The Anon M5 Goggles + MFI Face Mask proved to be a goggle quiver buster, adapting to every kind of conditions Mother Nature threw at me in western Massachusetts.
Living in the Northeast, winter is always in flux. At my home mountain, Berkshire East in Western Massachusetts, I’ve experienced conditions ranging from sunny, to socked in, to a wintry mix in the span of one day. When it comes to my gear, I want to adjust it without a fuss, which is why I’ve enjoyed having Anon’s M5 Goggles on hand. I found them to be a Swiss Army knife of goggles—versatile enough for whatever condition Mother Nature threw at me this season.
The M5 is a high-quality goggle with an elegant design. Each goggle comes with two lenses, and I opted for the Perceive Cloudy Pink (S1) and Perceive Variable Blue (S2). There’s also a third option—Perceive Sunny (S3)—and all three options utilize Anon’s Perceive Lens Technology, which creates contrast and definition in the terrain for most lighting conditions.
Like most mountains, at Berkshire East I’m constantly transitioning between shadowy runs and bright sunlight. Some of the best runs at my mountain are always in the shade, even if it’s a beautiful bluebird day. I often opt for the cloudy option for increased definition for spotting ice in the shadows. Between the two lenses you get with the M5, I felt like I was covered for most days, whether it was overcast or bluebird.
Whether seeking out fresh snow in the shade or carving in the sun, Anon's M5 Goggles had me covered in every kind of light.
The M5’s lens shape falls into the unique category of flat toric lenses, blending the best aspects of cylindrical and spherical lenses. They have the flatter look of a cylindrical lens, but their field of view is more akin to a spherical lens. Personally, I don’t love the look of rounded and bulbous lenses, so I appreciate that the M5 leans flatter but still has an expansive field of view. For the fit, I opted for the regular size with regular bridge height, and it fit my face great. The M5 also comes in a size small and has a low bridge option as well.
Whether I’m on a ski photoshoot or teaching a ski lesson, I often don’t have time to fumble with switching out goggle lenses. Unlike some frames that require cumbersome clasps or wiggling lenses out of the frame, the M5’s lens-swapping system is effortless, utilizing powerful, rare-earth N52 magnets. Simply tug at the bottom corner of the lens and pull up—the lens comes free. To swap, overlay the new lens, and the magnets pull right into place. Voila! The whole process takes seconds, and with nine points of magnetic connection holding it in place, there’s no need to fret about the lens popping out of place.
Swapping lenses is quick and easy with the Anon M5. No fussing necessary.
But that’s not where the magnetic design stops—the M5 system also includes a magnetic face mask. At first, I thought it was a nice perk, but not something I’d actually use. For one, it’s fairly lightweight, and I usually prefer thicker face masks for chillier days. But on one particularly frigid day, I gave it a try to lock out some nasty wind chill. The magnets created a seamless seal, keeping the elements out. The lightweight material held its ground and proved to be quite breathable, which also prevented fogging. Because the face mask attaches to the goggles instead of getting tucked in, my breath never got pulled up into the frame to fog it up. I noticed the difference immediately on a cold pow day, where I didn’t have to choose between fogged lenses and a frost-bitten nose. Instead, I got the best of both worlds.
Plus, if you prefer to snack on the lift like me, this system avoids the fuss of untucking and retucking a face mask, which sometimes requires pulling gloves off for extra dexterity. It’s not fun when there’s a -5 degree F wind chill. Instead, the face mask has a distinct upside-down “v” magnet that you can grab and connect to the bridge of the goggle.
Anon's integrated face mask (MFI technology) really won me over for how easy it was to pop on and off, cutting chill from the wind while letting me snack on the lift.
There’s a great attention to detail that Anon put into less flashy aspects of the M5—like the no-slip silicone strap. The strap is sturdy and well constructed, and for my colorway—Deep Cherry—it has a quilted stitching that feels soft and lush. Each colorway has its own personality reflected in the strap, which is a thoughtful touch. Anon also packaged the product with the environment in mind. Aside from the clear plastic protective film that’s on the lenses (which you have to pull off to wear), everything else used to ship the goggles is recyclable. There’s no unnecessary waste in the shipping process.
Goggles are a key component of any ski kit, and I’d rather have one stellar option that can handle most scenarios than a bunch of pairs that are only great for a specific scenario. The M5 helps simplify the options. The lenses have you covered in most lighting conditions, and if you need to change them, it’s not a hassle. Plus, they look and feel both stylish and high-quality, and with plenty of colorways to choose from, you can add a touch of personality to your kit.
Anon's M5 Goggles + Bonus Lens + MFI Facemask System is available for $314.95