Review: 100% Accuri Goggles

June 26th, 2012

The goggle market is a congested one, with a plethora of manufacturers offering great products to fulfill all the needs of the consumer and ultimately to keep the dirt out of our eyes. So when a new brand pops up, they’ve really got to get it right from the off if they want to grab a slice of the action, enter 100%. As soon as images started surfacing on the net of these rad looking goggles and any recollection to the brands history started firing in people’s brains, they were here and making waves. I could rattle on about where the brand has come from and what it’s all about, but this a review, not a history lesson. But rest assured as 100% is exactly that and then some.

Words: Olly Forster

Photos: Olly Forster & Nathan Carvell

The branding and styling might be as old as the hills, but the Accuri is oozing in modern lines and materials offering the best of both worlds.

The Accuri’s have all the proven features found on goggles of this standard, including triple density foam, an anti-fog lens and a silicone embossed strap. But it’s the Accuri’s look and feel that truly makes them stand out from the crowd.

The strap graphics are big, bold and to the point, adding to the Accuri’s overall aesthetics. The embroidery is still fresh today after a few months use, which is a bonus as we’ve had straps disintegrate on us in the past.

Tear-Offs!

Pretty much an essential item rain or shine, tear-offs still seem to be something of a mystery to many mountain bikers and it’s something I’ve become accustomed to, with other riders on the lift asking how I’m still able to use my goggles regardless of what the trail’s trying to throw in my face after their’s have given up the ghost. I use tear-offs in everything other than all out hard pack riding and not purely for keeping my vision free in the gloop, but also as a precaution to protect the lens itself. How many of us have used our glove or a dirty jersey to clean your lens to just scratch it? Lenses are after all pretty expensive these days!

Tear-offs are cheap in the grand scheme of things, easy to use and really can make or break a days riding. 100% offer a 20 pack for under £10, which should see you through a few week-ends. They also have a roll-off style system, should that prove more suitable. Either way, tear-offs are vital and something we’ll brush on in a future article.

Hello! Both the Accuri and the more expensive and feature packed Race Craft model, share the same lens and therefore the same tear offs.

These aren’t the best instructions I’ve ever seen, but take the time to get your head around how they work as it could save your ass when you’re avoiding trees whilst tearing down a mountain.

The Accuri is a simple goggle and doesn’t have the plastic out-rigger style strap mount where you would typically see the third post, so the Accuri has this removable clip that sits on the strap allowing you to get as many on there without impeding vision.

Take the top one off and the one below springs out and is ready for your next one – repeat as many times as you might want or need. Generally for DH, I’ll only fit two or three at a time, but this is something to play with and get a feel for as to what works best for you.

Riding in the Accuri.

2012 is 100%’s first year as a goggle manufacturer and with two goggle styles to choose from, we went for the simpler and perhaps more MTB friendly Accuri model, over the more MX orientated Race Craft. As mountain bikers, we don’t have roost to worry about, flying in our face from Ryan Dungey up ahead, so a nose guard isn’t an essential item and with the average DH run around 2-3 minutes, our goggles need to be as basic as possible without sacrificing comfort and function.

I found the Accuri’s to have one of the most accommodating shapes going. They don’t pinch anywhere or restrict breathing through my nose. The outer layer of foam is a grade coarser I’d say than other goggles, but it helps keep things in place while reducing bobbling in the material. Helmet compatibility wasn’t an issue either. Spot on!

Looking a bit serious? I like my goggles quite snug and often struggle with some brand’s designs pinching my nose or being susceptible to helmet induced wobble – basically some designs with increased contact to the sides of the helmet, rather than on your face, amplify movement across the goggle and against your face. These sit on your face and sit there very nicely indeed. Misting is average I’d say, but counter acting this is technique over tech sometimes – avoid touching the inside of the lens, clean the lens after every ride with soapy water and don’t put them on until your ready to send it. Simple!

I know I’m not alone in loving the branding used by 100% and the strap is the best canvas for showing it off – rad logo and colours equate to a high aesthetic standard that resonates across the product as a whole. The strap also offers plenty of adjustment and feels sturdy when pulling it over your head and around your helmet. The goggles in general have a sturdy and balanced feel reverberating the overall quality of the Accuri’s.

and from the other side…

Conclusion.

For me, the two most important things when looking at goggles for mountain biking are first and foremost the fit, followed by the all important ‘factory factor’ and I’m talking about bitchin looks! Mountain biking doesn’t require half the features that many optics brands plow into their premier models, which are clearly aimed at the moto market. Those guys ride for 20 minutes at a time and even though we might spend 5 hours or so on the hill, how long are they actually on your face for? DH runs are typically short and intensive and although there’s no denying we demand products of the highest standards, sometimes less is more and especially when it comes to goggles.

The Accuri’s hit the nail on the head with their fit and feel and to the extent I think they were made for me. With looks to match my aesthetic persuasion and at £35 for the clear lens and £45 for the mirrored lens option, they are not badly priced either. As a bit of a google geek and self proclaimed connoisseur, I can safely say I’m a massive fan of these goggles. They look great, fit my face and without all the bells and whistles we’ve become accustomed to from goggles, do the job in a very un-cluttered and tidy manor. Construction is of the highest standard and with a range of colours to drive you mad choosing which ones to go for, these are highly recommended MTB friendly optics for goggle connoisseurs everywhere!