As retro products become more popular, many eyewear brands have started to use their previous models to inspire new designs. The Smith Ultralite that we have here is exactly that and takes Smith’s original 1987 ski goggles and re-imagines them as oversized sunglasses. This is part of Smith’s Archive Collection and is part of their 60th year anniversary celebration. Retail price for the Smith Ultralite is $175 which includes a special archive collection fleece carrying bag. With their goggle inspiration, the sunglasses have a single piece oversized cylindrical shield lens with multiple ChromaPop lens options. Smith has also added Megol nose pads and goggle inspired temple tips with small cutouts.
The Smith Ultralite sunglasses take Smith’s 80s goggle design and re-imagines them as retro oversized sunglasses.
| Retail Price | $175 |
| Rating | 9.4 / 10 |
| Measured weight (in g) | 33 |
| Likes | + Retro fleece carrying bag with built-in cleaning cloth + Oversized lens design with great venting + Unique color schemes and detailing |
| Dislikes | – No customization with limited frame / lens options |
| Where to Buy (US) | Smith |
UNBOXING
The Smith Ultralite sunglasses come in a compact cardboard box with glossy purple Smith and Archive Collection branding printed on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Ultralite sunglasses
- Archive collection fleece carrying bag
- Smith sticker
- Lens safety info pamphlet
Although there is no zippered case, the fleece carrying bag more than compensates for that with its retro fabric graphics and sewn in cleaning microfiber cloth.
FIT & FINISH
Smith’s archive collection combines retro-inspired designs from Smith’s history and adds modern materials and optics to create new products. The Smith Ultralite is an oversized shield sunglasses that mimic ski goggle designs. Smith lists the dimensions of the sunglasses as 52mm tall, and 145mm wide which makes them quite large. These are semi-frameless with exposed lens on the corners and a center nose bridge to hold the pads in place. There are also some nice details on the sunglasses like the round vents along the top of the frame which go through the lens and frame. It’s hard to tell unless you look closely, but the vents have a foam material inside them instead of being a straight pass through that blocks most of the light. There are also rectangular slots cut into the bottom and sides of the lens for additional ventilation.
We also like the details like the round plastic covers over the two bolts on each side of the frame that hold the lens in place. It’s a nice nod to the original goggles and something you don’t typically see on smooth cycling sunglasses. Smith offers the sunglasses in five different color schemes: tortoise / green lens, dark green / copper lens, yellow / opal lens, matte black / black lens and the special 80s night with violet lens. We have the 80s night version for this review which has a hot pink frame with black specs that screams retro. It’s a bright and unique color scheme that makes pairs well with the oversized lens design.
As a part of the archive collection, Smith includes an Archive Collection fleece pouch instead of a zippered hard case. It’s a nice fleece carrying bag with a graphic print over the gray exterior and green interior. There is also a leather like Smith logo stitched onto the bag which helps the bag feel premium. Inside the bag is a microfiber cleaning cloth that is sewn in on one side that you can pull out to wipe the lens. As with many Smith sunglasses, the Ultralite is available in multiple ChromaPop lens options. There aren’t a lot of options to choose from, but there are mirrored lenses and low visibility lens options available. With the 80s Night version we have here, the lens is the ChromaPop Violet Mirror with a 15% VLT that works well in sunny and shady conditions.
The edges of the lenses have a laser etched finish to help protect the lens from scratches and create a subtle border.. Unlike other sunglasses, the lenses here are quite thick which give the sunglasses a rigid and solid feeling. The temple arms have a straight design that curves inward at the tips to help hold them in place. Each arm has an AutoLock hinge with a strong spring that makes them easy to open or close with one hand. You’ll also notice there is no rubber coating on the temples, instead the arms just taper in. At the very tips you’ll find goggle-inspired strap compatible design with small hole cutouts.
ON THE ROAD
It is no secret that retro is cool again with many brands bringing back their retro designs with modern updates. The Smith Ultralite is on trend with its oversized design and bright color options that are sure to be popular. With the retro 80s night color scheme we chose, the Ultralite paired perfectly with the Smith Trace in the previous Get Wild color scheme. It’s a bright color combination that isn’t for everyone, but is a nice alternative to more serious color schemes. The big size works well with helmets and offers a wide field of view that’s perfect for cycling or running. The ChromaPop lens has excellent optics with no distortions and blocks out the harsh sun while still working in cloudy conditions.
Unlike the other retro Smith XC sunglasses which also had non rubber temple tips which created pressure points with extended use, the Ultralite felt great on short or long rides. The tips lack rubber but are thin and highly flexible which helps distribute pressure. Visually, the sunglasses look most similar to the POC Devour but have a more restrained appearance with its smooth curves and semi-frameless design. While the Ultralite sunglasses would look out of place off the bike, they are well suited for high performance sports as they have a secure but comfortable fit. We were also surprised with how well they are ventilated as they draw air through the top and edges to prevent the sunglasses from fogging up.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Smith Ultralite sunglasses to be a fun modern twist on a retro design. Smith has taken their 80s goggle design and transformed them into oversized cycling sunglasses. The sunglasses retain the oversized shield lens but have semi-hidden frames and a semi-frameless design for a wide field of view. We were impressed with the fun 80s night color scheme and details like the plastic bolt covers that were carried forward from the original goggles. Despite the oversized design, the Ultralite lives up to the lightweight name and have impressive venting thanks to the top brow cutouts and slits in the lens. The only downside to the sunglasses is that there are no customization options to mix up the lens and frame combinations. That said, the Smith Ultralite offers excellent optics and venting with a retro design that stands out in any color scheme you choose.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Smith. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.