POC Lobes Review

The POC Lobes is an all mountain option with great fit and comfort for skiers and snowboarders with a smaller facial structure. Our smaller testers, especially those with narrower cheekbones, enjoyed the fit whether used with a helmet or beanie. The optical quality is excellent with POC's Zeiss-made lenses in conjunction with the large field of view provided by the frameless style. The Lobes performed equally well at the resort and in the backcountry.

Performance Comparison

Lens Quality

POC wisely chose to use Zeiss as their lens manufacturer and the quality really shows. Zeiss is well known for high-quality lenses which they have been producing since the mid-1800's. The optical quality is excellent and the spherical shape provides a wide field of view in conjunction with the frameless style. After multiple uses, both uphill and downhill, we didn't notice any scratches or dings on this test model. The optical performance was superior in most conditions and the included Butylene Blue/Persimmon Red mirrored lens gave our testers a crisp, clear picture in all but the darkest of light conditions.

Unlike some of our other test goggles, like the Oakley Airbrake XL, Smith I/O Mag, and the Anon M4, the Lobes aren't supplied with extra lenses although they are available as an aftermarket purchase.

Comfort

Overall, the comfort of this model was good for some testers, with the triple-layer foam providing a nice cushioned interface between cheekbones and the goggle's frame. The strap is comfortable both with a helmet or without and has two silicone strips integrated on the inner side of the strap. The shape of the strips is somewhere between the Oakley Airbrake XL and Smith I/O X, wider than the Oakley version, but narrower than the Smith style. The Lobe's frame is curved more than all of the other goggles which suited our testers with narrower faces, but put pressure on the cheekbones of our larger testers. Our smallest testers also complained that the frame left gaps around their cheekbones which allowed air infiltration and dried their eyes. Overall, this model scored a 5 out of 10 and was among the lowest scorers in the comfort metric.

Ventilation and Breathability

For general use, the Lobes give a comfortable, well-ventilated ride, allowing enough air in to keep the lens clear. The top and bottom of the POC Lobes have a thin layer of open cell foam, much like the Smith I/O Mag, Smith I/O X, and Smith Squad. Ventilation was adequate until we upped the exertion level on a wet and snowy day. While shoveling and blowing snow, the lenses didn't actually fog, but water collected and was visible in the lower portion of the frame where it meets the lens. We dumped out approximately 5mL of water from each side of the goggle, but no fogging occurred! Even with the water collecting in the goggle, they continued to feel well ventilated. We also tested the Oakley Airbrake XL on that same soggy day and didn't experience the same issues.

Ease of Changing Lenses

Extra lenses are available for the Lobes and the lens swap is relatively easy, similar to the Dragon NFX's lens system, simply by pressing the lens to the frame and sliding six pins into place on the edges of the lens. A new breed of magnetic lens goggles has recently taken the market by storm, however, and you can change the lenses on goggles like the Anon M4 without even taking them off your face. The Oakley Airbrake XL is somewhat quicker to swap lenses, but the Lobes switch is easily done, even on the chairlift.

Durability

Along with the great optical quality comes great durability and our test goggles didn't seem any for worse for wear after our testing process was complete. We couldn't find any signs of wear and tear to any component of the goggle, from the lens surfaces to the still fully elastic strap. The Lobes goggles seem to be in it for the long haul, much like the Smith Squad and Oakley Airbrake XL.

Style

The Lobes have a clean modern appearance, similar to the Dragon NFX and Smith I/O Mag, but in a smaller package which will likely appeal to skiers who want to keep their look a little less flashy. A frameless design keeps the look sleek and modern and the Lobes are available in several color options, sure to please most riders.

Best Applications

The Lobes are suitable for use by skiers and snowboarders and are just as at home ripping laps at the resort or in the backcountry. Assuming these goggles fit you comfortably, they are a versatile option that is up for anything.

Value

The Lobes aren't the most expensive goggles in the test, but we feel they are pretty spendy for a model that only comes with one lens. Most of the goggles in our test selection that cost more than $100 come with two lenses for bright and low light conditions and we think it is unfortunate that POC doesn't include an extra at this price. Otherwise, they seem like a quality goggle with excellent optics and a sleek modern frameless look.

Conclusion