Description
Lock in and go.
We've come a long way since the days of the massive Oakley Eyeshade, made famous by Andy Hampsten as he triumphed over Mother Nature's frightful wrath during the 1988 Giro d'Italia. Granted, his fateful trip over the Gavia Pass couldn't have been done with much less than a full goggle like the Eyeshade. But under more palatable riding conditions, the Eyeshades fogged too easily, and weren't compatible with then-evolving helmet technology. The same necessity for maximum coverage with minimum interference still exists today in the sunglasses we wear, but luckily, our modern shield lenses have advanced a great deal since '88. The Pivlock V2 Max from Smith is one such evolutionary leap.
At first glance, the biggest difference between the new V2 and the first-generation V90, is the absence of the split arms. The V2 features slightly chunkier, albeit still fantastically lightweight (the V2 Max only adds a gram or two from the V90 Max), and expertly branded arms that create slightly better leverage when swapping out the lenses. A closer inspection reveals several other subtle design changes giving the V2 a clear advantage over its predecessor. The first is the adjustable nose piece. Rather than simply flexing, the piece has three distinct set widths, allowing you to ratchet the pads open or closed depending on how low or high you prefer your frames to fit. A small detail to be sure, but it thankfully removes a lot of the ambiguity or imbalance found in nose pieces whose pads adjust independently of each other. Smith also went with a new slide-on Megol temple tip that terminates several millimeters from the end of each arm to keep the tips gripping only the sides of your head, without hanging up on the sides of your ear. Again, a very subtle detail, but a comfort-enhancing improvement. Aside from the arms, the new V2 also boasts a dramatically different lens. Granted, it follows the same dramatic horizontal sweep and tight pantoscopic angle of the V90, but the old lens' soft lines are now significantly more aggressive and angular. This ensures maximum coverage in both sizes of the V2, a better overall helmet fit, and an even wider peripheral range. Plus, it's hard to deny how it also looks exponentially more awesome.
The lens on the Pivlock V90 series is what Smith calls their Carbonic TLT. The TLT stands for Tapered Lens Technology, and this means that the thickness of the lens tapers from the optical center to the edges. This thinning allows for less refraction, and therefore less distortion for the light waves passing through the lens. To mitigate any additional lens distortion while being worn, the frame arms are extra flexible to prevent the shield lens from flexing outward and changing the optical quality. The Carbonic lens houses a deep 8-base curvature to hug your face and protect it from impact. This is a great thing to know when you think about the myriad of projectiles that could threaten your eyes on a bike ride -- gravel from car tires, tree limbs, or wayward insects on a mach 3 descent. They exceed ANSI Z80.3 specifications, and they protect your eyes from 100% of the UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.
The entire sunglass is essentially three separate pieces that effortlessly snap on to the lens. The arms quickly affix by aligning the temple slots on the lens, and vertically pivoting into specialized slots on the lens where the temple/hinge inserts and pivots into a locked position. The nose piece also snaps in with little effort. The Pivlock system is at once intuitive, quick, and secure, and thankfully, doesn't require a flowchart to understand. More importantly, it allows for swift lens changing without risking fingerprinted or scratched lenses. Standard for Smith Optics, the V2 is constructed from a tough Grilamid TR90 frame for maximum comfort, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion or fading from sweat and sunscreen. And the hydrophilic Megol nose and temple pads keep the frame confidently locked in place on your face, even as you traverse rough cobblestone sectors or jarring downhill trails at high speeds.
The Smith Pivlock V2 Max is available in Black, Blue, Orange, or White. Each frame ships with the standard Platinum lens for maximum glare reduction on really sunny rides. You'll also get two extra lenses: an Ignitor lens which increases definition and depth perception in low light or on overcast days, and a Clear lens for night riding or in exceptionally bad weather. If you'd like to ride with a larger lens (sold separately), the lenses are all interchangeable with the arms and nose pad from the current-generation Pivlock V2, as the only difference between the two is the lens size -- not the attachment points. The Pivlock V2 Max offers extra-large coverage (not unlike Oakley's Radar "Range" lens), and a highly flexible medium fit in terms of temple sizing.
