Simon Jack Burgess

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Outdoor Master Falcon Ski Goggle Review

QUALITY GOGGLES AT ENTRY-LEVEL PRICES

The Outdoor Master Falcon Ski Goggle is the flagship model from a brand that has exploded its way into the ski industry. Started as a company that wanted to produce quality products for reasonable prices they aimed to lower the barrier of entrance to a sport that we all know can be expensive. A noble aim but the reality is that if the tech doesn’t stand up to the rigours of the winter sports environment nobody will use it, so let’s take a deeper look.

In this review, I will delve deeper into what makes the Outdoor Master Falcon a fantastic ski goggle by looking at the following categories; Comfort, Lenses, Strap, Anti-Fog, Cost, and comparison to competitor goggles.


This review is my opinion of the Outdoor Master Falcon Ski Goggles, which were gifted to me. My views remain my own and I was not asked to produce this post.

If you find the review useful consider purchasing your OM gear through this referral link where you can receive 15% discount on OM products. This helps me to produce more content in the future.


ABOUT ME

Before jumping into the full review it is worth noting the following information about me as a snowboarder. I am lucky to snowboard a lot but I am not a professional. I have lots of experience riding in all terrain in all conditions and have previous snowboard shop maintenance and retail experience. I use my website to express my opinions on gear and I hope you find them useful when choosing what gear works for you.


TEST CONDITIONS

The Outdoor Master Falcon ski goggle was my goggle of choice for last winter and was worn on the majority of my days on snow. Because of its regularity of use, I was able to use the Outdoor Master Falcon ski goggles across a range of conditions as well as testing a diverse range of its lenses.


COMPETITORS

Before getting into this review you may find it useful to watch the video below where I compare the Outdoor Master Falcon to some of the biggest brands on the market. This video serves as a good overview to see what you can expect from the medium size magnetic lens goggles on the market.



COMFORT

When it comes to reviewing ski goggles you can get bogged down in all the tech however it is important to remember the number one key factor has to be comfort. If the goggle doesn’t feel comfortable for you then it will annoy you all day long.

The Outdoor Master Falcon Ski Goggles are a medium-sized frame that offers a good fit for a range of faces, as always it is best to try your goggles on to check that the nose bridge and other key areas are a good fit for you.

The Outdoor Master Falcons frame has a triple-layer foam which compares favourably to other high-end brands. This foam is soft on the face and supple enough to ensure a good fit to your face contours.


LENSES

The OM Falcon utilises a magnetic lens change that is super simple. Literally pull the lens off and drop the other lens in place. I love the lens change on this goggle and have had no issues with the magnets failing if I take a tumble.

One major plus for the OM Falcon ski goggles is that they come with a Zeiss SONAR lens. SONAR lenses boost contrast by filtering blue light which makes them a better option than a regular lens if you want to see every bump and contour in the snow.

SONAR lenses have been used by companies such as ANON and POC on more expensive ski goggles such as the ANON M4 which retails for over £200 more in the UK.

The Outdoor Master Falcon also matches premium brands by providing two lenses with each goggle purchase. This means that you always get a low-light lens for the cloudy overcast days and a lens to use in bluebird conditions.

The video below gives a good overview of the Outdoor Master Falcon lens range however my thoughts can be compressed into the following.

  • Green - Best Low Light Lens I have used

  • Red - brilliant all-round everyday lens

  • Sonar Dark Smoke - great on sunny days.


FIELD OF VIEW

An important category for me when choosing ski goggles in Field of View. I have always favoured larger frames that allow for increased peripheral vision both for purpose and for style. The OM Falcon has a comparable field of view to the ANON Sync and Spy Marauder but a reduced FOW compared to larger frames such as the ANON M4 or the SMITH Squad Mag XL.

The OM Falcon still allows for a wide peripheral view that offers a great view of the mountain and other skiers around you.


STRAP

There isn’t really too much to say here other than the strap does everything you would expect. With full adjustability and anti-slip silicone the strap compares favourably to that on other brands. I am a fan of the clip on SMITH goggle straps and that’s the only thing I can think of that drops my rating to 4/5.


ANTI-FOG

Again like comfort the Anti-Fog on ski goggles can make or break your day on the hill. The OM Falcon ski goggles have a few specific features that ensure a fog-free experience.

VAPOUR SHIELD

The OM Vapour Shield Treatment is a coating that is applied to the lens which absorbs moisture. This sponge-like effect ensures that any moisture in the goggle is wicked away quickly to prevent it causing issues to your vision.

TRIPLE LAYER FOAM

The Triple Layer Foam is an important factor in the OM Falcons anti-fog properties. Triple Layer Foam ensures that ventilation is possible with airflow into and out of the goggles.

PRO TIP - ENSURE A GOOD GOOGLE/HELMET FIT SO THAT THE VENTING ON THE TOP OF THE GOGGLE DOES NOT GET BLOCKED.


COST

Probably the category that has brought you here in the first place. The Outdoor Master Falcon Ski Goggles retail for £85 in the UK which quite simply is phenomenal. For the £85 you receive the goggle frame, two lenses, a protective case and two microfibre cloths. When compared to rival brands this is simply unmatched.

ANON SYNC - £200

SMITH SQUAD MAG - £219.99

SPY MARAUDER - £170


USEFUL OUTDOOR MASTER VIDEOS


FALCON E-QUICK HUE LENS OPTION

The OM Falcon Ski Goggle is also available in the E-Quick Hue Version. This version of the goggle comes with a lens that changes automatically depending on conditions. There will be a full review on this version coming soon but for now check out the video below to see the lens change between 15%VLT and 53% VLT in an instant. Honestly… mind blown!

This version retails for £117 UK and you can save 15% of all OutdoorMaster Purchases using this link.


FINAL THOUGHTS

When I was first approached by Outdoor Master before I reviewed the OM Ultra Ski Goggle I was dubious. I have always paid the big bucks and bought the so-called best brands. The Ultra impressed me, but I kept going back to my other goggles. The OM Falcon ski goggles are different! The OM Falcon not only competes with the big brands but when you consider the price point I can not make an argument for spending big on any of the big names. The OM Falcon was my go to goggle last season and I cant see that changing anytime soon.


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