But the Oakley doesnt have a plastic buckle at the back of the strap, so it sits more comfortably underneath a helmet (outside the helmet, theyre both fine). Plus, youll find triple-layer face foam with a moisture-wicking polar fleece lining that helps keep you sweat-free even on warmer days. We tested both their Challenger and MagFlight models and came away impressed. Despite the trimmed-down size from the standard model, the Flight Deck XM still puts a premium on field of vision with a minimalist build and expansive, curved lens that easily beats the Fall Line in peripheral visibility. Further, the M4s versatile construction allows you to swap between cylindrical and toric lenses (additional lenses cost extra) depending on preferences in style and performance. For those who put a premium on maximum field of visionsuch as riders who spend a lot of time in difficult terrain off-piste or in the bumpsthe 4D Mag is a nice option. But the moderately thick build and cylindrical lens shape certainly play a role in the Fall Lines bold styling, and we think many riders will find it to be a fair compromise. Overall, weve found that premium helmets are the most compatible with a wide range of goggle sizes, but keep an eye out for features like a baseball hat-like bill that could interfere with the goggles. The flight deck is an awesome fit for larger faces with lost of foam everywhere. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Starting in Fall 2017, Oakley will hit the trifecta with their new Fall Line goggles. Sizing is one of the most importantand sometimes confusingparts of the goggle buying process. For those with persistent fogging issues during down times (such as on the lift) or if you want to wear your goggles during high-output activities like ski touring or sidecountry hiking, Julbo has an innovative answer with their SuperFlow technology. The Oakley Flight Deck lens beat out other contenders because it comes highly recommended by ski patrollers and search and rescue team members out of the Tahoe area who ski over 100 days each season. Flight Deck: Flight Deck XM: Canopy: A-Frame: A-Frame 2.0: Crowbar: O2 XS: O2 XM: O2 XL: Anon Blitz: Anon Raider: Anon Talon: Bern Baker: Bern Watts: Bolle B-Kid . The LCG Evo attempts to change that reputation with a slick quick-change lens system, competitive $200 price, and highly ventilated design. Oakley Men's Ski Goggles | REI Co-op The New Goggle from Oakley Is Just Right - Powder In addition, the strap isnt as tall as the previous model, but it seems to be well-made and is holding up perfectly thus far. Further, we found the Zeiss lenses to be a bit duller overall than ChromaPop, although we certainly appreciate the natural colors and feel. It also will retain more smell and moisture and break down quicker. We have good news for wearers of prescription glasses: There are a number of over-the-glasses (OTG) goggles on the market. Oakley Prescription Ski Goggles | Oakley Prescription Goggles | RxSport line miner flight path. It's not a gigantic mirror, but it's not an obvious rim of black plastic . What do you give up with the mid-range Anon Sync? I have the fall line and the line miner and they are both equally as good but I like the look of the line miner. There are a few more color options available in the Fall Line range compared to the Flight Deck range: Here is a table showing all the colorways available in the large sizes of both goggles. All in all, the venting that surrounds the top, sides, and even a good portion of the bottom of the lens does a good job moving air, and you get the expected high-end touches on the Prizm lens with a long-lasting anti-fog coating. Thats because you can often save 20-30% off new Oakley goggles through Oakley sales or aftermarket sites like our Oakley Forum Exchange. In this article Ill be directly comparing two of their most popular goggles, the Flight Deck and the Fall Line. His affinity for gear that works and his generosity for guiding people on their own path match his energy as editor of all things travel-related. fall line flight deck. $73.83 Save 40% compared to $124.00 (0) 0 reviews. All in all, the Skyline gets the clear edge in field of view, and this is especially apparent along the sides and bottom corners of the lens (for more, see our Smith Skyline review). In summary, this is what we think: The Fall Line XL represents the best that Oakely has to offer in both comfort and style. And its quick and easy to push the lens back into place (even with gloves on) for the descent. Oakley Line Miner Goggles provide a suite of features to make your day on the mountain as enjoyable as possible - Photo: Oakley Key Features Wide 40mm adjustable strap with silicone lining Flexible O Matter frame material for a perfect fit even in freezing cold Triple-layer face foam with moisture wicking fleece for all-day comfort If you want the best of both worlds, get a toric lens. VLT is the amount of light that is allowed to pass through a lens (measured from 0% to 100%). For my local hill in Washington State and areas that have a good number of socked-in or darker days, Id opt for a lens with a higher VLT like the Rose or Hi Pink Iridium options. Its interchange system is not the fastest to useits outdone by the magnetic Anon M4 belowbut the I/O Mag earns its title as the best all-around ski goggle with its excellent