Outdoor Master Pro Classic - Review 2023

Though they don’t hold up to top-of-the-line models in terms of visual quality and durability, Outdoor Master’s goggles offer competitive features like magnetic lens swap systems and fog mitigation. For skiers looking for a perfect first foray into eye protection, the Pro Classic is one of the better options on the market.

Read the complete list of the best Ski Goggles here!

Lens Change System

The thing that most impressed me with the Pro Classic was the inclusion of a magnetic lens. Despite these being what we’d consider “budget” options, their magnetic lens change system is markedly similar to the technology we see in premium options. The Anon M4 and the Smith Mag I/O both feature magnetic lens swap technology. Still, neither of them has as many different options as Outdoor Master regarding the sheer variety of lenses available.

But the real question is, how does it work? Having had the chance to try all three of the above models, I’m impressed with how well Outdoor Master’s magnets held up. Though they didn’t feel entirely as secure as the Anon M4 and they lack the Smith Mag locking feature, they should hold up for most casual falls.

As a whole, you can’t really go wrong with these kinds of lens swap technologies. They save time and allow you to adjust to rapidly changing conditions often present in alpine environments. The fact that replacement lenses for the Outdoor Master Pro Classic come at a fraction of their industry competitors’ cost means you can accrue an impressive collection to help you tackle anything that the mountain throws at you.

Vision Quality

The be-all, end-all of any ski goggle is how well you can see through them. A closer look at the Pro Classic reveals many of the same, or at least similar, features that you’d see from the big brands- spherical lenses, interior anti-fog coatings, and some kind of UV protection coupled with high-contrast vision quality. But when compared side by side in the field to more expensive alternatives, some of the differences in quality become much more apparent than they are in the product description.

The most notable difference is the effectiveness of their high-contrast technology. Outdoor Master leans heavily on their lenses’ tint to approximate PRIZM and Chromapop tech that we see from Oakley and Smith, respectively. Approaches used by premium brands actually filter out particular wavelengths of light to compensate for the tint of their lenses and, leaving skiers seeing a much “truer” picture free from artificial coloration.

Outdoor Master’s Pro Classic will keep your eyes protected from harmful UV rays and will provide a clear enough picture for you to feel confident skiing anywhere, provided you have an appropriate lens installed for the day. But, your vision will be noticeably tinted by whatever color your lens happens to be. Some Outdoor Master lenses are polarized. It should be noted that while polarization is effective in providing you a clearer picture on bright days, it’s much less effective in low light situations.

Ventilation and Fog Mitigation

Fog is the great equalizer of goggles, you can buy the nicest models on the market, and if you exert yourself hard enough, they’ll fog up just like any other pair. The metric of quality is how well your frames and lenses work to dissipate the buildup. As with many other features of the Outdoor Master Pro, they do a competitive job of emulating the name brands’ approaches.

The Pro Classic features two ventilation channels just above each cheek and a much larger additional vent across the brow. I was impressed with how effective these were in keeping the air circulating over the course of the day. I never felt like my face was overheating while wearing them, and when I did manage to work up a sweat, the moisture-wicking foam layered around the frame performed as expected.

So how do they stack up compared to the competition? When I compare the Pro Classic to other spherical goggles with an interior anti-fog treatment, they give industry mainstays like the Oakley Flight Deck a run for their money. Both goggles seem to accumulate moisture at a similar rate. The Outdoor Master has the advantage of an easily removable lens that can help dissipate fog more quickly when things get really steamy. But, they fall short of brands that use micro etching as an additional means of moisture reduction.

Frame Construction

The Outdoor Master Pro Classic shares a slot of similarities with the Oakley Flight Deck, more than just shape and style, they have many comparable features and performance aspects. Chief among these is a pliable frame for their “frameless” design. This is common for goggles with the oversized look. The flexibility helps them fit a larger number of faces in a single size increment.

The Outdoor Master’s frame isn’t quite as bendy as the Flight Deck, but all things considered, that might be a good thing. A little bit of resilience goes a long way in adding to long term durability.

Durability

Despite all of the comparisons we’ve made between the Pro Classic and leading models of goggles on the market, durability is where the most significant distinction lies. We at Divein noticed that it seemed easier to scratch the lenses during testing than with other models. Given that the lenses are mirrored, any damage was very noticeable cosmetically.

We commented on the integrity of the frame above, and while it seems like the injection-molded TPU is relatively sound, the foam surrounding the frame leaves something to be desired. After relatively light use, we’re dubious about the long-term integrity of the foam. It seems more prone to compression and tearing than more expensive models.

Sizing and Fit

As we mentioned earlier, the Pro Classic shares many qualities with the Oakley Flight Deck, and among these is an oversized spherical look that set the standard for cool park kids across the globe. Outdoor Master’s goggles aren’t as ridiculously oversized as the Flight Deck, but they are very solidly on the larger end of “one-size-fits-all.” That being said, thanks to the pliable plastic of the frame and the triple-layer foam, they should be able to accommodate most faces.

In terms of comfort, we have very little to complain about with the Pro Classic. Pressed to find a fault, I’d say that they have a tendency to be a little too tight across the bridge of the nose. It is fully compatible with most helmets out there, but as is the case with most goggles, built-in brims are hard to make a seamless connection with unless the helmet is specifically compatible.

About Outdoor Master

It’s a real privilege to be able to tell the story of up-and-comers to the industry. It feels even more significant when their values align with my own, such as the case with Outdoor Master. Founded in 2015, this multinational brand is a standout in their efforts to subvert the gear industry’s bloated costs.

The concept is simple- quality outdoor gear is costly, and most things marketed as “budget” or “entry-level” are so poorly made they aren’t worth buying. Outdoor Master aims to create products that compete with the mainstays across many sports while keeping the cost honest to the best of their ability. Their commitment to making the outdoor recreational experience more accessible and more equitable is something to be admired. While still developing in their own right, their products are a more than suitable entry point for outdoor enthusiasts across a wide variety of sports.

Despite their shortcomings compared to some of the other premium alternatives we’ve had a chance to try this season, the Outdoor Master Pro Classic’s are good goggles. In terms of quality of vision and durability, the Pro Classic’s low-price point starts to show. You simply can’t replicate the results you get with the quality materials and involved engineering brands like Smith and Anon include in their products.

Nonetheless, the Pro Classic is a more than adequate goggle for any skier. In fact, it’s quite a good goggle considering the price and the wide availability of replacement lenses. In our option, the Pro Classic is a great place to start your ski gear journey. They’re perfect for skiers who’ve invested their budget in boots or skis or who want a pair of goggles to take on a trip.

Though we’re skeptical about how they’ll hold up after multiple seasons of heavy riding, Outdoor Master has pretty much cornered the low-cost goggle market with the Pro Classic.

Read the complete list of the best Ski Goggles here!