Noggs isn’t a brand that you’ve likely heard of before. As a newcomer in the sunglasses space, Noggs certainly doesn’t yet boast the history and brand recognition of the heavyweights in the industry, such as Smith and Oakley. But if you’re like me and you have lost a few pairs of sunglasses on the slopes or at the bottom of the lake, then you might be starting to look for a pair of sunglasses that have everything you need but at a more reasonable price than $150 plus. And with suggested retail prices around $60 to $90 bucks, Noggs tend to fit that description.

I tried out the nog100, which is a pair of very lightweight wraparound sport sunglasses with gray polarized lenses. These are a very versatile pair of sunglasses to keep in the car for whenever you might need glasses on-hand. Get a phone call at work from your buddies that you should meet them at the water ski lake on the way home from work? You’ll want a lightweight pair of polarized sunglasses on hand. And these Noggs come in their own case that’s built to fit comfortably into a cupholder in the car, so they are never too far away.

Noggs has really given a lot of thought to these sunglasses being very usable sport sunglasses, not just for style. Models such as these nog100s are geared more towards men and have rubberized ear and nose pieces. But the womens sunglasses from Noggs generally don’t, because rubberized earpieces can get stuck in long hair and rubberized nose pieces rub makeup the wrong way.

The frames of the nog100 are extremely flexible. In fact, I would say they are more flexible than almost any other pair of sport sunglasses I’ve tested. Which is a great feature if you want to actually use these sunglasses while being active — not just sitting at the beach. Sunglasses fly off when you’re diving for a dig in sand volleyball. They get jammed into the bottom of the backpack. They fall off when you go over the handlebars on your mountain bike. Why would you want a pair of frames that are going to get bent out of shape or snapped the first time you actually get active? I took the earpieces of the nog100 and pulled them directly outward, flexing the frames almost flat against their natural arc, and they snapped back perfectly. No damage. No white stress spots in the frames’ material. It was really quite unbelievable.

The lenses are also impressive. Sure, they have good UV protection. Any pair of sunglasses would belong in the garbage bin if they didn’t at least meet those table stakes. But beyond the standard UV protection that most sunglasses have, these lenses are polarized — making them especially good at reducing glare in water, snow and driving situations. Usually for a polarized lens you can expect to pay over $100. These retail for $88.

But these lenses don’t just shield your eyes from rays and glare. They shield them from flying projectiles. That’s right, they have high velocity impact protection (complies to ANSI Z87.1 standards). So when you’re doing off-season trail prep with that pickaxe, shovel and folding saw? Reach for the Noggs. Busting out the weed whacker, edger and lawn mower on a Saturday? Better bust out the Noggs, too.

Having used these in a number of situations from driving to yard work to cycling and trail running, I can say that they are a solid pair of sunglasses for a very decent price. I know of sunglasses twice as expensive that are heavier, not polarized, have brittle frames and certainly aren’t high velocity impact compliant. So if you’re willing to take a chance on a new brand, the Noggs feature set (flexible frames, light weight, impact resistant polarized lenses) will certainly make them worth a long, hard look given the reasonable price. That said, here are a few considerations to keep in mind about the pair I tried:

• I have a narrow, small head and the arms of the nog100s have a pronounced arc. This means that they didn’t lay flat against my temples.
• As a result of the high-arc arms on these sunglasses, they put extra pressure right behind my ear where the point of the ear pieces finally pressed against my head. This pressure wasn’t noticeable while driving, but when active I certainly felt it.
• I have a small, flat and steep nose (similar to a typical Asian or African-American nose). As a result, after about the first mile of a run they would start slipping down my nose and periodically I would have to push them up. This happens for me with a number of different brands of sunglasses. But some models (such as the Smith Pivlock V90) have a design that sticks very well and doesn’t slip on my type of nose.

There you have it — an unknown brand, but a solid set of features in a pair of sunglasses…and for a fair price. I’ll have my eye on Noggs as they continue to grow.

SHOP: Search for more sunglasses.

Spring has officially sprung, although in some parts of the country old man winter is still  hanging around.  When the seasons change typically you’ll find me lusting over the latest gear. A good rule of thumb is to go through what you have and donate a few things to make room for a few new pieces.  Trying to pare down a Top 3 list for Spring wasn’t an easy task, there’s a ton of new gear to be had out there. You’ll find my picks are everyday life staples for Spring and beyond.

