100% Racecraft 2 goggles in the test: full perspective? - MTB-News.de

100% Racecraft 2 Goggle on test: Since the rebirth of the 100% brand, which was actually founded in the 1980s, the Americans have been stepping on the gas. The core business continues to be eyewear and goggles – the aim here is to impress with modern styles and good value for money. This mantra also applies to the Racecraft 2 goggle, which will be launched in late 2020. We have tested them in downhill and enduro use!

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100% Racecraft 2 MTB goggles – information and prices

In the 100% range of goggles optimized for MTB and MX, the Racecraft represents the upper mid-range model - it sorts itself under the premium goggle Armega, but above the Acuri and Strata models, which interestingly use the same lenses . For €84.90, 100% offers a clear lens, a mirrored lens, a pack of tear-offs, a microfiber cloth, and of course a variety of colors and designs. Introduced in 2020 was the Gen 2 version of the 100% Racecraft we tested (100% Presents New Gen 2 Goggles: With More Field of View to Victory) - it now has a larger field of vision and an improved fit on the nose.

Price 100% Racecraft 2 €79.90–84.90 (RRP) | Bike market: Buy 100% Racecraft 2

In detail

With a mix of stylish and affordable products, 100% has made a real rocket start in the mountain bike segment. With the 100% Racecraft 2 you rely on proven styles with slight improvements compared to the predecessor. Technologically, both glasses are similar. This is how it stays with the classic lens change: Recesses on the edge of the lens have to be pressed into suitable grooves in the plastic frame. Although the system has been tried and tested for years, it takes some time and usually leaves unsightly fingerprints on the glass. This is where the differences to more expensive models such as the in-house Armega become apparent.

In addition to the built-in and conspicuously mirrored mirror-red glass, our test glasses for €84 also offer a clear alternative for bad weather. Alternatively, you can also save 5 € and do without the mirrored glass. Enduristi will be interested in the version with a double-glazed lens, which does not fog up so quickly on climbs, for example - all lenses are also provided with an anti-fog layer when purchased. In addition to the two models available at the time of purchase, 100% offers a large selection of different, partly mirrored tints with different light transmission. In contrast to the previous models, there is no percentage on the website, which should make the selection much more difficult.

The prices for replacement lenses are quite fair at 12 to 26 €, of course they have an attachment for the 100% proprietary tear-off system. A pack of laminated tear-offs is included alongside a microfiber pouch, as is a clip-on nose guard. A generously dimensioned three-density foam is responsible for the correct fit on the face, which is also designed to safely absorb any sweat. A 45 mm wide band with silicone strips on the inside ensures a secure fit.

On the trail

When first unpacked, our 100% Racecraft 2 test goggle (St-Kith model) makes a noble and solidly processed impression. With a price of around €85, however, it belongs in the mid-price segment, which is why you shouldn’t expect anything else. We tried the goggle with different helmets like a Troy Lee Designs D4 (test), D3, Stage or the Fox Rampage Pro. With its rather narrow frame, it fits comfortably in all helmets and even leaves some space on the outside in size L.

It is important with every goggle that it does not sit on the nostrils and thus impede breathing. While this was not a problem for me with a head circumference of 59 cm and L helmets, the phenomenon occurred occasionally with testers with smaller heads (helmet size S). But the Racecraft always sits securely and is not moved by the helmet on the face. At the beginning of the test, we removed the nose guard, which is primarily intended for motocross riders (it is intended to keep debris thrown up by the person in front) – it is only clipped to the frame, but it takes a lot of force to detach.

The field of view of the 100% Racecraft 2 is definitely big enough, even if it feels quite narrow on the face. High-end models like the Oakley Airbrake or Scott Prospect sit a little further and are more comfortable and offer a slightly larger field of vision. In practice, however, this has never been a problem. At the beginning, the heavily tinted mirror red glass was installed, which should actually be the right choice given the prevailing sunny and dusty conditions. While the tint was quite pleasant on an open surface with direct sunlight, light-shadow changes were extremely rich in contrast and orientation was actually quite limited. If you don't move above the tree line, we would therefore recommend the clear glass or a significantly less tinted version even in sunny weather.

As already mentioned, changing the glass is a bit fiddly. However, if you want to save yourself this, you have to resort to higher-priced models from most manufacturers. The clear glass was used for most of our multi-month test and proved to be problem-free. It tends to scratch in muddy conditions, but at €12 it is also quite cheap and overall not noticeably more susceptible than the lenses of equivalent competitor glasses. The same applies to the anti-fog protection, which wears off after a few wet rides.

It is relevant for enduro riders that the goggle strap has a fairly hard edge. If you wear the glasses on a transfer around your neck, it can scratch and cut into you. In the bike park, where the goggles hang around our necks in the lift queue, this didn't bother us. We would also advise all stylers to choose a model that is not quite so white - our test glasses are quite brownish after one season and are difficult to clean.

Conclusion – 100% Racecraft 2

With the Racecraft 2, the eyewear specialists from 100% continue to offer a solid goggle that will delight style fans with its many different lenses and designs and the fair price. In addition, the glasses sit securely on the face and offer a good field of vision. However, the tinted red mirror glass did not convince us in practice and the strap could be a bit softer for enduro riders.

What experiences have you had with 100% goggles?

test procedure

We've ridden the 100% Racecraft 2 goggle on a variety of downhill trails and in a variety of light and weather conditions over the course of a season.

Here we tested the 100% Racecraft 2 goggle

driving style

playful

I mainly drive

Downhill, enduro

chassis preferences

inconspicuous, rather progressive, little pressure level

Geometry preferences

balanced, not too long, steering angle not too slack

price comparison