Are the Smith Defy Sunglasses road bike, gravel, or MTB eyewear? According to Smith Optics, the intended use case for the Defy glasses is cycling, running, and snow in bright, sunny conditions.
That makes the answer “all of the above”, which is how I’ve been running the Defy glasses I received for this product review. Some brands refer to any lens with a dark tint as “road bike” eyewear; however, based on how Smith is marketing these, they appear to be aimed at the multisport crowd. And with a second clear lens included, it adds a bit of versatility.
Features
- ChromaPop lens
- Hardcase and bag included
- Second clear lens included
- Fit: medium to large, large coverage
- Slight wraparound fit
- impact resistant TR90 nylon frame
- Color tested: Matt Summit Crystal + ChromaPop Bronze Mirror Lens
- List price: $197
On the bike
- Good/wide wrap-around coverage and wind protection? Check.
- Nice, minimal frame, good vision/view? Check.
- Comfortable fit with no slippage? Check.
- Great optics and visibility? Check.
Thanks for reading my review. Oh, you actually want to read more? That’s cool- I can nerd out on cool tech stuff all day – like the “chromapop” tech.
“Chromapop” is what Smith calls their lens tech. Similar to “Prizm”, the version presented by competitor Oakley, the idea behind Chromapop is that the lens filters out certain wavelengths of light to enhance contrast, clarity, and definition, improving your vision.
I have a few different pairs of sunglasses at the moment that I’m testing, and after running other models, there is indeed a noticeable difference. I thought it would be harder to see when riding through woody shaded areas based on the darker tint. Maybe they’re not as dark as I thought? Turns out the Chromapop lens tech is legit, because the optics on the Defy are great. The increase in contrast meant I didn’t feel the need to take them off in the woods, and I like the rimless design, which offers a large field of vision without the distraction of frames.
Honestly, my first choice for Smith Eyewear would have been the Wildcat, as they offer near goggle-like coverage, and I’m a bit obsessed with that at the moment. However, that’s overkill on endurance rides where I’ve been running the Defy.
In the darker woods area where I’m often mountain biking, I think I’d run the clear lens if I were to wear the Defy, but I have several pairs of sunglasses in rotation that I’m testing, so a yellow or amber pair often gets the nod. That said, I’m impressed with the versatility of these, as my go-to is usually glasses with photochromic lenses on rides with variable conditions.
Usually, I find sunglass reviews pretty straightforward: they help protect your eyes from the sun and impacts, and ‘how do they fit’.
Good sunglasses won’t slide down your nose and will stay put. A great pair stays put, is lightweight, and is “barely there” when out doing the sporty stuff, and has good optics. The Defy hits all the buttons for me.
I haven’t had any issues with fogging yet. I think my habit of keeping my eyewear clean contributes to that. Fortunately, it hasn’t been too muggy here in the PNW this summer yet.
I’m extremely meticulous about how I clean my eyewear after rides these days, as it’s easy to cause more harm than good, rubbing grime around with a microfiber lens. With nice sunglasses, it’s better to use compressed air and/or running water first to ensure all the small bits are removed. However, sometimes scratches happen, and that’s super frustrating when it’s a pair of expensive glasses I’m fond of. Reviewing the Smith website, one thing I like here is that Smith offers replacement lenses for sale, so you can replace them or tailor the tint for your needs. Removing and changing the lenses is fairly painless and quickly done as well.
I’ve mostly worn the Defy glasses on gravel and XC rides, as well as some sessions in our local bike skills park. The lens would work well for paddle sports, but with no good way to retain the glasses in the event of immersion, – I think my Croakies would slide right off- I’ll stick to the other glasses I have in rotation. They’d be great on XC skiing, though, and I can see putting them to use next winter.
As I mentioned earlier, my first choice would have been the Wildcat, but I’m pleased to report the Defy hits all the buttons for me. At $197.00, they’re priced in line with other premium eyewear brands. For the price, they include a second lens, a hard case, and a microfiber bag.
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