3.  Scrunchie Tote from Timbuk2 MSRP: $80

• Because one can never have too many bags.  Ladies you can relate, each bag has a different purpose in life and the Scrunchie Tote is one of those GREAT everyday bags. Since it’s from Timbuk2 I can guarantee you’ll get miles out of this bag. Although, I’m not too keen on the name as it reminds me of  the 80′s hair scrunchie, it’s still a perfect fit for ladies on the go. So what would I use it for you ask? Everything!  Work, gym, farmer’s market, carry-on and so much more. It’s too new for fun funky colors, but I’m digging on potrero as it’s sure to match any outfit.

Details:

• A roomy all-around gear bag that cradles your yoga mat and looks good doing it.
• Refined weave ballistic nylon exterior with a stylish printed graphic liner.
• Exterior slash pockets for quick access and hidden zipper pocket for safe keeping.
• Waterproof TPU base so your gear stays dry, even on a damp gym floor.
• Key tether to keep you locked in.
• Zip top closure gives you the option to be super secure or casually closed.

2.  Aura Sunglasses from Smith Optics/ MSRP: $129

• Living in Tahoe you can’t leave the house without your trusty sunglasses.  It’s also handy to have sunglasses for specific occasions. The Smith Aura is more of  the fun weekend warrior type. They’re  also not only  functional but fashionable. Remember I usually opt for functional fashion. Wear them on a boat or cruising down the boardwalk with your pals. I’m digging  the stone frame with a brown gradient lens for Spring.

Details:

• Anti-Reflective and Hydrophobic Lens Coating
• Medium Fit/Medium Coverage
• Techlite Polarized Glass TLT Lenses
• Stainless Steel Spring Hinges

1. Rain Shadow Jacket from Patagonia / MSRP: $179

• An oldie but a goodie, the Women’s Rain Shadow Jacket is a lightweight jacket every woman should have in their closet.  It packets down to a small ball making it easy to throw in your Timbuk2 Scrunchie Tote when weather calls for rain showers. Roomy enough to layer over a sweatshirt on colder days without it being bulky. I purchased this jacket for my trip to Central America with the idea of trekking through rain forests and hanging at beach for three weeks. It kept me dry and warm. Today, I wear my Rain Shadow Jacket around town and while hiking.  This is the jacket for you if you’re looking for something lightweight, waterproof, and breathable.  Make a statement with color, I’m digging on the prickly pear for 2011.

Details:

• Lightweight – 10.9 oz
• waterproof/breathable H2No barrier and Deluge DWR
• Roll-down, 2-way-adjustable hood with a laminated visor improves hood structure and visibility
• Microfleece-lined neck and chin for comfort
• All exterior zippers and pit zips are watertight, coated and treated with a Deluge DWR

I know the Smith Interlock Trace Sunglasses have been out for awhile but I love them. They’ve been my go to glass for over two years.

Smith stepped up the interchangeable lens game when they released the Interlock lens system a couple of years ago and they stepped it up again with the release of the Piv-Lock system. The Slider system worked but it was a little bit of a pain getting the lenses in and out. The Interlock system makes lens swaps easy with a simple twist of the temple pieces. I’ve been a fan of Interchangeable lenses since the Slider days but I was extra stoked when the Interlock came out.

Smith Interlock Trace Features

• Carbonic TLT Lenses
• Interlock Interchangeable
• 3 sets of lenses (mine came with polarized brown, Ignitor, clear mirror)
• Nonslip emple pads
• Medium fit
• Hard Protective case (at least mine came with one)
• Lifetime Warranty
• RX Compatible
• Price: $149

Smith Interlock Trace Review

I’ve been a fan of Smith for a long time now and the Interlock Trace doesn’t disappoint. The Trace features a medium fit and sit nicely on my face. The lenses on the Trace are a little larger than other sunglasses, but not big enough that you look ridiculous. They do provide enough coverage that on sunny days touring the snow reflection doesn’t get through the edges, they keep keep the wind out on fast bike rides, and enough coverage to keep the rain and mud out when the weather gets dicey.

Like most all frames, the Trace frame features a little bit of a springy-tension to allow fit on a wider range of head sizes. I like this because it helps keep the glasses where they need to be on my head. In my experience this tension goes away within a year or two of use, but after nearly two years of use it’s still going strong. The temple pieces have long pads to also keep the frames on your head, especially when you are sweaty. Many others I’ve used would still slip, even with the pads.

