Home > Bike Types > Mountain Bike

The New Smith Squad Goggle Attacks Fogging with Massive Ventilation

9 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Smith Squad mtb goggle id series

Along with a big move of the company to Portland, Oregon from their long established roots in Sun Valley, Idaho, Smith continues to build up their mountain bike product line. New helmets, new glasses, and now new mountain bike specific goggles indicate the company’s dedication the sport. Thanks largely in part to the rise of Enduro racing and increased use of goggles with half shell helmets, mountain bike goggles seem to be making a resurgence.

However, many mountain bike goggles still share a large amount of DNA from their motocross siblings. With the new Squad goggle, Smith is providing a fresh look into the construction of a mountain bike specific goggle…

Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8070Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8071

Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8072 Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8075

Compared to the Fuel V2 on the right, the new Squad (left) looks substantially different especially when viewed from the top or bottom. By using a latticed frame around the perimeter of the goggle in place of vent foam, the Squad is able to offer incredible ventilation through the vent holes on the lens which is important for preventing fogging. The lattice also makes the frame of the goggle quite flexible for a comfortable fit. Calling it a medium fit, we found the Squad to fit quite well in all of the helmets we tried. The frame itself is also lower on the bottom for increased viewing area and uses a wider nose bridge for less pinching.

At the contact points for the face, the goggle uses hypoallergenic Sweat-X F.A.T. 3 layer foam that Smith states is 50% more absorbent than standard foams. As for the optics, the Squad runs a single Carbonic-X cylindrical lens treated with flow coating anti-fog on the inside and a hard coated treatment on the outside to protect against scratches and damage. Each goggle ships with a multilayer premium mirrored lens as well as a clear tinted, anti-fog coated bonus lens, both of which use preinstalled tear off posts.

Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8105

Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8104 Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8103

In addition to the 12 standard colors, Smith will also offer goggles in the Inspired Design Collection like Brandon Semenuk’s signature goggle above. The ID collection allows Smith’s athletes to work directly with their design team to create a product that is truly unique to each rider.

Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8077

Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8106

Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8107 Smith Squad MTB goggle brandon semenuk signatureSmithIMG_8108

Meant to integrate perfectly with the Smith Forefront Mountain bike helmet, each of the 12 colors has its own corresponding lid for perfect matching. Or you can get crazy and mix-and-match. Selling for $60 which includes the additional lens, the Squad will be in stores this October. Smith will also continue to offer the Fuel V1 and V2 goggles.

smithoptics.com

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Colin M
Colin M
8 years ago

…because Enduro.

Randy
Randy
8 years ago

ok Im gonna say it. Goggles are not needed riding a mountain bike.

p3n15br34th
p3n15br34th
6 years ago
Reply to  Randy

@Randy ride faster.

Terry
Terry
8 years ago

i’m guessing these are really for extreme downhilling?

Groghunter
Groghunter
8 years ago

Say it all you want, Randy, you’re allowed to be wrong. Sunglasses suck with full faces. any time a full face comes into play, goggles become a must have item.

Pete
Pete
8 years ago

I was a goggle naysayer for quite some time until I forgot my glasses and used a buddy’s goggles with my full face. It really is better. I will say that I never had an issue with fogging and I was using ski goggles so I’m not sure how these are better. If your glasses are fogging, GO FASTER.

MM
MM
8 years ago

If you don’t think you need goggles riding a MTB, ride faster.

satisFACTORYrider
satisFACTORYrider
8 years ago

@ randy- go home. goggles are fine. riders will spend dollars on mips on a half shell but have a problem protecting eyeballs that may help avoid mips testing?

i
i
8 years ago

@randy: ok, Im gonna say it: try riding harder.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.