Backcountry guide's favorite goggles '24-25 season | Professional selection and reviews

Visibility is everything to backcountry guides who escort their guests while ensuring their safety, comfort, and enjoyment. They must ensure clear visibility in blizzards, sunny skies, flat, cloudy skies, uneven slopes with poor visibility, and in dense trees. How far they can see is directly linked to the quality of their guiding. What kind of goggles do professionals use to instantly grasp the situation and move safely on snowy mountains?

*All prices shown include consumption tax.

DRAGON｜PVX

DRAGON's best-selling model, the PVX. The frame is designed to wrap around the sides of the face, ensuring a field of view that exceeds the human visual field. The PANOTECH LENS is a hybrid of spherical and flat lenses, providing an astonishingly wide field of view. The highly transparent and clear JAPAN LUMALENS delivers an even more refreshing panoramic view

◆Official website: https://www.dragonalliance.jp/

Good visibility in both bright and dark conditions, less likely to fog up, and no flat light | WARP Arima Arata

I use DRAGON's "PXV" and "NFX2." The lens color is "LUMALENS MIDNIGHT," which is said to be suitable for sunny days with a VLT (visible light transmittance) of 6%, and both models use the same lens.
When changing, I only change the goggles, not the lenses. LUMALENS MIDNIGHT does not have flat light, so I really appreciate that it provides good visibility in both bright and dark conditions, is less likely to fog up, and does not have flat light.

GIRO | CONTOUR

The sleek, unconventional toric lens and cutting-edge EXV+ technology deliver a wide field of view comparable to that seen with the naked eye. The quick-change lens system allows you to change lenses in an instant

◆Official HP／ //giro-japan.com/

“The contrast is clear and visibility is high”｜IDEHA Takahiro Ishizawa

I use the CONTOUR+ spare lens. It has high visibility and sharp contrast, making it easy to see the undulations of the snow surface. The high contrast of the VIVID lens makes it ideal for capturing the undulations of the snow surface in the backcountry. The wide-vision lens, which does not have an outer frame, also provides excellent visibility, reducing the risk of slipping. Lens changes are easy, and one replacement lens is included, so it's great that I don't need to carry a spare pair of goggles and just need the lens.

I use the pink spare lens for sunny/cloudy conditions. I don't use the spare lens very often, but I do use it when snow gets inside and it becomes difficult to see. It's very convenient because you can change the lens while wearing the goggles. The magnets hold the goggles in place, so there's no hesitation.

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GIRO | CONTOUR RS

◆Official HP／ //giro-japan.com/

The CONTOUR has been resized to a more compact size, with a design that takes women's sensibilities into consideration and accommodates smaller faces. The VIVID toric lens with a new lens curvature and EXV+ technology ensure a field of view as wide as the naked eye.
The quick-change lens system makes lens replacement easy, and EVAK Vent Technology minimizes fogging. The plush max fleece face foam is gentle on the skin, a consideration of women's needs.

"The lenses are easy to see and I trust them." | Mariko Sato, Spur Akita Mountain Guide Service

I trust them because they fit my facial features well and the lenses are easy to see through.

I use "VIVID infrared" as a spare lens. I
switch between them and "VIVID Pink" depending on the weather and the amount of light, as the visibility of the slope changes depending on the weather. The magnets make it fairly easy to change them out quickly, even in bad weather, and I like how they don't put any extra strain on the frame sponge or lenses.

OAKLEY｜Line Miner™

The Line Miner is one of OAKLEY's classic models. Its cylindrical design provides unprecedented downward and side peripheral vision. It also fits larger faces and is a perfect fit for most helmets

◆ Official HP / https://www.oakley.com/ja-jp

"I like flat lenses and they provide a wide field of view" | GRANIX mountain guide Satoshi Arakawa

I love Oakley. I like the flat lenses and wide field of view of the "Line Miner™." The "Prizm Snow Argon Iridium" lenses allow me to see the unevenness of the snow surface, whether it's sunny or snowing, making them versatile for a wide range of weather. I always carry a spare pair of the same Prizm Snow Argon Iridium lenses with me so I can use them in case snow gets inside or if a guest's lens gets fogged up

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POC｜Fovea WF

Toric lenses ensure a wide field of view. Featuring Clarity lens technology that enhances contrast and provides sharp vision in a variety of lighting conditions. The malleable frame and triple face foam provide a comfortable and secure fit for any face shape, providing flexibility and comfort even in the coldest conditions.

◆ Official HP / https://www.full-marks.com/poc/

“An important point in choosing is the one that fits your face”｜KinTouN Backcountry Guide Kenichi Minegishi

I like the pink lenses because they make it easy to see even on cloudy days with little light.
I use various models, but I personally think that Fovea suits my face, so I often find myself using Fovea.

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POC｜OPSIN CLARITY COMP

A racing model of OPSIN CLARITY that combines a classic frame design and clarity lenses. Instant judgment is required in severe competition scenes and in the backcountry. The lenses of the OPSIN CLARITY COMP are optimized with a special color scheme that provides bright and clear visibility, allowing you to accurately grasp the snow surface conditions that change moment by moment depending on the weather and time, and to quickly judge and move. A spare lens for cloudy weather is included.

*The OPSIN CLARITY COMP was discontinued last season. Its successor for the 2024-2025 season will be the OPSIN WF, as shown below

This is a standard model that is not specifically designed for racing, but can be used in a wide range of situations. Therefore, if you want to use it in racing scenes or backcountry skiing where the weather is prone to change, you can use the OPSIN WF frame and change to the spare lens (sold separately)

◆ Official HP / https://www.full-marks.com/poc/

“The fit of the goggles themselves is exceptional”｜COLOR SPORT CLUB Tomohiro Sagawa

OPSIN CLARITY COMP mainly uses Spektris Blue & Spectris Pink lenses. I always carry a spare pair of goggles with me, and only use them when skiing, such as when going into the mountains. We use a compressor type that prevents wind from entering so that it can handle wind at high speeds. I use lenses that are not too dark even on sunny days. These lenses are bright enough to accommodate age-related eye limitations. Another great feature is that the fit of the goggles themselves is exceptional.