The two lenses I’ve used the most are the brown polarized and the clear lenses. Of course the polarized brown on sunny days and the clear on the rainy days or when I commute home at night. The clear lenses feature a very light mirror to help break glare when riding at night or in the rain.

The Good

• Interlock Interchangeable system
• Durability
• Good face coverage
• Quality
• Fit and look
• RX compatible

The Bad

• Are a little bigger, might look silly if you have a small face
• If you have a big head the temple tension might be uncomfortable
• If lenses aren’t inserted just right they’ll pop out

Bottom Line:

The Smith Interlock Trace has become my “go to” sunglass for everything. I wear them when bike commuting, trail running, mountain biking, going to the park with the kids…everything. After two years I haven’t had any problems and am still extremely satisfied with these glasses.

Buy Now: Pick up the Smith Interlock Trace Sunglasses and put your other sunglasses on the shelf.

Gargoyles, you say? You mean those glasses made popular in the 1980′s by their military-grade lenses and pro wrestler styling? Yup… those are the ones. Well, after a brief disappearance, Gargoyles is back with the same dedication to performance and optical quality.

Over the past few months I’ve had a chance to test the new Cardinal multi-sport sunglasses from Gargoyles (part of their Instinct Collection). The wide-coverage and curved-lens design of the Cardinal offers sweeping peripheral coverage that is matched by a select few sunglasses on the market.

Gargoyles Cardinal Features:

• Lightweight flexible Nylon frame material
• Pin Stop Hinge
• Dual Toric 210º Vison Shield Lens
• Shatter-resistant ballistic defense lenses
• Soft rubber Temple tip inserts
• Non-slip Adjustable nose pads
• 100% UV Protection
• MSRP: $110

My test pair are black with the green lenses, which provides a really dark and stealthy look. I might say that the green lens tint is a tad dark for all-around use as shadowed areas became too dark. In bright sunlight, that isn’t much of an issue — there are other lens options available in a less-dark shade, if you prefer.

While I don’t prefer the green lens, there may be some advantages. This was taken from the Gargoyles Web site:

The Gargoyles trademark Green Lens provides the wearer with a unique balance of target and background brightness. Designed for the Field of Play, the Gargoyles Green Lens helps you locate and track objects in motion against a variety of outdoor backgrounds including Earth, sky and water.

Our green field of play lens has a transmission which is tailored to accommodate playing field sports and outdoor activities where tracking objects in motion is critical. The Green Lens controls low-level blue light while the middle range of light is selectively manipulated to provide optimum visual stimulation and distinctive object illumination.

While many sunglasses feature non-adjustable nose pads, the Cardinal’s stand out with their easily-adjusted noses. You can expand, contract or even move them forward or back for the proper, slip-free fit. Grippy ear pieces also help keeping things in place while running or biking.

To be honest, I’m not super-keen on the styling, but that’s a personal preference and you may like the looks on your face for your intended purpose. They are on the midrange side as far as price goes and are widely-available online or directly through Gargoyles.

The Good

• Wraparound styling provides excellent protection
• Good optical quality
• Adjustable nose piece fits nearly any face
• Extremely-durable lenses

The Bad

• Not so hip styling
• Green lens is really dark, in my opinion

Buy Now: Visit GargoylesEyewear.com

As Smith continues to up the ante in lens technology, they are also stepping up in eco-friendly construction. Their Evolve line consists of sunglasses, goggles and helmets utilizing more environmentally-friendly solvents and materials. For the past few months, I’ve been rolling with the Smith Backdrop sunglasses that feature the most advanced lens technology Smith has ever developed. Performance thus far has been nothing short of spectacular… lets dig into some details.

Smith Backdrop Features:

• 8 Base Lens Curvature
• Frame Measurements 61-16-135
• Grilamid TR90 Frame
• Medium Fit / Medium Coverage
• Techlite Polarized Glass TLT Lenses
• Lens Options: Polarchromic or Polarized (depends on lens/frame color)
• Colors: Black Matte Evolve (tested), Black, Mahogany, Tortoise, Brown Stripe
• MSRP: $159.00 – $199.00

When I got the Backdrop sunglasses, I was immediately impressed with the lens quality and overall construction. Not that Smith cuts corners, but these were, in the words of  Nacho Libre, “especially delicious.” After checking out the larger-profile Touchstone, I opted for the Backdrop since it seemed to fit my face a little better.