ChromaPop lenses. Thanks to Oakleys eyeglasses integration, most people opt just to wear their glasses under standard goggles. Want to know how to change your Oakley Fall Line lens? As a leader in the outdoor optics industry, theres a certain expectation of quality in Oakley goggles. In which case, youd be better off with the Flight Deck M instead. . Oakley Fall Line XM Goggle Review | Switchback Travel Its as easy as giving a slight twist to the frame to expose the lens and pulling it away from your face. That said, the Fall Line still doesnt sit as close to your face as competitors like Smiths I/O Mag and Skyline, and it cant match either of those in overall visibility. It does not make the product pricier for you. And for smaller faces, Giros Expansion View technology (found on the Giro Axis and others) does a nice job of retaining good visibility with a compact, face-hugging design on both their spherical and cylindrical lens models. Enter Julbo and their simple yet effective SuperFlow System: The lens on their Aerospace goggle is attached to a set of small hinges, which can be pushed forward to separate it from the frame. And brands like Dragon and Scott utilize lever-based systems that offer similar convenience, albeit in a slightly less premium setup. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: For a similar design but with spherical lenses, check out Spys $130 Marshall goggles.See the Spy Ace Goggle. Reply. Like the other Mag designs, you get two high-quality ChromaPop lenses to maximize performance in a range of conditions, and the triple-layer foam along the interior has proven to be extremely comfortable. Snow and Ski Goggles | Oakley GB Frame size: LargeNumber of lenses included: 2Lens shape: Toric (cylindrical available)What we like: The fastest lens change on the market and excellent field of vision.What we dont: Expensive; not everyone needs the quick-change system. Both include a single quality lens, but they differ in a couple significant ways: the Skyline has a lower-profile shape that sits closer to your face, plus it features a spherical lens rather than the flatter cylindrical lens on the Fall Line. Additionally, Ive never had issues with air sneaking in through the sides, as is sometimes the case with some quick-change systems. If you intend to purchase a goggle with two lenses and swap them a fair amount, even during the middle of a ski day, opting for a modern, quick-change design is worth it. Still, Hunter hasnt had any issues with either gaping or crowding between goggle and helmet. Our Most Popular Oakley Ski Goggles [2022 Edition] | Altitude Blog Inspired by the infamous Oakley Sutro sunglasses with a low-profile, ultra-sleek frame design . Register to become a member today! Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn, Brings the A-grade visual quality that we've grown to expect in Oakley goggles, Leader in comfort and fit, with sizes for differently shaped faces, More subdued style that will appeal to those off put by other options from Oakley, Size Difference: Oakley Fall Line XM vs XL. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The flight deck is a spherical lease which provides slightly better optics and less glare. Because im way to lazy to swap lenses. The choice comes down to 1) VLT; and 2) Your tint preference (i.e., how you want to see the ski world around you). The M4 Toric MFI sits at the top of their offerings and is one of the most impressive goggles weve tested to date. As expected, however, Smith has you covered there with their frameless Skyline ($180-$200). Width: 17.5cm; Height: 10.5cm; Strap Width: 50mm; Flight Path L Flight Path L Size/Dimensions. Building off the standard I/O Mag above, this goggle has an improved magnetic lens-change system and a slightly larger fit, but the big news is the lens shape. Toward the middle for partly cloudy days are purples, reds, and greens, which, as you can imagine, color how the snow and mountains look significantly. Oakley Flight Deck vs Path vs Tracker Snow Goggles The Flight Deck provides maximum coverage and visibility with a rimless design and large lens shape. The difference is seeing fine details in the snowpack that I would otherwise be guessing about or totally unaware of. Unlike the Smith designsand especially the I/O Magthe sides of the frame are visible, and more of your vision is blocked in the bottom corners. Compared with the Smith I/O Mag above, you see more of the mountain in all directionsup, down, and side-to-side. 10 Best Ski Goggles of 2023 | Oakley, Smith & more See the complete list of the best Ski Goggles here! In use, weve found this to be largely true (especially in peripheral vision), although as mentioned above, the differences between lens types aren't as noticeable as they once were. Read more in our full Oakley Target Line review. The temperatures in Colorado were consistently warm (in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit), but I didnt deal with any fogging issues. Oakley Flight Deck XM was released in 2015. The definition of all-mountain varies by manufacturer and retailer but typically includes skis from 80 to 105 How to Prevent Your Ski Goggles From Fogging, Zeal Portal Polarized Photochromic ($299), See the Zeal Portal Polarized Photochromic. Typically small and Medium goggles will work well for children and women with small/average