The Oakley Airbrake snow goggles receive high praise from those that try them on, let alone have a pair of their own. If you have a bigger budget than most, these goggles impress a variety of riders and the specs on these will have you drooling to grab one for yourself. They are incredibly comfortable, durable and sleek and are designed for optimized optical performance. Not only will you look good but you’ll feel comfortable when wearing these beautifully crafted goggles. They have incredible ventilation, a superior lens changing technology, and are built to be rigid and strong but flexible where it’s needed. You will be hard pressed to find another model of snow goggles with such appealing specification unless the price-point steers you away, so let’s see if they’re more than just a pair of that brand “Oakley”. Read on to learn more about what makes these goggles a leader of the pack when it comes to being one of the best sets of goggles for snowboarding and skiing.
Features of the Oakley Airbrakes
- Optically Correct Dual-Vented Lens
- F3 Anti-Fog Coating
- Switch-Lock Lens Technology
- Articulating O Matter Strap Outriggers
- Silicone-Backed Strap
- Triple Layer Polar Fleece Foam
- Medium to Large Fit
- HDO Lenses
- Injection Molded Polycarbonate Frame
- Rigid exoskeleton with flexible O Matter Faceplate
- Switchlock Technology
- Compatible with most Helmets
- 2 Interchangable Lenses
- Plutonite Lens Material
- Revolutionary Prizm Lens
Overall snow goggle build
Let’s start off with a look at what makes these goggles so durable. They are built with an injection molded polycarbonate frame. Polycarbonate is a very strong and tough plastic material that can stand up to some severe impacts you may (hopefully not) experience. However, it is also very light which allows these goggles to sit rather gently on your face. The frame has a rigid exoskeleton with a flexible “O Matter faceplate”. The O Matter faceplate helps the goggles to be flexible while still holding their form due to the rigid frame. These goggles have a great balance of flex and rigidity to allow for a comfortable fit but a strong and durable exterior. On top of that, the frame is lined with triple layer polar fleece foam that will sit comfortably on your face and will allow you to wear these goggles for hours without any irritation (we all know that feeling!). The foam is super soft and paired up with the adjustable silicone-backed strap combines for keeping these goggles securely in place on your head and makes them compatible with most helmets out there.
Another great technology, and in our opinion one of the biggest standouts that the Oakley Airbrake come with is the Switchlock lens changing system. This is the one of the most advanced lens changing system available in the market and it is incredibly simple and efficient to use (don’t get us wrong, there many highly effective changing systems out there, however this is definitely the quickest by a few seconds). You can change your lenses so quickly you can do it in between runs, while waiting for your next run on the lift, or even mid run with a little practice. So how does it work? Each side of the lens frame has a locking mechanism that you can twist to unlock and relock. When you twist the mechanism to unlock the lenses you then pop off the old lenses, pop in place the new lenses, and relock the mechanism.
The goggles also come with two pairs of lenses so you have the chance to use this Switchlock lens changing feature immediately upon purchasing your first pair. If you are one of those people that prefers to change your lenses depending on the conditions of the day, you’ll love this feature and how easy it is to use. There are several additional lenses with varying tints and colors that you can purchase as well for the goggles which allows you to always have the right lenses for whatever weather conditions Mother Nature throws at you. To top off all of these great features of the design the goggles also come with a one year warranty so if anything does happen to go wrong you can easily replace these goggles for a new pair with the brand.
Additional Oakley Airbrake features
In addition, the Oakley Airbrakes also have some of the highest quality anti-fog coating on their lenses which will keep your vision clear and crisp throughout their use. Not only are the lenses treated to prevent fog build up but the air vents built into the lenses of the goggles also reduce the possibility of any condensation. Each lens has two vents that allow air to flow in and keep any moisture from building up and blocking your view. The High Definition Optics (HDO) lenses are built to withstand impacts making them immensely durable but they are also incredibly clear to ensure your vision is sharp without any distortions.
The Prizm technology of the lenses strategically reflects certain wavelengths to maximize the contrast in colors so that your surrounding environment is clear and distinguishable. The Plutonite material that Oakley has crafted these lenses with blocks 100% of UV light and protects your eyes from any harmful rays. You will feel fully protected from harsh winds, bitter cold, and strong UVs keeping you safe behind the mask. Oakley is a brand that is known for their impressive optical designs and lens technology and these goggles live up to that reputation. You will be able to see so clearly with these goggles on that you won’t want to take them off!
The final word of the Oakley Airbrake snow goggles
There’s no doubt that Oakley has built a brand and a reputation by continually perfecting the art of creating lenses that are ideal for all walks of life. Whether it’s sunglasses, spectacles, or goggles they have honed their craft and perfected the design to optimize the lenses for each situation. The Oakley Airbrakes are one of their latest masterpieces and they have been designed using the latest technologies and materials to ensure they perform at the highest possible standards. This review has definitely been on the positive side but really we can’t complain whatsoever since a lot of this technology is cutting-edge and the “latest” in nearly every piece of the goggle, whether it’s the lens, changing system, face plate or overall fit. Of course, we’ll always say a con to these is the price-point. The brand name definitely helps that number but the specs and technology justifying that tag may differ on the person — we know some who want it, while others scoff at the price alone.
These were a big choice in our top snow goggles guide. Although we state the Airbrake are pretty expensive, they’re still typically priced lower than their Oakley Flight Deck so if you still wanted a high-end pair of goggles yet still save a few bucks, these may be the pair for you. If you want to check out a few of our other reviews in the high-end goggle market, we’d recommend reading about either the Anon M3 or even the Electric EG3. Regardless, these snow goggles will last through many adventures and will ensure that you enjoy all of your experiences with them in the purest clarity possible.
If you choose the Oakley Airbrake snow goggles for your next set of eye wear, you will be not be disappointed in your decision.
