Smith I/O Mag Goggles Review

Quick Specs for the I/O Mag

Lenses: Chromapop

Lens Type: Spherical

Lens change: Quickchanging with magnets

Fog Protection: 5X™ Anti-Fog Inner Lens plus AirEvac™ Integration Ventilatio Technology

Comes with: 2 lenses, micro-fiber goggle bag and separate lens sleeve for spare lens

Lenses that I used were the: 

Low Light: ChromaPop Storm Blue Sensor Mirror (55% VLT)

Bright Light: ChromaPop Everyday Green Mirror (22% VLT)

I've since used the Storm Rose Flash as my low light lens and that's my preferred low light lens. Even though it's 50% VLT, so technically let's in less light, I find, for my eyes, that I get better definition with it than the Storm Blue Mirror. 

Why I Chose the I/O Mag XL

There are a few factors to consider when buying goggles - and I'm fussy about getting snowboarding gear right, as anyone who's visited this website before knows, so I considered everything - and the I/O Mag ticked all the relevant boxes. 

When I look for new goggles, I consider the following (not in any particular order): 

• Lenses (super important of course)
• Lens changeover procedure (easier/faster the better)
• Fit with face
• Fit with helmet
• Field of vision 
• Fog protection

GOGGLE LENSES

Without good lenses, goggles are virtually worthless, so this is one of the most important things to think about when choosing your goggles. 

The I/O Mag comes with 2 lenses, which you can choose. So naturally going with a low light lens and a bright light lens makes sense. You can also buy lenses separately, should you need to replace a lens or if you want to add an additional lens (e.g. if you were to want a clear lens for riding at night for example). 

Low Light and Bright Light Lenses

The lens that I care most about is the low light lens. I definitely change to the bright light lens on sunny days, but I feel like so long as the lens cuts down glare and keeps things clear, it's easier to get a good bright light lens.

Also, where I usually ride, there aren't tons of sunny days to enjoy, so 80% of the time, I'm wearing my low light lens. But UV protection is of course important for the bright day lens. 

Chromapop

One of the reason's I went with the I/O Mag was the Chromapop lenses they use. I had heard good things and then after testing them on a low light day, I was sold. 

They allowed me to see the contours of the snow better than any other lens I'd used previously and that is a big part of my decision - I find being able to see on a low vis day is priceless. 

LENS CHANGEOVER PROCEDURE

This wasn't a deal breaker for me - as lens quality and other things such as helmet and face fit, field of vision and fog protection were all more important to me. 

However, I was hoping to get easier lens changing if I could - and I did. 

My brother has Anon goggles and seeing how easy it was for him to change his lenses did make me a little envious! But the I/O Mag's lens changing is super easy - it's done via magnets and a couple of little clips. It's easy and really fast. 

You simply find the clip, which sits between where the strap connects with the frame and the foam on the face side of the frame. Simply push down on this clip with one hand and pull up on the lens with the other (see video below). 

Replacing your lens is even easier - just line up the clip on one side, then push down. 

FIT WITH FACE

The most important thing here is that the goggles are comfortable and sit without slipping or anything. My previous goggles were too small, so I wanted to make sure I had a good fit.

This is only really something you'll know for sure when trying on, but there are a few different sizes for the I/O Mag, so if you know the size/shape of your face, you can probably make a pretty good guess. 

But because of the variety of sizes, there should be one that fits you between: 

• I/O Mag
• I/O Mag XL
• I/O Mag S
• I/O Mag Asian Fit

FIT WITH HELMET

No one wants the dreaded gaper gap! 

But jokes aside, apart from how it looks, having a big gap between the top of your lens and the bottom of your helmet can lead to a very cold forehead on cold days - particularly if your bombing it!

But you also want to make sure that the helmet doesn't end up pushing down on the lens and squeezing your nose - as I've experienced before. It's not only uncomfortable but can make it harder to breath. 

Pretty much every goggle these days is helmet compatible, but I wanted to make sure that it fit with my helmet, so when I first tried them on, I tried on with my helmet, which I thoroughly recommend doing. I also have a Smith helmet, so the chances were pretty good, but a good idea to make sure. 

FIELD OF VISION

I was hoping also to get a bit of a wider field of vision with my new goggles, so I paid attention to this when I was looking as well. 

I feel like I got a little more vision with these goggles, but nothing that noticeable. And I think part of the extra vision I felt over my previous goggles was the bigger lens of the XL. My previous goggles were a little too small for me. 

I would be interested in trying the Smith 4D Mag, which supposedly have a wider field of vision. 

FOG PROTECTION

I have used Smith goggles previously and have had a good experience in terms of fog protection, so I was fairly confident the higher end I/O Mag I was looking at would be good in this respect. 

And it's turned out to be the case. I very seldom get goggle fog. That's not to say that it's never happened, but it doesn't happen often. 

The last time I remember it happening was recently I was at a resort where it was -15°F (-26°C)! I got a little moisture on the lens and it froze instantly. Luckily it was only at the top of the lens, so I could still see OK.

I had left the goggles on my helmet waiting for the lift, which wasn't the smartest move, but I typically get away with doing it. 

So yeah, not fool proof, but 95% of the time I don't have fog issues. 

TIP: If you get fog on the inside of your lens, especially if it freezes, never wipe it - as you can damage the anti-fog. 

EXTRAS

My I/O Mag was a North Face Colab, which essentially just means it has "The North Face" printed on the one side of the strap - but it also came with a case. 

They were the same price to get The North Face Colab at the time, so given that it came with a protective case, it was a no-brainer, IMO, to go with that one. 

For the price you pay for these goggles - they ain't cheap - I would expect every model to come with a protective case - my only real bug bear with these goggles. 

The case isn't like a hard plastic case - but it definitely does a better job of protecting the goggles than just the goggle bag alone. 

ALTERATIONS

You may have noticed in the video something slightly odd looking on the nose bridge of the goggles. I have a magnet attached here - as it goes with the facemasks I use from North 45. This doesn't come standard with the goggles, just wanted to mention it in case anyone was confused.  

Final Thoughts

Overall, I'm really happy with the Smith I/O Mag XL. 

• They fit my face and helmet well,
• The lens (particularly the low light one) is super nice
• Easy to change lenses
• Good fog protection 
• Field of vision is decent

Biggest complaint is not coming with a protective case as standard, as I would expect for goggles of this price. I thankfully got that case by going with the North Face collab, but it should come with all options. 

They're not the cheapest goggles going around, but when you're as fussy as I am and they tick the number of boxes they do, then they're worth the money. 

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