Most path runners and ultrarunners expertise wildly contrasting situations throughout any lengthy outing on the path, and would love 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 may change from virtually fully clear in darkish situations to totally glare protecting sunnies in shiny daylight.

You understand how 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 could be moreover worthwhile, however altering out sun shades lenses 60 miles right into a race is probably going not within the guide 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 variety of photochromic lenses with the Rudy Mission Propulse being my earlier favourite — you may learn my Rudy Mission Propulse overview. In fact, applied sciences progress and Smith has discovered a solution 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 take a look at two well-liked 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. Along 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 writer carrying Smith Bobcat sun shades with the Black body and Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: iRunFar/Tom Caughlan

Smith Photochromic Lenses

First, let’s take 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%, that means that in full mild these lenses carry out way more like a normal sun shades lens, they usually can transition to virtually totally clear at the hours of darkness. In reality, I assumed they have been totally clear till I learn the 85% statistic, they usually do look totally clear once I put on them at the hours of darkness.

I used to be in a position to check 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 once I entered the closely shaded glades, after which again to virtually totally black when in full daylight. This potential to alter distinction shortly is much and away higher than different photochromic lenses I’ve examined up to now.

Smith Bobcat Sun shades Assessment

The Smith Bobcat sun shades are marketed as having a small to medium match with giant lens protection, and are available outfitted 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 would possibly partially be because of the full protect design and small to medium match. Nevertheless, 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 as a result of 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 aspect view of the Smith Bobcat sun shades, with the Black body and Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: Smith

Smith Shift Magazine Sun shades Assessment

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 expertise to pop the lens out earlier than locking a brand new lens in. In any other case, the principle distinction between the 2 fashions is within the dimension 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 influence TR90 Nylon body that’s extremely light-weight for the scale 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 sizzling and humid runs.

Once more, Smith manages to make these slightly giant sun shades featherweight, and a two-position nostril piece permits you to 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 seen extra whereas operating on tough downhill trails. In case you are somebody with a medium- to large-sized head, then this mannequin will suit you nicely.

A aspect 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 General Impressions

For runners searching for sun shades with a photochromic lens that you might go away on for twenty-four hours, comparable to throughout a 100 miler, the Smith Bobcat and Smith Shift Magazine fashions supply the very best functioning lenses in the marketplace.

My longest run to this point within the Smith Bobcat was a punishingly sizzling 11-hour slog that began with overcast skies and shortly turned highly regarded and cloudless. Regardless of sweating profusely, the Smith Bobcat stayed locked on my face your complete time and the lenses adjusted all through the occasion as we went out and in of tree protection. One other profit to those giant and flatter base curved lenses is that they’re very straightforward to wash up with water and a microfiber fabric at an help station. By the tip of the occasion, the sun shades have been coated in mud that will have in any other case discovered its approach into my eyes had I been carrying a lens with much less protection.

Some runners might not respect this sort of full protection if they’re heavy sweaters, particularly within the forehead space, as this could result in smudging and streaking with each of those Smith fashions. I discovered that on the most well liked days this summer time I used to be eradicating the glasses to wipe sweat off my face usually as the massive lenses undoubtedly stop enough airflow. I additionally skilled some lens fogging when mountaineering uphill in sizzling 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. Nevertheless, as soon as they’ve begin taking part in exterior with good lenses, I’ve by no means hear of any runner going again to finances fashions. Cheaper lenses, even these which can be 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 once I’m operating or mountain biking quick downhill.

Moreover, Smith covers their sun shades with a restricted lifetime guarantee, which I just 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 alternative 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 combined 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 writer testing the Smith Shift Magazine sun shades, within the Black body and with Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: iRunFar/Tom Caughlan