heads. This shape is easier and cheaper to manufacture but can result in less peripheral vision, minor distortion at the top and bottom of the lens, and more glare. Frame size: Large. Depending on the seller, most products ship free in the United States on orders of $50 or more. The cost of the product is the same to you but this helps us continue to test and write about outdoor gear. This translates to poor visibility when looking straight down, and the peripheral vision is noticeably worse than alternatives like Giros Axis, Smiths Proxy, and Oakleys Flight Deck M. We put a high priority on field of view, so this pushes the Scott down our rankings. This design splits the difference between cylindrical and spherical: Its curved both vertically and horizontally to mimic the shape of the eye like a spherical lens, but is less pronounced and bulbous looking. Plus, our picks for the top Oakley Ski and Snow Goggles of this year! Smith 4D Mag ($320-$350) Frame size: Medium/large Fog buildup is an issue that Ive noticed consistently with the Oakley goggles that Ive tested. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Its $200 MSRP undercuts the cheapest M models (the M2 and M3) by $70-$80 but retains quality Perceive lens options, compatibility with the brands MFI masks (included with the M2 and M3), and good all-around comfort with triple-layer foam and a well-made TPU frame. Read more in our full Oakley Line Miner review. Offering a mid-size fit, the Oakley Flight Deck XM ( Product Link) is inspired by fighter pilot helmets - and it shows! Pro. But the Oakley Line Miner lenses are not rimless, as you can see pictured below. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. Youre probably already daydreaming about hitting the slopes as the temperature begins dropping. Our one nitpick with the facemask is that its so thin that it lacks a strong structure, so if youre breathing heavily while hiking, the material can be sucked into your mouth. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. Join 40,000+ members of the largest Oakley Community today! We love Oakley O Matter in our eyewear, including sunglasses and goggles, because theyre flexible and durable in any condition. When you couple the effort it takes to remove your lens and the fact that youll likely need to give them a wipe down after the fact, dont expect to be swapping your lenses out on the lift or in a hurry. In wearing the Squad Mag back to back with the other Smith options, however, some complaints popped up. Compare this VLT to the darkest snow lens, Prizm Snow Black Iridium, which clocks in at 5.5%, and you see the difference! Just about everything involved with skiing is expensivefrom the equipment to lift ticketsso we love finding a good value. The Oakley Fall Line goggles are larger than the Flight Deck goggles so feel a bit bigger on the face. ChromaPop surely is not alone in high-quality optics. The lens has a reflective coating on the outermost layer that softens the glare by allowing less light to enter. As a result of the quick-change lens system that uses a slider/pop-up arm and the generous venting around the frame, the lens sits pretty far away from your face. Its hard to pinpoint the culprit, but the reinforced vents along the top and bottom of the frame seem to limit airflow more than the open design that you get with the I/O collection (of note, not all of our testers experienced this problem). Click the link below for instructions on disabling adblock. It's a battle of the Oakley Flight goggles! On the other side, their Flight Deck goggles offer a similar quality experience, ramped up to maximum proportions. Join the largest online Oakley community and let us know! That being said, if you aren't able to try the goggles and helmets on before buying, it's safest to stick to a single brand (i.e., purchase both a Giro-brand helmet and goggle). Interchangeable lenses dominate the high end of the market with systems that are getting quicker and easier by the year. Your annual purchase limit is $5,000. Field of view is a step down from the M series goggles, and its something we especially noticed looking directly down and in the peripheral vision. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews. Youll often see a product page for a popular snow goggle showing a huge range of lens color options. On this note, my very first impression of the Fall Line wasnt very promising. flight deck line miner. In addition, there will be notches in the sides of the frame to accommodate the arms of the glasses. However even for it's size it's not great at glasses comparability. Modern designs feature wide and tall lenses and low-profile frames, which enhance peripheral vision and help avoid the narrow, tunnel-like feeling that was inherent with older goggles. Typically Oakley Flight Deck Goggles are roughly $20 more than Oakley Fall Line Goggles. . You can read more in our full Oakley O Matter guide. To see how Prizm technology competes against other competitors like Smiths Chromapop, check out our best of goggles review. The best pair of goggles for you is based on your build and budget, and its difficult to navigate what is certainly a very flooded market. Most notably, the Squads bulkier frame has a pretty big impact on field of view, particularly along the sides and in the bottom corners. In addition, you'll see "low bridge" options for those that find the fit of a standard nose bridge to be too tall. Toric Though we have some reservations about their cumbersome lens swap system, our time with the Fall Line XL has been nothing short of the polished, professional experience youd a reigning champion of the outdoor optics world. