The Parker is the product that started it all for Melon Optics and the brand’s subsequent success comes as no surprise. As one of the best mountain bike goggles on the market, its price is relatively accessible, the overall quality is admirable and the range of colour and lens options is truly impressive. Its fog-resistance is outstanding but there’s only one lens included.
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Melon Optics Parker goggles – Technical details
Even though the Parker is the first product that Melon Optics created, the brand certainly didn’t hold back, packing a load of features into a rather inexpensive product. The frame is built with the Melon’s 360-degree venting system to promote airflow and there’s a triple-layer face foam that benefits from a soft sleeve lining to mop up sweat. It is a bit warmer than more open foams but the comfort makes up for it.
The Parker’s strap is connected thanks to a switch-fast system that allows for quick changes whether it’s broken or you just fancy a styling switch-up – a very nice touch indeed.
The goggles come with Lexan lenses that offer 100% UV protection and impact resistance. It’s also 17.5cm wide to offer the widest view possible. On offer are six tints and colours, including the clear lens pictured here. Tints add £5 to the asking price.
For an extra £25, customers can pick up the Rip’N’Roll kit and for another £20 they can get a hardcase as included in the box is just a microfibre bag.
Melon Optics Parker goggles – Performance
With the details out of the way, I tested the Parker goggles with a small range of full-face helmets, including the Bell Full-10, Bell Sanction 2 DLX Mips and Fox Proframe RS. And the Parker has thoroughly impressed for a number of reasons.
First off, it’s a super comfortable pair of goggles. Melon’s choice to fit a fleece layer onto the foam is one that’s really paid off and something that puts it above many others in this price bracket.
And with excellent comfort comes class-leading fog resistance. I’ve worn these goggles through some seriously sweaty and muggy rides, as well as lengthy wet periods waiting in the uplift queue – and I’ve never been in a rush to peel it from my face. Even when on the move, fog or misting up have never been an issue.
Our test sample came with a clear lens, so I can’t comment on the performance of the mirrored lenses but the one I was supplied was plenty clear enough. Its field of view is super wide, offering unobstructed vision horizontally. But the biggest benefit is how the frame doesn’t detract from the line of sight, meaning that during strong head-down pedally efforts vision is never compromised. However, there’s a very minor bugbear – the tear-off pegs are black, rather than clear as seen on many other lenses. This leaves the pegs visible and not the easiest to ignore.
Lens swaps are super easy, as both the lens and frame are super flexible which allows the lens to quickly pop out. Users can change a fresh lens with ease by hooking it into the right spots.
With each of the helmets I used, its fit was spot on and I’m yet to find an incompatible full-face lid. It even plays ball very nicely with open-face lids.
Melon Optics Parker goggles – Verdict
At this price, the inclusion of a single lens is pretty normal but for the performance that the Parker offers, I don’t see a valid reason to spend any more. Though there are cheaper options that are well worth looking at such as SixSixOne’s Radia. It’s £5 cheaper and comes with a smoke lens but an additional clear lens is £12, just 50p cheaper than Melon’s. Though easier on the wallet, the Radia’s field of view and fog resistance aren’t quite as impressive.
The Kali Trinity goggle at £65 offers a little more in that it comes with a tint and a clear lens along with a very easy lens swap system but its performance isn’t on the same level as the Parker and it’s not as comfortable. The field of view isn’t as wide either.
However, what must be touched on is that neither of these goggles comes with nearly as many customisation options as the Parker, which is a big plus for Melon’s best mountain bike goggles.
Melon Optics’ Parker goggle is a seriously good performer for little cash that offers bang for the buck in spades. Thanks to its wide field of view, excellent fog resistance, great comfort, and easy lens swaps, it raises the question, why spend more?
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The UV Lexan lenses offer reliable performance and are also compatible with the Parker MTB’s bigger brother The Diablo.
If you want a no-nonsense goggle that does the job and looks great then the Parker MTB is the choice for you.
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