Utopia Optics Warrant MX Goggle

I haven't used Utopia goggles much. I guess they always seemed like a style-first sort of company rather than a performance-first sort of brand. After testing the high-end Warrant MX Goggle, my dirty opinion has turned crystal clear with the smooth pull of a Utopia tear off. OK, so I pulled it off down a straightaway off the throttle-big deal! The point is I see clearly now.

The first thing that turned me on to the Warrant goggle was the format of the lens frame. I'm a big fan of having snug-fitting goggles that ride inside my helmet. If I feel gaps in the foam-to-face seal, I expect dirt to find its way in. That's why I like outrigger-equipped goggles. I think relieving the pressure off the strap and allowing the frame's offset from a modest outrigger to place the goggle deeper into the helmet's eyeport is ideal. The Warrant had that feature and in use proved my assumption correct.

This goggle contacts your face evenly and securely. I wear a lot of different helmets, and I strongly believe this frame flexes more than most and helps the piece fit facial contours (even my nose-which is not easy). Its triple-layer foam only helps this. I rode for days in humid European weather, bashed out a 12-hour trail ride from desert to snowdrifts, raced a GNCC and a National Enduro in the same week in Florida and had little to no internal sweat or dirt issues. It's not the best foam in the durability department compared to others in the high-end category, but its triple-density construction is premium enough for the majority of riders. I sweat a lot, and this foam picked it up well and held it. Dry time seemed longer than some, requiring a blot with my track towel before being ready for moto two.

Lens durability is top-notch. The scratch resistance held up well to countless gear bag miles, and my only complaint can be with fogging. On my trail-ride-gone-Arctic and during slow going after breaking a sweat during the GNCC and enduro, I had regular buildup of moderate mist. However, if the temps were mild and speed adequate, fogging never occurred.

Utopia tear offs are super thin. They can stack up deep and stay crystal clear. However, they're harder to single out for an efficient tear when you're in the heat of moto. And for those like me who pull two, three or 10 at a time, this is wasteful.

In summary, I feel these are really good motocross goggles and they have the chops to stand up to the most grueling off-road. They're not cheap at $64.99 for solid colors. But they fit great-the number one test-look cool and have performed above my expectations. -Jesse Ziegler