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Goggles: You Get What You Pay For | Tahoe City, CA United States | 12/31/09, by Freedom Rider

The Challenge

Is it possible that, as advertised, a pair of $40 Uvex Downhill II goggles will perform on par with the latest high-end Smiths and Natives? Well, the answer is both Yes and No.

For someone unconcerned with style and high-end features, the Downhill II is an excellent choice for backcountry skiers who rarely use goggles, and don't feel the need to spend much of their hard-earned cash on a pair of infrequently used backup optics. Just don't expect these goggles to cook your lunch for you or attract a new mate.
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The German optic manufacturer, Uvex, is so bold as to make the claim that their pair of $40 Downhill II goggles may replace your "good" goggles. This is great news for the budget-conscious majority of backcountry skiers who don't feel the need to do everything from eating their lunch to driving their cars while wearing their ski goggles, as many of their resort contemporaries do, but how valid is this claim? Can a $40 pair of goggles really stack up with the big guys, or is this just another marketing claim with the integrity of a late-night infomercial?�

Test #1 - Does it fit easily onto a standard sized helmet?

Uvex Downhill II:� 2/5

• Elastic Strap is a hassle to adjust.
• No detachable clips.
• "gaper gap"
  

Smith Phenom and Native Siege:� 5/5

• Dual adjustment sliders enable easy adjustment
• Detachable clips enable easy removal.
• No "gaper gap"

Test #2- Do they fit a variety of facial structures?

Uvex Downhill II:� 2/5

• Foam sealing is stiff- uncomfortable, and allowing air to breeze through goggles (causing teary eyes)
• Large shape caters to "Western European" male bone structure (not so good for females)

Smith Phenom and Native Siege:� 4/5

• Dual Layer, DriWix face foam is soft on your face, dries quickly and forms a tight seal.
• Detachable clips enable easy removal.
• No "gaper gap"

Test #3- Anti-Fogging

Uvex Downhill II:� 3/5. �

• Breezy fit actually helps prevent fogging!
• Patented technology binds anti-fog chemical into the lens itself.

Smith Phenom and Native Siege:� 3/5

• Patented Vaporator lens technology with Porex filter
• Patented Regulator adjustable lens ventilation
• Antifog chemicals sprayed onto lens

Test #4 - Optical Quality

Uvex Downhill II:� 3/5

• Interchangeable lenses, but difficult to switch.
• Each lense works well in specific conditions, but not in a variety of lighting conditions.
• Not polarized
• Medium/low optical quality
  

Native Siege:� 4/5

• Hinged door allows for easy lense changes (a bit too easy in my opinion)
• Chrome reflex lense is photochromatic, which is convenient for a variety of lighting conditions. (provided squint-free crystal-clear vision under the bright California sun, as well as the best contrast and definition in low-light testing)
• Gold lense had adequate definition in flat light despite the unusually heavy tint
• The "Psycho" lens claims to be perfect for low-light conditions, but it seemed to lack contrast as the unusual purple tint picks up extra brightness.
• Medium optical quality
  

Smith Phenom:� 4/5

• Interchangeable lense changing Hop-Up Kits
• Spherical Carbonic-X lens with "TLT Optics performed optimally in all conditions
• Antifog chemicals sprayed onto lens

The Verdict:

Does the Downhill II stack up with the top dollar goggles? Not entirely, but for $40 these are better than every pair of goggles I had growing up in the 90's; and the anti-fogging does run on par with a much more expensive and flashy pair of goggles. Get these goggles if you need a reliable back-up pair for the backcountry and don't want to risk damaging your sexy resort goggles off piste.