Spy's Alloy Goggle is the mid-price offering from the hip optics company. We found that every feature on this piece does exactly what it's supposed to.
We snagged a couple of new helmets awhile back and it was a good thing because our vision was so bad we could hardly see where we were going. It's nice to have our brains so well protected, but we didn't really want to crash test the new lids right off the bat, so we called in for a pair of crystal clear lenses inside of Spy's stylish Alloy goggle. With eyesight restored and some instant credibility at the racetrack, we set about our business of testing the peeper protectors in just about every type of riding situation.
The Scoop
One of the things we noticed right away is the diminutive size of the Spy frames. Without any special frame modifications for additional venting or nose roost protection, our goggles slipped effortlessly in and out of any helmet we tried them with. The Lexan lens was clear and remained relatively scratch-free despite our failure to consistently use the included goggle bag. Even wiping dust off the anti-fog lens with out gritty gloves didn't destroy the anti-scratch plastic as much as some other goggles we've tested. Perhaps that particular brand of dust wasn't as abusive as some others, but the Spys were notably resilient and the built-in tear-off posts were never distracting. Even though the goggle is a little smaller than others on the market, visibility is unaffected and keeps the rider's view unobstructed.
Spy offers enough color schemes to match any gear/bike combo or to suit whatever your personal style requires.
The triple-layer foam was comfortable and light against the rider's face and does a good job of wicking moisture with its Dri-Force fleece top layer. The lack of roost protection may be a disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat, but the benefit is that it allows more air to the rider's face. Combined with excellent venting around the top, sides and bottom of the frame it made this a great hot weather goggle. It also manages not to flow too much air in high-speed situations, which is good. The single silicone strip inside the adjustable strap was excellent at keeping the strap in place, despite early concerns. When we first took delivery of the goggles, we thought that the single, straight line of silicone might not grip as well as some of the double or triple zig-zag ribbing we've seen on other goggles. Thankfully, our fears were unwarranted.
The Sentence
This lightweight, durable, stylish and comfortable goggle quickly found its way into the limited space inside our gear bag's goggle pocket. The impressive thing is how long it managed to stay there without being discarded for something new. If you're the type of rider who doesn't mind taking their chances against flying roost, these are definitely a good option. Spy's reputation for high-quality, hip products is delivered in perfect form with the Alloy goggle. Considering that you can spend up to $90 for the Spy Magneto goggles, the $43.95 ($58.95 for themed styles) is pretty affordable. If you're a miserly bastard, don't give up on them yet, because once you realize how good looking, feeling and performing they are it'll be worth the investment.
Product: Spy Optics Alloy Goggle
Color Options: Bradshaw Skull, Pink/Black Fade, Patriot Fade, Black Shiny, Blue Chrystal, Fast Times, Matte Gunmetal, Red, White, Bullit SE, Pop 3 SE, Super Viper SE, Tartan SE
MSRP: $43.95 or $58.95 depending on style
Find out More: www.spyoptic.com
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