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Oakley goggles are equipped with Oakley's industry-leading Prizm Lens Technology that provides increased visibility and opthimized peripheral vision. What to look for in Oakley Ski/Snow Goggles? Moving beyond families of lenses like Prizm, Vivid, or ChromaPop, there are specific lens technologies designed for harsh or variable conditions. Oakley Flight Deck XM has an anti-fog coating on the inside of the lens preventing from fogging too. Unfortunately, neither are available in small, so if you have a smaller face then you may want to look at alternatives such as the Line Miner S and Flight Tracker S. Previously, the Flight Deck and Fall Line large size was denoted by the XL at the end of the product name. $105.83 Save 40% compared to $177.00 (1) 1 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars. And understanding what features to look for is the first step before buying your goggles. Frame size: Medium/largeNumber of lenses included: 2Lens shape: SphericalWhat we like: Photochromic technology automatically adjusts the lens tint.What we dont: Expensive and doesnt excel in low light. I'm Heather the owner of ontotheslopes.com. Flight Deck goggles offer an unrivalled field of vision thanks to the sleek wide spherical lens and rimless design. That's okay. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best ski goggles. In addition, the lens-swapping system is a standout for the price, with a design that uses magnets and a single locking arm to quickly and securely change out lenses. This has added some confusion as some retailers havent fully updated their websites and inventory. Given the choice between the two, wed go with the Proxy, which matches it in pretty much all ways but saves you about $30 Read in-depth reviewSee the Smith Proxy. With the massive amounts of precipitation weve been receiving this winter, it was a prudent decision on my part. flight deck. Another in-house option to consider is Oakleys Line Miner XM, which shares a lot in common with the Fall Line: both feature cylindrical shapes, come with one Prizm lens, and are made in Oakleys versatile XM size (and larger models are available for each). As we cover below, trying goggles on with your ski helmet (or at least a similar ski helmet in the store) will give you the most accurate picture of how everything will feel on the mountain. Its a clunky and slow process that can be frustrating, especially when reconnecting the lens around the nose bridge. Fall Line L Snow Goggles 20 Colors. Err on too dark of an option, and you may be in a tough spot on a socked-in day. These Low Bridge Fit goggles are adapted to be more comfortable for people with high cheekbones, a flatter nose, and a shorter distance between their nose and ears. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. There was noticeable and performance-impacting fog buildup accumulated from nothing more than milling around a parking lot waiting for some friends to get ready. Oakley goggles are made with a flexible O Matter chassis, and this patented frame material conforms to your face comfortably, even in cold weather. Oakley goggles are generally available in 3 sizes, but the availability of each size may vary based on the frame: Generally, each size increases by 15-20% from the prior size. For one, youre paying a lot (a replacement Portal lens costs $150) for optical quality that falls short of non-photochromic alternatives like Smiths ChromaPop and Oakleys Prizm. Oakley Flight Deck M. From. This lens is enhanced to provide increased upward visibility when in aggressive skiing positions. Called BirdsEye Vision, the lower portion of the lens curves inwards, opening up downward visibility by 25% (according to Smith). For backcountry riders, ski mountaineers, or even those that often run hot on extended sidecountry hikes, the Julbo Aerospace is a revelation. Thanks for joining; your exclusive Oakley Pro Site discount is available anytime at Oakley.com. The Fall Lines make use of the same high-quality lens coating used by all of Oakleys PRIZM lenses. Check out this comparison review between the Flight Deck, Flight Tracker, and Flight Path. Further, the relatively low-profile shape pairs well with most ski helmets and doesnt have the tunnel-like feel that you get with the pricier Scott LCG Evo below. The original Fall Line failed to resonate with a bulky shape and relatively high price tag, but Oakley revamped the line last year with the new XM (and larger XL). The Axis also features Giros updated quick-change system, which works as follows: Twist the goggle slightly, grab the exposed section of the lens, and pop the four pins out of each corner. Anon did a decent job balancing ventilation with low-profile padding, but visibility is not its strong suit (the cylindrical lens shape doesnt help either). The lineup for their snow series is designed to deliver optimal performance in alpine environments. Theyre not X-ray vision or cliff detectors, but they can help make out little details when the light is flat.