Check
these out! Thor, the popular motocross gear company, introduced their
newly designed and developed Hero goggles to their 2007 lineup, and we
got a chance to take them for a spin, or a look-through. Every detail
of these new goggles has been gone through and developed by some of the
best in the business. They have aggressive styling, and the comfort
level is impeccable. We take a further look.
SWEET EYE GUARDS, DUDE! The
new Thor Hero goggles feature an innovative aperture-vent system and a
drilled frame that helps increase air circulation to prevent fogging. They
are also equipped with optically correct pinstriped and branded Lexan
lenses with anti-fog coating and UV protection. There are built-in
mounting pins for tear-offs, sculpted styling with exceptional fit and
peripheral vision, and a color matched adjustable woven strap with
three-bead silicone backing. They even include a plush goggle bag in
the box, just like you get with a set of expensive sunglasses. Thor’s
Hero Goggles have cool looking mirrored lenses, and they come standard
with a fleece-lined three-layer foam, a lateral retention system for a
precise and comfortable fit, and there is an additional clear lens
included in the box. With ten different custom painted frame
styles to choose from, including the Bandana, Bullethole, and Dogger
wrap graphics, there is an option for every rider to choose from so you
can sport the new-look Heroes in every environment.
HOW THEY WORKED? We
took our new set of Thor Hero Bandana design goggles to wear in our
700cc 4X4 Shootout (page 62 of this issue). It fit right in, and the
group of testers loved the look. We had them in rain one day, and
heat the next. They were very comfortable, and took no adjustment at
all to get used to . At first look, we felt the spike design that
surrounds the nose would affect the way you put on the goggles, but
they slipped right into place over our Troy Lee Designs and Bell
Helmets. The strap was easy to adjust to allow extra length for one of
our tester’s big heads as well. The UV/mirrored coating over
the lens was just enough protection against the harsh light of the
mountains, and when the sun started to go down, the tint wasn’t
overwhelming either. The no-fog lens setup that comes with their
aperture-vent system, worked decently to circulate air while riding,
but just like most MX goggles, they started to see some coastal fog
rolling in when at a standstill. A Dirt Wheels photo shoot is the
perfect place to test anti-fog goggles because of the constant stop and
go situations. Not to mention the heat buildup in the helmet. Yikes.
The Thor Hero goggles feature a very comfortable fleece-lined three-layer foam, and a lateral retention system that allows the goggles to mold to your face. Some eyewear is hard to adjust to; these are not.
WORTH THE PRICE? We
came away impressed with the new goggles, and we believe you will too.
The Thor Hero MX goggles (with wrap graphics) retail for $54.95, and
the Hero MX Goggle (with painted colors) retail for $49.95. These
compare to Oakley’s new Crowbar MX goggles which retail for $60
(standard) and $70 to $80 (PRO MX). Oakley also has their popular
O-frame style that costs around 40 bucks. Scott USA makes a wide
selection of similar priced goggles including their new No Sweat XI’s.
Smith Goggles has their $48 Warp, and $65 Warp TI’s. All of these
goggles are of good quality and comfort for around the same price.
Thor’s Hero goggles are very comfortable, and do an excellent job of
anti-fog. They offer tear-offs, which is a huge demand for the racers,
and they are available in a slew of cool colors with seven options to
choose from. These goggles were a hit with the Dirt Wheels testing
crew! Check them out online at www.thormx.com, or you can call (619)
448-8467.
WARNING: Much of the action depicted in this magazine is potentially dangerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced experts or professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts that are beyond your own capabilities. Always wear the appropriate safety gear. Copyright 2008 Hi-Torque Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Console Login
