Most path runners and ultrarunners expertise wildly contrasting circumstances throughout any lengthy outing on the path, and would love sun shades that may adapt to all these circumstances. Enter the Smith Bobcat ($229) and Smith Shift Magazine ($289) sun shades with Smith’s photochromic lenses, which might change from nearly fully clear in darkish circumstances to completely glare protecting sunnies in brilliant daylight.

You know the way it’s: Runs begin at daybreak and proceed by clear blue skies, cloudy circumstances, storms with excessive winds, and again once more. That is significantly true for the 100-plus-mile distances the place having eye safety from mud, branches, and different detritus will 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 vital want.

Over the previous few years, I’ve tried a lot of photochromic lenses with the Rudy Mission Propulse being my earlier favourite — you possibly can learn my Rudy Mission Propulse assessment. In fact, applied sciences progress and Smith has discovered a option to squeeze much more distinction vary into their lenses. This allows these photochromic lenses to be worn in much more variable circumstances with out the necessity to take away them in any respect in the course of your coaching or race.

On this assessment, we’ll have a look at two in style Smith sun shades fashions which have the model’s photochromic lenses. Whereas it’s not the main focus of this assessment, each the Smith Bobcat and Smith Shift Magazine sun shades fashions provide non-photochromic lenses too. Together 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 creator 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 have 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%, which means that in full gentle these lenses carry out rather more like a typical sun shades lens, they usually can transition to nearly 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 take a look at these lenses in all kinds of circumstances, 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 nearly totally black when in full daylight. This skill to vary distinction rapidly is much and away higher than different photochromic lenses I’ve examined prior to now.

Smith Bobcat Sun shades Evaluation

The Smith Bobcat sun shades are marketed as having a small to medium match with giant lens protection, and are available geared up 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 may partially be because of the full defend design and small to medium match. Nevertheless, I discovered them equally efficient for working, snowboarding, and biking in a wide range of circumstances for anybody with a small- to medium-sized face.

I discovered myself selecting the Bobcats over another pair of shades this previous winter and spring because of their lightness, sturdiness, full vary of view and protection, and the quantity of safety I felt from them in excessive wind circumstances. An added bonus is that they actually appear to stay on my face with none motion.

A facet view of the Smith Bobcat sun shades, with the Black body and Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: Smith

Smith Shift Magazine Sun shades Evaluation

The Smith Shift Magazine sun shades function 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 primary distinction between the 2 fashions is within the measurement 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 function an identical full defend design because the Smith Bobcat reviewed above, however it’s made to accommodate bigger faces and heads. Additionally that includes a excessive impression 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. Extra venting on the highest of the lens additionally supplies elevated airflow, which was particularly appreciated throughout scorching and humid runs.

Once more, Smith manages to make these quite giant sun shades featherweight, and a two-position nostril piece means that you can 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 observed extra whereas working on tough downhill trails. If you’re somebody with a medium- to large-sized head, then this mannequin will suit you properly.

A facet 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 in search of sun shades with a photochromic lens that you might depart on for twenty-four hours, comparable to throughout a 100 miler, the Smith Bobcat and Smith Shift Magazine fashions provide the very best functioning lenses in the marketplace.

My longest run up to now within the Smith Bobcat was a punishingly scorching 11-hour slog that began with overcast skies and rapidly 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 simple to wash up with water and a microfiber material at an help station. By the tip of the occasion, the sun shades have been lined 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 such a full protection if they’re heavy sweaters, particularly within the forehead space, as this may result in smudging and streaking with each of those Smith fashions. I discovered that on the most well liked days this summer season I used to be eradicating the glasses to wipe sweat off my face usually as the big lenses positively stop enough airflow. I additionally skilled some lens fogging when climbing uphill in scorching and humid circumstances, however this happens with nearly 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 outdoors with good lenses, I’ve by no means hear of any runner going again to funds fashions. Cheaper lenses, even these which are polarized, usually undergo from glare and again reflection in brilliant daylight. Moreover, poor engineering on the curvature of the lens usually results in distortion, which isn’t one thing I wish to try to account for once I’m working 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 circumstances?

[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 creator testing the Smith Shift Magazine sun shades, within the Black body and with Photochromic Clear to Grey lens. Photograph: iRunFar/Tom Caughlan