Gear Reivew: Smith PivLock V2 Sunglasses

[coverage king]

Our testers tagged the PivLock V2 as their favorite new rimless high-performance sunglasses for high-output hikes and multisport pursuits, thanks to best-in-class coverage in a feathery 1.1-ounce package. “I love getting superior protection against glare coming underneath and around the edges in a roughly 90-percent rimless frame, which means nothing interrupts the scenery or my peripheral vision,” says one tester. He also praised the ventilation, calling it the “best I’ve experienced with glasses that provide this much coverage.” Credit minimal facial points of contact, which made for zero fogging. Although one tester complained that the blue, true-color lens that came with his pair wasn’t dark enough to block light adequately in strong, high-mountain sun (so you might not use it on snow), you can opt for a darker one, and additional clear and rose-colored lenses come stardard.

The photochromic Ignitor lens equipped our tester for riding singletrack in dappled forest light and taming glare on hikes along the Australian coast. The lenses are easy to swap thanks to well-placed cutouts that easily allow you to detach the temple pieces. Testers also loved the comfort touches for enhanced fit, calling out the sticky rubber padding on the temple tips. “Thumbs up for the adjustable nose clips, too,” says one tester. “I could tighten them for no-bounce running, or leave them looser for more comfort on casual hikes.” Ding: The case is too bulky for backcountry pursuits. Note: The PivLock also comes in a version with a bigger frame, called the V2 Max, which could be better for larger faces. $159 to $239 (depending on lenses); 1.1 oz.; smithoptics.com