A Complete Guide to Smith Sunglasses Lens Technology
So much thought and consideration go into every piece of gear we design that sometimes, even just one aspect of a piece of gear is so packed with technology that it deserves its own deep dive. Our sunglasses lenses are one of those areas. They contain so much innovation, sometimes the terms can be unfamiliar, but we’re here to break down the main technologies our lenses use to give you the clearest view, and how they work together.
Polarization, ChromaPop™, and PhotoChromic
There are three main building blocks that you’ll see throughout our sunglasses collection, and they all bring something different to the party.
- Polarization– A durable surface treatment that filters out and blocks certain light waves, polarization cuts glare and improves contrast while reducing eye fatigue. Polarization is especially important for water sports like fishing. Curious if you need polarized lenses or not? Learn more here.
- Chromapop™– Normally, the eye has trouble distinguishing colors where the blue/green and the green/red wavelengths cross over. ChromaPop™ filters these specific crossovers for greater definition, natural color, and clarity. When you put on a pair of Chromapop™ sunglasses, colors feel so vibrant that it’s easy to forget you’re wearing sunglasses.
- PhotoChromic– PhotoChromic or light-sensitive lenses automatically adjust their tint when exposed to sunlight, getting darker in bright conditions and lighter in shadier or darker conditions.
How Do These Technologies Work Together?
These lens technologies are innovative and game-changing on their own, but the real magic is the different ways they work together. These combinations help you get everything you need out of your sunglasses lenses for the best possible visual experience.
When these technologies combine, you can get lenses that cut glare and enhance color (Chromapop™ Polarized), lenses that enhance color and automatically adjust their tint based on your lighting conditions (Chromapop™ PhotoChromic), or lenses that cut glare and automatically adjust their tint (PolarChromic). When all three technologies work together, you get one of our favorite lenses ever, Chromapop™PolarChromic.
Still not sure which lenses are right for you? Our goal is to help you spend less time looking at gear and more time pursuing your thrill. If you have any other questions we can answer, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts.
