6D Helmets released their all-new MAX Goggle to the public today. With a massive lens that encompasses the entire eye port of their ATR-3 Helmet, this is an entirely new look for a motocross goggle, pun fully intended. We actually saw this earlier in the year at the AIMExpo and it’s the same setup that Freddie Noren has been wearing all season in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship. The team at 6D invited us to try the new MAX Goggle just a few days before you’re reading this.
MAX Goggle Launch Video
The MAX Goggle works exclusively with the 6D ATR-3 and new ATR-3X helmets. They say the weakness for any helmet is the eye port, whether that’s from a safety standpoint and letting roost in, or an overall vision issue as riders are currently constrained to the size of their goggle frame. This new solution covers the entire eye port and increases the viewing area by a claimed 87%. It also uses the helmet as a support and doesn’t sit on the rider’s face aside from the nose piece. A shater-proof polycarbonate lens is CNC cut and available in multiple colors (clear, rose, mirror blue, dark smoke) with full tear-off and roll-off compatibility. The goggle is offered in two models, the MAX R for motocross riding and the MAX X for enduro riding. The X comes with a lever on the side of the lens which lifts the goggle up for more ventilation during slow speed conditions. Both goggles come with a standard 44mm silicon strap and retail for $189 (colors) or $169 (clear).
RIDING IMPRESSION
At first glance this goggle is definitely different. The larger shape makes it look more like an adventure shield rather than a motocross goggle but more coverage is what they’re playing into. Putting it on requires the rider to shimmy the goggle’s nose guard under the helmet’s nose guard for the proper fit. Once in place, the top of the goggle seals to the top of the helmet and you pull the strap over as normal. As mentioned, the frame of the goggle rests on the helmet rather than the rider’s face and the top seal means there’s no foam pressed against the brow.
Before hitting the track you can instantly see the larger field of view. The frame, nose piece, or tear off pins are not visible whatsoever and the rider’s peripheral vision are greatly increased. I could see much more on either side of the helmet and didn’t need to move my head as much to catch something that would normally be out of view. If you’ve ever worn a street or ADV helmet you know the feeling. Straight away it feels like an IMAX movie screen instead of a puny iPhone.
Another immediate takeaway was the lack of pressure on the rider face. Since the goggle sits on the cheek bars of the helmet, there’s no goggle pressing against your face. I personally like my goggles to fit tightly but never really paid attention to how distracting this can be. Think about it, you literally have something pressed against your cheeks! The MAX Goggle is certainly more comfortable in that sense and without the aggressive foam squeezing my face I did feel a bit calmer inside the lid.
The larger field of view is by far the goggle’s best attribute on track. It seems minor beforehand but you simply have less distractions with a larger lens up front. Again I noticed more movement from my eyes and less from my head as I navigated the course at Glen Helen. I could keep my body position locked on the bike and look through the corner without having to exaggerate my head or neck. This became more apparent coming down the hills as you look upwards and aren’t blocked by a traditional frame. The goggle takes roost like a true shield, and its comforting to have extra facial protection even when your natural instinct is to look away.
I went back to back with a set of Scott Prospect goggles to really tell the differences. The Scott’s have become one of my favorites as of late for their larger lens and wide peripherals. I quickly noticed how fast sweat built up in the top foam, something you don’t feel at all in MAX goggle. The MAX doesn’t prevent the sweat, but it also doesn’t saturate the foam. Instead you’ll find droplets running down your face like a regular street or ADV helmet. Riding in the standard goggles was noticeably louder too as the seal on the MAX goggle does a good job of cutting down wind and bike sounds.
After a few motos in the MAX goggle, my only real complaint was not being able to touch my face. I like to adjust my eyelids after I put my goggles on (weird I know) but I was unable to do so once the MAX goggle was on. Also the ability to scratch a facial itch or take a pre-race sip of water is virtually impossible unless you want to take the goggle fully off.
I find it only fitting that the crew at 6D is the ones to come out with a product like this. To me, they are the brand that began the modern-era of helmet tech and made everyone else rethink the traditional brain buckets. A goggle like this seems out of this world at first glance but once you ride in it, the advantages are apparent. A larger lens makes it easier to see things on track and the full seal means less room for rocks and roost to get in. If you avidly wear 6D Helmets, this is a product you’re going to want to get a look at.
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