Smith Pivlock Asana Sunglasses Review

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For ladies looking to get active in the sun and protect their eyes the Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses are undoubtedly some serious shades. Lightweight frames, interchangeable lenses, women-specific design features, and crystal clear optics make these high-performance sunglasses a top pick for running, riding, or any other activity.

Features & Technology of the Smith Pivlock Asana Sunglasses

The Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses are loaded with features and technology that elevate their performance, comfort, and durability. The TR-90 frame material is lightweight yet does not feel flimsy. With only arms and a two-way adjustable nose piece to the frames you hardly notice they’re on your face. The shortened and smoothed out arms with cutout sides fit my small head well, and didn’t catch my hair like many sunglasses do. The minimal frames on the Smith Pivlock Asans sunglasses also allow for a wide field of vision so spotting lines and looking ahead with these sunglasses is no problem.

The nose pads adjust both up and down and wider and narrow to adjust the fit to each individual. If the adjustments still aren’t enough to keep them in place, the rubbery material actually gets sticker when wet.  This will absolutely keep these shades in place when you start to get your sweat on even on the bumpiest of rides.

Of course frame technology is important, but the lens technology and interchange system are definitely what help the Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses stand out from the masses. They come with three different lenses all of which are Carbonic TLT featuring Hydrophobic coating which repels water, dirt, grease, and oil. I found that the lenses cleaned off very easily without smudging or scratching, and even when dirty the optics remained crystal clear.

Pivlock Lens Interchange System & Lenses

Coming with three different lenses, the Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses are a great value and the only set of sunglasses you’ll need for activities for any light conditions. The three sets of lenses vary slightly depending on personal selection, but the set I tested came with smoke, sensor mirror, and clear. The smoke was best for extremely sunny days out in the open while the sensor mirror was better for more varied conditions in and out of trees or shade. If I wasn’t staring directly into the sun the sensor mirror was completely fine for almost all conditions. I was pleased with the inclusion of a clear lens especially as I tested these leading into the fall when days were shorter and rides ended in low light or darkness.

The Pivlock Interchange System is insanely simple. Admittedly, even though many are changeable, I own several pairs of sunglasses with different lenses. Swapping out the lenses can be such a pain sometimes. Not with the Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses. To change lenses it is a simple 45 degree tip of the arms up and a slight tug on the nose piece. No channels to line up, no endless adjusting, just a simple quick swap. It is simple enough to change out lenses that I wouldn’t hesitate to bring an extra set of lenses on a long ride that extends into the evening and make a trailside swap.

Performance of the Smith Pivlock Asana Sunglasses

Not all sunglasses are created equal and the Smith Pivlock Asana stands above most. The frameless construction allows plenty of airflow while keeping out dust and debris, and prevents them from fogging up on cooler days. As I’ve mentioned, the optics are crystal clear, and the sunglasses stay in place no matter how much bouncing is going on. Unlike many sunglasses I’ve tried these were super comfortable for hours on end.

Sizing & Fit

I have a relatively small face and these sunglasses fit perfectly. They had plenty of coverage without looking oversized. I would expect that they would work well for most women since they are designed for small to medium faces. The curve of the lenses and frames wrap comfortably around the face for maximum protection while allowing for a wide field of view.

I tested the Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses with a Poc Trabec helmet and a Smith Forefront helmet and they fit well with both. Not surprisingly the shape fit perfectly with the Forefront which was slightly better for keeping sun out of all sides. I was also able to comfortably wear these with a baseball cap while running or pre/post ride activities.

Final Thoughts on the Smith Pivlock Asana Sunglasses

Through my testing on several mountain bike rides, road rides, and runs in varying weather conditions I didn’t find a single situation where theses sunglasses underperformed. I never felt like they were shifting out of place, hindering my vision, or needed adjusting which is definitely not something I can say for all sunglasses, even very high-end sport sunglasses. The Pivlock system could not be easier to use and the lens selections make these extremely versatile. For the price, the Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses come with it all – frames, three lens options, hard case, soft case and a lifetime warranty. The Smith Pivlock Asana sunglasses for women come in at least six frame colors and with different lens options. For more information visit SmithOptics.com or www.amazon.com/smith.