SPY Ace Snow Goggle – Gear Review

Recently the good folks over at SPY Optics asked Busted Wallet to test out their new mid-range snow goggles and (as you might have guessed) we were happy to oblige. SPY Optics is well known for their Happy Lens technology and have been churning out quality optics from Motorsports, to Snowsports, to a sweet variety of Sunglasses since 1994.

As luck would have it, Old Man Winter slept in a little late here in the Mid West this season and we’ve been waiting to get out on the slopes to give these puppies a try. We’ve finally had our chance to shred – now here’s what we found out about the SPY Ace Goggles.

Key Features:

• SPY Happy Lens
• Quick Draw Lens Change
• Scoop Ventilation System
• Anti-fog & Anti-Scratch Cylindrical Dual Lens
• Free Bonus Lens
• Triple Layer Face Foam with Moisture Wicking Dri-Force Fleece
• Silicone Rubber Ribbed Strap
• Helmet Compatible

Optics:

As we’ve said previously in our SPY BRAVO Goggle review, SPY’s Happy Lens provides great visibility and color contrast. The Happy Lens isn’t just a name, it actually claims to put you in a better mood! It does this by only letting in long wave blue light and blocking out UV rays as well as short wave blue light. So did I suddenly feel happy when I strapped on the ACE Goggles? I mean I was about to carve up the slopes when I strapped these things on so yeah, I was happy! The clarity the Dark Blue Spectra Happy Lens provided was quite impressive to me. I must say I’ve never used a lens with such great optics. Well done SPY Optics, well done.

SPY also sent us two other lenses to try out. A Yellow Lens as well as a Bronze with Green Spectra. These lenses performed well but when compared to the Happy Lens they were no match. This lens is THE reason you should buy these googles!

  Dark Blue Spectra Happy Lens,            Bronze w/ Green Spectra,                         Yellow Lens

Design:

These goggles look bad ass if you ask us. Of all the lens options we really like the mirror finish the best. The SPY ACE goggles promote the Quick Draw lens change system to conveniently change your lenses with altering weather conditions. We didn’t exactly find these lenses the easiest to change and also did not like how you get your fingerprints all over the lens to do so. This isn’t something that would keep us from buying the ACE goggles but if you plan on changing lenses often we would recommend SPY’s Lock Steady frame platform which seems to be much easier to change out your lenses. SPY also offers a lifetime warranty on their products against manufacturer defect which is pretty cool. SPY claims these goggles are compatible with most ski helmets. I do not use a helmet but did try it out with a couple helmets and the goggles seemed to fit quite well. The ACE goggle also comes with a bonus lens which is sweet. Not only that but they come with a microfiber storage pouch that comes with separate pockets for both the goggles and the extra lens!

Comfort:

SPY’s moisture wicking Dri-Force fleece foam make these goggles quite comfy on one’s face. It’s like my eyes are surrounded by my childhood blanky. These are comfortable goggles although on minor downside on them would be that my nose seemed to be constricted a little bit.

We also enjoyed the silicone rubber ribbing on head strap, which keeps the goggles firmly in place on a helmet or your beanie. Right out of the box the goggles looked large but when we put them on they give you a pleasant wide field of vision.

Moisture wicking dri-force fleece foam

Ventilation:

One big factor in whether a ski / board goggle is worth purchasing is whether or not it fogs up. Thanks to SPY’s anti-fog coating we can say that these lenses do not fog at all in normal use conditions. As previously stated in the BRAVO review, there is one condition they will fog a bit in. That condition being when you are bending over exhaling all that hot air putting on boots or something. The fog quickly dissipated within a few seconds throughout our testing sessions.

Value:

The SPY ACE is advertised as SPY’s mid-range ski goggle and is priced accordingly. The combination we tested was the black frame and Bronze with Green Spectra lens which has a MSRP of $110.00. You can also buy replacement lenses for $30-60. Depending on the ACE combination you desire the range is $110.00-130.00. Overall, I’d say if you want a snow / ski goggle that provides great optics, quality, and a decent quick change lens feature without paying for a high-end goggle this provides a good value and will not disappoint.

Buy Now: $110.00-130.00 or to learn more, go to: SpyOptic.com