About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the goggles, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2019.

My take

The Giro Contact Goggle is a great goggle to keep in the fleet. It can act as my full-time goggle given the Snapshot Lens Technology that allows the rider to press one button to unlock the lens from the frame to swap for a lens that suits the conditions better. The Vivid lens tech also provides an excellent contrast to see the finer detail of the snow I am approaching and an extremely wide range of view.

About the goggles I own

• Model: 2019 Giro Contact
• Size: Normal
• Does it feature lens replacement?: Yes
• Fit: Appropriate size for such a large lens

About me

• Helmet: 2021/2022 Anon Echo Wear glasses with goggles: No
• Experience: 23 years of snowboarding and 24 years of on-and-off skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought them: December 2019
• Days used: 28+
• Lenses I own: Vivid Emerald and Vivid Infrared
• Weather conditions used in: Overcast, bluebird, blizzard, and pretty much everything.
• Where I’ve used them: Michigan: Mt. Bohemia, Marquette Mountain, Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, Nubs Nob, Pine Knob, Porcupine Mountains, Alpine, Mt. Holly, and more
• Terrain: Backcountry, park, groomed trails, powder, pipe, jumps, rails, boxes, powder days, rainy days, and bluebird days.

How they perform

What I was looking for

I wanted a goggle that would replace me having to bring two pairs of goggles everywhere due to unpredictable weather that can change in a flash. I wanted Vivid lenses to boost contrast for overcast weather (90% of winter in Michigan), and I wanted the ability to have two lenses on me for swapping at any given moment due to weather changes as well as going in and out of shaded, wooded areas. I also wanted a wider field of view because I have had my legs taken out from under me at Boyne Highlands. Luckily, I was wearing a helmet, and that was the first time I got to test out a MIPS impact. Thanks, buddy.

Why I chose this gear

I decided to buy these goggles due to the contrast-boosting Vivid Giro lens tech as well as obtaining the ability to swap lenses in a matter of seconds. This ability allows me to change my lens to the lake-affected weather near Lake Superior.

I have owned and sold countless goggles in search of the perfect goggle for the conditions I ride and to ensure my safety. This ranges from, but is not restricted to, Oakley A-frames, Oakley Splice, various Smith goggles, Anon, and more. I considered buying other brands, but I have heard horror stories about lenses falling out when there isn’t a locking mechanism.

What I love about them

• Fit and Comfort: The Giro Contact is very comfortable and has a perfect fit. It is a wide-angle lens with no discomfort to the nose and they are light enough to help avoid discomfort.
• Lens replacement: This goggle comes with two lenses out of the box. It is unbelievably easy to change the lens, and it takes no longer than five seconds to swap the lenses. By pressing a button, it unlocks the frame from the magnetic frame system.
• Visibility: The field of view is outstanding with these goggles. One can truly see everything and have full peripheral vision. Given that it comes with a day and night lens, these goggles are perfect for almost everything. The low-light lens is ideal for night and overcast days. The day lens is the perfect darkness. It’s just dark enough to prevent eye strain while still keeping total clarity of seeing the snow profile I am riding. Nothing is worse than a lens that is too dark and causes unexpected bumps and turbulence. Not being able to see the detail of the snow well enough can be dangerous.
• Face frame: I believe these goggles have a normal fit.
• Strap: The strap has held up well and has the ideal amount of grip to ensure they never fall off my helmet if I put them up. When I put them on, they are locked in and are not going anywhere—no matter how wild the ride gets.
• Helmet compatibility: These goggles work seamlessly with my Anon Echo helmet. No goggle gap, which means no brain freezes.
• Features: This goggle sports anti-fog tech, magnetic lens replacement, wide-field view, and more. The Giro Contact is one of the best-performing goggles I have yet to come by. They do it all and are perfect.
• Durability: These goggles are pretty durable. I have yet to scratch the lenses because I take excellent care of my eyewear and goggles to keep the lenses as pretty as possible.
• Other:** **These goggles are stylish and it's a riot to go lensless. People are shocked by it and get a good kick out of it.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Ventilation: With the Giro Contact, I experienced a little bit of fog at first when they were brand new, but since then, I have yet to experience fog again. I think they may have fogged at first due to being new and not knowing about proper care yet. After they broke in and I had used them for a while, the fog issue dissipated.

Favorite moment with this gear

At Lake Superior, the lake effect can change the weather in a very short amount of time. Once while I was at Mt. Bohemia in the Keweenaw Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it was a bluebird day for my first run; then, not even thirty minutes later, it immediately started dumping snow. The lighting conditions went from very bright to overcast and snowing—which made the lighting conditions significantly darker. I had my lower-light lens in my coat, knowing how quickly the weather can change, and without a hassle, I swapped my Giro Contact lenses from my day lens to my low light lens on the chairlift on the fly. This has happened a couple of times riding near Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, making these the ideal goggle for me and any other Midwest rider. They unlock the next level of optimal riding with their ability to quickly swap between the two lenses it comes with, Vivid tech onboard, and their wide range of vision.

Value for the money vs. other options

I get two goggles in one. I can’t beat it. Day and night lenses for the win. I will never carry more than one pair of goggles with me ever again when I’m seeking optimal vision. This google is a breadwinner in comparison to the Oakley Flight deck, as one is stuck with only one lens made for one type of condition.

Final verdict

The Giro Contacts look unique compared to the wide variety of google on the market and provide an extremely wide range of vision, unlocking more peripheral vision. I can pop the lens off if I need even more fresh air. The quick-release lens button ensures the lenses never fall off. And the Vivid lens technology boosts contrast, which is a great help when optimal vision can make or break it in terms of getting hurt on the slopes. They come with two lenses made for entirely different types of lighting and conditions.