In a pinch, I’ll use my regular, everyday sunglasses while cycling. If I’m just biking from here to there, or zipping around d town, the occasion doesn’t always seem to call for specialized eyewear. But when I’m on a cycling trip and I’m going to be on a bike every day, I’d rather have lenses and frames that make sense for the adventure.
I’ve loved Smith eyewear for a long time, and the Smith Defy is a lightweight, rimless design with a medium fit and large coverage. It has a slight, wraparound fit with a cylindrical-shield lens curvature that says “sporty” but not so much that you feel you have to switch your shades out when you stop for lunch at the end of your ride.
The high-impact resistant TR90 nylon frame is durable and flexible, and autolock hinges hold frames open so you can put them on and take them off with one hand.
The Defy features interchangeable Smith ChromaPop lenses, which enhance contrast and natural color to make details pop. The lens coatings are smudge- and moisture-resistant for easier cleaning and clear optics.
Two-position, adjustable Megol nose pads are combined with Megol temples for non-slip grip, so you can keep your hands on the handlebars and not on your face.
Defy eyewear lists for $197 on the Smith site and comes in a variety of options: matte chalk rose frame with ChromaPop rose gold mirror lens (pictured), lichen frame with ChromaPop violet mirror lens, matte summit crystal with ChromaPop bronze mirror lens, matte black with ChromaPop black lens, matte vintage tortoise with ChromaPop gray green lens, and matte purple/cinder/Hi Viz with ChromaPop opal mirror lens. Each version comes with a hard case, a fabric drawstring bag, and a clear lens for those days when the sun isn’t out.