The POC Opsin goggles provide the best-in-class field of view and massive fog resistance with a double-glazed Zeiss lens. At just £50, it represents superb value but the £65 replacement lens holds it back from occupying the top spot among the best mountain bike goggles.
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POC Opsin goggles - Technical details
The POC Opsin goggle is designed to offer complete eye protection with a large field of view. Its feature list isn’t huge but it gets most of the mod-cons including a cylindrical lens that ensures that as the lens curves, it sits at the same distance from your eyes. This is to reduce distortion.
On the subject of the lens, it's supplied by Zeiss and it benefits from an anti-scratch treatment on the outer to up the durability and there’s an anti-fog treatment on the interior. It offers UV 400 protection. Of course, the lens isn’t without the clarity promises that are associated with a Zeiss product.
Included as standard is a Cat 1 smoked double-lens which is essentially double-glazing for your eyes. Extra lenses can be picked up aftermarket with a lens for what looks like every condition available.
The Opsin utilises a triple-layer face foam for comfort but also to make sure that the goggle conforms to the face, and as expected from any goggle, there’s a silicone gripper on the inside of the strap.
Included in the pack is a microfibre storage bag and the goggle is available in three colours, with Himalayan Salt (tested) and the questionably named Aventurine Yellow costing £50. The Uranium Black colour lens will set you back an extra tenner.
POC Opsin goggles - Performance
I’ve tested the Opsin mostly during bike park days - both during uplifted and pedal-up sessions - and I’ve been seriously impressed with its performance in all scenarios. During my time with the Opsin, I rode in the goggle pairing it with the Fox ProFrame RS and Bell Full-10 Spherical and the fit with both helmets runs without issue.
The first and most obvious feature when riding in the Opsin is its exemplary field of view. It’s seriously wide with very little of the frame intruding the periphery from the sides. Vertically, no part of the goggles impedes vision and the same goes when in the attack position.
Then thanks to the Zeiss lens, the clarity the Opsin provides is top-notch, and beyond its price tag. It’s a high-quality optic that’s superbly clear. However, it’s worth noting that there isn’t a prescription model available in this MTB variant and there’s no RX insert availability but, at this price, that’s not to be expected.
With its Cat 1 smoked lens, the POC has chosen the safe route for the Opsin and rightly so. Spare lenses cost £65 which certainly isn't cheap, so equipping the goggles with a lens that will provide both comfort and clarity for the vast majority of riding is a wise move. I’ve been happy with the lens, too, having ridden it in mostly overcast conditions. Of course, when things get bright it won’t offer the comfort that a darker lens does but the brand has hit a fair balance here.
As for lens swaps, it’s no different from the vast majority of goggles on the market. The frame is flexible so it’s a simple case of pulling it apart to free the lens from the built-in tabs. Replacing the lens is easy, too.
However, where POC and Zeiss strap durability claims onto the goggles, the interior pane of the lens is very easy to scratch. Even when softly using the provided bag to clear finger smudges after removing and replacing the lens, marks have appeared. Giving the inside of a goggle a rub for a simple clean or to apply a fog-resistant spray is common practice and for scratches to appear when cleaning with the provided cloth isn't ideal, especially given the price of a replacement. The outer side of the lens is much more durable, however, showing no signs of damage. Either way, it's worth taking tonnes of care to keep anything you can away from the inside of the lens.
And that lens does a lot for the goggle’s overall ability to fend off fog. It’s effectively double-glazed which does a very effective job of keeping condensation from sitting on the optic. Unlike many other goggles on the market, there’s no foam surrounding the mid-section of the frame, which helps shift moist air away – all without getting wind into the eyes, so it remains comfortable while reasonably breathable.
POC Opsin goggles - Verdict
The POC Opsin goggles pack one hell of a punch for its £50 asking price, which puts it right in the firing line of the Melon Optics Parker goggle. For the very same money, it offers an awful lot in terms of customisation and the customer can pick a smoked or mirrored lens (clear is £45). However, the lens doesn’t come with that all-important Zeiss branding and performance. Plus, the single-pane lens means fog resistance isn’t quite up there with the Opsin.
The Opsin also trumps the £40 SixSixOne Radia in the field of view department, and the quality that the Zeiss lens provides is head and shoulders above the Radia’s.
But there is one thing that might put riders off of the Opsin – it doesn’t have tear-off posts. So it may not be the top choice for race-focused riders. Then there’s the big one, the replacement lenses. A spare lens rarely costs more than the goggle itself so you’ll have to take really good care of the one that comes in the pack. The pricey lenses limit the Opsin's versatility as you’ll need to spend £115 if you want a dark lens for bright days. Typically, standalone lenses cost less than £25 although there are a few exceptions from Oakley and, of course, POC.
Even with that said, the POC Opsin is one serious offering, especially for the cash. The quality of the lens is up there with the very best. Comfort is good, too, and its fog-resistance is incredibly effective. At £50, this is the goggle to beat in terms of performance, however, its value is harmed by the pricey replacement lenses and the fact that the interior face of the lens is susceptible to scratching.