![]() Coming off a full season of testing the I/O Mag, we had high expectations for the Squad given their similarities in price and features and were a little let down in this regard.Īll that said, the Squad Mag thankfully doesn’t suffer from the tunnel-like effect that can happen with an overly thick design, and it’s perfectly serviceable for everyday resort use. Visibility directly up and down is sufficient and never led to any issues for us, but there are some limitations in the periphery (here, the extra bulk comes into play). What keeps the Squad from excelling is its moderately thick frame and vents, which push the lens farther off the face than alternatives like Smith’s own I/O Mag. With a medium/large fit and quality optics, the Smith Squad Mag offers a decent but not standout field of view. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best ski goggles. At $240-$270 depending on lens tint, it’s no longer a value leader, but the upgraded Squad is a nice option for those who prefer a cylindrical shape but want the convenience of an easy lens swap. A more recent addition to the collection, the Squad Mag takes the basic design of the original model and adds premium features like Smith’s latest magnetic quick-change system and a second ChromaPop lens. ![]() If nothing else, I’d recommend visiting your local ski shop and trying these on, just to experience the increased field of vision.Smith’s Squad has been a longtime favorite for its semi-framed styling, budget-friendly price, and good all-around versatility. Honestly the only downside that I can think of is the price, but you generally get what you pay for when it comes to goggles. Of course, as with any nice eyewear, you probably don’t want to throw them around on the ski lodge cafeteria table, either. I haven’t used the Smith 4D MAG goggle long enough to comment on their durability, but nothing jumped out at me as a potential problem either. My finger is pointing towards the tabs that release the magnetic lens swapping system. I will at least say that the Everyday Red Mirror is one of my favorites here in CO. Let’s face it, January light at Alaska latitudes is a bit different than it is in CO or CA, even on cloudy days. I won’t get into the different lens choices since that’s choice that should be based on your preference and typical weather and sun angle. If you haven’t experienced magnetic lenses, they are amazingly easy to change lenses and the 4D MAG is as easy as any of them- just flip the tabs on either side of the lens and pop in the new lens. ![]() Smith has a number of lens choices that swap out with the magnetic lenses found on the 4D. Notice the cutouts on the nose and cheekbone areas. Not only does the lens curve towards the face, by the way, but the frame foam also has strategic cutouts to enhance the wider view. Rumor has it that Smith will be releasing 4D versions in smaller and larger sizes as early as next year, so if you’re excited about this goggle but they don’t fit your face, you may be in luck soon. ![]() I’m a bit on the small side of medium, but they fit me very well. Notice the lens curve at the bottom of the gogglesĪs for frame fit, if you have a “medium” fit that worked well with other Smith frames like the I/O Mag or I/O 7, you should be in good shape with the 4D MAG goggle fit. There is a bit of distortion (if you concentrate on it) where the goggle lens curves towards your face, but you don’t notice it at all under normal circumstances. I grew up playing hockey, and there is no way I could stick handle a puck while looking ahead with normal goggles, but I bet I could with the 4D MAG. Granted, your eyes should be looking well ahead while you’re skiing, not looking at your ski boots, but the increased field of vision does help with your awareness of everything that’s going on. This might not seem like a big deal, but it’s highly noticeable whether you’re trying them on at a store or actually, you know, skiing. Our Smith 4D MAG goggle review continues below: By curving the lens inward towards the face at the cheekbones, the Smith 4D Mag goggles take away nearly all traces of the goggle frame running underneath your eyes. 4D presumably stands for a fourth dimension, but the basic idea of the goggles are that they add a significant amount of peripheral vision. But the Smith 4D MAG goggles are actually pretty different- possibly even revolutionary. OK, goggles don’t sound that interesting and at this point it’s true that there are a lot of good ones out there.
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