Yess Brand Apex-1 Goggles were given to us to try from Honda HRC Progressive mechanic Ben Griffith, who is the mechanic for Jo Shimoda. Griffith also has a side hustle that is a casual apparel brand, Club Local, as well as imports the Yess Brand Goggles from the UK. He gave us a pair of Yess Brand Apex-1 Goggles to try a couple months ago and I finally got around to testing them weeks ago.
The Yess Brand Apex-1 Goggle features triple-layer face foam for sweat absorption, a sturdy frame, a quick-change lens system they call their quick-switch-lens system and of course a wide band for helmet traction. Available in eight color schemes, you can purchase several lens tints, including a light-sensitive version that adjusts to ambient light. The Yess goggle lens (on the goggle) also comes with a RFX Smart Film that is scratch resistant and allows the rider to just wipe away dirt/mud from the lens without getting scratched. I have used the RFX Smart Film when I was in Europe (since tear offs are banned at tracks) and surprisingly they work really well. A simple wipe from your thumb while you ride can give you clean vision until you get back to the truck/van where you can clean off your lens. It’s definitely a different (non-American) type way of clear vision but it does work fairly well.
The Yess Brand Apex-1 Goggle has as sleek look and a square nose area that fit my large nose decently well. The goggles seal well to my face and although I am not a rider that sweats a lot, the foam felt plush on my face. The unique frame shape fits well inside every brand helmet that I rode in (6D, Fox, FLY, Arai, Airoh, and Shoei). The Quick-Switch lens system is easy to operate, with a lever on each side of the goggle frame that allows the lens to be easily removed and reinstalled. The inside of the lens is treated with an effective anti-fog coating that keeps things clear, even on cold high dez mornings.
The lens clarity is on par with other major $90.00-$100.00 goggles and even for my old eyes, I could see well enough. I don’t think the clarity is on par with an Oakley Airbrake lens but for the cost of the goggle, this injected molded lens wasn’t an issue. The field of vision is also on par with other major goggles like EKS brand Lucid and Scott Prospect goggles. Tear-offs and a 50mm tall film system are also available for the Apex-1.
I don’t have any real negative comments about the Apex-1 Yess goggles. Great looks, a comfortable fit and a decent amount of clarity/vision makes for a good buy. The problem is that the goggle market is saturated so unless you specifically want to be different, this is a hard push for most of us, but if you want to be different and have a good performing pair of goggles and support a good dude, hit up Ben @ clublocals.shop and get you some!
