Tested: Anon's M5 goggle
The story of Anon’s ‘M’ series of goggles has been one of innovation and constant refinement, from the revolutionary M1 that first pioneered the use of magnets in goggles – Anon’s Magna-Tech – to the all new M5 model that doubles down on the existing tech and upgrades the goggle with all new features.
Magna-Tech is a lens retention system that uses magnets to hold the lens to the frame, instead of a mechanical solution. The magnets allow insanely quick lens changes, coupled with precise alignment and strong retention, even when you slam – something we have learned from first hand experience. When your self respect spins away into the aether after a particularly meaty toe edge catch, the lenses on the M5 stay exactly where they’re supposed to, meaning one less thing to pick up after your one person yardsale.
The M5 is built around a slightly slimmer frame shape than earlier versions, but the frame is made of a durable, yet pliable material that helps form to your face for comfort and weather seal, especially when backed up by the triple density foam that runs around it. The M5 is kept on your head with a wide, comfortable ‘No-Slip’ silicone strap that help disperse pressure around and grips tightly to your noggin.
As you’d expect at this price point, you get not one, but two lenses in the package, both of which are ‘Toric’ shaped. If you can imagine a slice of a rugby ball, that’s roughly what ‘Toric' means: from top to bottom its curved like your eyeball, but from side to side, it’s elongated and cleverly engineered so your vision is unencumbered by the frame. It’s like looking out of a huge, zero distortion window. Thanks to Magna-Tech, the lens sits securely in the frame but still comes free with a gentle pull, allowing near instant lens swaps.
Anon use a technology in their lens called ‘PERCEIVE’, which boosts contrast and enhances clarity, helping to define changes in terrain, giving you heightened awareness on the hill. PERCEIVE lenses are also resistant to scratching and smudging and have a coating on which helps to stop snow sticking to it.
Anon haven’t limited their use of magnets to the lenses, however. Their MFI tech – Magnetic Facemask Integration – does what it says on the tin and allows you to snap the included facemask to the frame using magnets, which is super fast and easy to use. There’s a host of aftermarket MFI facemasks available that allow you to fine-tune your facemask preference, from heavy-duty winter storm versions to light weight spring options.
The M5 is best suited to those with medium to large face shapes, but there is also the M5S available which offers all of the same features but with a smaller frame shape for those with smaller faces.
£290 is a lot of money for a goggle system, but everything about the M5 screams quality: from the frankly brilliant Magna-Tech system, to the moulding of the frame, the insanely poppy Perceive lens and the fit of the triple density foam and thick, comfortable strap. You’re buying a premium product here, but if you decide to take the plunge it’s a purchase you won’t regret.
Anon M5: £290
