Review: Smith Optics Pivlock V2 Sunglasses

I started riding with the Smith Pivlock V2 sunglasses a few months ago and the trail hasn’t looked the same since. These are performance-oriented shades that offer excellent coverage in a simple and adjustable package worthy of any mountain biker’s trail kit.

As you can see from the photos, the Pivlock V2 sunglasses feature nearly wrap-around eye coverage which is great not just for deflecting the sun’s rays but also stray tree branches on the trail and eye-watering headwinds. That all-round coverage does come with a bit of a tradeoff when it comes to fogging–unfortunately Smith hasn’t found a way to defy physics (yet).

Still, these shades do feature a hydroleophobic coating which encourages moisture to dissipate without streaking, sorta like RainX does on your car windshield. In my experience I still needed to wipe the lenses to remove moisture build-up but streaking was not an issue. And since these are Smith Optics sunglasses it goes without saying that the optics are top-notch.

The Smith Optics Pivlock V2 sunglasses feature a one-piece Carbonic TLT lens and the temples and nose pads attach to the lens (and not the other way around). Swapping the “super platinum” lens for either the included clear or “ignitor” lens is a snap: pivot the temples up to unlock and re-attach to the replacement. It’s dead simple: Pivot. Lock.

On the trail the Pivlock V2 sunglasses didn’t slip or bounce at all. I’ve even been wearing these sunglasses for jogging and they don’t budge. Part of the key to getting a rock-solid fit is the adjustable nose pads which also ensure the sunglasses sit straight on your face no matter how crooked your schnoz.

These sunglasses are clearly designed for performance on the bike so there aren’t a lot of superflous design details. If you’re looking for sunglasses to wear on AND off the bike, these might not be the most fashionable choice. That being said, there are plenty of colors to choose from and the sporty look isn’t much of a departure from the other performance-oriented shades you’ll see at the trailhead.

The Smith Optics Pivlock V2 sunglasses ($159 MSRP) offer incredible performance for cyclists who want superior optics with excellent eye coverage in a no-hassle package.

Thanks to the folks at Smith Optics for providing the Pivlock V2 sunglasses for review.