Smith has been making eyewear since before most current outdoor athletes were even born — the brand launched out of Sun Valley, Idaho, in 1965 with a sealed thermal goggle lens — and six decades of that accumulated innovation shows up today in a quiver-killing style like the new Syncline. Designed for the mountain athlete that moves between disciplines, minimizing the need for changing gear, the Syncline offers goggle-scale coverage in a sunglass profile that works whether you’re skinning, racing gravel, or running from mountain lions.
The frame is rimless and built from Evolve bio-based material in a slight wraparound fit — light enough to forget it’s there, coverage enough that you won’t miss it when conditions shift. A 5-base cylindrical shield lens comes exclusively in Smith’s ChromaPop optics, which sharpens contrast and color definition rather than simply darkening the view. A Photochromic Clear to Gray option adjusts tint automatically with available UV, useful when you’re moving from tree cover to open exposure in the same effort. Each frame ships with two lenses — one for full sun, one for low light or after dark — so you can pack appropriately without packing double. Smudge and moisture resistant coatings on both keep optics clear without much effort.
A small integrated bumper on the frame keeps things chatter-free when worn under a helmet, which is a detail that separates actual design from marketing language. The megol temple and nose pads grip with perspiration rather than fighting it, and the nose pad position is adjustable — moved slightly away from the face, it ventilates the lens and reduces fogging during high-output work while a gap between frame and lens adds passive moisture venting. Auto-lock hinges allow one-handed removal.
For those who need corrective vision, the new ODS5 Prescription Sunglass Adaptor snaps into the nose piece without scratching the lens and maintains full field of view and interchangeability.
The Syncline comes in five color options, MSRP $197–$237, and includes the bonus clear lens, microfiber pouch, and hard case. Available at smithoptics.com and select specialty retailers.
—Definitely Wild is a column by EO Contributing Editor Aaron Bible. He has been writing for Elevation Outdoors and Blue Ridge Outdoors, among other outdoor publications, for more than two decades, covering cycling, skiing, gear, adventure travel and mountain life. The opinions expressed here are his own. Follow him on Instagram at @DefinitelyWild.
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