Review: Smith Squad XL Goggles
By Ski Expert
Claire Rogers
Smith Squad XL Goggles
from:$82.50
$150.00
45% off
8 photos
The Curated Take
4.2/5
The Smith Squad XL Goggles are great for skiers and snowboarders who need reliable visibility across various conditions, offering high and low-light lenses for adaptability. While the goggles provide a wide field of view and comfort, especially in compatibility with Smith helmets, they are noted for fogging under heavy, wet conditions and have some difficulty changing lenses. Ideal for riders prioritizing peripheral vision and durability over easy lens swapping and ultimate anti-fog capabilities, the Squad XL stands out for its versatility and fit, making it a solid choice for those willing to manage occasional fogging for excellent comfort and view.
Ideal for
- Visibility in all conditions
- High and low light lenses
Not ideal for
- Somewhat difficult to change lenses
- Fog in heavy, wet snow conditions
Durability
Of course, goggles are bound to be poked, scratched, and pried throughout the season. Because these are so easy to change if they become too beat up, the lens' can...Read more
Comfort
These goggles fit perfectly with my Smith helmet to eliminate any extra airflow and avoid the uncomfortable brain freeze when moving at high speeds on cold days. They bump right...Read more
Field of View
As I said before, these goggles bump right up to each side of my Smith helmet, so there are no gaps, allowing for added peripheral vision and a full field...Read more
Anti Fog
I have struggled with these goggles fogging on the colder, wetter days. Owners must be careful and ensure the lens is snapped in properly, as any air gaps will cause...Read more
Ventilation
The goggle frames don't offer any ventilation, but the lenses have small vents along the edges, close to the frame. Because these cover so much of my face, they can...Read more
Quality
The frames are simple, and the lenses are sturdy, so messing these things up would be hard. My only caveat is that the little hooks on the lenses can be...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Claire Rogers
About the goggles
- Model: Smith Squad XL Goggles
Test conditions
- Where I’ve used these: Utah, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, etc., on wet days, cold days, warm days, and everything in between.
- How many times I've used it: 150
Expert Reviews of the Smith Squad XL Goggles
Claire Rogers I love these goggles! I have a smaller face, on average, but I prefer the larger fit, as it fits perfectly with my Smith Maze helmet and provides a bit more peripheral vision. It came with high-light and low-light lenses that are easily interchangeable and can be purchased separately in case one gets scratched, lost (oops), etc. I also purchased it for night skiing and very stormy days that provide extra visibility. The only downside to the goggles is the fact that they will fog on stormier/colder days, especially if I fall in the snow, and aren't the easiest to change in and out just to warm them up on a chairlift ride. If someone is worried about this, I'd go with the Squad Mag goggles, but the Squad and Squad XL are cheaper but very practical goggles nonetheless.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Model year | 2024 |
| Frame size | Large |
| Lens type | Cylindrical |
| Helmet compatible | Yes |
Review Ratings
Durability
5/5
Claire Rogers gave 5 of 5 stars. Of course, goggles are bound to be poked, scratched, and pried throughout the season. Because these are so easy to change if they become too beat up, the lens' can be replaced to create a whole new goggle. I have had the same frames for 3-4 seasons and plan to use them for plenty more. They definitely hold up super well.
Comfort
5/5
Claire Rogers gave 5 of 5 stars. These goggles fit perfectly with my Smith helmet to eliminate any extra airflow and avoid the uncomfortable brain freeze when moving at high speeds on cold days. They bump right up to each side of my helmet and underneath my sinuses, so there is no added pressure on my face. Oftentimes, I forget they're even on.
Field of View
5/5
Claire Rogers gave 5 of 5 stars. As I said before, these goggles bump right up to each side of my Smith helmet, so there are no gaps, allowing for added peripheral vision and a full field of view. They also sit low enough on my cheeks so that nothing is blocked when I look down at my skis or off the lifts to watch other skiers. If anything, the helmet is the limiting factor, not the goggles.
Anti Fog
3/5
Claire Rogers gave 3 of 5 stars. I have struggled with these goggles fogging on the colder, wetter days. Owners must be careful and ensure the lens is snapped in properly, as any air gaps will cause it to fog. My problem could be that they sit too close to my buff, causing that warm air to shoot up, but I have not yet pinpointed the exact cause. That said, if my lenses ever fog, I'll throw my goggles in my jacket for the ride up, and they'll clear. I'll even carry a spare lens to have a warm, dry one ready to go.
Ventilation
3/5
Claire Rogers gave 3 of 5 stars. The goggle frames don't offer any ventilation, but the lenses have small vents along the edges, close to the frame. Because these cover so much of my face, they can definitely get pretty warm. That said, I would rather be warm than get brain freezes from extra vents on cold days.
Quality
4/5
Claire Rogers gave 4 of 5 stars. The frames are simple, and the lenses are sturdy, so messing these things up would be hard. My only caveat is that the little hooks on the lenses can be a bit tough to insert into the frames when changing them out. That is the flimsiest part of the goggle, which will degrade over time. That said, I tend to scratch my lenses before anything breaks. However, the difficulty of inserting the lens may be a factor in their tendency to fog.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Claire Rogers The Smith Squad XL fits my Smith Maze helmet perfectly, with extra face coverage and little room for air to get in and fog up the lens. I love the extra coverage it gives me on my face.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Claire Rogers I can't say I have a favorite memory with these goggles, but last season in UT was undoubtedly the best season with 900" at my home resort. These goggles and all three of my lenses withstood countless hours on the mountain in all sorts of weather conditions, trick attempts, face plants, etc.
Why did you choose this product?
Claire Rogers I have a Smith Maze helmet, so I wanted a goggle that would fit the profile of it well and have as little room for air to sneak in as possible. The XL sizes achieves this even better than the regular-sized Squad goggles.
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