The Smith Knowledge Turbo Fan snow goggles are one of the best options out there for skiers and snowboarders looking for a quality pair with some unique features not often seen in the market today. The following review is going to outline just why that is and give you a rundown of important perks and elements that make these goggles so great. They come from a reliable brand tag and give you the best bang for your buck, and are packed full of bonuses that make the goggles pretty unique. These goggles are built to last, made with your comfort in mind, and go above and beyond to make sure that your eyes are protected and your vision is maximized on the slopes. Go ahead and keep reading, and get an in-depth look at why we’ve chosen to highlight these goggles.
Specifications of the Smith Knowledge Turbo Fan
- Large frame size (compatible with eyeglasses and sunglasses)
- Interchangeable lenses
- Operable in medium to low light conditions
- Two speed, micro-electronic turbo exhaust fan
- Anti-fogger, flat lens
- 2-layer face framing foam for extra comfort
- Helmet compatible
- Clip-buckle wide, silicone backed strap
- TLT, cylindrical Carbonic-x lens
- Comes with a cleaning cloth and a goggle bag
Smith Knowledge Turbo Fan Goggles Design
To begin, we’re going to get into the construction and design of the Knowledge Turbo Fan. At first glance, they look sturdy and have a more basic looking design that’ll go with all of your gear. The rims as well as the band come in black, with a grey buckle clip in the back. These goggles are ideal for medium to large-sized faces, because they come with a wider frame. In addition, they’re made specifically to be compatible with glasses (hence that Over-the-Glass, or “OTG”, label), for those of you who don’t like putting in contacts when you go skiing or snowboarding. But what I think is really nifty about these goggles is the strap system. It’s made with a buckle in the back that connects two separately adjustable straps, rather than the more typical one strap system that a lot of goggles use. This strap is wider than most too, and is backed with silicone to make it sturdier. This is going to do a better job at ensuring a fit that’s unique to your head, as well as preventing the band from stretching over time. Now for comfort, these goggles use a two-layered DriWix face foam that is designed to absorb sweat and snow to keep you dry and comfortable. Not to mention, the extra layer of padding makes the goggles form better and feel softer on your face.
Additional Features of the Knowledge Turbo Fan
Now for the extra perks, or shall we say the make or break for whether or not you want to buy this altogether, of this snow goggle. We’ll go ahead and start with the ventilation system that these goggles use (where they got their name). The ‘Two-Speed Micro-Electric Turbo Exhaust Fan’ helps in keeping your goggles from fogging up, without compromising your warmth. Some goggles use really wide venting systems, which are great to keep the fog out, but let the cold in pretty quickly. However, listen to the skiers and snowboarders who have used these and they can confirm that the way Smith built these gives you the best of both worlds — no fogging, and your face stays warm. Having a literal built-in fan allows this to happen because the goggles can keep the smaller vents while still having a way to disperse the moisture on the inside of the goggles, keeping your vision clear as day. And, since these are made with a two-speed fan, you can adjust it to your liking depending on the day-to-day conditions. If you aren’t feeling this feature, we don’t recommend buying them.
Don’t forget you’re also getting lens interchangeability here, so you can swap out extra lenses you have on hand depending on the light conditions (or how you’d like to look that day). For the lens build of the Knowledge Turbo Fan, Smith uses a cylindrical carbonic-x lens, which pretty much just means that it bends with the frame of your face so that there isn’t any distortion in your vision. Speaking of anti distortion tech, they also have a Porex filter which is made to minimize distortion that can sometimes happen as a result of changing elevation quickly, as one does when they’re going down a mountainside. But the lens perks don’t stop there. They also use an Anti-Fogger inner lens, which is designed to stay crystal clear regardless of the conditions outside because nothing is worse than going to put your goggles on off of the lift only to realize that you can’t see out of them.
These goggles also come with unique add ons. First, like a lot of other goggles, you’ll get a microfiber cleaning cloth as well as a goggle bag that’ll keep them from getting scratched or broken when you’re not using them. Smith also throws in a nose bridge adapter with their goggles to make sure that they fit your face as snugly as possible. Additionally, some sellers allow you to switch out the lenses on these goggles if you want to upgrade to a polarized lens (with a price adjustment) or a different lens that’s more uniquely specific to the conditions you typically ski or snowboard in.
In Conclusion of the Smith Knowledge Fan Goggles
It would be too much to claim that these are the best goggles on the market. Every skier and snowboarder is different in his or her fit preferences, price ranges, and style when it comes to their goggles. What we are confident in saying, however, is that if you’re somebody who is looking for a basic looking goggle that is packed full of specs and perks, for a reasonable price, these are the ones for you. Smith does a great job here at giving attention to little details that make a big difference when you’re on the mountain. It’s tough to find an exact competitor to these, since the most obvious highlight is their Turbo Fan technology. However, we’d say the Giro Balance goggles are one that may find its ranks within this price-point, although it focus more of a balance of features and specs rather than one specialized piece of technology. Smith has many other goggles out there with the built-in Turbo Fan tech as well. You can also read our snow goggles guide for more picks if you want to do some comparing before you purchase.
The inclusion of the two-speed fan as well as the double plated lens is going to keep moisture out and help minimize fog. Add to that the fact that if you don’t have perfect vision (like many skiers and snowboarders) these are designed so that you can keep your glasses on underneath. All of this together ensures that your vision is going to be kept clear the entire time you’re on the slopes. Additionally, these ski and snowboard goggles were made to maintain a comfortable fit over a long period of time. Bottom line is that yes, every skier is different. But with perks like these, we think that it’s safe to say that the Smith Knowledge Turbo Fan goggles are across the board a crowd-pleaser and will not disappoint if it fits your specific needs.
