This is my review of the Oakley Airbrake ski goggles.
Oakley has long been one of the best eyewear industries in the business, and they make some excellent ski goggles. Their Airbrake goggles are a perfect example of that. The tough goggles have great traits that excel across many different conditions and will hold up rain or shine.
Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski goggle, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.
Contents
Quick Summary
- Where to Buy: Amazon, Oakley (MX model), Oakley (MTB model)
- Best for: Resort and backcountry skiers who value durability and comfort.
- Pros: Sleek design, easy-to-change lenses, durable, Prizm technology.
- Cons: Expensive, can let wind in at higher speeds.
Do Oakley Airbrake Goggles come with an extra lens?
Yes. You get one that works for sunny conditions and another that works in low-light environments.
Will the Oakley Airbrake Goggles fit over glasses?
Unfortunately, no. Oakley Airbrakes have a tighter frame that doesn’t work with other eyewear. You need Over the Glasses (OTG) models for that.
Are the Oakley Airbrake Goggles easy to use?
Yes, these goggles utilize Switchlock technology to ensure that the lenses can be quickly swapped out. Anyone at any level can use them to great effect.
Why Trust Me for This Review
I’ve been hitting the slopes since I was a kid. I enjoy getting out in the snow and have hands-on experience with a wide range of different skiing items. I also know quite a few skiers who have worn Oakley Airbrake goggles and have spent ample time researching each and every trait.
Detailed Review of Oakley Airbrake
Oakley Airbrakes are great in both form and function. They are extremely stylish, are available in many different colors, and come with patented PRIZM technology. They have the toughness you need in rough conditions, but also inner foam padding and flexibility for a comfortable all-day fit. Those features make them great for both in and out-of-bounds.
A Tough Frame
When getting goggles, you need to ensure they come with a sturdy, reliable frame. The Airbrakes excel in that area thanks to their tough, rigid exoskeleton. Not only does that rigidity help with fit, but it also eliminates distortion and enables you to better see while you’re out on the slopes.
The frame also works well with helmets and is compatible with a wide range of different styles. That means you’ll be able to use them no matter what your setup looks like.
The strong construction is also impact-resistant, which is a great bonus for people who don’t want to have to go out and get new eyewear each and every year.
All About the Lenses
Every ski lens needs to give you visibility in rapidly shifting or tough conditions, and that’s where the Oakley Airbrakes truly shine.
These goggles come with HDO (High Definition Optics) that allow you to see at just about every angle. On top of that, the 100 percent UV filtering means you’ll lose no visibility in cloudy or sunny environments.
These also utilize Oakley’s much-touted Prizm lens, which is a knockout in just about every product they make. It blocks specific wavelengths along the color spectrum so you get the maximum amount of contrast as you ride. In my opinion, that’s the number one reason these goggles work so well in terms of both visibility and sight.
If you do get caught with the wrong lens, you can also easily change it out thanks to Oakley’s Switchlock Technology. Being able to quickly get a new view can be incredibly important, especially for skiers in tumultuous areas. Oakley’s advancement minimizes such issues in a big way so you’ll always be prepared.
If you have any issues changing the lenses, watch this video:
Comfort and Fit
Every skier understands the importance of comfort, especially when it comes to goggles. The Airbrakes will hold up no matter how long you’re out on the slopes. That’s because they are comfortable to wear and feel great on your skin, while also made to form to your face.
Oakley has reinforced these with special triple-layer polar fleece foam that feels like a dream. It prevents you from getting sore, and also actively wicks away moisture so you stay dry and cool no matter how much snow dumps down or how hard you push yourself.
Another huge bonus of these goggles is the O Matter inner faceplate. Rather than just sitting on your face, they mold to you in a way that ensures cold air stays out while warmth stays in. It’s easy for goggles to say they seal and then don’t work, but you’ll have no such issue here.
Backing that up is an impressive strapping system with a unique goggle connection that further allows the eyewear to conform to your face. That allows them to stay on perfectly, and it works with just about any face, whether you’re wearing a helmet or not. The strap is also silicone-backed, a feature that prevents them from slipping or sliding around.
If you do go extremely fast, they can let in air and cause your eyes to water a bit, but that’s a small price to pay for the excellent results.
