Zeal Slate Goggles

A medium fit, over-the-glass goggle with a polarized lens. Helmet compatible with an impact resistant frame. Works well on sun scale of cloudy to bright sun.

The Zeal Optics Slate goggle series is available in a variety of lens types and colors that can be paired with many different frame colors. The pair I received for testing were Upland Grass frames fitted with a Polarized Automatic lens. These lenses feature a VLT (visible light transmission) of 18-33% which for me provided excellent visibility and UV protection from days of full sun to days of gray overcast. This polarized lens would not be appropriate for low light or near white out conditions. 

While the Slate goggles are considered a medium sized goggle they are sold as offering over-the-glass comfort. I did not test this feature as I don't wear glasses when skiing but there does appear to be plenty of room to wear certain types of eyeglasses.

Goggle Features:

• Photochromic lens option
• Polarized lens option
• 100% UV protection
• Everclear anti-fog
• Permashield hardcoat
• Dual lens construction
• Dual strap adjustment
• No slip grip
• Helmet compatible
• Over the glass ready
• Impact resistant frame
• Molecular mirror option
• High-density lens technology
• Triple-layer face foam

Construction:

The Slate goggles are very well constructed and after four months of use and quite a bit of travel they look like new. I do always store them it the provided protective bag in a separate compartment of my boot bag.

Fit:

I found the Zeal goggles which only come in one size, medium, to fit my face quite well although you will see in the photo that the strap was maxed out to get around my helmet which is quite large. The face and nose foam was comfortable and did a nice job of sealing out the elements.

Vision:

I liked the Polarized Automatic lens, visual acuity was excellent and the rose hue was soft on my eyes. The lenses do a good job of adjusting to the brightness and I found they worked well as long as the sky was not too dark. The contrast on the snow was also very good, especially when moving in and out of shadows. Skiing in a variety of temperatures and humidity I encountered no lens fogging. For what Zeal calls a medium goggle, the Slate provides a lot of peripheral vision, which certainly makes skiing safer. 

Testing:

Testing has been ongoing since the beginning of ski season in early December and was conducted in temperatures from 5 degrees to 55 degrees in Canada, Utah, and California in conditions ranging from bluebird sunshine to raging snow storms. There were even some wet sloppy days thrown in. 

Results:

The Slate goggles did a great job of giving me weather protection and excellent visibility under a wide range of conditions. Their only limit was if the sky got too dark or you were skiing in a cloud, at that point the lens just could not lighten up enough to provide the vision I needed to ski safely. While not an inexpensive goggle, you get what you pay for, technology.

Price: $259