Gear Review

Smith Haven Polarchromic Sunglasses

1. dazzling clarity
2. tech-lite™ glass lens
3. distortion free
4. weight: 1.0 oz

The dazzling clarity of the polarized, Polarchromic TechLite™ glass lens in Smith's new Haven sunglasses positively took my breath away.

I love it when gear smashes my expectations. It doesn't happen often, and it's certainly rarer still with oft-over hyped eyewear ‘technology’, but I have no hesitation saying the Haven offers the most sparkling clear view I've yet seen through a pair of sunglasses.

The Haven achieves what might be called the Holy Grail of sunglass standards—the lens appears so perfectly clear, it's as if you're not wearing sunglasses at all (density aside, of course).

In the neutral-gray lens, colors are reproduced almost exactly as nature made them, so you'll enjoy brilliant Sierra blues without unwanted color casts spoiling your view.

Thanks to the TechLite glass, distortion, if it exists, is utterly below the threshold of perception.

I must admit as soon as I put these on, I did discover one serious problem: I loved them so much I instantly became afraid of scratching or otherwise marring their perfect lenses.

Crazy thoughts of putting them away in their case forever popped into my head. Perhaps I'd only pull them out on special occasions, like my Ferragamo shoes (worn exactly twice). If you and I can bring ourselves to actually wear these beauties, however, we'll be enjoying what must be one of the most finely wrought consumer lenses currently available. Smith calls their Techlite the most advanced glass sunglass lens on the planet. I've seen no reason to argue with that assertion.

I should mention the Haven comes in a variety of frame and lens tint combinations, to best fit your needs. I was also able to test a pair in the Copper/Mirror tint, which proved quite impressive at resolving detail in hazy/misty skies. These unfortunately had to be sent back due to a manufacturing defect, but working with Smith's customer service proved to be a pleasure in itself, and I received a replacement pair promptly.

Of the Haven's combinations, several include the so-called Polarchromic lens option, which automatically adjusts its density (darkness) to match ambient light levels. The Polarchromic lenses are a brilliant choice for situations in which you don't need a dark-dark lens all the time. Wear them in bright sun, and they darken just as much as a normal lens. But when the light levels dip (say, if you're suddenly hiking in a forest), the Polarchromic lens brightens up, sparing you the annoyance of repeatedly putting on and taking off your sunglasses, and otherwise squinting as things get too bright or too dark. This makes for much less eyestrain than a traditional lens.

The Haven's frame is similar in size to the Toaster—though perhaps not quite so snazzy. It is therefore best suited for smaller faces. On my narrow head, the Haven achieves a comfortable but secure fit suitable for climbing or tying shoelaces without worrying about them dropping off. Interestingly, the Haven sits farther forward on your face, keeping the lenses away from sweat drips. You also get better ventilation around the sides so the lenses won't fog when you're running hot.

I should mention that on my face, the Haven's frame sits in the worst possible spot in my peripheral vision for driving. Anytime I flicked my eyes back to change lanes, I saw not road but a black blind spot. This proved a significant enough issue for me to give up on driving in my Havens, which is a shame, as they are otherwise a superb road lens. Outward vision proved fine for hiking.

The Techlite lenses are designed to be lighter than your typical glass lens, and indeed at a total weight of 1.0 ounces (measured) the Haven weighs only a minor 0.3 ounces more than the ultralight plastic-lensed Toaster. Wraparound coverage looks a bit more complete than the Toaster, though I haven't had a chance to ski in them yet to assess wind performance. In case it's not obvious, I'm nuts about these lenses. They are pricey, to be sure, but their clarity is extraordinary.

» Bottom Line: Dazzling clarity and Polarchromic performance

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