Smith Optics Syncline sunglasses

Smith Optics has a very long history of creating top-notch sunglasses for mountain biking, but I reckon that the Syncline is its best riding shades yet. They’re light, comfortable, breathable, and the coverage is huge. But with so many competitors offering performance that’s nearly as good, it’s tough to justify the £189 price tag.

Smith Optics Syncline – Technical details

Smith reckons that its Syncline glasses offer a ‘goggle-like’ fit but in sunglasses packaging. As such, the lens measures 65mm in height and 148mm in width, making for a super-large, wide-fitting pair of specs.

That lens benefits from the brand’s known ChromaPop technology, which is crafted to boost contrast and natural colour, says Smith. It’s similar tech to what’s present on a range of higher-end glasses that filters the wavelengths of light that overlap between certain colours. There’s also a photochromic option on offer, if that’s more your jam. If it is, expect to spend £189.

The lens then benefits from a smudge and moisture-resistant coating. It’s cut with a five-base cylindrical curvature, resulting in a slight wraparound fit, and the glasses are compatible with Smith’s ODS5 prescription insert.

As for the frame, it’s constructed of an Evolve bio-based material with AutoLock hinges, and it can be hooked up to Smith’s paracord leash, in case you’re afraid of losing the glasses. There’s also a neat bumper sat on the upper edge of the frame, which has been added to absorb impacts between the glasses and a helmet’s brim. These are large glasses, after all, so rattling against a helmet is certainly possible.

Of course, the lens is interchangeable, and there’s a clear one included in the box, which is always excellent to see. There’s then a semi-hardshell case which the glasses and spare lens fit into.

Smith Optics Syncline – Performance

I’ve been a fan of Smith’s glasses for a good while now, but most of the models that I’ve tried have come with some kind of compromise. However, the Syncline is the most complete package I’ve used from Smith. I’d even go as far as to say that it’s managed perfection here.

First off, they’re comfortable. While definitely not the lightest glasses around, they are light enough to sit on the face without being all that noticeable, which is important if you’re keen for big day-long rides. They fit really well, too. They’re not too tight around the head, nor are they too loose.

Then, the Megol nose pads and arm tips boost comfort further while providing excellent stability. Even when riding more technical terrain, I’ve never felt the Syncline move or shift around. They simply stay put. When many other glasses can slip down the nose, it’s a bit of a relief to find that these are pretty much fit and forget.

As for the lens, it’s superb. ChromaPop is one of the best contrast-enhancing technologies out there. Coming equipped with that tech makes for a lens that’s super clear and pin-sharp while increasing the saturation of certain colours to help pick out the trail from between whatever’s beside it. It almost makes life just look better.

Then, in the Matte Salt Haze/ChromaPop Rose Gold Mirror option I’ve been using, the lens tint isn’t super dark. Instead, it’s just enough to provide plenty of comfort when riding through the glaring sun. Though it’s not so dark that it makes riding under tree cover more of a task than it should be. Even under shade, details still pop and vision is clear. Of course, there is also that clear lens included in the pack, so these shades are still well up to winter riding.

Speaking of different lenses, changing from one to another is as simple as it gets. The frame material is pretty bendy, so it’s very easy to unclip the installed lens and swap it out for another. There are no awkward corners that the lens sits in either, so there’s absolutely no need for excessive force to get the lens in place.

The glasses’ ability to fend off fog and moisture is excellent too. Throughout all of my riding with these specs, it just hasn’t been an issue. They’ve never fogged.

To wrap up, the little bumper that sits atop the frame is a great little inclusion. I don’t feel as if it’s ever been needed, even when running helmets that sit lower on the head, but it could just be a case of it absorbing the frame/helmet chatter so effectively that I’ve not noticed it.

Something of a downside that certainly wasn’t an issue for me is that because these are so large, they probably won’t play ball with smaller faces.

Smith Optics Syncline – Verdict

Clearly, I’m a really big fan of these glasses, but there’s one key downside – the price. £160 is a lot to ask for any glasses, and unfortunately for the Syncline, there are many, many alternatives that are cheaper and nearly as good. One of which is Coast Optic’s Nita XL at £124.95 with a photochromic lens.

You could even go as low as £59.99 with Madison’s Crypto Air. This includes three lenses for different conditions. I didn’t find these as stable as the Syncline, and the lens isn’t as good, but they’re comfortable and offer wide coverage.

£139.99 will get you 100%’s Glendale glasses. These use the brand’s HiPHER technology, which is similar to ChromaPop. But I didn’t find the Glendale’s coverage quite as good, and they can rattle against helmets.

If you’re happy to spend such a some of money on a pair of riding specs, and you don’t have a smaller face, you simply can’t go wrong with the Smith Optics Syncline. They offer tonnes of coverage in a comfortable, lightweight, and fog-free package. Lens changes are easy; they’re super stable, and the ChromaPop lens technology boosts contrast and promotes clear vision. These are awesome riding shades.