Hot!
- ChromaPop lens enhances contrast and natural color, making details pop, especially in dappled sunlight
- Comes standard with one clear lens and one ChromaPop™ lens
- Large shield, with a slight wraparound fit, provides superior protection from debris, dust, and wind, as well as an unobstructed field of vision
- Environmentally friendly Evolve™bio-based frame material
- Megol temple and nose pads prevent slipping
- AutoLock hinges hold frames open for easy one-hand on and off
- 2-position nose pads for a custom fit
- Temple fits a rearview mirror
- Ultra lightweight at only 25g
- Hardshell zipper case protects sunglasses when not wearing them
Not!
- Difficult to swap shield
- No venting at the browline, so it can fog when you are at a stop
Price: $219
Colors: Black, Chalk Rose, Matte Black Marble, Matte Amythest, Matte Black, White
Frame: Evolve™bio-based frame material
Weight: 25g
Dimensions: 135mm width, 59mm height, 130mm temple length
Fit: Small to medium face with large coverage
Lens Coating: Smudge and moisture-resistant coatings
Availability: Online or retail
How Obtained: Sample from company
RBR Sponsor: No
Great Coverage for Smaller Faces
Too often, cycling sunglasses are designed for men who have broader faces than women. Many oversize shield sunglasses tend to overwhelm my face. That’s until I discovered Smith’s Bobcat frames.
A couple of months ago, my friend Tonya showed up for a ride sporting a new pair of black marble frame Bobcats. I admired them for their look, lightweight, and fit. Shortly after that ride, I contacted my Smith rep to see if I could test a pair myself. If I struggled to find flattering sunglasses that fit well, other women must have a similar problem.
Fashion + Function = Fabulous
The rad design of the frames first attracted me to the Bobcat sunglasses, but what sold me on them was the fit and the performance. I needed an oversized shield that didn’t overwhelm my face but also provided coverage from dusty gravel rides. I’m a contact wearer, and the last thing you want is dust getting into your eyes. The larger shield also gives me an unobstructed field of vision.
At only 25 grams, these frames are also lightweight. You don’t even know you’re wearing them. It’s the first thing someone says when I hand them my pair to try on. The frame is made from Smith Optic’s proprietary Evolve™ material incorporating 53% bio-based material into their injected-polymer sunglasses. I’ll be honest. I had to Google bio-based material, which turns out is derived from living (or once-living) organisms. According to the company, Smith sunglasses are the largest eco-friendly sunglass collection in the world.
The standard ChromaPop lens provides excellent detail and clarity, which is great when trying to find that perfect line. The Bobcat sunglasses include a bonus clear lens, ideal for night riding.
What Comes in the Box?
The Bobcat is available with different combinations of frames and ChromaPop lenses. The hardshell zipper case is standard and stores the sunglass frame, a second shield, and a large storage pouch that doubles as a microfiber cleaning cloth.
The Bobcat comes standard with a ChromaPop and bonus clear lens.
I found it difficult to swap out the lenses; if you do it often enough, I’d be afraid of cracking the frame or the lens. Personally, if I know my ride will take me to sunset, I use a photosensitive lens that adjusts to the light.
Also, the Smith website mentioned the Bobcat has “strategic venting to increase airflow for reduced fogging,” but I could not find any vents even at the browline. I did experience some fogging at stoplights during cooler, humid days. But the lenses cleared once I started rolling again.
Bottom Line
The Smith Bobcat is an excellent option for those of us with smaller faces who need performance sunglasses and want something fashionable. These lightweight, full-shield sunglasses are what I grab when I head out for a gravel ride. In fact, I packed for tomorrow’s Little Apple gravel race in Manhattan, Illinois, since it’s one piece of equipment I know won’t fail me.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
I’ve had every type of sport-based sunglasses over the years and have broken or dropped and scratched some of the most costly ones .. A few years ago I found the absolute best glasses: none at all ! I’ve never had a bug or dust in my eyes, and because there is no piece of film between me and the road, I see everything so much better. I have to laugh at how these things are dictated by ‘fashion’ of the professional riders on TV ,and the most recent iteration looks like everyone is wearing welding goggles..
Wow Bigborb, this is the most ignorant, uninformed, and irresponsible response to any article I’ve ever seen. I don’t even know where to begin, so I won’t . . .
Sherri, like you I’m a fan of Tifosi sunglasses. All models are under $100, and I’ve found them very effective. Can you compare these much more costly models to some Tifosi’s you’ve reviewed? Are these so much better as to be worth 2-4 times the cost?
Hi David
The main difference in price is the quality of the optics. Tifosi is good, but Smith Optics are higher quality. If your LBS carries both brands, try them side by side to see for yourself. No pun intended.
Sheri
I’ll never buy Smith Optics again. I bought a pair full retail from their .com. I was sent a pair with 3 lenses.. montns passed until I needed to switch the lense for a night ride and learned only 2 which interchangeable.. They were a completely different lense slot on the nose piece; wouldn’t work. I tried to exchange them but was told they were ‘out of warranty.’ So what happened to the lifetime warranty?? Never again.