Goggle Review: Spy Bias

Intended Purpose: The Spy Bias is designed for smaller faces with a reduced frame size and feature a sleek, low profile goggle for female riders to make their snowboarding experience better fitted and more fun.

Location: I started riding these goggles here in Steamboat during our snow drought.

Conditions: I’ve spent the majority of time riding these on bluebird sunny days and some flat light overcast conditions.

Color: I received the Bias in the elements color/frame which has a mix of colors on the goggle and the strap reminds me of a high school letterman’s jacket with the variety letter padding.  It’s kind of an eclectic look to a women’s goggle but it doesn’t bother me for looks.

Lens: I’ve been rocking the bias goggle in the rose with silver mirror lens which are ideal for sunny days on the mountain.  We have a lot of sunny days in Colorado so this works for the conditions, on the overcast to flat light days the lens does okay but isn’t ideal for those.

Fit: It was better than I remembered from last time, even though the frame is smaller than I need for my face the fit around my nose was good.  I typically have problems with goggles fitting my nose because I have barely any bridge so harder to find goggles that fit right.  I didn’t encounter any air getting in during riding and it was snug around my whole face.  It felt a lot better to be wearing the goggles with a helmet so it was snug together.

Helmet Compatibility: I’ve been rocking the Bias with my Bern helmet which has some gap between the top of the goggle and the helmet in the center but no gaper gap since the fleece on the helmet covers up that space.  The clip that holds the goggle is a bit awkward with the spy goggles because of where the clip is.

Visibility: The bias aren’t meant to have a wide peripheral view but when on cat tracks I could see shapes out of the corner of my eye but was more careful just in case there were people there I couldn’t see.  From the lens, I had good visibility seeing the snow conditions and on sunny days where the mountain was bumpy it helped a lot.  When the flat light came out, it was harder to see the conditions with the lens.

Features: The bias goggles feature a flexible frame for smaller faces and have a variety of features that make Spy goggles who they are. The patented scoop ventiliation technology that helps reduce lens fogging which I didn’t encounter any fogging but I was just lapping park without any hiking either.  The triple layer isotron face foam with moisture wicking fleece helps make the goggle super comfortable around the face and on the hot days of park laps the moisture wicking came in handy for not fogging up the goggles.  The quick release was nice but definitely with sporting over a helmet I didn’t need it as much.  So far the anti-fog, anti-scratch protection I haven’t needed but the goggles are in pristine condition after a couple days on the slopes but I’ve also been more protective of them.  The goggle strap is grippy so it doesn’t shift on your helmet and I enjoyed that feature of not having the goggle slide around if I put it on top of my helmet during laps.

Durability: I’ve taken better care of them than most usual goggles so wasn’t able to test the durability.  On the slopes they’ve taken some falls in the park and no scratches or visible damage from hard slams on the ground.

Thoughts: Definitely for the riders with the smaller faces, the bias is a consideration and whether you are female or male the color options can work for you.  I found that it took some adjustment since I typically rock a wider goggle frame on my face but the fit was there and when I rode with them, it was ideal for the bluebird conditions and lapping park.  I liked the mirrored lens since it helped block out the sun and the small frame on my face made it snug with my helmet.  The visibility wasn’t as peripherally wide as other goggles but I still enjoyed the goggle just made sure to be more aware of who was around me and where they were.

Review Disclosure: This product was given to me from Spy Optic.