The story here is the lens. We’re talking about glass lenses here and you’d never know it by how light they feel. The Techlite Ignitor Polarchromic lens in these glasses offers optical clarity and glare reduction in varying conditions. Since the lens tint changes as needed, the Backdrop’s have been extremely-versatile in a variety of conditions thus far.

I’m liking the fit and the fact that they still put grippy megol rubber on the nose and ear pieces. Sometimes, high-end glasses don’t get that treatment and end up being relegated to casual duty. While the Backdrop’s aren’t my first choice for trail running, they have done just fine under those conditions.

Many times, polarized sunglasses suffer from what I’ll call “The Rainbow Effect”. What I’m referring to is a rainbow that you see in your peripheral as the lens curves. These sunglasses do not have anything of the sort… just crystal-clear vision all-around.

The Good

• Techlite glass lens is lightweight
• Amazing optics in all conditions
• Polarchromic technology reduces glare and extends window of use
• Eco-friendly Evolve design
• Flexible hinges extend fit without flexing the frame or lenses
• Stay put very well
• Highly scratch-resistant

The Bad

• Small “evolve” text on the upper-left of left lens is annoying… my eye is constantly drawn towards it

Bottom Line: Smith Backdrop Polarchromic Sunglasses

These are definitely some of the finest sunglasses on the market today. Overall construction is killer, the fit is just right and the lenses really put them in a league few other sunglasses can match.

Buy Now: Search for Smith Backdrop Sunglasses

The new product machine at Smith is relentless. Without fail, every six months, I get the lowdown on the new sunglasses, goggles, helmets and accessories. Chopper at Smith was particularly stoked on this new model, so I was naturally intrigued.

“We had a handful of mountain bikers ride them for several days straight on the Umpqua River Trail in Oregon,” he said confidently. “They were all stoked on how lightweight they felt.”

Slipping them on, I could see why as these glasses offer some of the best field of vision while remaining super light at the same time. The frameless design really gives the V90 Max a stylish look, but more importantly provides killer field of vision and excellent water shedding qualities.

I’ve used the V90′s extensively on the bike and trail running and really appreciate the grippy rubber and clear optics. I actually have used all three lenses in differing light conditions and truly dig the new Pivlock lens system. Changing lenses couldn’t be easier with no need to ever touch the middle of the lens to do the swap. A quick rotation of the arms, a tug on the nose piece and you’re swapped out.

The only real gripe I have with these glasses is that the ear pieces don’t curve behind the ear enough and tend to interfere with my Giro Xen bike helmet. I found myself adjusting the glasses a little too much on the bike with that helmet.

I love how light they feel and how comfortable they are in all conditions. I settled in on the Ignitor lenses for all-around performance. My favorite feature of these is the amazing field of vision offered by a truly frameless design, which lends itself to excellent peformance while trail running, mountain biking or hiking where a wide field of vision is key.

The Good

• Excellent coverage is much appreciated–especially during cold weather activity
• TLT optics provide great clarity in all conditions
• No frame to interfere with vision
• Flexible for any head shape
• Easy to swap out lenses without scratching
• Ultralight feel

The Bad

• Ear pieces interfere with my bike helmet (Giro Xen)
• Still not sold on clear lenses (I know… I know… night riding)

Bottom Line: Smith Pivlock V90 Max Sunglasses

A solid new sunglass offering from Smith features new Pivlock interchangeable lens technology in an uber-light shield design.

Buy Now: Search for Smith Pivlock V90 Sunglasses

After some warming up, I’ve come to like the new Smith Foley sunglasses. They are a complete departure from every other pair of sunglasses I’ve ever owned as I never opt for style over function, but these are a fun pair of sunglasses.

Built with all the lens technology you’d expect from Smith, these are much more than your typical metal 80′s throwback sunglasses. They are offered in polarized and non-polarized and feature Smith TORIC lenses with TLT optics for superior optical clarity in all conditions. Here’s the skinny from Smith:

The FOLEY is an exceptionally well fitting NEW METAL style from SMITH. Intended to compliment the documented success of the Serpico, this new style features a medium-scale, modern silhouette that uniquely blends the classic shape of a navigator and an aviator. The sculpted metal temples feature dimensional branding that seamlessly integrate with the sleek lines of this style. TORIC lenses featuring TLT Optics deliver optical clarity in both polarized and non-polarized options.

