It’s common knowledge that a good pair of goggles goes a long way. As considerably the most obsolescent-proof purchase of your kit, a good set of goggles can fair a few seasons, and transition well between different snowboard get-ups. So, it’d serve you well to make a sound choice when selecting a pair of gogz, as they’ll usually hang off you for sometime to come.
Here at Transfer, we heart Anon – Burton’s obvious optical line and have held them dear for a long time. As one of the more original players in the goggle sphere, Anon has continually been a leader in this space with their contemporary and considered designs, they don’t tend to do radical but rather build on a very design-centric approach.
At the core of this approach is their ‘M’ series, first with the M1, followed by its respective successors, bringing us to the M5. All of which are still part of the range. Anon ‘M’ loyalists are calling the M5 the best gog yet, but not without a few nuances – so let’s have a good look through the lens of the Anon M5.
Look and Feels
First things first, the packaging in which this goggle comes in – is packaging design ecstasy, there’s premium-ness to the unboxing experience which leads us to holding (and smelling) what appears to be a frameless, but still familiar-looking design compared to our well-loved M4’s (strap now very pilly). As Burton/Anon state, ’tis new design is very much an ‘oversized modern aesthetic’ but we like how restrained that oversized element is, without entering the 2009 fishbowl era of Electric EG2’s.
Of course, this set-up comes with magnet play. Which Anon have absolutely dialled in with their Magna-Tech® lens change system, the lens and goggle frame interface get horny for each other at about 30cm away. Feel the pull. But there’s another player in the box too, and one that really has been a hit with the masses – MFI (magnetic face mask integration). The included MFI facemask is soft and tech, and swings right into the magnetic field, attaching itself to the goggle frame like a good 3rd wheel should. Goodbye wresting with that goggle/helmet/facemask relationship, Anon have it sussed and sorted.
Function and form
The M series have always played well with helmets and it’s to their credit, as shop guys will always put these goggles first when it comes to customers seeking out goggles that pair well with dome pieces. The oversized form also keeps scale in check so that the helmet isn’t accentuated in size and volume – Jimmy Neutron effect negated. Plenty of slack in the strap too if you want to stretch out and go over the top of the helmet with your strap.
Now, the lens. This is an area that really has come a long way, and the M5 packs Anon’s absolute best anti-fog treatment that does in fact work, even when breathing heavy into that MFI mask. Wim Hof away.
The lens’s sepherical shape is all designed around their Perceive Lens Technology – which is all about juicing up the contrast, and having it adapt to the variable light conditions we face in our boardin’ persuits. Previously Oakley’s Prizm tech has been our preference in this space, but Anon has really upped their game here – and the most relished recollection of testing was the ability to go inside/outside without having to remove goggles (taking a slash, yeah?). Contrast is king in Australian conditions, as our snowpack can include some absolute season-enders when hunting down that terrain off-piste. And the M5 are absolutely up to the job.
They’re polarised too, so if you fancy staring at clouds and rainbow trout – they really do work well. Crisp vision, like having max lux filter applied to every moment. Did we mention they work with glasses underneath too?
Vision and field of view wise, it’s all there. For a long time, I struggled with goggles framing out my field of view too much, but these things float on your face and to the subconscious they go – I didn’t think about them sitting on there at all really, in a passive state. Field of view can be subjective to the facial form, but there’s plenty of latitude in the M5 – though an in-store test can always help, especially if you do wear glasses (to check max compatibility)
Everything else.
We told you there would be some gripes, and while the M5 is pretty close to being dialled, we’ve received a few reports in the pilling of the MFI and the lack of a hard case for the second lens is hurting peoples feelings (there’s a bag) – but to be honest, she’s pretty mint. With a unisex approach to colourways, and an ‘s’ version available for more petite faces – you could really couple with this magnetic thruple.
The M5 builds on the successes of its previous iterations, not in revolutionary ways but smart, practical applications that would fare well for the seasons ahead. Anon’s really catered for the field here, from the helmet wearing to the vision impaired, fat faces, little faces, you, me, him, her – we’re all getting something good out of the M5.
A wise purchase to be paired with that wonderful brain of yours. The M5 definitely impresses.
What we liked:
- updated, slightly smaller frame looks less sci-fi
- Contrast, there is no substitute and this goggle does not compromise
- Horny magnets make lense changing a breeze
- Glasses compatability
- MFI facemask is easy to add/ditch
- Field if view is very generous
What we didn’t like:
- Reports if MFI material pilling, and have experienced this previously
- Price, mid $400’s is a fair wad to pay but you’ll get a few seasons from them
- Lack of a spare goggle case, but it’s no biggie as they come with a bag.
Where to get ‘em:
Waltz on down to your local Burton dealer, and tell them you want the best helmet compatible goggle on the market and hand them you roll of dosh.
