Many skiers and snowboarders splurge on fancy boots and jackets, but few focus on eye protection, which can be devastating.
You’ll see plenty of fancy designer brands with high price tags in the snow goggles market - but today, we want to take a closer look at a popular exception: the OutdoorMaster PRO XM snow goggles.
I’ve been lucky enough to test the OutdoorMaster PRO XM in hand. Now it is time to break down everything there is to know about these goggles for skiing and snowboarding. I’ll share my exclusive findings, give my opinion, and rate them from 1 to 5 based on several critical criteria.
It sounds like a gross exaggeration, but the OutdoorMaster Pro XM snow goggles allowed me to experience the slopes differently than before. I am primarily used to riding with framed goggles, so trying a frameless pair was great. The FOV (field of view) is wide, and there is minimal visual obstruction from the goggle build itself.
The lens themselves slope so you not only have a clear view, but you can also wear glasses beneath the goggles without worrying about them breaking.
I need glasses to see far away, so this is handy when enjoying a stretch of snowy mountains. Large glasses might be a bit of a stretch for these goggles, but most regularly-sized ones should fit.
Plus, the spherical look is just cool to look at.
These goggles allow you to change the lens for weather and day or night conditions. It might cost a little extra, but I found it well worth it as I ski in different seasons and at all times of the day.
Do not worry; these clip-on lenses do not fall off in action because of the goggles’ eight magnets.
I should note that while it is easy to change these goggles' lenses, please be careful when doing so. I like to use either the strap or another clean piece of cloth when handling the lens.
You can deteriorate the anti-fog coating on your goggles' lens if you touch them too much. I learned from another skier to bend the edge of your frame and pull the lens off when they pop up. Be gentle. They’re not fragile, but good care goes a long way in ensuring optimum safety and lifespan.
The OutdoorMaster PRO XM snow goggles strike a nice balance between comfortable and functional, meaning they feel good to wear, but you do not worry about them breaking. The bendable TPU plastic frame is comfortable, and it has lasted me several trips now with no issues whatsoever.
The padding is the best part because it is easily one of the most comfortable pairs of skiing goggles in this price class I have worn in a long time. Some goggles stick to your face and feel uncomfortable because they only have one layer of padding.
The padding helps keep the goggles tight against your face, but it also feels like there is some give to it. If you accidentally bumped the goggles, you would not feel the shock because the padding absorbs it.
The goal is always to have a pair of goggles that sit tight without creating pressure points that’ll lead to spot pain over time. For me, the PRO XM achieves just that.
Comfort is one thing, but functionality on the slopes is just as important. Most of us have bad experiences with goggles fogging up, which can be outright dangerous when going downhill at speed.
Luckily, most of today’s top goggles feature a layer of anti-fog coating - and the OutdoorMaster PRO XM snow goggles are no exception. It accomplishes this with a double-pane lens design, an anti-fog coating on the inner pane, and ventilation.
Some snowboarders, myself included, have struggled with goggle straps that do not stay in place on their snowboard helmets. This was not an issue with these goggles, however.
The straps have silicone beads along the band that holds into your helmet. I skied down a few slopes and checked whether the strap had moved, and I do not think it moved even a millimeter. On top of the anti-fog technology, it gives you peace of mind for seeing well.
As is standard, the goggles are adjustable in band size and accommodate most skiers and snowboarders.
The OutdoorMaster PRO MX snow goggles' sloped lens work great for my view. They do not distort anything, and the sloped lens increases your peripheral vision by only a margin.
Also, it helps reduce any glare you might get from snow or water on a sunny day. Those are my favorite days to ski, and glare is unavoidable then, so any goggles that reduce glare are a winner.
The OutdoorMaster PRO XM ski goggles come between $50 and $60, which seems like a steal for goggles with this quality.
Although, if you want to get an interchangeable lens to go with your frames, your spending could jump between $25 or $70, depending on what type of lens you buy. Basic lenses go between $30 and $40, while premium lenses are between $60 and $70.
While every lens comes with UV light protection, anti-fog technology, and a double-pane lens, there is a lens with any combination of visible light transmittance and mirror finishes.
Pick and choose which ones you may use most and stick with those. I have three pairs of basic interchangeable lenses with varying visible light transmittance ratings, just in case.
Personally, I do not have any issues with these goggles, but I think new users should keep some things in mind.
These goggles are on the larger side, which is good for vision but may be too bulky for some. Every snow goggle is shaped differently, and there is no insurance these will fit you perfectly. It is often trial and error until you find something just right for your head and face shape.
I will say, however, that they are shaped to fit most people, so unless you have a particularly small or large nose or highly extruding cheekbones, they’re likely to fit well.
The goggles have a strip across the top part of the lens that protects against harsh glare. You may find this slightly disorienting if you bop your head a lot when skiing.
I cannot say enough good things about the OutdoorMaster PRO XM snow goggles. From how stylish they are to simply how functional they are, I think it is hard to find a better pair available for this price right now.
I say, go ahead and try them out, whether you are new to the slopes or a veteran skier!
If you need a helmet as well, these goggles pair well with the OutdoorMaster Kelvin helmet we also reviewed.
