Smith Optics: my 2 month review of new Rx sunglasses

Triathlon Forum
1

A few years ago I became unable to wear contacts due to chronic dry eye and since my Rx was so strong at a -5.5 there were no more ‘cool’ frames that could work with that kind of glass. Oakley was long since out of the picture and their ridiculous pricing($625 for my last pair) was the dumbest purchase I’d ever made…and I have made a lot of them! The quality of the vision on my last set of Oakley’s was like it was done in a warehouse with a pair of box cutters.

Enter Smith Optics. Um wow. They use Carl Zeiss for their Rx work and leave it to the pros. Bolle and Serengeti use them as well. Oakley told me they use a variety of labs in the US, Ireland and Japan. Wouldn’t tell me who it was exactly which I found interesting. For those who don’t know Carl Zeiss they are the world leader in surgical microscopes for all manner of surgery, but mainly focus on eye surgeons needs. Surgical loupes worn by surgeons…most likely made my Carl Zeiss. Further, Smith works directly with the consumer, no more getting gouged by your opthalmic shop middle man. You give your Rx directly to the folks at Smith and place the order with them. Total cost delivered with next day air and 10 day order processing: $305 for my frame choice and Rx which was loaded with every option on the planet. And how about quality control? I have had them for about 2 months now and hands down the best Rx setup I have ever used. Did I mention lifetime warranty?

Schwing. Hope this helps out some of my less than visually gifted sporting folks.

2

When I got my first glasses as a kid my doc advised me: “Never shove something in your eye unless you absolutely have to”. I started cycling with my regular glasses, and soon moved to Rudy Project’s Rydon frame. Being able to keep my eyes open in the sunlight was a revelation!

A year and change later, I was walking through the expo at the European ITU Champs when I spotted a Smith stand. I casually asked if there’s an Rx option which, to my surprise, was answered with a positive.

Later that day, I held a bag containing a new Pivlock V90 for myself with an Rx insert, and a V2 for my mother. A life-changer, as far as sports are concerned. Finally a lens that lets me look ahead without getting out of aero, light for running and even fits under my aero helmet’s visor. Great lenses - over a year now and it’s still as good as new. I recently bought a new lens, but that was out of vanity…