Hot!
- Comes with two interchangeable ChromaPop™ lenses for varying light conditions
- ChromaPop lens doesn’t alter color
- Wide field of vision
- Vent at brow line helps with airflow
- Hydroleophobic lens coating repels water/sweat
- Hydrophilic megol temple and nose pads for a secure fit
- 2-position nose pads for better fit
- Temple fits rear view mirror
- Light weight
Not!
- A bit difficult to swap out lenses
Price: $169
Colors: Powder Blue, Black, White, Jade, Citron
Source: Company website, online, retail
How obtained: Sample from company
RBR Sponsor: No
Tested: 40+ hours
Coating: Hydroleophobic lens coating
Fit: Medium
In August, Smith released Trackstand, a throwback to the classic cycling sunglasses, but with their famous ChromaPop lens. Smith prides themselves on outstanding optics and I’ve never been disappointed. Their proprietary lens technology helps you see detail and color extremely well. ChromaPop filters specific wavelengths that cause color confusion and delivers greater definition and clarity.
Fit and Light Weight
Trackstand provides a wide field of vision and with the half frame there’s no obstruction when looking through the bottom half of the lens. The light weight TR90 material, two-position adjustable nose pads and hydropholic megol temple and nose pads all combine to provide a comfortable and secure fit even on the hottest of days.
I found the large shield lens provided a wide field of vision, as well as protection from wind and debris, which is helpful as a contact wearer. The ventilation along the brow line provides airflow and aids in reducing fogging.
As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, I use a rear-view mirror when road riding. The temple of the Trackstand sunglasses is narrow enough to securely fit my mirror.
ChromaPop™ Technology
This is the third pair of Smith sunglasses I’ve tested and reviewed over the last few years, all of which use Smith’s proprietary ChromaPop lens technology (Pivlock Arena and Attack). It is designed to provide enhanced clarity and natural color, revealing more detail by filtering two specific wavelengths of light that cause color confusion. The ChromaPop lens performed well when going from bright sun to shade or dappled sunlight. It enabled me to easily pick out the potholes and debris on road rides and roots on a trail ride.
The lens has a hydroleophobic water- and oil-proof coating that is designed to repel moisture, grease and grime. As during previous Smith tests, I found condensation and sweat would bead up and disperse with minimal streaking or water spots.
What Comes In The Box?
The Trackstand comes standard with two ChromaPop lenses for varying light conditions. One is for your everyday riding in partly sunny to sunny days. The second, is a Contrast Rose Flash lens with a VLT rating of 48% which is ideal for cloudy days. A VLT rating shows how much light passes through the lens. The higher the VLT rating, the more light comes through the lens. Lower VLT rated lenses are good for bright, sunny days, whereas higher rated lenses are best in cloudy or low light situations.
When I went to swap the lenses, I did find it a bit difficult. The lens fit tightly into the frame and I worried I’d crack it in half if I pushed too hard. Luckily that never happened, but it was a concern if I repeatedly swapped out the lenses.
You get a nice hard-shell zipper storage case that fits both the sunglasses and the extra lens. Also included is a cleaning cloth that doubles as a storage pouch.
Bottom Line
The new Trackstand sunglasses boast Smith’s proprietary ChromaPop lens technology, as well as a water- and oil-proof coating. The light weight and adjustable nose pads make these sunglasses very comfortable and performed very well during testing. The interchangeable lenses let you ride in virtually any light condition. As for sizing, they are speced out as a medium fit but fit just fine on my narrow face — no slipping even in hot weather. Definitely worth a look.
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 won’t use any of the standard lenses you review as I have prescription glasses – which, while they have darkening photochrome treatment, don’t get dark enough for bright days and don’t wrap. Hence I have ‘Cocoons’ that fit over and around them well. Ok, I look like an old man with the big lense. But I’m sure I’m one of a large group of fans of this kind of solution – and probably in RBR’s sweet spot of older-than-40 riders who need help seeing. I don’t love the Cocoons tendency to scratch in the middle of the lens from being put down on them. Anyone got another solution like this to recommend?
Dave,
Smith and Bolle’ both have prescription sunglasses as well as many others. Also many eye doctors offer wrap prescription sunglasses. My boyfriend uses Wiley prescription sunglasses.
Sheri
hi. can you post a video or photos on lens removal. these are impossible!
Just pop off the top part of the lens frame, and then get the sides out. When you put new lenses in, put both sides in first, and then clasp the top of the frame on to the two divets. Its not hard, just have to do it in the right order.