Updated:
Jan 21, 2025Optical Quality
Field of View
Lens-Change System
Comfort
Ventilation
Sustainability
Fit
Medium/large
Lens Shape
Flat toric
Lenses Included
2
Additional Sizes
Medium, low bridge
Pros
Cons
Anon M5 MFI
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Goggles.
Anon’s Perceive lenses (which come standard on the M5) compare favorably to other high-end lenses at the pinnacle of the ski goggle market, such as Smith’s ChromaPop and Oakley’s Prizm. The pair I tested came packaged with a Perceive Variable Blue lens, which checks in at 21% VLT, and a Perceive Cloudy Pink lens which has 53% VLT. (VLT stands for visible light transmission; a lower percentage means less light passes through the lens, while a higher percentage means more light is transmitted.) Regarding these specific lenses, 21% is a versatile choice for mixed sun and thin clouds, while 53% is better for more socked-in and darker conditions.
Over the course of a backcountry skiing day on Teton Pass above Jackson, Wyoming, the Anon M5 ski goggles shone in terms of clarity and contrast in shifting light conditions. I found the Perceive lenses to be distortion-free, and they granted me the ability to see faint details and contours in the snow even as the sun played hide-and-seek among the clouds. As I lapped Teton Pass I primarily wore the Variable Blue lens, which I found to be more than adequate in both slightly cloudy and sunnier conditions. When the sky turned graybird, the Cloudy Pink lens still provided top-notch clarity.
Simply put, the Anon M5 offers a wide field of view. Anon designed the M5 with a “flat toric” lens, which combines the low profile of a cylindrical lens (which are flat on the vertical axis) with the slightly rounded shape of a toric lens and takes the best attributes from each. The result is a lens that sits close to its wearer’s face and doesn’t look too bug-eyed while providing near-unfettered sightlines: While I was able to see some padding in the outer reaches of my view, I barely noticed it when looking downslope.
The M5 does fall short of the heights reached by one direct competitor, the Smith 4D Mag, as it lacks any curvature at the bottom of the lens to facilitate looking downwards. Worn back-to-back with the Smith 4D, the difference is noticeable, and it can be a little hard to see your jacket’s chest pocket when wearing the Anon (something that’s not an issue with the Smith). That said, the Anon M5 never hindered me in any way as I scanned the snow while making turns and boasts one of the better fields of view among medium- and large-framed options.
For more on this topic, read our article on Ski Goggle Lenses: Cylindrical vs. Spherical vs. Toric.
Anon’s Magna-Tech has stood at the forefront of magnetic lens-change systems for years, and the M5 continues the trend. While this model differs from its predecessor the M4 by being slightly more difficult to separate its lens from the goggle’s frame (possibly a result of the updated lens shape and simpler frame design), swapping lenses on the M5 is still a breeze. Just grab hold of the corners of the frame, pop a section of the lens out with a small twist, rinse and repeat. The magnets around the frame holding the M5’s lens in place are admirably secure, so a little force is required, but those strong magnets help latch the lens into place with a noticeable, satisfying snap.
While the magnets on some ski goggles (usually at cheaper price points) might provide only a tenuous peace of mind that they’ll hold, the M5 is truly set-and-forget. I didn’t take any spills during testing, but I never worried about whether or not my lens was secure. (This matches the experiences of our larger testing team with both the M4 and M3 goggles. We've never had an accidental lens separation, even when going tail-over-teakettle after trying to catch some overly ambitious air.)
One final note here: While you can complete a lens change with ski gloves on, we don’t recommend doing so while on a chairlift due to the “popping” motion needed during the process. We’ve never had a lens fly out of our hands during a swap-out, but it’d be a real shame to have your pricey lens take a tumble off the lift.
Thanks to a triple-layer, multi-density foam design, the Anon M5 graces wearers with top-of-the-line comfort; I didn’t experience any chafing under the goggle’s super-soft next-to-skin material. Moisture-wicking ability is also a highlight of the M5’s foam, so these goggles should remain just as comfortable when you’re shredding spring slush (see below for my notes on venting). The frame is another highlight, with a sturdy build that should withstand years of wear but enough flex to comfortably conform to the face. Finally, the M5’s elastic band adjustment is easy to operate, even if you have gloves on.
The M5 line also comes in an “S” model for small to medium faces, as well as low nose bridge versions in both the standard and S sizes. Given that nailing a good fit goes hand-in-hand with comfort, this is a huge boon for skiers and riders who don’t have the face size or shape that pairs with the standard model.
The M5 features large, foam-covered ventilation holes along the top of the frame, with smaller foam-covered cutouts at the sides and bottom. Combined with the lenses’ quality anti-fog coating, I had no issues with interior condensation, even after putting the goggle on directly after getting hot while hiking (a typical no-no with ski goggles). While the M5 might fall just short of the ventilation offered in models such as the Julbo Lightyear (which boasts a magnetic hinge system that creates a gap between the lens and the frame), it’s still at the top end of the spectrum.
