What if you could make your ride experience more colourful and vibrant, enjoying the scenery even more while spotting trail features faster and easier? Well that’s exactly what you get from Smith Optics’ range of sunglasses with ChromaPop technology. Putting on a pair of these is a bit like stepping into another world.
Greens, blues and reds are all enhanced. Everything looks really crisp and clear. We’ve heard these described as “happy glasses” and it truly is hard not to smile when you’re wearing them. The superior perception they bring means they are already hugely popular in skiing, snowboarding and sport fishing.
We’re excited to announce we now stock Smith performance glasses in-store at both our locations, Big Bear Bikes and our sister store Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, featuring the all-new Shift MAG series and also long time favourites Wildcat and Attack MAG models. Read more about these below.
Our Operations Manager Alistair has been trying out a pair of Smith Shift Split MAG on the trails and loves them so much he's getting a pair of Smith Optics Wildcat too.
He said: “These glasses actually do what they say. When you’re wearing them it does make everything look very colourful and clear, especially in natural light. That’s everyone’s first reaction. When people ask about them in-store, we always take them outside to try them on and the reaction is always ‘Wow’. They notice the clarity straight away.
“My first review would be that I’m really impressed with how secure they feel on my face. My vision wasn’t impaired by the frame, they’re comfortable, everything just looks better, more colourful and clearer.
“I’ve been using them for everything!”
Each of the styles we stock comes as standard with ChromaPop technology, which does exactly what it sounds like. Here’s the technology explained.
This is a lens technology which delivers enhanced colour, contrast, clarity and definition in all light conditions, making you more in tune with your environment so you can do more of what you love. Smith Optics describe the effect as “a world reinvigorated by hyper-tuned colour and clarity” and we think that’s a pretty good way to describe it. ChromaPop also helps reduce eye fatigue for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts of all levels, and anyone struggling with eye strain or looking for increased contrast.
Each of the glasses we stock gives you the choice of the ChromaPop or the photochromic lenses (for a slight upcharge) which respond to the light conditions and, for example, darken their tint in brighter conditions. They all come with a second, clear lens which is easily interchangeable with the tinted lens. There’s also a selection of coloured finishes for the lenses, including black gold, violet and red, as well as several frame colours so you can pick the perfect combo to set off your riding gear or those bright new grip and stem upgrades on your bike.
Shift MAG, Shift XL MAG and Shift Split MAG
These sunglasses are geared for speed, giving riders every performance advantage possible, from the superlight frame down to the nose piece. The Shift range features a one-piece lens, with one each of clear and ChromaPop, which snap on magnetically for a quick, fingerprint-free lens change.
Attack MAG MTB
These are maximum-coverage lenses with ChromaPop™ technology to provide amplified detail and enhanced colour, so you can stay focused on the trail ahead. The no-slip temples and two-position nose pad keep them in place while you’re riding hard over rooty tracks or on flowy downhills.
Momentum and Flywheel
These two models feature more of a wraparound style that's perfect for roadies and for non-riding uses too. They're great whether you're trekking through the trees or walking amongst skyscrapers, with two-position nose pads keep your glasses in place no matter where you roam.
Wildcat and Bobcat
These offer the protection and large coverage of goggles with the airflow and easy-to-wear style of sunglasses. Take on exposed trails or dark, wooded jumps with the ChromaPop lens or the secondary clear lens, both with smudge and moisture resistant coating for easy cleaning and clear optics.
Let’s finish off with some more from Alistair.
He said: “I found them great for riding. I used the clear lens for riding under the trees and then if you’re out of the shade you can easily swap to the ChromaPop or photochromic lenses. The larger coverage means that when you’re following your mates you don’t have watery eyes from the dust, you’re not blinking all the time and you can focus on riding.
“I also like the larger frame because your view isn’t hindered by the frame and you have a full field of vision. There’s a bit of flex in the frame but you can feel they’re robust and durable. The lenses are scratch resistant and they have excellent grip. They’re also well vented and mist resistant so they stay clear.
“I’m impressed with the whole package: how they’re presented, the carry bag, storage for the extra lens. You can tell everything has been thought about and they’re definitely worth the higher price tag.”
Come and try the Smith performance eyewear range at Big Bear Bikes and our sister store Dalby Forest Cycle Hub. They really do have to be seen to be believed.
