I’ve got a handful of goggles on the shelf. Some with yellow lenses for low light conditions, some with chrome mirror lenses for bluebird days and others with amber lenses for all-around versatility. I’ve also swapped out the lenses in my myriad of Smith Cascade goggles over the years… it’s a bit of a chore, but I got it done.
Just as Smith changed the sunglass world with the innovative Smith Slider series, they are aiming to change the goggle world with the new Smith I/O goggle. I saw next year’s enviro-friendly version of the I/O Evolve goggle at OR in January and have since gotten my hands on a pair of new Smith I/O goggles to flog on the slopes.
About the I/O Goggle
The Smith I/O goggle offers all that you’d expect from Smith with the unique addition of the quick-release lens system. Two flip-locks sit on top of the brow of the goggles. A quick twist of both and a couple of seconds later, your lens is out. I/O’s come standard with two spherical lenses utilizing the Porex filter to maintain fog-free vision. Here are the highlights:
- Two lenses included: Ignitor and Sensor Mirror
- Spherical lens for true optical clarity
- Vaporator lens with Porex filter
- Quick-fit goggle clip
- Medium-sized design that’s obviously helmet-compatible
2008 Smith I/O Goggle Review
The first time I used the I/O’s was on a dawn patrol under flat light conditions. Because I knew the light conditions would be dark, I swapped out the Ignitor lens with the Sensor Mirror lens. The lens swap was as painless as it gets. I had swapped out many lenses on other goggle designs (a pain in the butt), but the swapping process on the I/O’s was simple and quick.
The frame itself is much stiffer than other goggle designs to provide a rigid backing with foam that won’t break down after repeated lens changes. The lens itself is completely sealed except for a small Porex filter that keeps the double lens fog-free. I’m a big fan of spherical lens designs because they provide true, distortion-free vision in all directions.
The medium-sized I/O’s fit my face perfectly. I had just decided that all goggles would squeeze my nostrils and block my breathing. These goggles changed that view completely because for the first time I could perfectly breathe through my nose. They also fit great with both the Smith Variant Brim and Leedom Zen helmets.
I skied them all day inbounds at Solitude and on a couple of backcountry tours. I sweat a lot and the I/O’s stayed fog-free under all conditions. Vision was clear and sharp and these lenses are now the top of the goggle heap when I head out on the hill.
The Bottom Line on the Smith I/O Goggles
Buy, ‘em, flog ‘em and enjoy ‘em. The I/O’s are stellar goggles with an easy-to-use interchangeable lens system that makes these goggles some of the most versatile on the market. At $169 MSRP, they aren’t cheap, but they are super-versatile and awesome-fitting, which will make them great goggles for years to come.
Buy Now: Smith Goggles from Backcountry.com
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foot of April flake just buried the 'Bird, the Crack House is warming
up and the Rollercoaster's drying out. Epic spring lines are calling
and you better be dialed. From
Here’s a quick video that Chopper at Smith just sent over to show just how easy it is to change the lenses on the I/O goggles.