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SMITH｜4D MAG

This model boasts the best field of view ever thanks to its ChromaPop lenses, providing clear and sharp vision, as well as Bird's Eye Vision technology. The AirEvac™ function ensures a perfect fit with your helmet. The SMITH MAG Lens Change System makes it easy to attach and remove lenses, allowing you to instantly change lenses depending on the weather or conditions. Two ChromaPop lenses are included as standard

◆ Official HP / https://smithjapan.co.jp/

“Comes with 2 spare ChromaPop lenses!” | Kagura Powder Station Kazuya Igarashi

4D MAG comes with two Chromapop spare lenses. The field of view is wide and easy to see, and it is hard to fog!

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SMITH｜Squad MAG

The MAG Lens Change System allows you to easily remove lenses by simply unlocking the left and right sides, allowing you to instantly change lenses to suit changing weather or conditions. This is the first flat lens to feature 5X™ Anti-Fog Technology, making it the most powerful model ever. It also features the most powerful CP Pro Photochromic lens ever, offering all-weather protection in a single lens, available in a wide range of colors. Two ChromaPop lenses are included as standard

◆ Official HP / https://smithjapan.co.jp/

"Because I want to use it without changing lenses" | Niseko Mecca Hisataka Tanaka

I use photochromic (light-adjusting) mirror lenses because I want to be able to wear them on snowy and sunny days without having to change lenses

“Easy to put on and take off the lens!”｜Rhythm Works Tatsuta Asahi

I like flat lenses and love using Squad MAG Black. Her lenses are dark lenses, Sun Black or Sun Platinum Mirror. Her spare carry something a little brighter. Easy attachment and detachment of the lens!

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SWANS｜OUTBACK　

The SWANS OUTBACK is SWANS' flagship model, equipped with cylindrical lenses that minimize distortion. It features the A-BLOW system, which allows for quick defogging with a single push of the levers on both sides of the frame. It's a great system that allows for easy ventilation inside the goggles

OB-MDH-CU-LP SBLU [Lens: PHOTOCHROMIC x ULTRA LIGHT PURPLE x ICE MIRROR, Strap: SBLU]

Photochromic (photochromic = photochromic) technology changes the brightness of the lenses in response to UV rays, automatically adjusting the brightness of the lenses in all weather conditions, making them extremely versatile

OB-MDH PBK [Lens: Gray x Shadow Mirror | Strap: PBK]

The SHADOW MIRROR lens is a highly transparent mirror lens that maintains the cool look of mirror lenses while reducing glare on sunny days without being too dark

◆Official website/ https://www.swans.co.jp/

"We've been waiting for this! Breathable goggles with flat lenses" | Mountain Guide Coyote Furuichi Ryuta

These goggles offer excellent visibility even in Niseko's snowstorms. They're breathable, meaning the lenses hardly fog up even when walking a little, letting in fresh air, making them ideal for backcountry skiing.

While bright lenses are certainly beneficial in Niseko, where it snows almost every day, the weather can change quickly and suddenly become sunny. On days like these, the photochromic lenses in the spare lenses, which change color depending on the amount of UV rays, are extremely useful. I personally prefer the light gray, which looks more natural, as I don't particularly like the sky changing color.

"I like the distortion-free field of view of flat lenses." | Masaaki Sato

I'm often sweating between hiking and skiing, so being able to pop up the lenses and ventilate them before changing modes and starting to ski really helps prevent my goggles from fogging up. I like the distortion-free, flat lens of the OUTBACK. I use either the ULTRA Light Purple Photochromic or the Gray Shadow Mirror lenses depending on the weather, and both are very easy to see through, probably because they suit Japanese eyes

Sweet Protection｜Clockwork [+Bonus Lens]

"Clockwork" features high strength and RIG lens unique to Sweet Protection. RIG lenses are excellent because they minimize color distortion with excellent contrast and reduce eye fatigue. Equipped with a 2.8 mm thick premium toric scalp lens with overwhelming impact resistance, it has a compact shape that fits snugly with low volume while ensuring a wide field of view. The double lens is equipped with GORE® Protective Vents, which prevent the inner lens from deforming due to changes in air pressure and provide the optimum environment for your eyes.

◆Official website/ https://sweetprotection.jp/

"Reliable goggles with all three features" | CIRCLE GAME guide service Shohei Sasaki

Wide field of view, easy-to-see lenses, and a comfortable fit. These goggles are reliable and have all the features you need.

"The clearest view I've ever used, making it easy to see the slopes." | Infield, Toyokazu Nakano

Of all the goggles I've ever used, they have the clearest vision and easy to see slopes. The Japanese model has a foam pad for Japanese people, so there is very little space between the nose and the pad, preventing snow from entering inside. The design is also cool. I don't carry a spare lens because the lens doesn't fog up.

"It gives me a sense of security, like my face is protected." | 　Jun Nagai JUNRINA mountain service

The field of view is wide and easy to see, and the durable lenses give a sense of security as if your face is protected. I use the RIG Light Amethyst lens as my main lens, which I recommend for the harsh winter weather. The Clockwork lens is not too large and is just the right size for my preference. I also use a helmet from the same brand, and it goes very well with the helmet. As a

spare lens, I use the RIG Topaz mirror lens, which I find very useful in the harsh spring sun.