|  | |||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
Smith V-Ti (Chrome) Most skaters, especially fast ones, wear sunglasses while training outside to keep dust and glare out of their eyes. There are a number of road-worthy sunglasses out there; one is Smith Optics' V-Ti ($179 USD). While not specifically designed for skaters (we don't know of any that are), the V-Ti has the kind of features that skaters demand. They are lightweight (1 ounce), crash and scratch resistant, adaptable to various light conditions and stylish. Smith's Whit Clifford says the V-Ti sunglasses are ideal for skaters because they were designed for athletes that compete in a "hunched over position," like cyclists. "The nose bridge allows the shades to sit a little higher, so you don't see the frame at all," Clifford says. Lens Aside from the titanium used to reinforce the temples, one of the hardest things about the V-Ti may be deciding which frame to order. They come in six colors: white, blue, red, matte black, gold or chrome. (Smith says the chrome is the most popular.)
Each V-Ti comes with three frames, which can be popped in and out to suit light conditions. One lens (Clear Mirror) is for night or low-light conditions; another (the Ignitor) is for medium conditions; the third is a dark lens designed to handle full light conditions. The dark lens comes in various colors to compliment the frame. Of the eight available lenses, three are polarized. Polarized lenses reduce glare the same way blinds cut sunlight coming into a window. (See frame/lens combinations) All of the lenses are treated with an anti-scratch coating. Durability The V-Ti is designed to take abuse. The front temples are reinforced with premium-grade titanium while the ear-end of the temples uses something called "beta-titanium" to provide flexibility. If they do break, they are backed by Smith lifetime warranty (as long as you purchased them from an authorized dealer). An unusual feature of the V-Ti is the vents on the upper outside of the lenses. Smith says the vents help prevent fogging. One downside of the V-Ti is that the word "Smith" is inscribed on the lens. For some, this could prove a distraction, although one happy V-Ti owner we talked to said he did't even notice it was there. [Peter Doucet is the Inline Planet's product editor and the webmaster of Speed Skate World.] Details: Smith Optics V-Ti Price: SRP $179 ... • More skate reviews and previews
...
Copyright © 2008 by Inline Planet | ||||||||||||||
 | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
