Smith Optics Shift MAG Sunglasses Review
Hot!
- Fast and simple to swap out lenses without leaving fingerprints
- ChromaPop lens enhances contrast and natural color making details pop
- Comes standard with one clear lens and one ChromaPop™ lens
- Slight wrap and wide unobstructed field of vision
- Vent at brow line helps with airflow and reduces fogging
- Large lenses provide contact wears superior protection from wind and debris
- Megol temple and nose pads for a secure fit
- 2-position nose pads for a custom fit
- Temple fits rearview mirror
- Lightweight at only 29g
- Comes with a clear lens, hardshell zipper case, and microfiber bag
Not!
- Pricey
Price: $259
Colors: Matte Black, Matte Black Cinder, Matte White, Black
Frame: Uses Smith MAG for quick lens changes
Weight: 29g
Fit: Medium
Lens Coating: Hydroleophobic
Availability: Online or retail
How Obtained: Sample from company
RBR Sponsor: No
Superior Optics. Light Weight. Quick to Swap Lenses.
Smith is known for its superior optics for not only sunglasses but goggles, too. Their new Shift MAG didn’t disappoint. Launched last month, the Shift MAG comes with ChromaPop lenses, MAG technology for easy swapping of lenses, and a lightweight frame.
The Shift MAG is offered in three ChromaPop non-polarized lens options that reveal natural color, enhanced visual clarity, and greater definition of objects. The ChromaPop lens is great for when riding in and out of the sun and shade making it is easy to detect potholes and debris in the road even in dappled sunlight. A Photochromic clear to grey lens option darkens when exposed to the sun which lets you leverage one lens for varied light conditions. All models of the Shift MAG come with a secondary clear lens for use in low light or rainy conditions.
I tested the matte white frames with ChromaPop Black lenses (see picture above). When I first slipped the sunglasses on, it was like looking through a windshield. The large shield provided a vast unobstructed view as well as protection for my eyes from wind and debris. This is very important since I wear contacts. Two vents along the brow line help to circulate air and reduce fogging.
The Shift MAG has a 5 base lens curve which means the radius of the sphere measured from the back of the lens. In laymen’s terms, a 5 base model tends to be flatter relative to your face. A 9 base style would provide the maximum amount of wrap around the face.
An adjustable nose piece helps to customize the Shift MAG’s fit while the Megnol nose pads gently grip the skin to keep the glasses in place even when sweating. The temples also are covered with Megol for added grip and to prevent slipping.
For those that wear a rearview mirror, the temple is narrow enough to fit one. I wore the Shift MAG sunglasses on road rides with the rearview mirror and MTB singletrack without a mirror. Great comfort and visibility.
Quickly Swap Lenses When Conditions Change
Smith MAG™ technology is used on the Shift MAG to enable fast lens swapping. What I liked about this model is the ease with which it was to change lenses and without leaving fingerprints! For so many sunglass models it is necessary to grab the lens when changing, requiring you to clean them before wearing.
What Comes in the Box?
The Shift MAG comes with one ChromaPop and one clear lens. With these two lenses, you’re covered for all types of riding conditions from sunny to rainy or even night riding. Also in the box is a hardshell zipper case that fits both the sunglasses and the extra lens. A microfiber cleaning cloth is included which doubles as a soft storage pouch.
Bottom Line
Smith’s new Shift MAG sunglasses provide great clarity for cycling in a variety of conditions and a large shield for an unobstructed view. Swapping lenses is easy with their MAG technology allowing one frame to take you from sunny days to nighttime rides.
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.
Gotta say, $260 for sunglasses? Not ever gonna be coming out of my wallet… I find good enough stuff for $0-80. Anyone else react to this price?
I’ve got your back on this one, Dave. Most of the sunglasses I’ve had in many, many years of riding have disappeared, gone to that great pile of lost stuff in the sky I guess. I’ve found perfectly acceptable glasses at Home Depot in the tool dept. They’re not only OK sunglasses, but they look like cycling glasses, too, if that makes any difference to you. Are they as good as Smith, Oakleys, or other boutique brands? Of course not, but they’re comfy, stylish & perfectly adequate. I’ve purchased them for about $7-15. There’s some choice of lens colors, too.