Giro Contour Review

The Contour goggles have been the talk of the ski and snowboard industry since they were released in the 2020-2021 season. This is because it has one of the largest fields of view in the Giro lineup and within this review. It uses a Toric lens produced by Zeiss that is rumored to be one of the most optically accurate and advanced lenses on the market. After extensive testing, we can support that statement and say it's one of the best in the review.

Performance Comparison

Lens Quality

Giro partnered up with Zeiss, an international optical technology company with over 175 years of experience. Zeiss is regarded as one of the best optical companies in the world. They manufacture, test, and conduct quality control. Their expertise shines through in the optical enhancements and overall lens quality to provide one of the best visual experiences in the review.

The Contour features a Toric lens that is curved on the vertical and horizontal axis. The vertical axis has a slight curve and the horizontal axis has a steeper curve. The idea behind the Toric lens shape is to mimic the curve of the eye to minimize distortion and enhance optical clarity. It is hard to distinguish the visual improvement between a Toric and spherical lens to the untrained eye. That said, it is one of the clearest lenses we have used.

The lens also features Giro and Zeiss's VIVID lens enhancement technology which provided incredible detail and contrast. The increase in contrast and detail gave us excellent depth perception and detail of the snow surface, even in changing light conditions. We could see a low grit sandpaper texture on the snow with more clarity than other models. The optical enhancement allows in blue light which enhances contrast and detail to enhance definition. The full-sun rated VIVID Onyx lens did have a slight hint of red color shift which became more pronounced in lower light conditions. Most optical enhancements aim to reduce glare and block UV rays. VIVID does the same and helps reduce eye fatigue. We particularly found its glare-reducing ability to be one of the best. The Contour also comes with a VIVID Infrared lens for low light conditions, and they make a variety of other lenses for varying light conditions.

The Contour also offers one of the largest fields of view with no distortion by using Giro's Expansion View Technology + (EXV+). It can accomplish this without having an oversized frame that other manufacturers rely on. We appreciate the frame size when compared to its field of vision. The frameless goggle and double-curved toric lens provide a hard-to-rival field of view making it one of the best in its class. We feel the optical clarity and large field of view make this one of the best optical experiences on the market.

Comfort

The Contour gets its name from its contoured lens and frame that provided an accurate and comfortable fit. While we all have different facial contours, these goggles provided a comfortable and secure fit across a variety of testers. The medium-large frame is a very manageable footprint that doesn't feel overwhelming when you are wearing it, especially considering the field of view. The frame and lens may be a bit big, however, for those with smaller than average facial structures. Fortunately, Giro offers the goggle in an RS, reduced size version, as well as an Asian fit to accommodate those wanting a smaller footprint.

The triple layer foam is comfortable on the skin and when riding, with a highly adjustable strap that uses two silicone beads for positioning. The first layer of foam is a soft microfleece for comfort, followed by a medium-density layer to help achieve a secure fit, finished with a higher density foam to maintain a durable attachment to the frame and stability in use.

Venatilation and Breathability

The Contour uses Giro's EVAK Vent Technology to provide effective ventilation that is also resistant to moisture penetration. In our testing, we didn't experience any fogging. This system uses the standard full-length top vent complemented by two 1.5-inch vents located in the bottom of the frame. The EVAK system utilizes a durable foam and mesh that has increased weather protection with water-resistant, breathable materials. Traditional foam vent systems can allow moisture to enter the goggle, but we found Giro's system to work effectively to keep our lenses from fogging up.

Ease of Changing Lenses

The Contour is outfitted with a very easy-to-change lens system that can be done quickly whether you're at home or out on the mountain. It uses self-locating magnets to help position the lens on the frame. After lining up the lens simply push the pegs into the holes on all four corners. It's a process that can be completed quickly and with minimal touching of the lens. We appreciate that the magnets are more for assistance rather than security. The security comes from the pegs on the lens and it is a bit more difficult to remove the lens than on other magnetic lens designs we've tested. That said, we have seen other people fall and have their magnetic lens come off on multiple occasions. With the security offered by this lens attachment system, we feel it is far less likely to happen with the Contour.

Durability

The Contour uses high-quality plastics and materials to create this durable and rigid goggle. We expect the strap to retain its elasticity and silicone beads. The lens is treated with an anti-scratch coating. The triple layer foam will also help increase its durability through its secure and more reliable attachment point to withstand day in and day out compression. The included microfiber bag has two sections so you can store the extra lens with the goggles with a reduced risk of scratching either one. The bag is a bit small for the task but both fit with some strategy and intention.

Style

The frameless and surprisingly sleek look of the Contour allows it to stand out from the crowd. This model was stylistically a favorite amongst our test and review panel. These goggles have a modern appearance without the extra-oversized look that has begun to fade away. The Contour is also offered in a whopping 17 different colorways to ensure there is an ideal style for you.

Value

Good quality optics, features, and style cost money, and these are great goggles. It may be hard for many users to justify their expense, and they will represent the best value to serious skiers and riders who seek an enhanced optical experience.

Conclusion

The Giro Contour is a standout goggle for its optical clarity and user-friendly, secure lens-changing system. The Zeiss manufactured VIVID lens is truly effective at increasing contrast and detail, plus they come with a VIVID low-light lens that is easy to install using the magnetic assist system. The ventilation system works well, and they have a large field of vision and a comfortable fit. The Contour is a great product for committed skiers and riders looking to improve their riding experience through enhanced optical performance in all conditions.