Review of Oakley Flow Scape L and Panda RS2 Goggles
Oakley Flow Scape L - Panda RS2 Goggles
First IMPRESSIONS
Both of these goggles are built and designed to a high standard, and I guess the biggest difference between the Flow Scape L and the RS2 is the price, with the only other real difference being the way you change the lens.
The Oakley Flow Scape L has a very slightly softer frame and the Vision Rapt (VR) Face Foam is designed to conform to your face, eliminating pressure points (which is something I’ve never experienced with any goggles apart from super cheap ones from Decathlon), and has an almost fleece like quality to it, rather than the more standard Panda RS2 face foam, the Oakleys foam does also boast a slimmer profile too.
FEATURES
The straps are very similar, both adjusting well and both having a silicone/gel inner grip, so neither will move around on your helmet. The view from both is great, with the Flow Scape L being better, you have to try very hard to see the forehead foam on the Oakleys and the side view is marginally better, you can easily see the nose foam on both, but when do you ever ride cross eyed or try to see your nose while riding?
Both have good Polarised Optics and Anti-Fog Technology, and an extra low light lens included.
Lens Changing
Now I may be a klotz, but I can’t change the Oakley Flow Scape L lens without putting my fingers all over the lens and I often think I’ve lock it in only for it to pop out. If I’m honest I don’t like the Switchlock™ Technology at all, you have to pull down on the red lever, lift the frame at one end, which can lead to the lens falling out into the snow (or worse off the lift, although I’d not change them on a lift for that very reason) you then have to line up a slot in the lens with a tab on the frame tuck the lens back under the lifted flap and line up two small holes and then flip frame shut, what a faff.
The Panda SR2 wins the lens changing hands down, with their Magnetic Lens System. You simply lift two flaps away from the lens, the lens is held in place by magnets so won’t fall out, grab the slides of the frame and pull, simple! Popping the new lens in is even easier, as the magnets perfectly line up and you flip the two flaps back down.
Lens changing isn’t an issue if you ride all day with one lens, and don’t even carry the spare lens with you, but if you do like the option of changing when the light turns to shit, or improves, then in my view the Switchlock system is bloody awful and completely over designed, you don’t need a NASA space pen when a pencil will do the job!
Packaging
Both goggles here could benefit from an elasticated lens cover, not sure why ones not included TBH, and a spare lens sock/bag so you don’t have to stick the spare lens in with the goggle when not wearing them.
The Flow Scape L comes with a great padded travel case, bit big for your day bag, but very handy for travel to and from the mountain. Both have a soft drawstring goggle bag and the Panda SR2 has a small cleaning cloth too.
The SR2 comes in a box (like a small sturdy shoe box), with a foam insert to hold the goggles and spare lens in place. I personally can’t imagine ever using the box again, so while it will look good unpacking on Instagram and does make you feel like you’ve bought a quality purchase, it’s not practical for travel, and the large lump of foam will most likely be heading for landfill.
I very rarely use goggles when skinning up, so both could really do with a more robust bag for when your goggles are getting knocked about inside your backpack on the way up, especially if you want to keep them clean, dry and scratch free on a snowy/wet day.
Summery
Both the Oakley Flow Scape L and the Panda SR2 are top notch goggles, and you’ll be happy with either pair. Price aside (the Oakleys are over double the price) if you want a bigger field of view and a nice travel bag then the Oakleys are for you, but if you want to swap out your lens easily, and would rather rather spend the cash saved on a pair of gloves, or a train to the Alps, then Panda SR2’s it is.