Most path runners and ultrarunners expertise wildly contrasting situations throughout any lengthy outing on the path, and would really like sun shades that may adapt to all these situations. Enter the Smith Bobcat ($229) and Smith Shift Magazine ($289) sun shades with Smith’s photochromic lenses, which might change from virtually utterly clear in darkish situations to completely glare protecting sunnies in shiny daylight.
You know the way it’s: Runs begin at daybreak and proceed by clear blue skies, cloudy situations, storms with excessive winds, and again once more. That is notably true for the 100-plus-mile distances the place having eye safety from mud, branches, and different detritus will be moreover helpful, however altering out sun shades lenses 60 miles right into a race is probably going not within the handbook dexterity playing cards for the day. That is the place sun shades with photochromic lenses can serve an necessary want.
Over the previous few years, I’ve tried a lot of photochromic lenses with the Rudy Venture Propulse being my earlier favourite — you’ll be able to learn my Rudy Venture Propulse overview. In fact, applied sciences progress and Smith has discovered a approach to squeeze much more distinction vary into their lenses. This allows these photochromic lenses to be worn in much more variable situations with out the necessity to take away them in any respect at some point of your coaching or race.
On this overview, we’ll have a look at two widespread Smith sun shades fashions which have the model’s photochromic lenses. Whereas it’s not the main focus of this overview, each the Smith Bobcat and Smith Shift Magazine sun shades fashions supply non-photochromic lenses too. Together with your buy of certainly one of these sun shades fashions, you additionally get a pair of bonus clear lenses.
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The creator sporting Smith Bobcat sun shades with the Black body and Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: iRunFar/Tom Caughlan
Smith Photochromic Lenses
First, let’s have a look at Smith’s photochromic lenses, which we examined in each the Smith Bobcat and Smith Shift Magazine sun shades.
The distinction vary for the photochromic lenses which include these sun shades fashions is a whopping 20% to 85%, which means that in full mild these lenses carry out rather more like a regular sun shades lens, and so they can transition to virtually absolutely clear in the dead of night. The truth is, I believed they have been absolutely clear till I learn the 85% statistic, and so they do look absolutely clear after I put on them in the dead of night.
I used to be capable of take a look at these lenses in all kinds of situations, none more difficult for a photochromic lens than snowboarding uphill, out and in of closely forested areas on a bluebird day. To my shock, the lenses’ distinction shifted imperceptibly after I entered the closely shaded glades, after which again to virtually absolutely black when in full daylight. This potential to vary distinction rapidly is much and away higher than different photochromic lenses I’ve examined prior to now.
Smith Bobcat Sun shades Overview
The Smith Bobcat sun shades are marketed as having a small to medium match with massive lens protection, and are available geared up with the photochromic lenses described above, in addition to interchangeable clear lenses.
A entrance view of the Smith Bobcat sun shades, with the Black body and Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: Smith
Smith Bobcat Sun shades Body and Match
The Smith Bobcat sun shades appeared to initially be marketed to feminine audiences for mountain biking and snowboarding, and this may partially be as a result of full protect design and small to medium match. Nonetheless, I discovered them equally efficient for operating, snowboarding, and biking in a wide range of situations for anybody with a small- to medium-sized face.
I discovered myself selecting the Bobcats over every other pair of shades this previous winter and spring resulting from their lightness, sturdiness, full vary of view and protection, and the quantity of safety I felt from them in excessive wind situations. An added bonus is that they actually appear to stay on my face with none motion.
A facet view of the Smith Bobcat sun shades, with the Black body and Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: Smith
Smith Shift Magazine Sun shades Overview
The Smith Shift Magazine sun shades characteristic the identical photochromic lenses because the Smith Bobcat reviewed above, in addition to the interchangeable clear lenses. Lens modifications are very fast and simple utilizing a magnetic know-how to pop the lens out earlier than locking a brand new lens in. In any other case, the primary distinction between the 2 fashions is within the measurement and match of the frames.
A entrance view of the Smith Shift Magazine sun shades, with the Black body and Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: Smith
Smith Shift Magazine Sun shades Body and Match
The Smith Shift Magazine sun shades characteristic an identical full protect design because the Smith Bobcat reviewed above, however it’s made to accommodate bigger faces and heads. Additionally that includes a excessive affect TR90 Nylon body that’s extremely light-weight for the dimensions of those sun shades, the body has no-slip temples and a two-position nosepiece. Further venting on the highest of the lens additionally supplies elevated airflow, which was particularly appreciated throughout scorching and humid runs.
Once more, Smith manages to make these quite massive sun shades featherweight, and a two-position nostril piece means that you can dial within the match.
As somebody with a smaller head and narrower face, I discovered that the Smith Shift Magazine was a contact extra loose-fitting, one thing I observed extra whereas operating on tough downhill trails. If you’re somebody with a medium- to large-sized head, then this mannequin will fit your needs effectively.
A facet view of the Smith Shift Magazine sun shades, with the Black body and Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: Smith
Smith Smith Bobcat and Smith Shift Magazine Sun shades Total Impressions
For runners searching for sun shades with a photochromic lens that you would go away on for twenty-four hours, equivalent to throughout a 100 miler, the Smith Bobcat and Smith Shift Magazine fashions supply the perfect functioning lenses available on the market.
My longest run thus far within the Smith Bobcat was a punishingly scorching 11-hour slog that began with overcast skies and rapidly turned highly regarded and cloudless. Regardless of sweating profusely, the Smith Bobcat stayed locked on my face all the time and the lenses adjusted all through the occasion as we went out and in of tree protection. One other profit to those massive and flatter base curved lenses is that they’re very simple to scrub up with water and a microfiber fabric at an assist station. By the top of the occasion, the sun shades have been coated in mud that will have in any other case discovered its means into my eyes had I been sporting a lens with much less protection.
Some runners could not admire this sort of full protection if they’re heavy sweaters, particularly within the forehead space, as this will result in smudging and streaking with each of those Smith fashions. I discovered that on the most popular days this summer time I used to be eradicating the glasses to wipe sweat off my face usually as the massive lenses positively forestall satisfactory airflow. I additionally skilled some lens fogging when climbing uphill in scorching and humid situations, however this happens with virtually each kind of sun shades I personal.
One other potential draw back I hear runners voice usually is the price of high-end sun shades. Sure, they’re costly. Nonetheless, as soon as they’ve begin enjoying exterior with good lenses, I’ve by no means hear of any runner going again to price range fashions. Cheaper lenses, even these which are polarized, usually undergo from glare and again reflection in shiny daylight. Moreover, poor engineering on the curvature of the lens usually results in distortion, which isn’t one thing I need to attempt to account for after I’m operating or mountain biking quick downhill.
Moreover, Smith covers their sun shades with a restricted lifetime guarantee, which I lately tried out when my spouse developed a scuff on her Smith sun shades. I filed the guarantee on-line and Smith despatched out a substitute pair inside every week.
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Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried both of those sun shades? How did you discover them?
- Have you ever discovered photochromic lenses helpful for coaching in blended situations?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
The creator testing the Smith Shift Magazine sun shades, within the Black body and with Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: iRunFar/Tom Caughlan
