Smith Optics has been one of the go-tos for race-oriented sunglasses in the road, mountain and ’cross scenes. This year at Sea Otter, it showcased some new colors for their classic high-end Pivlock V2 sunglasses, and showcased the fact that their latest helmet, the ultra-light Forerunner, is finally available for the masses.
Pivlock V2:
Pivlock V2 from Smith Optics at Sea Otter 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
The sunglasses are made to be ready for anything. The shades come with three alternative lenses, and are super simple to swap out, thanks to the Pivlock system. The nosepiece is also adjustable, and clicks into three different sizes. Rubberized tips at the end of the frames keep the glasses secure on your head. A perennial favorite for racers, and not the priciest specs on the market, with a $159 MSRP for the three lens deluxe version of the V2.
Pivlock system means the arms clip on and off to change lenses on the Pivlock V2 by Smith Optics at Sea Otter 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
Forefront Helmet:
Smith Optics Forefront helmet at Sea Otter 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
Back at Interbike last September, we got a first look at Smith Optics new lightweight helmet, the Forefront. Now, it’s out and available—though you may have trouble getting your hands on one, since the first shipment to the US already sold out!
To recap: the Forefront forgoes the industry standard EPS foam in favor of Koroyd, a series of small, hollow polymer tubes joined side-by-side. Koroyd’s properties reportedly make the helmet both safe and light. Smith Optics claims that 30% less energy from an impact will reach your head when using a Koroyd helmet, and yet the Forefront is, they assert, the lightest all-mountain helmet around. Koroyd also stands up to impact better, and it doesn’t deform or crack over time like EPS.
Built for glasses to fit perfectly on the Smith Optics helmet at Sea Otter 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
This is achieved through the helmet’s novel structure. The vents reveal a Koroyd shell that totally covers the wearer’s head. Smith Optics have taken advantage of this to form an aggressive series of vents that channel air not only over the head, but to ports that push air over goggles and sunglasses to reduce fogging and sweat. This level of seamless integration is evident elsewhere – GoPro and Light&Motion are manufacturing mounts that will sit under a protective port on the crown of the helmet. The Forefront has an MSRP of $220.
Check out all of our tech goodies from Sea Otter 2014, and keep checking as we start to get rolling into the long weekend.
