Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Gear Reviews

    Fresh Goods: Native Eyewear Backbowl Goggle

    Kevin GloverBy Kevin GloverApril 11, 2016No Comments4 Mins Read

    Style is good. Function is good. When style and function combine, it’s great. Enter the Native Eyewear Backbowl goggle. Native is already a well-known brand in performance eyewear but they’ve revamped a few goggles with some notable new features, including an innovative new anti-fog technology.

    Native Eyewear Backbowl Goggle Features:

    • Wide field-of-view
    • Large fit
    • Fluted hypoallergenic triple face foam
    • Enhale nasal nest
    • Sealed double spherical lens
    • Siliconized adjustable strap
    • MSRP $129
    Native Eyewear Backbowl Goggles Review
    Power days with the Backbowl

    See your way on the slopes

    The Backbowl goggles have a huge profile – they’re attention-grabbing, rimless things with a big fat Native logo on the side. So they certainly grab your attention, but do they have the chutzpah to back it up? These to-be-released goggles have been my standard all-condition goggle since late January. Testing has been done at resorts in Northern Idaho with all of the slew of conditions that you’d expect from the Northwest – frigid, bluebird days as well as damp, pea-soup ones.

    Of particular interest to me is the new anti-fog coating that Native has been applying to their ‘SnowTuned’ lenses. This line, new for 2016, is specifically engineered to delay fogging for eight minutes. That’s a full 7.5 minutes longer than the industry standard, Native brags, but they’re short in details to back up exactly how they accomplish this. So, without any idea of the science to work with, I relied on good old-fashioned testing.

    Native Eyewear Backbowl Goggles Review
    The Backbowl goes big on style

    In truth, the goggles performed admirably. I can actually say that, during my testing, I never fogged up significantly. The actual result was fascinating – it was almost as if the lenses were changing color slightly where fogging would normally have happened, but there was no opaqueness whatsoever. I have no idea how they accomplished this, but it must have to do with their multi-layer, vacuum deposition molding process.

    Anti-fog is only one part of the package, of course. There are also generous vents on the top and bottom of the lens. The top vent, in particular, runs the entire length of the lens and is sealed to keep out any offending snowflakes. The foam is comfortable and designed to mold well to your face – they’re just as comfy as you’d expect premium goggles to be.

    The strap is the last critical piece. The interior has a siliconized band to help the goggles stay in place on a helmet. It’s a great touch, and it does its job well. I suspect that the silicone will wear away over time, since that seems to happen inevitably with siliconized pieces, but even then the retention clips on your helmet ought to do the trick. The strap length also adjusts remarkably easily.

    It’s hard to find any complaints with the Backbowls. One could be that the rimless design offers no protection for the lens should you drop and scratch it, but that’s what you get for this particular style. I haven’t had enough time with these goggles to get a sense of long-term durability, but the key failure points like foam attachment and strap keepers are sturdy. What’s more, Native has an excellent lifetime warranty.

    Native Eyewear Backbowl Goggles Review
    Generous vents, cushy foam

    The Good

    • The antifog is rad
    • Comfortable for long days
    • Excellent ventilation
    • Strap helps you forget you’ve ever had trouble with straps

    The Bad

    • Lighter goggles for backcountry stuff are out there

    The Bottom Line: Native Backbowl Goggles

    There isn’t yet much information available on the Backbowls, but keep your eyes peeled for the release of the entire SnowTuned 2016 line. The anti-fog alone is worth it, especially if you’re a steam engine like I am.

    More: Visit NativeEyewear.com 

    ShareTweet
    goggles Native Eyewear
    Previous ArticleBontrager Aeolus 3 TLR Disc D3 Wheelset Review
    Next Article Therm-a-Rest Antares HD Sleeping Bag Review
    Kevin Glover
    • Website

    Kevin Glover lives, climbs and backpacks out of Spokane, WA. Originally from the Nevada high desert, he moved to the PNW ten years ago and has worked as a glacier and rock guide in the Washington Cascades. When not testing gear, he is a medical student at the University of Washington and will gladly check that rash out for you.

    You Might Also Like

    Pearl Izumi Interval Jersey Review

    July 1, 2022

    Gore Wear TrailKPR Daily MTB Jersey Review

    June 27, 2022

    Review: Patagonia Strider Pro 5″ Running Shorts

    June 23, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021
    9.4

    Roval CL 50 Disc Wheelset Review

    September 13, 2019

    Hoka One One Anacapa Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

    November 2, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021
    9.0

    Canyon Endurace CF SL 8 Disc Di2 Review

    August 13, 2020
    9.2

    Reynolds Assault SLG Carbon Wheelset Review

    July 28, 2017
    9.1

    3T Exploro RaceMax 1x and 2x Review

    April 28, 2021
    9.4

    Shimano GRX RX810 1x Gravel Groupset Review

    June 3, 2020
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Pearl Izumi Interval Jersey Review
    • 2023 Trek Madone SLR Drops Weight, Adds IsoFlow
    • All-new Shimano 105 Di2 Unveiled
    • Gore Wear TrailKPR Daily MTB Jersey Review
    • Review: Patagonia Strider Pro 5″ Running Shorts
    • Fresh Wheels: Santa Cruz Hightower 3
    • Tifosi Swank XL Sunglasses Review
    • Lizard Skins Monitor Traverse Gloves Review
    • Trek RSL Jersey Review
    • Gore Wear Fernflow Shorts Review
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2022. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.