Leo

No they aren't. They are actually very comparable in size (eg2 is only slightly bigger), but that doesn't play as big of a role as the amount of foam and frame material there is.

I give Smith I/O the advantage over the EG2 in this battle. The EG2 does not have a larger field of vision. This is due to the EG2 actually having a frame. Smith's frameless design just can't be beat. There is no plastic intruding in on your field of vision. Electric does address this in their 2010 models because they reduced the amount of frame material, but still can't beat no frames.

Smiths also have a much better lens construction. They are beasts when it comes to combating fog. Electric just can't compete Smith in this department.

The I/O is also super easy to swap lenses with. Plus they give you and extra lens, microfiber bag, and a durable nylon zipper case that houses your goggles and multiple lenses.

The last advantage that Smith has is their helmet compatibility. Smith also has great, great helmets. Their helmets are specially designed to be compatible with all of their goggles. The helmets have a ventilation system that they call "Air Evac" along the front tip. These vents draw the air up from the goggles and out the top of the helmet.

By the way, I do not own a pair of Smith I/O. Sadly, they don't fit my big, Asian head so this is not a biased review. I work for Summit Sports so I know my fair share of the quality and tech of snowboarding gear. Don't get me wrong, EG2s are absolutely great goggles. In fact, they are one of the top goggles out there. Between the I/O and EG2 though, I'd go with the I/O. If you find a pair of EG2 for much cheaper than the I/O, then by all means go with the EG2.

And in case you guys want to know, Oakley makes the best quality lenses out there. They have been doing spherical lenses for ages and they are extremely impact proof. They also address the frame plastic issue with their new Splice series. I/O is still the winner though.

My top 5 goggle list:

Smith I/O (also comes in I/OS for smaller faces)
Electric EG2
Oakley Splice (this model was specifically designed for snowboarders by eliminating the plastic around the nose piece)
Dragon Mace
Oakley A-Frames

Vonzipper Feenoms are also popular.

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Snowboard Goggles

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tekniq33

EG2's go off on brociety all the time. the POC lobes have been on steep and cheap/tramdock as well. All of them heavily discounted of course. I never see the Smith IO for cheap anywhere.

Leo

Smith I/O never goes cheap for a very good reason. Even with the wholesale price I get, they are more expensive than most. Price does matter at times. When goggles are almost $200 retail and go on 70% sales just a year later, something has to give. Smith is high quality as is Oakley. Although Oakley does charge a bit of a premium for the name alone lol. They are also pretty pricey even with wholesale prices.

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Tarzanman

What difference, if any, is there between the Oakley A-frames and O-frames?

Also, I got some MX lenses for my Oakley O-frames. They have posts on them for tear-offs. I was going to use them for night sessions.... think I'll have fogging problems? I don't think I will bother using the tear offs unless I take them out on a dirtbike

maf05r6

Just to throw another one in there. I think my Oakley Wisdoms are pretty big. They can be picked up fairly cheep if you look around.

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Leo

The design is different for one and the lens on the O-Frames are not spherical. Spherical Lens > Flat Lens any day of the week. Spherical lenses are designed to match the curvature of your eye so there is no distortion in your field of vision.

I forgot to say that you will likely have fogging issues with MX lenses. MX lenses do not have anti-fog coating on them.

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legallyillegal

a giant lot of I/O goggles ended up in marshalls/tjmaxxx/whatever this year, $50

and if i had to choose between a smith lens and an oakley lens, i'm going with the smith lens 99 out of 100 times

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Leo

Leave it to Marshalls to get friggen steals of prices

Don't get me wrong, Smith is definitely one of the top lenses. Just from my experience, Oakley's make better quality lenses. But definitely, both are the top two for snowboard goggles.

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Tarzanman

I know the theory behind spherical lenses, but distortion isn't an issue with with most goggles I wear.

Can you tell me anything more concrete than 'the design is different'?

Also, for the record, they most certainly do make anti-fog lenses for MX riding, thought I can't speak as to what coatings are involved. I'll post up a photo of the goggles later today.

Leo

The spherical and anti-fog coating aspect is concrete. I was wrong, they do put anti-fog coating on MX lenses, but it is not the level that snow specific lenses have. Remember, it's a different situation on a mountain during winter with wind chill and your hot head.

Also, the O-Frame lenses are not dual lens. Spherical lenses is not a theory. It is a fact. There is a thinning of the lenses as it curves outwards. You can always get used to the distortion, but once you ride with a pair of spherical lenses on, you'll see the difference. Peripheral vision is much better and so is your depth perception. Of course non of this really matters to the casual rider who just cruises down groomers.

No need to post a pic of the goggles, I am very familiar with them. Also, the differences in design can play a huge role in performance. For example, the O Frames have more plastic protruding from its frames. Remember, you are looking forward with your head turned to one side when you shred. Any excess plastic on the bottom is going to come into your field of vision. Also, the A-Frames have a higher quality lens on them that exceeds the impact resistance of the O-Frame lenses. Not to say the O-Frame lenses will shatter on you after a small bump.

If you are fine with what you have, then why even ask about it? Just ride with them if you don't have a problem. You asked for the differences and I gave them to you and all you can do is reply with "give me something more concrete?"

Don't ask me to point out differences if you are just going to brush them off as mere theories. You already seem to know so much about the O-Frames so just shred with them. What does it matter?

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