I examined the Smith Ruckus sun shades ($209-$229) to see if these glasses can be pretty much as good as — or higher than — the model’s spectacular snow sports activities lineup.

Like all gear firm with a protracted historical past, the story of Smith Optics begins in a storage. In 1965, Dr. Bob Smith — an orthodontist and avid skier — developed the primary ever sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam goggles in his Solar Valley, Idaho, dwelling. After promoting them slightly efficiently from the again of his van in Colorado, he noticed he was on to one thing. From there, Smith went on to make goggles and helmets for snow sports activities. Later, they noticed that their lens know-how would translate fairly effectively into life-style and efficiency eyewear.

Though Smith has fairly the model fairness, they’ve centered most of their advertising and growth efforts on snow and water sports activities, and biking. The truth is, I couldn’t discover a part on their website for his or her sponsored runners. That being mentioned, it looks as if they’ve not too long ago made extra of a concerted effort to convey runners into their athlete portfolio.

I ordered the Smith Ruckus sun shades in Matte Black with a ChromaPop Opal Mirror Lens. Nevertheless, the corporate affords a wide range of body colours within the Smith Ruckus mannequin. And the lenses are largely provided in iterations of Smith’s ChromaPop lens, with one providing of its Photochromic lens.

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The Smith Ruckus sun shades. That is the Matte Black with a ChromaPop Opal Mirror Lens model. All photographs: iRunFar/Reese Ruland

Smith Ruckus Sun shades Body and Match

Proper off the bat, I beloved the Smith Ruckus sun shades. The nostril piece adjusts simply to totally different nostril shapes by merely clicking it nearer to or additional other than the remainder of the body. No have to swap out rubber nostril items to search out the suitable match. The one downside I skilled from this function was a build-up of salt on the lens across the nostril piece. I’m an extremely salty sweater, approach outdoors of the bell curve, so this won’t be everybody’s expertise.

The rubber on the nostril piece and the ear socks are made out of Megol, which gently grips your pores and skin to assist preserve the body in place. The gripping energy will increase when launched to moisture. I had no difficulty with these frames sliding down my nostril or falling off my face. That being mentioned, the ear socks did pull my hair a couple of occasions when eradicating them, which has occurred with different Smith efficiency glasses I’ve owned. Maybe the rubber works too effectively.

A entrance view of the Smith Ruckus sun shades. That is the Matte Black with a ChromaPop Opal Mirror Lens model.

Smith Ruckus Sun shades Lenses

After I first opened the field for the Smith Ruckus sun shades, I assumed, Effectively, this sun shades case is overkill. However I used to be pleasantly stunned to see that the glasses got here with a further pair of rose-colored lenses for low mild circumstances. Once more, I examined the ChromaPop Opal Mirror Lens.

For those who’ve by no means worn a pair of Smith’s ChromaPop lenses, go forward and discover a pair, rapidly stroll right into a area, and stare at nature. It’s … immersive. Smith’s ChromaPop lens know-how is a proprietary know-how designed to boost visible readability and coloration notion. The important thing precept behind ChromaPop is to filter mild in a approach that selectively blocks particular coloration wavelengths whereas permitting others to go by, thereby optimizing the notion of colours and growing distinction.

ChromaPop lenses use a specialised movie embedded within the lens materials, which helps to cut back coloration confusion between overlapping colours of blue and inexperienced and crimson and inexperienced, leading to a crisper and extra vibrant visible expertise. By blocking sure wavelengths of sunshine, the lenses can get rid of coloration crossovers and ship larger definition and readability. This can be a longwinded approach of claiming: Smith’s ChromaPop lenses are unbelievable. I beloved the tint and safety of them, and the protection was wonderful with out being overwhelmingly massive.

The very last thing I’ll point out is the convenience at which you’ll be able to swap out lenses. The PivLock hinges on the corners of the glasses simply require you to push down on them they usually pop straight off. All it’s important to do is clip within the lens you need and clip down on it.

One other view of the Smith Ruckus sun shades, with the second pair of rose-colored, low mild lenses that got here with the sun shades.

Smith Ruckus Sun shades General Impressions

I actually loved the Smith Ruckus sun shades. They’ve a reasonably aggressive look to them, they usually stayed in place throughout even probably the most technical descents. Smith does sometimes embrace a spare set of lenses with their efficiency glasses, which is a pleasant and welcome contact, as I’m somebody who wears glasses even when it’s cloudy outdoors. I do want the lens didn’t accumulate salt, however that may be a hyper-specific downside.

The partial body on the highest of the glasses felt pointless and at occasions distracting to my visual view, however I consider they provide different frameless glasses that get rid of this difficulty.

Smith affords a lifetime guarantee on their sun shades, however that doesn’t cowl the consumer destroying them, so don’t give them to your pet as a chew toy — destruction by a chewing pet is definitely known as out within the guarantee!

As Smith works with extra runners, I’m excited to see what product modifications they’ll make or provide you with.

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A detailed-up view of the Smith Ruckus sun shades body and lenses. That is the Matte Black with a ChromaPop Opal Mirror Lens model.