Smith Foley Review

While the Smith Foley glasses are pretty much dedicated to looking stylish or impersonating motorcycle cops, they are still highly functional with excellent optics. They feel very light on your face and offer excellent wraparound coverage–something not many aviator-style glasses are known for. My gold-framed glasses were mated to polarized gray/green lenses.

In spite of the darkness of the lens, I felt like these glasses were letting in ample light for mixed conditions. Direct sunlight was a bit bright (a mirrored coating would reduce that), but overall lens tint was excellent. I appreciated the quality of the polarized technology and didn’t get much in the way of rainbow effect, which happens with some polarized glasses.

The lenses are only slightly curved top-to-bottom, but feature quite a wraparound as compared to most aviator glasses. This really improved the function of the glasses and increased the peripheral vision. Grippy nose pieces keep things in place, but you’re not going to want to do much more than chill in these shades unless you’re Officer Friendly then we’ll all be kept wondering if you’re a good cop or a bad cop.

MSRP: $139 (polarized) or $119 (standard lens)

Good Foley

• Stylish update to aviator-style sunglasses
• Lens quality and optical clarity
• Cool throwback styling
• You get to play good cop bad cop
• Grippy nose pieces keep things steady

Bad Foley

• Pretty much relegated to hang-out duty
• Don’t sit on these (at least Smith will take care of you)

Buy Now: Search for Smith Foley Sunglasses

I’m a sunglasses junkie and have been drawn to the performance of Kaenon sunglasses of late. Having flogged the Kaenon Kore sunglasses for over a year and subsequently wearing the Kaenon Jetty sunglasses now for about 6 months, I’m sold on the lens technology and the function of these killer optics.

From Kaenon, here’s the skinny on the Jetty:

JETTY™ is an oversize, tall and boxy performance frame with plenty of street attitude which embodies the company’s Luxury Performance™ design and engineering mantra. A unisex frame that can be worn by men and women everyday, JETTY is also built to perform for the active lifestyle.

This style features tall temples and a rectangular face shape with clean and smooth surface design; plus functional details such as recessed Variflex™ rubber nose pads for secure fit and heavy duty, non-corrosive, five-barrel stainless steel hinges for added comfort and durability. JETTY is finished with the polished Kaenon jewel icon that marks the authenticity of a Kaenon Polarized original design. JETTY comes with a protective metal case.

Kaenon Jetty Sunglasses Review

While the Kore’s are built for athletic performance (cycling, skiing, running, etc.), the Jetty’s are built with style and performance in mind. So, you do give up some of the pure performance features in favor of a little more street or beach style.

By no means do you give up anything when it comes to the lenses as the polarized SR-91 lenses offer crystal clear optics and durability not found on other non-glass lenses on the market. Another note about the polarization technology used by Kaenon… I’ve worn these side-by-side with other polarized lenses and the difference is dramatic. With some of the others I got rainbow artifacts while mountain biking–not so with these.

While I really appreciate the clarity of the optics, the Jetty does have its limits when pushed hard, but they still performed surprisingly well. I wore them on several mountain bike rides and even on a few long-distance trail runs just to see how well they’d work. Surprisingly, they stayed put and were quite comfortable–even when I was sweating buckets.

For true athletic activity, I’d prefer the Kore, but these are amazingly-versatile while still being super-stylish. I always love to share my Kaenon’s with others when at the river or the lake to show them just how effective polarization is at cutting down glare. I’m a believer.

Model Tested: Black with G12 Lens, MSRP $208.95

The Good

• Top-notch polarization
• Scratch-free performance
• Stylish design around town and on the trail
• Feels very comfortable
• Rubber nose pads keep them in place

The Bad

• Wide frame design doesn’t sit well on top of the head (flush carefully!)
• No rubberized earpieces

Buy Now: Search for Kaenon Sunglasses

While at Outdoor Retailer, I stopped by to see my old friend Greg “Chopper” Randolph from Smith Optics. The guy is the real deal and loves to show the goods coming down the pike from Smith. This year, the story was in refinement with several new polarized options and the all-new ultralight Pivlock V90 and V90 Max interchangeable lens sunglasses.

This all-new minimalist shield design from Smith offers a super-lightweight design with solid wraparound protection. The V90 and V90 Max differ only in the size of the lens, otherwise all other features and interchangeable lens designs are the same. Trying them on, they are extremely lightweight and comfortable–I can’t wait to try them on the trail as I imagine I’ll forget I’ve got them on. The lens design not only eliminated frame interference in your line-of-sight, but it also reduces material usage. Throughout the entire Smith line, you can expect solid optics, polarization options and Eco-friendly materials with the Evolve lineup.

