Back in the ’90s, if you had asked me which piece of gear for skiing and snowboarding would change the least, goggles would have been near the top of the list. After all, sunglasses haven’t really evolved much since their invention—mostly just in terms of fashion. So, how could goggles possibly change? Fast forward to 2025, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. One company leading the charge is Smith Optics, with their innovative new 4D Mag goggles. Here’s my review of the Smith 4D Mag Goggles.
Verdict
The Smith 4D Mag goggle is the best in class in every way— from how it feels on your face to the packaging it comes in. Even the included hard case is thoughtfully designed, featuring a separate compartment for storing the extra lens. What sets them apart though isn’t just one feature, but a combination of factors all wrapped in a sleek design that looks great on anyone. If you’re someone who hates feeling somewhat limited by restricted peripheral vision, the Smith 4D Mag goggles are on the top of the list—if not number one.
Smith 4D Mag Specs
- Two lenses: Bright light and low light
- ChromaPop performance tints
- Goggle Hard Case with separate compartment for lens
- Three-layer DriWix face foam
- Smith Sock Mitt
- Price: $340
- Buy from Backcountry.com or EVO or Smith Optics
Peregrin Falcon Vision
Speaking about the peripheral vision, the Smith 4D Mag family introduces the groundbreaking new lens design called BirdsEye Vision. There are two main types of lenses in goggles: spherical and cylindrical. A cylindrical lens curves in one direction, while a spherical lens curves in both directions—hence the “sphere” in its name. The 4D MAG’s BirdsEye Vision takes the spherical lens concept to the next level by curving both downward and inward, toward the face. This design boosts your peripheral field of view by up to 25%!
Want to learn more about BirdsEye Vision? Check out their detailed article on the technology.
What I Love About Them
The Smith 4D Mag feels less like a ski goggle and more like the lenses worn by aviation pilots. While they don’t feel bulky on your face, they maximize what you can see. The ability to see more vertically is a nice bonus, but what’s a game changer for me is the increased peripheral vision. With the sides of the lens offering extra coverage, you can easily spot skiers or snowboarders coming from the side without having to turn your head—something NBA’s Luka Dončić would likely appreciate on the basketball court!
Makes the World “POP”
These goggles also use Smith’s ChromaPop lens technology, which we’ve seen firsthand in their MTB glasses. They really deliver an impressive “pop” in color and clarity. In addition, the 4D Mag lenses stayed completely fog-free, even when we tried them during wet Sierra storms. And thanks to Smith’s innovative MAG lens-change technology, swapping lenses for the conditions was quick and effortless because of the magnets.
Cons
Even as best in class in terms of visibility and technology, the hefty price tag is a bit hard to swallow. But after looking around, it’s clear that all ski and snowboard goggle manufacturers have raised their prices as well. The findings we found were less about “drawbacks” or “cons” but something to be aware of and consider.
While we love the increased visibility the Smith 4D Mag goggles provide, the bottom of the lens has a steep curve that can distort the lower section of the goggle. For some, this may be disorienting, and we did experience that sensation during the first few laps. However, once I got used to it, I appreciated how much I could see without needing to swivel my head.
When using the 4D Mag with the Smith Summit backcountry helmet, the fit was spot on. However, I did notice that the silicone-backed strap didn’t stay in place as securely in bumpy mogul conditions as I would have liked. That might be more because the helmet has a low profile to help with storing for backcountry skiing. The solution was simple—just tightening the strap a bit more than usual.
A Size for Everyone
Smith Optics is about providing the best fit for each and every individual and even in the 4D Mag Family there are three different variations. The 4D Mag XL is a large fit, the 4D Mag is medium fit and finally the 4D Mag Low Bridge fit for faces with a lower nose bridge and/or a wide or high cheekbone shape.
