Dragon Alliance D3 OTG Goggle Review

The Dragon D3 OTG Goggles provide a comfortable fit that can work in tandem with glasses. They also have a photochromic lens that theoretically saves the user from carrying multiple lenses for mixed conditions.

I used the Dragons on a stormy day on the pass and a bluebird day in the park. I got to test the adaptability of their photochromic Luma Lens under variable light conditions, and I was generally happy with them on both occasions. 

Goggle Fit Over Glasses

While on my face, the D3s fit comfortably over my rounded glasses. I generally wear a standard lens size and bridge fit, and the OTG shape fits similarly to my face, except for a noticeably larger lens than I am used to. The benefit of increased peripheral vision due to the large lens is noticeable when wearing them without glasses.

I don’t typically wear my glasses while ski touring, opting for contacts that allow me to wear sunglasses on the uphill. While a bit hotter on the face during climbs than I would typically like, the same as any ski goggles, the D3s remained comfortable over my glasses. My one gripe was fighting with the glasses to stay on my face while removing the goggles, which was slightly more hassle than I would prefer.

The D3s come equipped with triple layer face foam that provided a comfortably padded fit around my nose and cheeks and an excellent seal to my face that felt noticeably more secure than other models I have tried.

They also fit well with my Smith helmet, tight to the brim with an easily adjustable silicone beaded strap that stayed in place.

Function

The triple layer face foam coupled with Dragon’s “super anti-fog treatment” was incredibly effective at keeping the lenses clear at all times. The D3s were the first goggles that allowed me to pull my buff over my nose during a squall without dealing with fog on the lens. Even while sweating it out on the uphill, my field of vision remained clear.

Dragon’s Luma Lens

Dragon uses a tint technology called Luma Lens that can be likened to Smith’s Chromapop. The general purpose is to eliminate color confusion and allow for increased perception and clarity. I generally find that a reddish tint provides the best clarity on flat light days. The photochromic Luma Lens in the D3s has a similar hue and offered a decent definition that allowed me to spot rollers and other terrain changes fairly well in stormy conditions.

Photochromic

A photochromic lens is meant to automatically darken as UV increases. The selling point is eliminating the need for multiple lenses for variable light conditions. Our day on the pass progressed from heavy snow to partly cloudy, and the lenses adapted well. I will often wear sunglasses in snowy conditions to protect my face at the cost of decreased visibility, and the D3’s were an excellent tool in the sense of not having to sacrifice one for the other. My bluebird day was slightly disappointing as the lenses did not get as dark as I would have ideally liked for the high amount of snow glare. The photochromic lens is excellent for S0 to S2 conditions, but doesn’t seem to provide the same visibility as S3 or S4 highlight lenses.

The D3s do not feature the ever-popular magnetic lens technology, opting for the classic tabs that attach to the goggles’ frame instead. They are still relatively simple to get in and out, but require extra finagling. This may be a favorable option for someone concerned with the durability of a magnetic system in the case of direct impact.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The OTG styling lives true to its intention and allows for an excellent field of vision.
• The immense amount of padding is comforting when considering taking an impact on the face while wearing glasses, and it provides supreme comfort.
• The Anti Fog treatment is effective.

Cons

• The Photochromic lens does not darken as much as a high light specific lens.
• The lenses are more tedious to remove/replace than magnetic offerings.

Overall Impression

The Dragon D3 OTG Goggles ($150.00) are a practical and comfortable option for those that wear glasses. Adding an extra highlight lens would significantly increase their potential. 

Related Ski & Snowboard Goggles We Have Tested

1. Zeal Automatic Highmark Goggle
2. Vuarnet Everest Goggle
3. Innerking OTG Magnetic Ski Goggle