ProView – Native Eyewear Tank-7 Goggles

The Tank-7 is a well-built goggle that performs in a broad range of conditions while excelling in the backcountry. Having a wide field of view for its slightly smaller fit allows for a quality user experience as well as easy packability. I’m a big fan of their simplicity. I would recommend this great goggle for anyone who wants some specs that will ‘do-it-all’ at a comparably low price point. Kudos to Native Eyewear on this one!

As a full-time engineering student and part-time outdoor guide, free time is a luxury that comes far less often than desired.  So anytime I manage to dig myself out from under essays and lab reports, the mountains quickly become my number one focus irrespective of weather. This makes a good low light lens a must to make the most of those low visibility days on the slopes. Native Eyewear’s Tank-7 goggle has proven its worth in taking full advantage of all ski outings ranging from backcountry adventures to shredding the gnar at the local resort.

I am a dirt broke dirtbag AND a college student. Versatility in a piece of gear is a key feature for me. I wanted to make sure that the Tank-7’s could perform well in any and all conditions. This was a big part in my overall goal while assessing the goggle. I have had the opportunity to test them out on numerous outings, but I want to focus on performance in bluebird, low visability, and backcountry conditions. So let’s delve.

Blue Bird Sending

After a 4 AM wake up, a few cups of coffee, and a two hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona to Flagstaff, Arizona, I was stoked to pull down the Tank-7’s from the brim of my helmet and peer through them for the first time. I was immediately impressed with their clarity and hopped on Agassiz lift to catch a ride to the top of the Arizona Snowbowl. It was a bluebird day and the sun was beaming as I reached the top of the lift and looked out over the Grand Canyon. (One of the perks of skiing in Arizona!) For a goggle that has a smaller fit, the field of view did not disappoint and I almost forgot I was even looking through a lens. After a few minutes of gawking at the view, I proceeded to enjoy a full day of resort skiing ranging from groomers to bumps, to trees (my favorite). Day one of testing was done and the Tank-7’s had made a great first impression! After a solid performance in prime conditions, I was curious to see if the low light lens would hold up in less than ideal conditions. Coincidentally, day two in Flagstaff provided just that opportunity.

Skiing in a Ping Pong Ball

Fog can quickly ruin a good day of skiing and make you feel like you’re trying to ski inside a ping pong ball. However, using the Tank-7’s in these conditions ended up being a blast. Day two started out looking bleak. The slopes were completely socked in and the wind was howling. While swaying on the lift, my fellow ski companions and I (all wearing Native goggles) switched to our low light lenses. The Tanks do not have a single button lens release and require pulling apart the frame to switch out a lens. While the simple design has one less part that could break, the lens swap does require some time and getting used to. While the lens change was a little more tedious than I would have liked, my outlook on the day improved once I was able to see the terrain through the low light lens. I stashed the tinted lens in Native’s awesome soft case. Features were surprisingly clear for the conditions as we unloaded the lift and made a bee-line for the trees. In the thick of the Narnia like landscape, our focus swiftly turned from fog to finding fresh powder stashes. The low light lens gave great depth perception throughout the rest of the day and stayed clear in spite of breathing hard and working up a sweat in rougher conditions. The Tank-7’s have become my first choice to make skiing in a ping pong ball an enjoyable experience.

Backcountry: The Ultimate Test

While resort skiing is awesome, riding in the backcountry holds a special place in my heart. There’s something about the wild and untamed mountains that makes your spirit come alive.  After using the Tank-7’s inbounds, my stoke level was high to see how they would fare on a backcountry mission. The chosen objective was Humphrey’s Peak, the highest point in Arizona, coming in at 12,637 feet. After fueling up with some eggs and chocolate milk, my ski partner Evan and I began the breathtaking (both literally and metaphorically) approach. The calm breeze quickly turned to gusting wind as elevation increased. I was reluctant to put on the Tank-7’s because most of my other goggles fog up when I use them for skinning. I eventually threw them on in spite of this and was instantly impressed. No fog, no wind stinging my eyes, no itchy skin, and no problems with the goggles the last few hours pushing for the summit. After reaching the top, the view was truly spectacular! The wind was still howling but the Tank’s made finding the best and safest line down a breeze.

Fit/Comfort

The Tank-7’s fit is outstanding. Unlike some goggles, I can wear these all day without the foam making my face itchy. This is especially advantageous for those like me who may choose to rock the unshaven, mountain-man look. With the simplistic, yet functional, design, the fact you are looking through a lens is forgotten, leaving you to focus on your next big drop. The only reservation I have when it comes to fit is the goggle strap. When moving the goggles from my face to their perch on the brim of my helmet, the strap often loosens just enough make me want to adjust the strap when going to use the goggles again.

Look/style

While black on gray isn’t my go-to color scheme for goggles, the sleek look has grown on me as I have used them. Native also has a solid variety of color schemes that let you embrace your own style. 

Features

Thankfully I did not have to test out the reflective strap in a real search and rescue situation but knowing that it is there is a confidence booster and a simple way to add a valuable function to the goggle.

Weight/Packability

As a smaller goggle, the Tank-7 is easily packable and I had no concern about the weight. 

The Final Word

After putting the Tank-7’s to the test in all sorts of conditions, I can confidently say it is a super solid goggle that will handle anything you can throw at it. The simple design and unmatched lens clarity make these Tanks a force to be reckoned with. I am a big fan of their functionality and lower price point. Wishing they had a strap lock and easier lens swapping are the only reservations I have. These are both small issues that do not pose any significant concerns. Native Eyewear really hit it out of the park with the Tank-7!

Shop the Native Eyewear Tank-7 on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!