Dragon’s Swiftlock technology is among the best systems on the market for ease of lens changing and lens retention.
Dragon’s newest high-end goggle, the NFX2, has all the bells and whistles that Dragon is known for — a quick-change lens system, multiple-layer face foam, anti-fog coating, silicone backing on its straps and Dragon’s signature frameless design.
Swiftlock Technology
Dragon’s Swiftlock technology is among the best systems on the market for ease of lens changing and lens retention. A lot of us wear traditional frames, without quick-change capabilities, mostly because so many “switch on the fly” options offered are hardly more efficient than the traditional system. Swiftlock is better than most. Flip the levers up, and the lens is disengaged and can be effortlessly removed. Put the replacement lens in, flip the levers down until you feel them lock, and the new lens is securely in place. The key here is to make sure you feel the lever lock. A couple times, after swapping lenses, I had one side of the lens flop out of the “frame” because I didn’t fully engage one lever to the locked position. Once I figured this out, it was no longer a problem.
How They Fit
Fit is subjective, making it an odd criteria to rank anything on. That being said, it’s one of the most important deciders when selecting a goggle, and some goggles fit generally poor and some fit generally well. Triple-layer foam lets the NFX2 conform to a variety of facial structures, and the NFX2 should fit most anyone with a small to medium-size face well, which makes it a great option for women and kids. The NFX2 is not a large goggle, but it’s bigger than it looks. The lack of a frame creates an exterior profile the size of a small goggle, with the peripheral vision of a medium-sized goggle. For those with a face in the mid-size category, I don’t think you can find a better fit. If you’re looking for a larger goggle, the NFX is the NFX2’s cousin, offering a similar aesthetic in a package better suited to those with bigger faces or a desire for maximum peripheral vision.
Lens Fogging
Not once have these fogged on me while on the slopes. However, I did end up with some fog while hiking in them during a snowstorm. All goggles will fog in the right conditions, and this was probably inevitable, as I was sweating in a damp blizzard. Luckily, I had an extra lens with me and was able to swap it out. However, it was unusually hard to dry the space between the lenses where the moisture had condensed. This is because that space is much less permeable than that of a standard goggle which uses porous foam between its two lenses. The less permeable foam that binds the NFX2 lenses means it’s harder for moisture to enter, but also harder for it to exit if it finds its way in. The NFX2 is less likely to fog than a traditional goggle, but it’s harder to defog if the moisture is between the lenses, not just on the outer surface.
Style
How goggles look is a critical factor in the goggle-buying process. The frameless aesthetic that Dragon pioneered combined with the timeless styling of a cylindrical lens, is a perfect blend of traditional and modern. Maybe you’re into that; maybe you’re not.
Overall
After I picked up a pair of these goggles, I’ve started carrying an extra lens with me. I never used to carry an extra lens because I didn’t feel like dealing the hassle of swapping lenses on the hill, even with other supposed “quick-change” frames. I used to make fun of my friends who would change their lens with the light conditions. The NFX2 makes it so easy, I’m becoming that guy. I also fall a lot, so it’s nice to hit the refresh button when my lens gets caked with snow.