The V90 and V90 Max will be available soon with an MSRP of $119 for a single lens and $139 for 3 lenses.

Ryders Eyewear does an excellent job of making high-quality sunglasses and goggles that are actually affordable. I’ve been impressed with many of their styles over the years and have found them to be an amazing value for the money.

Over the past few months, I’ve been able to test the new Ryders Stealth sunglasses. These glasses are a great option for cycling since they are an open frame design (e.g. no lower frame to impede vision). Slipping these glasses on and it’s easy to get them to fit your face just right.  The adjustable nose piece is a nice feature that’s found on many of their styles.

I found the Stealths to stay put and wear comfortably under a helmet on long bike rides. The grey flash lens (15% VLT) offered excellent vision in and out of the trees.

My only gripe is that the peripheral vision is a little impeded by the drop-down frame. Out of the corner of your eyes, you can see the drop to where the arms attach to the frame. Over time I was able to zone it out, but it is annoying at first.

The lenses have held up to abuse very well with no signs of scratches–in spite of repeated drops and just chucking them in the back of the Subaru.

The Good

• Solid price-point ($44.99)
• Comfortable for all-day use
• Adjustable nose fits a wide range of noses

The Bad

• Frame slightly impedes peripheral vision

Buy Now: Search for Ryders Sunglasses

I was exposed to Smith Optics as a child when all the older cool kid skiers were sporting them.  I fell in love with a pair of Smiths with amber lenses that my older brother had when I was 10 years old or so.  As his pair is long since discontinued, I opened a hunt to find a pair of sunglasses with a sleek and snug shape, durability, and amber colored lenses.  I found the Smith Interlock Whisper.

Sometimes life calls for a fun and wide style in a sunglass, and other times you need a snug, dependable sunglass that can meet as many scenarios as you can.  The Smith Interlock Whisper is lightweight and is a pair of sunglasses I find myself reaching for more and more often.

I needed a pair of sunglasses that I could wear all day under a climbing helmet that would not compress the sides my head, and be tight enough I can maneuver every which way without having to wonder if my sunglasses will stay on.  I also wanted something that would look sleek for motorcycle rides, river trips, and around town.  A problem I was running into was lens color, I needed a variety of lenses for the conditions I find myself in and didn’t want a pile of sunglasses.

Smith Optics Interlock technology has stepped it up. With a simple quarter turn of the side arm the lens is free to lift.  I can switch lenses in a matter of seconds without risk of forcing or sliding lenses.  The quarter turn widens a seam in the frame and the lens pops right out.  I have been wearing my Interlocks over a year and this feature has yet to show wear.  I was worried the arm may loosen or the lenses would loose stability, neither have been even a fleeting issue.  Nice work Smith.  Check out the video.

The only complaint I have is the lenses fog up from the inside if you exert a lot of heat quickly.  When I go trail running or cycling, it can be a bother. The Smith Interlock Whisper has small rubber grips on the arc above the bridge of the nose.  Usually I will move the sunglass slightly forward so it can vent, the rubber holds them there.  The condensation fog lifts quickly, and causes no damage to the lens as they are treated with a hydrophobic coating.  If cycling or running is your primary sport there are better options, like the Smith Factor, Redline, or Parallel.  On these there is no bottom frame piece and they ventilate better.

Each pair of Smith Interlocks comes with two spare pair of lenses, a clear mirror pair and an ignitor.  When comparing Smith Optics to other top sunglass manufacturers, the place where I feel Smith could improve is the lenses themselves.  While I love the wide range of lens colors, and the Tapered Lens Technology (eliminating distortion), the lenses will scratch over time.  It is not easy to scratch them, but will happen inevitably with continued use.  I am not gentle on my gear (yes, I consider sunglasses gear).  I have accumulated a few scratches through tossing the glasses in my bag full of random objects, or carrying my glasses in the same hand as my car keys.  Absent-minded care of Smith Interlock Whisper sunglasses will result in scratches within a year.  If you are kind to them they will last several years.  This earns Smith a “good” on the crappy – excellent lens quality scale.

Features of the Interlock 01:

• Snug, but not tight frame
• Medium fit
• Tapered Lens Technology
• Carbonic lenses
• Interlock Interchangeable lenses
• Lens quality- good
• Lifetime Warranty

My experience in redemption of the Lifetime Warranty with Smith Optics has been 50/ 50.

