Mat Vogels
September 21, 2021
Glade Goggles Review
Whenever we create a list of the best ski gear products, you’re likely to see many of the heavy-hitter brands in the industry making the cut. Companies like Spy+, Smith, and Oakley are often easy choices because of their dependable names and the great quality of their gear. But they’re not the only companies out there that are making great stuff, and often you pay a significant brand name tax to get your hands on their products. In other words, there are times when seeking out a smaller brand for your ski gear can be the better option.
Today we’re going to take a look at one of those smaller brands: Glade Optics. This independent ski company has been making waves in the industry for a little while now with their great-looking, feature-packed goggles that are a lot more reasonably priced than many of the offerings from those aforementioned heavy hitter companies.
We’re going to give you a quick overview of Glade, its history, and its business philosophy. Then we’re going to take a closer look at the different pairs of ski goggles they have to offer. Enjoy!
Glade Optics Overview
Glade Optics was founded in 2016 and had roots in both Vermont and Colorado. They are one of the few independent ski goggle brands out there, which is a point of pride for the company, and a key part of their identity. To accentuate this point, they cite on their website the startling fact that a parent corporation now owns nine out of the top ten goggle and helmet brands.
Owner Curt Nichols founded Glade after noting a disparity between how the largest companies in the industry viewed and portrayed the sport in their products and the actual experience that most skiers have. He’d noticed how much the marketing around ski goggles and other ski gear centered around the most extreme aspects of the sport, like high-flying acrobatic stunts and bombing deadly mountain faces. That, to Curt, was nothing like what the vast majority of those who love to ski.
The philosophy of Glade Optics is centered around this realization. Their goal is to provide high-quality, great-looking, affordable products that any skier can use. As you’re going to see in the following product reviews, they do a pretty great job of it, too.
Our Glade Optics Goggle Reviews
Here are our reviews of the three different pairs of ski goggles that Glade Optics has to offer. Each one brings something different from the others, so be sure to check them all out. And if you’re in the market for a pair of ski goggles, take a look at our ski goggle buying guide first, so you know exactly what to look for.
The Glade Adapt 2 needs no introduction. Widely considered the best goggle on the market today, this goggle has won just about every award in the industry including Ski Magazine's Best Overall Goggle, Freeskier's Editor's Choice award, Outside Magazine's Best Goggle, and Blister Gear Review's 'Best Of' award for the last 2 years in a row, to name a few. At only $150 this goggle is truly a steal. One thing to note: Glade seems to sell out of this goggle every season so your choices may be limited depending on when you are looking to purchase.
Features
The Glade Adapt 2 comes standard with anti-fog treatments, an anti-scratch lens with 100% UV protection and a wide range of vision. Still, instead of providing multiple different lens options with varying VLT percentages, the photochromic lens can give you anywhere from 16-61% VLT as it adapts to whatever light conditions are present.
Style
With that signature clean and simple Glade look, to Adapt 2 is another pair of beautifully designed ski goggles. The range of options has expanded to six photochromic lens colors and seven strap colors available, so you can effectively customize your look, while always getting the single lens solution.
Affordability
Again, it’s doubtful you’re going to find too many photochromic ski goggles at this price point with such a great look and these features. Anything within the near vicinity of $150 is a good deal, and with lenses that adapt to various light conditions, you’re saving even more money by ridding yourself of the need to buy extra pairs of goggles.
The Glade Adapt 2S is Glade's smaller framed version of their industry changing Adapt 2 goggle. Widely considered the best goggle on the market today, this goggle has won just about every award in the industry including Ski Magazine's Best Overall Goggle, Freeskier's Editor's Choice award, Outside Magazine's Best Goggle, and Blister Gear Review's 'Best Of' award for the last 2 years in a row, to name a few. At only $150 this goggle is truly a steal. One thing to note: Glade seems to sell out of this goggle every season so your choices may be limited depending on when you are looking to purchase.
Features
The Glade Adapt 2S comes standard with anti-fog treatments, an anti-scratch lens with 100% UV protection and a wide range of vision. Still, instead of providing multiple different lens options with varying VLT percentages, the photochromic lens can give you anywhere from 16-61% VLT as it adapts to whatever light conditions are present.
Style
With that signature clean and simple Glade look, to Adapt 2S is another pair of beautifully designed ski goggles. The range of options has expanded to six photochromic lens colors and six strap colors available, so you can effectively customize your look, while always getting the single lens solution.
Affordability
Again, it’s doubtful you’re going to find too many photochromic ski goggles at this price point with such a great look and these features. Anything within the near vicinity of $150 is a good deal, and with lenses that adapt to various light conditions, you’re saving even more money by ridding yourself of the need to buy extra pairs of goggles.
About Our Editorial Team
Mat Vogels
My name is Mat Vogels and I’m a freelance designer from Denver, Colorado. After graduating college with a degree in Finance, I started working at Webflow as a designer and my career was changed forever!