It’s worth calling out here the fundamental role that proper layering and general maintenance of your goggle plays in limiting fog buildup. If you layer properly for the day (thus avoiding overheating) and take good care of your ski goggle (such as drying it completely before storage), your chances of success go up dramatically. Combined with the good venting and anti-fog coating on the M5, and you should be able to avoid the dreaded sauna effect in all but the most extreme circumstances.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Replacement Parts
Replacement parts help extend a product’s lifespan by allowing consumers to repair damaged components—like ski goggle lenses or trekking pole clips—rather than purchasing a new one. A green check indicates a brand offers a robust selection of replacement parts, a yellow check indicates a more limited offering, and a red X indicates no replacement parts are available for this product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
MFI Face Mask
In theory, the face mask that Anon includes with the M5 is a neat idea: The mask, designed to protect your lower face and neck, magnetically attaches to the bottom edge of the goggle frame around your nose. But while the setup is simple, I never wore the mask. The fabric is too loose for comfort or adequate protection without doing a ton of fiddling, and the mask simply looks goofy. This lines up with the experiences our wider team had with the masks that paired with the M3 and M4 models: The thin fabric looks funny and is far too easy to suck into your mouth while breathing in (a real annoyance while hiking or skiing).
Microfiber Goggle Bag
For a goggle that costs this much, it’s disappointing that the M5 doesn’t come with a hard-sided spare lens carrying case like the past-generation M4 (or a hard-sided case of any kind for storage). At least the microfiber case included with this model has two separate compartments, with one for your spare lens.
I tested the standard Anon M5, which is best suited for skiers and riders with medium-to-large faces, and fits slightly toward the larger end of that spectrum. I typically wear large-size goggles and found the M5 to be an excellent match in both size and shape (a second tester with a medium-sized face also got a great fit with the M5). While the goggle is not oversized, it provides plenty of coverage, and the M5 has a comfortable, average fit over the nose: I liked that it’s not too wide, but also doesn’t pinch. Notably, Anon also offers the M5 in low nose bridge and small versions (dubbed the M5S) for folks who want to dial in fit to match their face shape.
Anon M4 MFI ($320): Oldie but Goodie
Like its predecessor, the M4, the M5 is a supremely well-rounded goggle. And at this stratospheric price range, everyone can appreciate the fact that the updated version comes in at $20 less (although we miss the M4’s hard-sided extra lens case). The M4 offers more choice in terms of lens design—it’s available with cylindrical or toric lenses—but the M5’s flat toric shape splits the difference and still receives extremely high marks for visual clarity. Lastly, the M4 has a slightly larger frame (a plus for those with larger-sized faces), but the difference in field of view between it and the M5 is negligible. To learn more, see our review of the M4 MFI.
Smith 4D Mag ($340): Unmatched Field of View
The 4D Mag, with its lenses that feature a curved bottom edge, is the standard-bearer for field of view in high-end goggles. It outpaces the M5 in that category, but mostly in straight-down visibility. Smith’s ChromaPop lens tech also depicts colors a tad more naturally and offers slightly better definition, although Anon’s Perceive lenses still offer excellent optics. Smith kits out the 4D with a magnet-and-tab lens-change system, but the M5’s system is easier to use, if only by a hair. Finally, the 4D costs $40 more than the M5, but at least you get a hard-sided case with the Smith. For more, read our Smith 4D Mag review.
The fifth iteration of Anon’s premier goggle line sticks to the brand’s strengths: super-fast magnetic lens-change system; high-end, durable build; and well-rounded optics. The lack of a hard-sided case and the included floppy mask are both misses, but the M5 is a strong contender at the tippy top of the goggle market.
Optical Quality
Field of View
Lens-Change System
Comfort
Ventilation
Sustainability
With the release of the M5, the Anon M4 is no longer the brand’s latest and greatest. But the past-gen model is arguably just as good, with a premium build, fast magnetic lens-change system, and super crisp optics. Plus, the M4 has a slightly larger field of view (and a slightly larger fit) and comes with a hard-sided case for your spare lens.
Optical Quality
Field of View
Lens-Change System
Comfort
Ventilation
Sustainability
Smith's 4D Mag is the best of the best when it comes to field of view. A unique curved lens delivers unimpeded visibility, and the rest of the features are equally impressive. But it comes with a huge price tag.
Optical Quality
Field of View
Lens-Change System
Comfort
Ventilation
Sustainability
We’re firm believers that goggles at the upper end of the price chart—say, $250 and up—should deliver performance that only enhances their wearer’s time on the slopes, and the Anon M5 does just that. Excellent optical quality and field of view are present and accounted for, the lens-swap system is class-leading, and it’s overall a comfortable and well-built design. Take care of it, and the sturdy M5 should have a long lifespan. If only Anon would drop the silly face mask (or sell it separately) and tack on a hard-sided case without a change in price. But even so, the M5 is undeniably one of the best goggles currently available.
pray for snow
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