Smith Bobcat Photochromic Sunglasses – From Light to Dark

With solid Reuben Tishkoff vibes from Ocean’s Eleven, I’ve been testing out the matte black Smith Bobcat Sunglasses with their new ChromaPop Photochromic lenses. These cycling-friendly sunnies have been outstanding options for morning rides and trail runs since they go from 67% to 12% VLT — depending on light conditions. With solid coverage and helmet-friendly temples, I’ve run and pedaled hundreds of miles in them.

Smith Bobcat ChromaPop Photochromic Sunglasses Features:

• Lightweight polycarbonate ChromaPop and Photochromic lens
• Changes from 67% to 12% VLT
• Evolve™ bio-based frame material
• AutoLock hinges to stay open
• 2-position Megol nose and flexible temple tips
• 5-base lens curvature
• Strategic venting for airflow
• Weight: 25g (actual)
• MSRP: $245

Clutch sunglasses for mountain mornings

My time with Smith Sunglasses goes deep. They were my go-to sunglasses in the late 1990’s as a ski instructor in Park City and now their wide range of sunglasses continue to be solid choices for cycling and running every day here in the Wasatch Mountains. And, while photochromic lenses aren’t a new thing, ChromaPop Photochromic lenses are. So, the lightweight, polycarbonate and photochromic lenses on the Smith Bobcat are perfectly-suited for all kinds of mountain adventures.

The formula for the Bobcat isn’t a new one, but the execution is what makes them stand out. For starters, they offer a huge field-of-vision due to the large lenses, but the combination of the bio-based frame material and the ultra-thin lenses results in a versatile pair of sunglasses that are lightweight and comfortable. And, they stay put thanks to the Megol temple tips and nose pads.

Speaking of the nose pads, they have two adjustable positions to accommodate a variety of face and nose shapes. Initially, I wanted them to sit farther down my face to avoid helmet-tapping and to further place the lower frame outside of my field-of-vision. I ran and rode that way for several weeks, but ultimately I decided to change them to the narrowest position because I was dismayed with how well they stayed put. It turns out that they stay put much better in the narrow position. From that change forward, the Bobcat’s have stayed in place — no matter how aggressive the ride.

I have appreciated the semi-curved temple tips, which aid in helmet compatibility. Most helmets have a fair amount of bits and bobs in back as part of the retention system. Some are more involved than others and more often than not, straight temple tips interfere with something back there. Interestingly, the Kask Elemento doesn’t play well with their own Koo Demos sunglasses, but that helmet works great with the Smith Bobcat.

The star of the show is the ChromaPop Photochromic lens and it’s a winner. Going from almost-clear to plenty dark for mid-day use, the Bobcat’s are wicked-versatile. Earlier this summer, I tested the Smith Motive Sunglasses and I loved the lightweight design, but the lenses were just too dark for shadows and early mornings. I rode the Wasatch Crest Trail with a friend who wore the Motive while I wore the Bobcat ChromaPop Photochromic sunglasses. She struggled in the shadows and ultimately bailed onto the road heading down Millcreek Canyon due to her inability to see the trail properly. I had no issues and could see every nuance in the trail.

Throughout a variety of conditions, the only time I felt the need to remove them and place them atop my hat was on a cloudy and drizzly hike to Sunset Peak. Between the mist and cloud cover, I preferred the added clarity without them. Again, they don’t go perfectly-clear, so this is to be expected. In the morning, they adjust automatically, which is clutch. And, no matter the conditions, I couldn’t get these to even think about fogging up.

On all-day rides, there was never any discomfort and the fit is excellent. With just enough flex in the fames, pressure points are nonexistent. And, the temple tips are super-flexible.

Changing the lens is straightforward. All you need to do is pop the upper frame off, then slip the lenses upward. The lenses do tend to get manhandled when doing this, so just be careful. While I didn’t insert the clear lenses for actual use, I did pop the lens out to allow proper cleaning all the way around the inside of the frames. Typically, I’m not a fan of full-frame glasses because the frames tend to get in the way, but the large Bobcat lenses mean the frame visibility is minimal.

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