My trusty Smith IO goggles are falling apart - the foam is disintegrating. But I have multiple lenses that are still in good nick,so I'm looking for a replacement frame. Any colour is fine, doesn't need to have a lens (or alternatively, a trashed lens is fine). But must be the non-magnetic version.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 17-03-24 19:16; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Goggles seem to be a murky world re spares and compatility which is why my last purchase I bought 2 of the same goggle. But I seem to recall there were rumours that some other cheaper Smith model used the old I/O frame design with a cheaper lens. Possibly the Vice?
You'd need to do your own research obviously.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Pretty sure I've an io/x frame , sure it's an i/o ?
@Dave of the Marmottes, interesting, I'll do a bit of research about that. I think the Vice has a cylindrical lens, so maybe it's the same frame (I/O lens is spherical).
@Roguevfr, thanks but def I/O, the X version is too big for my face.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Dave of the Marmottes wrote:
Goggles seem to be a murky world re spares and compatility which is why my last purchase I bought 2 of the same goggle. But I seem to recall there were rumours that some other cheaper Smith model used the old I/O frame design with a cheaper lens. Possibly the Vice?
You'd need to do your own research obviously.
I initially thought this was a ridiculous premise, as I've never heard of different models sharing a lens, but purely on a quick Google search, the lens shapes DO look remarkably similar..
I'd love to know what you find out @mgrolf, as I am in the exact same position as you, well the 2 layers of foam are peeling apart. I'll try some foam specific adhesive to stick them back together. It's frustrating as I only bought brand new lenses for these a year or 2 ago but cannot find a new frame part listed anywhere.
The smith vice lenses really do look similar to the regular I/Os, the frames less so but it's possible that they just added some extra plastic in on the frame that doesn't affect the lens clipping in. The vice lenses do also have an extra cut out on each side of the lens, which doesn't give me loads of hope trying to fit my lenses in to a different frame - the other way round might have worked.
It's also a pain in the neck that Smith's warranty does not apply in the UK / EU, it tells you to go to a Smith retailer, as if you would be able to turn up to any retailer and they'd help you out.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Ruswit, I don't think the vice frame will work, because of the extra cut outs on the lenses. Like you say, it might work the other way around. Also i can't find a vice frame at a sensible price. I'll either try to replace the foam, or just bite the bullet and buy new goggles. I've worn them for well over 100 days so it's not like they're brand new.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@mgrolf, Waste not want not eh. This guy uses a foam cure to repair his goggles from "bob smith industries" which I understand is the same Bob Smith who started smith optics. It wouldn't surprise me if they use something similar in their goggle manufacturing. It seems that other standard glues can dissolve foam eg super glue (according to a few quick google searches).
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@mgrolf, long time no see and @Ruswit, I was in the same situation with the Smith I/OX goggles I'd passed on to my son earlier this year.
I ended up buying the Bob Smith Foam Cure glue and finding some appropriately coloured packing foam. The foam was about 3x thicker than I needed so I cut it down with an electric carving knife. Quality bodging here
Anyway, I gently removed the old foam, stuck the new foam on and then cut it to shape after it set. I then stuck the grey/beige material - the bit that's in contact with your skin - to the foam to finish off. The result wasn't too bad but because I'd applied more glue by hand than any machine would ever do, the material's a bit stiffer than it ideally would be but at least it's breathed a few more years of life into the goggles.