/Os and while they come with two lenses, if you’re out skiing multiple days a week and in many different environments, you will probably appreciate dialing in your lens kit.

My least favorite thing about the I/O goggles is the lens change system. I really love that you can change the lenses but for this style of goggle, the system is not super easy in my opinion. I have extremely sensitive hands and they get cold very easily. I find that it takes a bit of time to ensure everything aligns correctly to get the lens in/out. It is also really hard to change the lens without getting fingerprints everywhere. Of course, if you wanted a super fast and quick lens change system, you would lose the frameless look so I definitely feel like there has to be a tradeoff.

I love that Smith is combining their incredible ChromaPop lens technology with super comfortable goggle frames all at an affordable price. I’ve paired my I/O Goggles seamlessly with my Smith Allure helmet and love that the two go so well together keeping me protected, able to see very well, and looking good. Be sure to check out Smith to find your perfect winter kit for your head and face!