Attempt number one: Damn the man at Smith. I had an awesome pair of Smiths for several years.  In the years of wear, my glasses accumulated small micro fractures in the frame below the lens.  I wore them anyhow, I loved they way they fit and the specific tint of the lens.  When the fractures finally combined and broke through I sent them back for warranty.  I knew they were discontinued and I was hoping they might have an old pair stashed away or a method of repair.  No dice.  An angry warranty worker woman called me and told me to “stick it”, and they hadn’t made the sunglass in years.  She told me since the lenses were scratched the warranty was void.  I was bummed.

Attempt number two: Props for Smith Optics. One day while riding a motorcycle, I turned my head to check traffic to make a lane change.  As the Smith Melrose is wide framed and sit away from your face, and considering the angle of my head turned, the sunglasses were torn from my face by the wind and shattered on the road.  Funny thing is I had only owned the glasses for a few weeks.  I turned around and picked up the pieces from the road, mailed them into Smith Optics and they sent me a new pair within 3 days.  That is unreal.  And awesome.  I, in no way expected them to honor their lifetime warranty in this scenario.  I was stoked.  Thanks all at Smith.  I ended up buying a second pair of Smiths, the Interlock Whisper, as they hug closer to my face, to prevent the problem in the future.

Smith Optics: Buy Now at Backcountry.com

The trend in woman’s sunglasses has grown to the big, bug-eyed, gigantor frames.  While I love to embrace my womanhood, I don’t know if I could sport glasses as huge as the cool California kids.  This is how I came on the Smith Melrose Sunglasses.  Smith Optics have made two Audrey Hepburn inspired sunglass wide and stylish without drowning your ENTIRE face, the Audrey and the Melrose.

The Smith Melrose are wide and styley.  They are available in both polarized and non-polarized frames.  I highly recommend the polarized.  The world looks better, and your eyes are protected through additional UV protection and technology.  The Melrose, despite their size, are lightweight and I do not get any red marks or depressions where the glasses lay on my face and nose.  There is a sexy little space between the frame and the lens as the frames hones around your face.  The Smith Melrose is very classy, and an asset to a woman’s wardrobe.  The frame fits loosely on the face, well suited for city wear, and not so much for the backcountry.

When comparing Smith Optics to other top sunglass manufacturers, the place where I feel Smith could improve is the lenses themselves.  While I love the wide range of lens colors, and the Tapered Lens Technology (eliminating distortion), the lenses seem to scratch over time.  It is not easy to scratch them, but will happen inevitably with continued use.  I am not gentle on my gear (yes, I consider sunglasses gear).  I have accumulated a few scratches through tossing the glasses in my purse full of random objects, or carrying my glasses in the same hand as my car keys.  Absent-minded care of Smith Melrose sunglasses will result in scratches within a year.  If you are kind to them they will last several years.  This earns Smith a “good” on the crappy – excellent lens quality scale.

Highlights for the Melrose:

• Polarized (also available non polarized)
• UV Protection
• Tapered Lens Technology
• Hydrophobic coating
• Variety of frames colors
• Variety of lens colors
• Lens quality- good
• Lifetime Warranty

My experience in redemption of the Lifetime Warranty with Smith Optics has been 50/ 50.

Attempt number one: Damn the man at Smith. I had an awesome pair of Smiths for several years.  In the years of wear, my glasses accumulated small micro fractures in the frame below the lens.  I wore them anyhow, I loved they way they fit and the specific tint of the lens.  When the fractures finally combined and broke through I sent them back for warranty.  I knew they were discontinued and I was hoping they might have an old pair stashed away or a method of repair.  No dice.  An angry warranty worker woman called me and told me to “stick it”, and they hadn’t made the sunglass in years.  She told me since the lenses were scratched the warranty was void.  I was bummed.

Attempt number two: Props for Smith Optics. One day while riding a motorcycle, I turned my head to check traffic to make a lane change.  As the Smith Melrose are wide framed and sit away from your face, and considering the angle of my head turned, the sunglasses were torn from my face by the wind and shattered on the road.  Funny thing is I had only owned the glasses for a few weeks.  I turned around and picked up the pieces from the road, mailed them into Smith Optics and they sent me a new pair within 3 days.  That is unreal.  And awesome.  I in no way expected them to honor their lifetime warranty in this scenario, but was a poor college student and was hoping they may.  I was stoked.  Thanks all at Smith.  I ended up buying a second pair of Smiths, the Interlock 01, as they hug closer to my face, to prevent the problem in the future.

