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I've been wanting new googles for a while now. I've been looking at the Flight Decks and Squad XL's for the design and field of view. The squad XL is cheaper and comes with 2 lens. But I have had a pair of Oakley crowbars for 4 years and they still are like the day I bought them, so I trust Oakley's quality more than smiths.
Which should I go with Flight Deck or Squad XL?
Why are you comparing a cylindrical goggle to Flight Decks? They aren't even close to similar. You should be comparing Flight Decks to I/Os, I/O Mags, or I/OXs. Squad XLs should be compared to Line Miners. Obviously there are other great goggles but I'm just saying if you are only considering Oakleys or Smiths this is what you should be doing. Ya dig?
You can get Squad XLs on sale for $60 and I prefer cylindrical goggles so I went that route (also they fit me and my helmet perfectly). Also as far as ChromaPop vs. Prizm goes? Same shit, different name.
EDIT: I should mention that we have no idea what's better for YOU. You need to take your helmet, hat (if you wear one under your helmet), balaclava, etc. and go to a store and try them on. For example I have Spy Aces and I love them without a helmet. However with the helmet I use and my head/face shape they are HORRIBLE. With my face/head and my Smith Maze MIPs I have found the Smith Squad XLs to fit the best. Everyone and every helmet/gogg combo is different.
I own quite a few pairs of goggles and have tried on even more. PM me if you have questions but keep in mind you will want to try them on before knowing for sure if they are the way to go. Also one last thing, Smiths come with 2 lenses. Oakley only one.
**This post was edited on Feb 13th 2019 at 1:52:16pm
It really depends on how much you are wanting to spend.
If you are looking for value the Squad XL are the way to go, both lenses come with Chromapop only downside is the lenses are a little fiddly to change.
Quality wise the Flight Decks will be better, higher quality material and I've found the Prizm tech works better in a winder variety of conditions, the field of view is better and being lens distortion is less. I ride with Hi-pink and wear them in super cloud to blue bird days without issues.
I'd say if you can wait both brands are coming out with some amazing tech for next year, Oakley have developed electrochromatic lenses which are amazing, 3 lenses in one they are just a bit more expensive. Smith are expanding on their mag range and adding a goggle with a better field of view.