Smith’s Squad goggles are now available with a custom fit. Photo: Steve Andrews/The Inertia
When you break it down, ski and snowboard goggles are actually quite simple. You have a lens, a strap, and a frame. Usually there’s a bit of foam on the frame for comfort’s sake, but that’s about it. Everything else is just bells and whistles. So as long as the three main elements are of high quality, chances are it’ll be a good set of goggles.
However, as high quality as a pair of goggles might be, if they don’t fit your face well, all those high-quality components aren’t worth beans. Until now, we were left to the foam on the frame to help make a snug fit. The goggles might be offered in a few different frame sizes, and perhaps a “low bridge” configuration, but due to the fact that these are all mass-produced, getting a custom-fit frame has been impossible. But that’s just what Smith Optics has done with their imprint series.
I had a chance to try out the Squad Imprint goggles and take them for a rip. The process was actually pretty simple: download an app, scan your face, choose your colors, and wait for the goggles to show up in the mail. Was it worth the wait and increased price? I’ll share my findings, below.
| Pros | Cons |
| Custom fit is super comfortable | Takes about 4 weeks to arrive |
| Didn’t fog up | Need an iPhone for the face scan |
| Amazing clarity | Bottom field of view is fairly narrow |
Smith Squad Imprint Goggles: First Impressions
Before even receiving the goggles, you have to go through the process of scanning your face, which you do through a downloaded app. This isn’t isn’t so bad if you’re an iPhone user, but for Android folks that might be a bit of a hurdle as the app (at the time of writing) is only available on the Apple app store, and actually only works with FaceID-enabled devices. The face scan process itself is simple, and the app guides you through it pretty easily. But actually, to backpedal, you need to first purchase the goggles online to get a code to enter when you start up the app. Then you’re ready to scan your face.
After that process is complete, it’s a bit of a waiting game. I had to wait 4 weeks from face scan to when the goggles arrived. This might be a pain if people need their goggles right away, so it’s advisable to get this done in the offseason or if you have a decent backup pair already.
Notable Features
When the goggles arrived, the first thing I noticed was the recyclable packaging they came in. That’s a huge win over the plastic packaging most goggles come in, and a huge plus for those who care about what we are putting back into the environment (hopefully, that’s you).
The goggles themselves aren’t exactly oversized, but they are plenty enough to give a great field of vision. It’s not the widest field of vision, but it’s still everything you need to see well. The only way I noticed the frame was looking down my nose. Smith also offers their imprint program with their I/O Mag goggles and 4D Mag goggles, which offer a larger field of view than the Squad goggles.
Where these goggles really stand out, and one would hope is the case, is in the fit. It’s true that I have never felt such a comfortable fit in a pair of snow goggles that so perfectly fit my face, and I’ve tested a lot of different snow goggles. The 3D imprint really does work, and as someone with fairly high cheekbones, it’s a noticeably more comfortable fit in places where other frames often came up short. So, as far as fits go, I have to say that the customizable fit is a step above the rest
Riding with the goggles felt excellent. No wind crept in on speedy descents, and never once did the goggles fog up or get moisture inside. This is also coming from someone who rides in the PNW, where moisture content is a daily struggle. But sunup to sundown, the goggles did their job and moisture was not an issue. Was it thanks to the close fit of the custom frame? It certainly played a part. Do other goggles seem to be good as far as wind protection and anti-fog go? Yes. But the extra snug fit definitely played a role in keeping my eyes clear.
The inside of the frame is where you see the custom fit – that little indent (made to fit my high cheekbones) is not something you’d see on a pair of stock goggles. Photo: Steve Andrews/The Inertia
Drawbacks
The main drawback is in the process of acquiring the goggles. For a four-week turnaround, this can be problematic if you need the goggles right away. So for last minute purchases, it’s not the best option. It’s best to get these goggles when you don’t need them to save for any further delays. Hopefully this time goes down in the future, so we will have to see if the process can be streamlined with some added capacity if this trend takes off.
Another drawback is the lens change system. Many goggles these days have magnetics, or at least a slide lock system for quick lens changing on the fly. It’s not a totally impossible task, but it’s also a real challenge to change the lens without at least getting a few fingerprints on. But if you have thin enough gloves, then maybe this isn’t such an issue.
Lastly, since it’s a custom fit, you can’t share these goggles with anyone to get the same fit, since all faces are unique. That’s part of the draw, but it’s something to keep in mind if you want to sell these goggles or hand them down to someone else down the line.
A nice fit underneath keeps wind and moisture out. Photo: Steve Andrews/The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Smith Squad Imprint goggles aren’t a new technology – Smith has been doing this for a couple years with their pricier I/O mag series. But what’s unique is the price point – with the Squad goggles coming in at $250, you get a custom fit and excellent lens tech in Smith’s ChromaPop, without too high of a price tag. You are paying a much higher cost than the Squad goggles normally cost ($120) but for a custom-made piece of gear that’s hardly surprising. These are excellent goggles and the fit really is a noticeable difference.
So, if a comfortable fit is one of your top requirements for good goggles, or if you have a unique face and other goggles let in air and moisture, you might want to try these out. Just make sure you order with the understanding it could take a month to receive them.
Editor’s Note: For more in-depth reviews of the top snowboard gear in the industry, check out our guides to: The Best Snowboard Jackets, The Best Snowboard Pants, The Best Snowboard Goggles, The Best Snowboard Gloves and Mittens, The Best Snowboard Boots, and The Best Snowboard Bags. Curious about the brands behind it all? Check out The Best Snowboard Brands. Looking to protect your head? We’ve reviewed Ski and Snowboard Helmets, too. For even more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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