The NFX2 goggle is the latest high-end offering from Dragon. It has all the bells and whistles — a quick-change lens system, multiple-layer face foam, anti-fog coating, silicone backing on its straps and the signature frameless design Dragon is known for. Dragon sent over a pair for review, so I took them out for a day to see what they were all about. Then I just kept wearing them for a couple months.
Proof that the NFX2 can handle advanced terrain.
I made up a scoring system. As with pretty much any review, anywhere, it’s somewhat arbitrary. I should also preface by saying that I’m accustomed wearing basic, cylindrical-lens goggles, without any special lens-changing system.
The NFX2 with its Swiftlock lever engaged, lens locked in place.
The NFX2 with its Swiftlock lever flipped up, lens unlocked.
Lens changeability: 9/10
Dragon’s Swiftlock technology is among the best systems on the market for ease of lens changing and lens retention. I usually 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 superior. 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.
Fit: 10/10
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.
The NFX2 uses a low-permeability bond between its dual-lens.
Above, is a photo of a Dragon D1 lens, which utilizes a traditional ventilated system with porous foam.
Fogging: 7/10
Not once have these fogged on me while riding in Utah or Colorado. However, I did end up with some fog while hiking in them during a snowstorm at Mt. Bachelor. 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.
Looks: 9/10
Looks are yet another subjective criteria, but as is the case with sunglasses, hats or anything else you put on your head, they are 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. But the girl working at Copper’s season pass office gives the NFX2 a 9 out of 10, so we’ll go with that.
Overall score: 35/40
This goggle was sent to me to review, but I’m not sending it back. It’s been two months now, and I think I’ll just keep wearing it. Because 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.
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