Gear Review

Smith Factor Sunglasses

1. ultralight
2. great coverage
3. interchangeable lens
4. weight: 0.7 oz

Smith's Factor and Factor D-Max sunglasses are about as close to the ideal shades for backcountry travel as I've yet found.

In Summer and Winter, the Factor's features consistently hit the mark. Start with a light and strong frame and light polycarbonate lens, for a total weight of just .7 ounces (measured). Add in a rimless design for unobstructed vision, plus effortlessly interchangeable lenses so you can customize your sunglasses to meet whatever conditions you're encountering.

I like the polorized natural gray lens (which gives you true-color beauty) for hiking, and of course Smith's RC30 lens, with its outstanding shadow definition, for skiing.

In addition to the standard Factor there is also the Factor D-Max, which adds more lens coverage and a bit more wind protection. The extra lens area is especially nice in harsh glare conditions where light otherwise tends to get around the sides of your sunglasses.

As for wind, I find the Factor D-Max does improve upon the performance of the Factor when I'm skiing fast, but the D-Max won't replace your goggles—especially if you're on your GS boards and looking to let 'em run.

The standard Factor does have a smaller frame, making it more suitable for small-to-medium faces—though the D-Max fits my narrow face just fine as well. Of the two I probably wear the regular Factor the most. For high-output hiking in warm weather, I find the D-Max's coverage a little too broad.

One of the things I like about the Smith Factor is the sense that you're getting a good value for your money. Sunglasses I must confess are one of my higher-anxiety purchases. They often cost a fortune, and it's easy to be underwhelmed by what you get for all that cash. Here, the styling is simple and functional, the interchangeable lenses are fantastic, and the price is well off the stratospheric heights of the Revo crowd.

Don't think for a moment, however, that you're getting a low-end lens. Smith's optics are among the very best, especially in the polycarbonate cohort. The lenses are clear, distortion free, and quite resistant to scratching (though not as much, obviously, as heavier glass). You also get a hard case to keep them safe, plus an extra set of lenses to get you going.

» Bottom Line: Light and versatile shades for the backcountry and beyond

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