QUICK HITS
• Bio-TPU and PC frame
• Rapia Mag Lens Change System
• Recycled Polyester Strap With Silicone Grippers
• Cylindrical Lens With Ventilation
• Anti-Fog and Anti-Scratch
WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE COAST OPTICS ALTA 2 GOGGLES
Coast Optics took what they’d learned from their Alta goggles and made improvements throughout to deliver the Alta 2. By making subtle changes to fit; boosting the field of vision; and using a magnetic lens switching system, Coast Optics hopes to provide the best mountain bike goggles on the market.
The frames are made from a Bio-TPU and PC combination that is injection molded. Surrounding the frame is a breathable mesh to allow airflow without letting dirt in. Sitting against the face is a triple-layer foam, with perforations to aid in breathability. Holding the Alta 2 goggles on the helmet is a recycled polyester strap, which gives three layers of silicone grippers to keep them firmly in place.
The lenses are made from Polycarbonate, touting great impact and scratch resistance as well as clear optics. Coast Optics gave the lens a cylindrical design to give optical clarity, and there are laser cut holes in key areas to boost ventilation. Anti-scratch and anti-fog properties are present, as you’d expect from a premium goggle. The lenses are offered in a choice of three tints: clear (85% VLT); low-light Pink Crystal (Cat 1, 57% VLT) or Smoke (Cat 2, 31% VLT). Additionally, there’s a dual-pane clear lens option for the most demanding wet conditions. Switching lenses is made easy thanks to the Rapia mag lens change system.
The Coast Optics Alta 2 goggles are offered in a choice of black or driftwood frame colors, with black, fig or tan straps. In the recycled cardboard packaging also comes a recycled microfiber goggle bag. Retail price with the clear lens is $78 / $109.95 CAD, whereas the tinted lens option costs $139.95 CAD and comes with a spare clear lens included.
THE DIRT
I received the Coast Optics Alta 2 goggles for testing during my trip to New Zealand, which meant there were plenty of opportunities to put them to the test. While the majority of testing time was spent in dry conditions, the heat and humidity on pedal-fed days meant the Alta 2 had their work cut out to resist fogging. I’m happy to report they did a stellar job for the most part, but there were a couple of times where the humid microclimate surrounding me managed to overcome their anti-fogging powers.
On the face, the Alta 2 was a comfortable goggle with a solid field of view. The triple-layer foam molded to the contours of my face well, staying in place and distributing pressure evenly. Initially, the perforations could be felt against my face, but after a couple of uses they began to fade into the background. The adjustment range on the strap should accommodate most riders with ease, and they stayed in place well even when ran relatively loose on the head.
Testing the Coast Optics Alta 2 goggle with both the Pink Crystal and clear lens, it was the Pink Crystal that offered the best ride experience for all but the latest sun-down laps. This low-light lens offers a nice boost to the contrast, while taking the edge off the brightest sun. This made it a nicely versatile lens that only began to struggle in the thickest trees when it started to get dark. The optics were sharp and distortion-free on both lenses, and switching them was nice and easy thanks to that magnetic lens switch system.
The anti-fog proved to be very good, if not perfect. On the sweatiest pedal-fed rides and when pushing back up for a photoshoot, I did manage to get a little moisture build up inside the lens. This cleared if removed from the face for a little while, and if average speeds were kept at a jogging pace then there was sufficient air flowing through to keep them clear. But when you’re dealing with my overheating head firing moisture out at such a rate, there’s very few eyewear products out there which possess the ability to remain totally fog-free.
I’ve been taking good care of the Coast Optics Alta 2 goggles, and as such they haven’t had to endure too much in the way of abuse that’d compromise their scratch-proofing. However, the quality all feels stellar, and being developed in the PNW by a pair of British riders gives me confidence that they’ll have been suitably abused in some terrible conditions, and as such are likely to rank highly in durability. Further use will be required to see exactly how tough they are, and I’ll come back to this if anything changes my opinion.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Adding eco credentials to a product without impacting price or performance is difficult, but Coast Optics has nailed it with their Alta 2 goggle. Providing solid optics and super clean looks, these are a top notch goggle offering. 
Price: $78 / $109.95 CAD (Clear) – $139.95 CAD (Tinted+Clear)
Website: Coastoptics.ca
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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