They may be considered a small piece of gear, but goggles have a massive effect on riding experience. Old and cheap pairs have the potential to fog up or let debris through, potentially sidelining the wearer or worse.
Whether you’re looking for a budget pair or something tailored to your riding style, there are multiple options. Today, we’ll be talking about the different tiers of goggles.
Good Tier
Some goggles, like the Fox Main's and the 100% Strata 2s achieve quality and practicality.
Goggles Fox says are "ounce-for-ounce" the best value on the market, the Main line has 9 different models with their most popular being the Strays.
An uncommon feature for goggles in its class, Main’s have Variable Lens Systems to make them compatible with standard and injection-molded lenses. Although they only come with a goggle bag out of the box, the Main line is extremely popular, making it easy to find extra lenses and tear-offs. Fox goggles are also designed to fit on practically any helmet.
For riders who want a goggle designed for them, Fox offers X and S Stray models. Main X Strays are designed for the cold and "deliver trail-ready functionality." The S goggles, on the other hand, are designed for the dunes, offering riders a closed-celled vent foam that filters out debris.
In addition, Fox makes Drive goggles for their Main line. Designed for side-by-side riding, the Drives also offer closed-cell vent foam.
Considered entry-level goggles, Fox's cheapest pair of Main's are the Karreras, which sell for $29.95. Coming with a phenomenal lens, the Main Ryaktr's are the line's most expensive goggles at $44.95.
As for the Stata 2s, 100% used elements from their elite Armega line. For example, the goggles have a similar nose piece to their $120+ counterpart, offering a comfortable fit.
Strata 2s also come with triple-post tear-offs and a plush double-layer foam. Securing an anti-fog coated polycarbonate lens, the Strata 2s use a 9-point retention system. They also share the same lens shape as the Racecraft 2s and the Accuri 2s, giving them multiple tear-off options.
100% currently makes 12 variants of the Strata 2s, including 6 junior models. Each are priced between $25-35.
Better Tier
A step up from the Mains and Stata 2s, Fox Racing's Airspaces, 100%'s Racecraft 2s and Young Powersports' Alltrail MX goggles offer better peripheral vision along with more comfort.
Fox gave the Airspaces an outrigger design to improve fit, stopping dust and debris from entering the viewport. Adding to overall comfort, a retention system with 6-pins helps better secure the lens to the frame.
When compared to the Mains, the Airspaces have a clearly broader field of vision. Like the Main line, Fox offers X, S and Drive Airspaces. The line's cheapest model is the Merz goggle, which sells for $54.95. A model featuring an attached canister for easy cleaning, the Stray Roll Offs are the most expensive Airspaces, retailing for $89.95.
A goggle with 21 different variations, 100%'s Racecraft 2s use an outrigger design as well as a nose piece similar to the Armega 2s.
The Racecraft 2s share many similarities with the Strata 2s, including triple-post tearoffs and a 9-point lens retention system. Using an anti-fog coated polycarbonate lens, the vertical field of vision has been increased by 17.5% from the previous generation's.
100% prices the Racecraft 2s between $65-75.
Also coming with an outrigger design, the style of the Young Powersports' Alltrail MX goggles take inspiration from 100%'s Armegas. This makes them easy to use and compatible with tear-offs.
Pre-curved and polycarbonate, the Alltrail MX lenses have been sprayed with anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings. We also use a triple-layer foam, which provides comfort and protection from sand and dirt.
The Alltrail MX goggles are currently priced at $49.99.
Best Tier
Some goggles are designed for the best. Fox's Vues and 100%'s Armegas stand alone when it comes to quality.
A goggle Fox claims to provide “the widest field of view possible,” the Vues are performance-level goggles. There are 9 models in the Vue line, all featuring “a pre-curved, injection-molded polycarbonate lens.”
Coming with the same 360 venting featured in the Airspace goggles, the Vue’s have a soft Thermoplastic Polyolefins faceplate to increase impact resistance and comfort. The lenses are anti-fog treated and offer UVA and UVB protection.
Priced at $119.95, the Riets are currently the cheapest goggles in the line. Like the Airspaces, the Vue Stray Roll Offs provide a canister for cleaning and are priced at $144.95.
Looking at the Armega's, 100% focused heavily on creating the best lens possible. Secured by a 6-point quick-change system, 100% uses a ULTRA HD shatter-resistant lens. The Armega's also feature a next-generation sweat resistant system that uses a triple-layer, moisture wicking foam and air intake ports.
With some models priced between $90-100, the highest end Armega's are typically priced at $120.
Find the right pair for you at youngpowersports.com or at one of our eight locations!
