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Reviews > Eye Protection > Sun Glasses > Smith Theory > Gail Staisil > Initial Report
INITIAL REPORT
Backpacking Background: For the last 15 years, backpacking has become a passion. I am a four season backpacker and an off-trail navigator. Although I do take yearly trips to the American West or Southwest, the majority of my trips are in Michigan and Canada. My pack weight varies considerably, but my base weight is under 20 lbs (9.1 kg). I am primarily a tarp camper, that averages over 50 nights a year backpacking in a huge variety of weather conditions, including relentless rain, wet snow and sub zero temps. Product Information:
Features of Smith Theory Sunglasses per website:
Initial Impressions: Reading the above information, I wondered what some of these terms meant. After all, they sound good but what do they mean? No information was included with the lenses but their website told me some of the information I was after. Carbonic is supposed to be the most impact resistant lens material in the world, Hydrophilic is a rubber-like material with moisture absorption power used for the nose and stem pieces and Grilamid is a frame material that has maximum flexibility and toughness. It all sounded great, but I wondered about more specific qualities of these materials...maybe I have a little scientist in me. The Smith Theory sunglasses arrived in a standard corrugated cardboard box. Upon opening the box, four smaller boxes were evident. The largest box contained the frame with lenses plus two additional lenses. This is the standard configuration for a set. The set was enclosed in a faux suede soft case, with two pockets inside for the extra lenses. For test purposes, Smith Optics also supplied three additional replacement lenses which were packaged in individual boxes. Each lens was packaged in their own individual soft bag for storage and protection. Smith Optics also included an information pamphlet covering warranty, maintenance, cleaning and safety precautions, lens removal instruction and a decal. I received the Crystal Fuel/Platinum Mirror Combination package which included the following lenses: Platinum Mirror, RC36 (Rose Copper) and Yellow. Smith Optics also graciously included three additional lenses for testing, which included Polar Gray and two Max lenses in Yellow and Sienna Brown. The later two would provide more coverage to the eye area. No specific lens use information was included with the lenses, but the website had detailed information on the characteristics of each lens type. I found this to be handy as some of the offerings were not familar to me. With so many lenses to utilize, I wanted to know what the preferable lens would be for a given condition. The lenses I received:
I was a bit nervous opening the sunglass box as I was wholly prepared to find lenses that were too big...instead I was elated to find glasses that were seemingly made for my face :) Even though the website touted the glasses as being made for a small/medium face, I wasn't quite sure that they would fit. I wondered what the temple to temple measurement would be as I didn't find that on the website. I have had an extremely hard time finding glasses that fit, and they seemed to fit like a dream. The wrap-style glasses fit closely on my face eliminating large gaps of light from penetrating the eye area. The glasses fit nicely in the temple area with just enough snugness to eliminate them from falling off when changing positions such as bending over. The nose piece and ear stems each use the Hydrophilic Megol material to eliminate slippage..it also makes it more comfortable as it is a softer rubber-like material that absorbs moisture. The instructions included with the sunglasses includes a technique for changing lenses. Either due to my concern of accidental breaking the glasses or just not exerting enough strength, I found it difficult to take the lenses out of the frame. There was a little note from Smith saying that it would get easier with time. Test Plans: I plan to wear the Smith Optics Theory on a daily basis for the next six months. Although I will be spending much time backpacking during this time period, they will also be subjected to my daily activities including running, road bicycling, driving, day hiking, and currently snowshoeing and xc skiing as winter is not over yet in Michigan. I have only used them for a few days so far while running and driving, so I haven't utilized many of the options yet. That will certainly change. Many of the conditions that I will encounter will include the variation of bright sun to deep shade as well as all kinds of precipitation. I will address the following issues and more: Fit -Although my initial impression of the glasses is great, will they stay as comfortable on a long term basis? Will I forget that I am even wearing them? Since I am not used to wearing regular prescription glasses, this is a concern. Will the glasses stay in position with the Hydrophilic nose bridge and temple pads or will they deteriorate from use and harden or become squishy? Will the temple pads dig into my head when wearing a hat, bike helmet or rock helmet? Protection - Will the glasses protect my eyes fully from the glaring sun? Will they protect me from foreign objects such as stray tree branches and flying bugs when I bushwhack or bicycle? Durability - Will the bendable frames hold up to their claim or will they easily snap or crack? Will temperature effect their shape or condition? Will the frame material fade or weaken? Will the Carbonic lenses hold up to the rigors of bushwhacking or will they scratch easily? Will the lenses be easy to change or will changing them constantly effect their stability? Will they start falling out easily and be easy to lose? Will the glasses hold up to the soft case that is provided with them? With no special cloth to clean the lenses, will I be able to use a regular soft cloth to clean them and keep them scratch free? Lens Changeability - Will changing the lenses be a daily or multi-daily chore or will it be something that is easily done and worth the effort? Will the differences in the lenses be so great, that it would be easy to figure out which lens would be perfect for a certain condition? Will I have to carry all the lenses with me or could I easily decide what the day's options might entail? Will I find that bringing all the lenses with me will be a storage problem in my backpack, day pack, purse or bike bag? Will the interchangeable lenses be a huge bonus that I will love or will I prefer not having that option? I am excited to find out. Thanks to Smith Optics and BGT for this great opportunity to test these cool sunglasses. Read more reviews of Smith gear Read more gear reviews by Gail Staisil Reviews > Eye Protection > Sun Glasses > Smith Theory > Gail Staisil > Initial Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||