It may possibly appear a little bit suspect when a assessment begins with superlatives and there’s nary a suggestion or constructive critique to be discovered, however in case you solely have time to learn a abstract assertion as to the efficiency of those new Smith sun shades, I can confidently state that the Smith Vert PivLock ($209-$219) is my all-time favourite pair of adventure-worthy sun shades.
The Smith Vert PivLock glasses include two lenses (one solar safety and one clear lens for low-light/darkish journey eye safety), a microfiber bag, and a big efficiency onerous case, which I completely love for stress-free transport when touring.
The sunnies are billed as ultralight and low-profile, which I have to admit I discovered onerous to consider once I first pulled the huge lenses from the case, however once I put them on, they firmly upheld that billing. These journey so evenly on my face that it’s surprisingly straightforward to neglect they’re there. They match completely with all my normal visors, bike helmet, and desert-style solar hats of various shapes and sizes for lengthy days up excessive or paddling on the water.
I’ve by no means had a extra snug pair of excessive efficiency, all-activity, all-weather sun shades. Nor have I ever had a bigger, extra shield-like pair, which elevated my self-consciousness. I’ve needed to try to make peace from a private “appears to be like” perspective, however the match and performance are so stellar, it’s well worth the striving.
I’ve examined Vert PivLocks in temperatures from 28 levels Fahrenheit to 103 levels (ugh) and in winds from calm to gusting at 50 miles per hour (ugh once more), and so they had been flawless. No fogging up, no watery eyes, no particles within the eyes, and no sweat beneath the eyeballs (effectively, every little thing was sweating at 103 levels) because of the superb protection and breathability allowed by the body design. Their sturdiness is superb as effectively.
The opposite Smith sun shades I’ve owned have every lasted eight or extra years of every day put on, and with a change out of the lens, the frames proceed on — fairly wonderful cost-per-use ratio, which I count on will maintain true with these as effectively.
A facet view of the Smith Vert PivLock sun shades with ChromaPop violet mirror lenses. All photographs: iRunFar/Kristin Zosel
Smith Vert PIvLock Body and Match
Make no mistake, the Smith Vert PIvLock are massive protection sun shades with a medium to massive match. No matter you lack in confidence in pulling this “super-fast, scorching, tremendous star” look off, will probably be greater than made up for while you expertise their wonderful efficiency. Whereas not fairly ski goggles, they aren’t that far off within the grand scheme of issues, with a lens width of 139 millimeters by a top of 61 millimeters. The arm size is 125 millimeters.
However not like goggles, while you put the Vert PivLock on, they only disappear in your face — out of your perspective, a minimum of. The three factors of contact — nostril, and behind each ears — bear weight that’s nearly imperceptible, and even after a 12-plus-hour day of fixed put on, there is no such thing as a stress ache or abrasion to be felt.
Megol temple and nostril pads are really non-slip, and with the two-position, simply adjustable nostril pads, you’ll be able to dial within the match additional to the place they by no means should be pushed or squinched again into place — even after rocky, rooty downhills, or within the midst of buckets of sweat from these unlucky tremendous scorching journey days. They don’t even contact my temples, which is uncommon however key for the consolation of my massive head.
I had a pair falls barreling down trails whereas sporting these, and even then, no dust made it into my eyes, and there was no have to hunt for them within the bushes — they had been simply there, proper on my face the place I’d put them in the beginning of the run.
Smith all the time demonstrates cautious consideration to element with their sun shades design, and there’s simply the correct amount of stiffness within the minimal body/defend lens design to allow placing the glasses on/taking them off simply with one hand. Additionally they perch securely on prime of a visor or trucker hat while you’re not fairly able to put them of their case.
The auto-locking hinges maintain the frames open and the lenses securely by all this futzing round, which is a particular improve from a few of the minimal-framed glasses of the previous. Not as soon as have I had an arm pop off, even once I’ve mistakenly bobbled them. The high-impact resistant TR90 nylon body shouldn’t be one thing I’ve actually put to the take a look at, fortunately, however I’ve worn them every single day for the previous a number of months, and so they look model new — so long as I do a fast clear of the lenses.
Smith made the very first pair of technical sun shades I wore a couple of many years in the past — and my, how the convenience of interchangeable lenses have improved! The PivLock system capabilities as merely as pivoting (rotating) one arm in a single course to launch the lens, and the other to simply accept the brand new lens in place. No extra fear about breaking lenses whereas attempting to get them to squeeze into place. The nostril adjustment can also be as easy, with a pinch or a pull to click on it into place. I’d belief any crew member to hold out these duties in a excessive stakes assist station scenario with out hesitation.
A entrance view of the Smith Vert PivLock sun shades.
Smith Vert PivLock Lenses
Smith has demonstrated experience within the craft of lens making for years, however I do assume the refinement of the ChromaPop, non-polarized lenses discovered within the Smith Vert PivLock has raised the bar considerably.
I obtained the ChromaPop Violet Mirror Lens with my glasses, which permit 15% seen gentle transmission (VLT), and are greatest for medium to brilliant solar publicity, whereas nonetheless offering 100% blocking of UVA/B/C rays. Additionally included had been the interchangeable clear lenses.
There are 5 different lenses obtainable, ranging in VLT from 10 to 30%, relying on what your surroundings requires.
The lenses keep good visible readability by your entire size and width of the six-base cylindrical defend lens. Because of this — whether or not I’m peering by peripheral imaginative and prescient, or scanning from toe to overhead as I run alongside a path — there is no such thing as a distortion, no wavy strains, no odd visuals. The ChromaPop know-how can also be designed to boost pure coloration and distinction of terrain edges and options, which it does, however not in a bizarre 3-D film glasses means.
The easiest way to explain how these lenses operate is solely that they maximize visible readability, fully distortion-free, whereas defending your eyes from the solar and eliminating glare. With the extensive protection and frameless design, the visible discipline may be very spectacular and uninterrupted as is the safety from wind and mud from the wrap round form. As is typical from Smith, the lenses even have a coating that resists moisture and smudges ought to an errant finger or an excessive amount of sweat discover the lenses.
A facet view of the Smith Vert PivLock sun shades.
Smith Vert PivLock General Impressions
From match and efficiency views, the Smith Vert PivLock sun shades are my absolute good pair of vision-enhancing solar protectors. My earlier favourite pair of the final a few years are actually relegated to the back-up place. There actually are not any different sunnies on the market that I can put on from the daybreak drive to the trailhead, by any size of path run in any climate situations, onto the post-run bike or paddleboard, and again dwelling through the night drive. All this with zero discomfort or stress factors, and 0 needs for a special model of protection or lenses.
Snow and water glare? No drawback — nothing bounces off the within of the lenses with that excellent wrap round, massive defend match.
Tremendous brilliant, blustery mountain run with rocky path? Wonderful protection and visible readability are supplied because of these lenses.
Bouncy bike terrain or technical operating descent? They keep safe on my face with out a want to regulate.
Have to learn a map or my watch face rapidly? No drawback — simply sufficient gentle is available in to decipher the small print.
On the uncommon event I’ve switched to the clear lenses for an evening journey, their efficiency and luxury stay unmatched.
Any self-consciousness I’ve in regards to the look of the glasses — notably on my middle-aged, non-speedy runner face — is a mute-point when my eyes and my head are so darn glad and cozy. I merely can’t overstate how impressed I’m with the Smith Vert PivLock — 5 out of 5 stars from me.
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- Have you ever tried the Smith Vert PivLock operating sun shades? What had been your ideas?
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Testing the Smith Vert PivLock sun shades.
