Sunglasses
Product 2019
Woman, Man
The Smith Reverb is not much different from the Smith Pivlock Arena Max we tested last season.
The Reverb weigh an astonishing: 27g (we checked). Suffice to say you quickly forget you are wearing them. They are particularly pleasant to wear for long distances. The arms, and nose piece are very comfortable: no friction or sliding.
But it is most notably the lens quality that is remarkable, not surprisingly as it is Smith’s strong point throughout their range. But sometimes on a wide lens like this you get distortions, color variations between the top and the bottom of the lens. This is not the case with the Reverb which offers superb detail and continual visual quality. Tested over a long period of time on the road, the Smith Reverb provides unquestionable UV protection. Its responsiveness to light/dark passages is very good and enables you to manage tree-lined passages lined. We liked the way it let sweat run down the lens: perspiration is not stopped by any frame so it continues to flow and doesn’t stay in front of your eyes.
They aren’t fragile, if of course you respect the basic rules of use, the lens doesn’t scratch easily. Ditto for the arms that seem very tough.
The Smith Reverb comes with a second lens for when the conditions aren’t as bright. Changing it is child’s play: simply lower the arms so that they unclip. The system isn’t fragile, and it is also quick: it should be pointed out because many brands offer fragile systems and you need to have pianist fingers. Over time the hinge does begin to squeak a little, doesn’t really matter because it happens only when you open (or close) the arms. Last but not least, Smith delivers a beautiful semi-rigid case that protects the lenses.
The only downside that we could bring up about this Smith Reverb is the size of the screen. The current trend is oversize lenses that protect under the eyes more. It’s true that in cold conditions especially, at sustained speed, you can feel the wind pass under the lens. These turbulences do not exist on wider lenses.
The Smith Reverb is ultra-light weight, has excellent lens quality and tough durability. An excellent protective screen for road or mountain bike riding.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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