For over a decade, Smith Optics has been my go-to for sports eyewear when I bike and ski for three reasons: fit, style, and quality.

With that criteria in mind, I was excited to try the Smith I/O MAG S Snow Goggles with Chromapop Sun Platinum Mirror Lens.  In the I/O MAG series the “S” in the title is pretty self-explanatory; it stands for small. And the “MAG” stands for magnetic (Smith’s user-friendly interchangeable magnetic lens system).

Fit

The Smith I/O MAG S are a scaled down version of their popular I/O MAG goggles designed especially to fit smaller faces.

 

These are easily the most comfortable snow goggles I have recently worn.

Unlike some snow goggles, my temples were not pinched and they didn’t feel too tight around my eyes.

 

The cushy triple layer DriWix face foam wicked moisture away from my face and kept me cooler and drier (because hey, sometimes on those sunny bluebird days, I sweat).

 

The snug seal across the face offered a consistent fit. I did not experience any air gaps between the foam and my face, so the triple layer foam padding effectively kept the elements out and the warmth in.

It is recommended that Smith Optics snow goggles are paired with a Smith helmet for optimal (fog free, comfort and venting) performance and integration, but they worked fine and were compatible with my non-Smith helmet.

 

Look

I love the way the nearly entirely frameless Smith I/O MAG S look!

 

The spherical lens compliments my face and doesn’t over take it. And, unlike my older cylindrical lens goggles, I don’t look like I’m auditioning to be a Star Wars storm trooper.

The Sun Platinum Mirror Lens looks great and reflects the sun away from my eyes. I like how the versatile platinum color looks good with all my different colored jackets and helmets.

 

Features and Technology

The Smith I/O MAG S has 5X anti-fog inner lens for advanced fog-free performance, the company’s highest level of anti-fog treatment.

The Spherical Carbonic-x lens is impact-resistant. Its distortion-free optics offer a large range of vision and its curved lens reduces glare (no more flat spots!).

In addition, the curved design provides more volume between the face and the lens that further helps to reduce fogging. After wearing a spherical lens (which to me is kind of like seeing the mountain in a wide screen TV format), it would be difficult to go back to wearing goggles with a flat, cylindrical lens.

 

But wait, there’s more! Offering 100 percent protection against UVA/UVB, the ChromaPop™ lenses enhance contrast and natural color to provide next-level perception. The details of the terrain in front of me were incredible; even the tops of small trees pushing up from the snow and other obstacles were easily spotted from a distance.

 

The interior of the ultra wide strap is lined with beaded silicone that helps to keep the goggles in place. Not once did they slip and bob from the rear of my helmet!

 

Finally, the fantastic MAG™  interchangeable magnetic system allowed me to quickly swap out the lenses when the conditions changed. When it comes to technical things, I’m not the most intuitive person. I had to watch a Youtube video to figure out the system, but once I watched the demonstration, the swapping out of lenses was easy.

 

Overall Impression

The Smith I/O MAG S snow goggles are available in over a dozen color and lens combinations.

 

I selected the White Chunky Knit + ChromaPop™ Sun Platinum Mirror Lens snow goggles for their versatility for all my different helmets and jackets.

 

They arrived with a bonus ChromaPop Storm Blue Sensor Mirror Lens for lowlight conditions, a goggle sock to protect my lenses en route, and a microfiber goggle bag with replacement lens sleeve.

 

I cannot overstate how difficult it is to find eyewear that fits my small face. Even some Asian fit goggles don’t fit well when paired with a helmet. So I was thrilled at how well the Smith I/O Mag S goggles fit and how comfortable they are.

 

The low profile frame is stylish and looks good, and I love all the qualities the spherical lens offered (better glare defense, minimal distortion, wider field of vision, etc.).

 

Smith Optics has been my go-to for years because of the fit, style and quality of their eyewear. I’m very happy with the Smith I/O MAG S ski goggles and know they will be my favorite to wear on the mountain for not only this ski season, but for others to come.