WTF… Ashbury Goggles?

So, I understand having inexpensive goggles… many of us can’t afford to drop $150 on the latest Oakleys, and you don’t NEED the fancy spherical optics and mega anti fog vents to snowboard.  But what’s with all these cheap-ass looking goggles lately that still cost almost $100?  I’m mad enough that I have to wait around for nice goggles to go on sale 75% off to afford them, but now I need to do the same for the crap ones!  WTF?

Is it all just the name, or is there something I’m missing?  I haven’t actually tried these goggles, so maybe they have some super optics that I just don’t know about, since i haven’t put them on.  Which they don’t really mention on their website, because who needs to hear about optics when they’re buying lenses?  Or maybe the price of mirror paint has skyrocketed, forcing the company to price them $50 above the similar looking Oakley E-Frame.  Or the “soft red flock lining” is super super expensive and made of the finest silk? 

The website does mention that Ashbury goggles are “handcrafted in Italy.”  That sounds a bit more expensive.  Although, I’m not quite sure how handcrafted a pair of goggles can be.  Did they cut the lens out with scissors?  In theory, some Italian dude’s handcrafting sounds a bit more pleasant than what I can only assume is a high tech fleet of Mega Robots at the Smith factory, but Goggles seem like a manufactured object.  I mean, sure some human probably sewed the strap onto the injection-molded frame with a sewing machine.  Does that really count, though?

And what’s with the lack of lens venting.  This is the only goggle I can think of that doesn’t have some sort of venting in the lenses to prevent moisture from building up. Have they discovered something that every other goggle manufacturer in the world doesn’t know about?  I had those 90’s Smiths where you could close the vents in the lenses.  It was horrible, and instantly fogged them up.  Admittedly, I’m a little above average in the sweat department, but still, I can’t imagine these working on a powder day, or a warm day, or a rainy day.  I guess there could be some sort of super anti-fog tech that eliminates the needs for vents.  But, like the super lens tech, they’ve conveniently forgotten to mention it? Or perhaps, they simply discovered that their target consumer doesn’t really ride hard enough to ever be exposed to lens-fogging conditions.

Of course, they’re not the only one guilty of the overpriced cheap-ass looking goggle scam - Airblaster sells nearly the same goggle, complete with super-mirror lens and styling reminiscent of every goggle I ever owned as a kid - now for $80.  But at least they come with vents.  You know, for when you’re actually snowboarding, not just standing around trying to look all hipster in your tight jeans, making sure everyone can see the goggle label you paid $40 extra for.

Posted by Kelly Vance on 11/25