The Squad is Smith's budget goggle. It has an oversize cylindrical lens, which curves side to side but is flat top to bottom, and it comes with a spare lens for low light.
This review covers the Squad's view and value, its well-known lens swap problem and how it compares with the Squad MAG.
What It Is: A Budget Goggle With Two Lenses
The Squad has a semi-rimless frame, so the frame doesn't wrap the whole lens. The main lens is tuned to boost contrast, and the box includes an extra lens for flat light and storms. Smith designs it to work with Smith helmets.
Most owner reports cover the Squad XL, the larger size. Owners describe the same lens swap system on both, so the lens swap reports apply to this size too.
On the Slopes: Good View, Little Fog
Owners call it great value. One rider said the Squad XL is one of the best goggles they have tried and a great value. They like that the lens sits close to your eyes, which helps peripheral vision.
A rider who has owned Squads for five years and more than 150 days of riding said they have 6 to 8 lenses and swap them constantly. They said the goggle has held up great, and they get zero fog if they don't put the goggles on their forehead or helmet, especially when wet.
One rider who keeps buying the Squad XL said it is under $100 on sale, fits their face great and has cheap replacement lenses.
Where It Excels
The Squad shines for riders on a budget who want two lenses. One owner said clear replacement lenses are only $20. Another owner keeps their Squads as a dedicated pair with clear lenses for night riding.
Where It Falls Short
Changing lenses is the most common complaint. One owner said it feels like you are breaking the goggles every time. Another said it is almost impossible to remove the lens without touching the inside. One rider said it took them a couple of years to get good at it.
Fogging gets mixed reports. One owner had fogging from day one, said they run hot and switched to the Oakley Flight Deck XL. Another said the Squad XL can fog a bit on really cold days.
Fit doesn't suit everyone. One rider said the XL was making their helmet sit too high and squished their nose, so they bought the Squad MAG.
The "Is the Lens Swap Really That Bad?" Question
You'll find this question in most Squad threads. Some riders pay more for the Squad MAG with magnetic lenses. Others say the standard Squad is fine once you learn the trick, and a swap takes 30 to 60 seconds.
Here's the take from owners: practice at home, and the standard Squad saves you money. If you swap lenses on the hill every day, the MAG is easier.
Pro tip: One owner said to put the nose in first, then work from one bottom corner, then the top, holding only the edge of the lens. Another said to flex the frame instead of bending the lens.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Smith Squad if you want a good goggle with two lenses at a budget price and you don't mind learning the lens swap.
Look elsewhere if you change lenses often on the hill or want magnetic lenses.
Alternatives
The Smith Squad MAG is the magnetic version that owners find much easier to change. Read our full Smith Squad MAG review.
The Anon M4 Toric has magnetic lenses that one former Squad owner switched to and never looked back. Read our full Anon M4 Toric review.
The Smith 4D MAG XL is Smith's top goggle, and one rider said it had by far the widest view of the goggles they compared. Read our full Smith 4D MAG XL review.
Verdict
The Smith Squad gives you a good view, two lenses and cheap replacements at a budget price. Changing lenses is slow and nerve-racking until you learn it, and some owners had fog on cold days. For riders who want value over convenience, it is one of the best deals in goggles.