Smith Optics: Buy Now at Moosejaw.com

A new style for this year, the Smith V-Ti sunglasses are built for hard-charging activities and are the perfect sunglass for cycling or mountain biking. A shield-style, the V-Ti comes with three lenses out of the box. Depending on your chosen frame style, you may get a polarized option as well.

I flogged a pair of the Smith V-Ti sunglasses while at the Interbike Outdoor Demo and found them to be outstanding overall. As I chatted with Greg Randolph (a.k.a. Chopper) about this design, he went into detail about the titanium temple pieces that start out stiff at the hinge, but then become flexible through the use of Beta-Titanium underneath the rubberized ends.

On top of the high-tech frame design, the lenses also feature Smith’s best TLT Carbonic optics. I tested the Chrome frame that comes with a polarized copper lens, Ignitor lens and clear mirror lens that’s easily swapped-out in a matter of 20 seconds.

How do the Smith V-Ti sunglasses perform?

My first lap in Bootleg Canyon was done with the polarized copper lens installed. Honestly, I was a little disappointed at how they performed on the trail. The polarized lenses ended up giving me random rainbow oily splotches here and there. But, to be fair, a polarized lens is not intended to be used mountain biking.

So, a quick trip back to the Smith tent and a rapid change to the Ignitor lens and I was set for a day of riding in the Nevada desert. I felt confident riding in the bright sunlight and in/out of shadows. My vision was always clear and with the shield design, I had no frame material blocking my vision in any direciton.

The Smith V-Ti sunglasses fit my medium-sized face well and the megol rubber is the perfect stickyness to keep these suckers on my face no matter what. I was sweating like a dog and not once did I need to adjust them. These things are not going anywhere! Because of that, the comfort-levels high…  I forgot I had them on.

Good

• Comfortable design for all-day wear
• Polarized options
• Easy lens changes
• Grippy megol rubber keeps ‘em in place
• Excellent peripheral vision
• Super lightweight
• Comes with a sturdy carrying case

Bad

• Polarized isn’t for all activities (e.g. mountain biking)

The Smith V-Ti sunglasses are perfect for cycling, mountain biking, running or on the lake. Built for all-day comfort and style, you can’t go wrong with these shades.

Buy Now: Search for Smith V-Ti Sunglasses

With the commencement of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2008 here in Salt Lake City, it’s time for the onslaught of the new and cool gear that will be coming out over the next six months. Most of the gear I’ll see will be introduced in Spring 2009, but some are or will be available this Fall.

Julbo sunglasses–long known as the defacto standard in glacier glasses–have been slowly entering the mainstream sunglass and goggle market. Frankly, I hadn’t seen their designs in years because I had nailed them as a mountaineer-only type of eyewear company.  Not so… their new lineup of cycling, running and ski goggles are solid.

I’m very stoked on Julbo’s Zebra Photochromic and Antifog lens technology. I’ve long been a promoter of lens-swapping technology because it makes sunglasses that much more versatile for all light conditions.  However, I think Julbo has come upon something better. The Zebra lenses transition from 40% Visual Light Transmission (VLT) to just over 6% VLT in a matter of 30 seconds.  That means, you can use the same pair of sunglasses or goggles in varying light conditions without worrying. It just may also eliminate the need for multiple lenses.

I took a look at a few new designs from Julbo and I was stoked on the following models:

Julbo Run Sunglasses

Awesome wraparound design provides excellent coverage and superior visibility. With sticky rubber in the right places, these glasses should stay put under fast downhills on the local singletrack. Available with the Zebra Photochromic lenses or polarized options.

Julbo Tracks Sunglasses

A lightweight, athletic sunglass that’s built for cycling, mountain biking and trail running. With built-in, adjustable lens vents, these will stay fog-free when things get hot and sweaty. Available in both Zebra Photochromic and 3-lens (polarized, hi contrast, clear), these are light and versatile.

Julbo Revolution Zebra Goggles

I’m a fog machine when it comes to ski goggles and these goggles intrigued me. With their single lens and Zebra Photochromic coating, I was told they performed just as well as the best designs at staying fog-free. I’ll likely get a pair this winter to flog backcountry skiing, but these goggles look hot and you can’t go wrong with the Zebra lenses.

Buy Now: Search GEAR.com for Julbo Sunglasses