Article by Jeff Valliere
Smith Optics Pinpoint RX (starting at $278)
Introduction:
I was fortunate enough to recently be given the opportunity to choose a pair of glasses to review from the Smith Optics RX prescription line.
Scrolling through the website, there are so many great choices depending on your activity, preference, face shape/size, etc…. I was specifically looking for a pair that can easily ride the line between a casual day to day pair of glasses (that do not look like I just stepped out of an Ironman) and sport sunglasses that are lightweight, provide good protection for running in the mountains and cycling, don’t bounce and have crystal clear optics. The Pinpoint RX checks all of these boxes, making them the most versatile pair of glasses I have owned to date.
RX: As you have likely gathered, the Pinpoint RX featureare made to order prescription lenses in (though you can also buy them non-prescription) and the online ordering process is very easy. If you have your recent prescription, you simply pick your frame color (black or tortoise), lens color (black, green, blue or bronze) and then provide your prescription along with pupillary distance (which you can measure yourself, but I felt better having my optician do it). Note that all of the lens options are polarized.
Lens quality/clarity: I have to say I am blown away by these lenses. I went ahead and chose the Bronze Chromapop lens that provides 14% VLT, as compared to the 15% of the green lens, 14% of the blue lens and the much darker 10% of the black lens.
While I have sensitive eyes in the bright sun, especially as I frequent high altitudes and often blinding alpine conditions, my focus here was more along the lines of versatility and the ability to run intermittently shaded trails and also not have them be overly dark when driving.
The Bronze Chromapop lens has proven to be the perfect choice for these applications, as they enhance contrast and natural color making trail details very defined. They are dark enough for my eyes to be relaxed in bright sunshine, yet light enough so that I do not struggle on cloudy days or in the shade.
I have used the Pinpoint RX in a variety of conditions, from bright sun, cloudy days, in the trees and even used them for the Pikes Peak Marathon and find them to be a big advantage. I am able to really interpret the trail ahead with such good contrast and definition thus I feel more confident moving fast over technical terrain.
Frame/Fit/Comfort: The Pinpoint RX features a lightweight, flexible and durable TR90 frame, made from an Evolve bio based material.
The hinges have an AutoLock mechanism to hold frames open for easy one handed on/off.
Fit is described as medium fit/medium coverage with a 6-base lens curvature to provide a modest wrap around fit.
I have a small face, so a medium fit pair of sunglasses look a bit big, but they fit me very well.
I appreciate the more broad coverage to keep sun and wind out and more generally to be better protected from dust, dirt and flying debris on windy days or when riding my bike. While cycling I would typically prefer glasses that have even more wrap around coverage, the Pinpoint RX has performed quite well at this task also, providing great coverage and clarity on the roads, gravel paths or zipping around town on the e-Bike. At just 28 grams, they feel very light and grip my face very well with absolutely no bounce when trail running, no matter how fast I run or how technical.
Conclusions: The Smith Pinpoint RX is the ideal choice if you are looking for a versatile, do it all pair of sunglasses that are just as good for every day use as they are performing as sport sunglasses for running, hiking, mountain climbing and light cycling, not to mention water sports or fishing given the polarized lenses.
If I could offer up any suggestions for improvement, it would be to offer a few more frame color options, as well as a non polarized lens option. While I am adapting to polarization, it is difficult to read screens, most notably my iPhone and I have also been told that polarization is not great on ice/snow. I will get to confirm whether or not that is true all too soon as we move into fall. All in all I would highly recommend the Smith Pinpoint RX or any other of their sunglass options depending on your face size/shape and preferred use, as quality, style and lens clarity are absolutely impeccable.
Pinpoint RX is available at Smith Optics HERE
Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state and can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not. On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his 12 year old daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.
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