- Includes three colors of super-durable, crystal-clear Carbonic TLT lenses
- Evolve frame material is over 53% bio-based, created from renewable castor beans
- Hydroleophobic lens coating repels moisture, grease, and grime
- Three-position adjustable nose pads gets the fit to fit your face
- Megol temple and nose pads give you a no-slip fit, even when you're pouring sweat
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Share your thoughts
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Smith PivLock V2 Max Sunglasses
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Smith PivLock V2 Max Great Coverage
Rob Wykoff
Member since
I've been using the Smith PivLock V2 Max for about a year now and they are great for mountain and road biking. I like the extra coverage that the "Max" version provides compared to the regular V2 and the adjustable nosepiece is a great feature to allow the perfect fit for a number of faces.
Fantastic glasses for Kilimanjaro!
Jo Torkel Lie
Member since
Perfect sunglasses for a perfect trek! Very light glasses with crystal clear vision and wide field of view allowing for complete control and maneuvering up steep rocks and mixing sunlight and shadows.
PivLock V2 Max
Tommy Nankervis
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
These are my favourite sunnies. I often forget I am wearing them. That's usually the defining point for me. Full vision coverage, and sharp lens to look through. Great colour options available too. Stand up well to a flogging too!
Great field of view
mctp346768
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
I have used Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ and Asian Fit Jawbones extensively. I switched to the PivLock V2 Max for the frameless design. The field of view is significantly improved when in the drops while cycling. The lack of a top frame makes looking up the road much easier when your head is down. The light weight design is effectively unnoticeable when running. Fit is excellent and comparable/better than Asian Fit Oakley's. Optics are extremely crisp and changing lenses is easy. I'm a little concerned about the durability of the securing mechanism for the temples to the lenses in that I suppose they could wear out if you change lenses very frequently, but I have not experienced any problems so far. I am extremely satisfied with these sunglasses.
just what the doctor ordered
korcha2002
Member since
- Gender: Female
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
I use these glasses mostly for running due to their very sporty shape. For a girl, I have a large face and noggin, but these glasses stay on my face for all my runs even with the sweat factor. I love the interchangeable lenses, super easy to change. Adjustable nose piece makes the custom fit. They do fog up on super cold days when you stop, but defog relatively quickly. Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase!
worth it !! worth the price !
Tony
Member since
- Gender: Female
I've used them through out the day, to see how the shadowing darkness / protection works. excellent direct sun blockage ! eyes could totally relax. vision light stays stable throughout the day/ light changes. still great on the cloudy days and pulls up the shadows enhancing your depth perception and eliminating flatness. Great fit ! NO SLIPAGE !! which is great for I have a small face & hate a lens that moves or slips. I like the look, so I don't know why everyone is such a princess about it anyways, for I think performance quality outweighs fashion any day ! & I'm a girl !
Sent them back
Big Papa
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I returned this product before using it
Phenomenal optics (as usual for Smith), great fit, nice shades, but just too futuristic/over the top for me. I sent them back and went with a pair of Oakley Split Jackets. Five-star shades if you like the look and can pull it off.
Futuristic.
Leo Ahrens
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
I am not going to lie, only wore them once. They are really cool and I'm sure if you are using them for what they are made for then they are probably the best. I'm thinking these are perfect for road biking and breaking the sound barrier on your moped.
can you add a rx for vision correction??
roger capan
Member since
can you add a rx for vision correction??
great sunglasses
kwi2587556
Member since
I've gone from the Oakley Radar to the Smith PivLock V90's to the V2's. V2's are my favorites by far. Nose adjustment is a nice touch. Improvements over the V90's include better grip pieces. The nose piece holds up better. Just like the V90 these glasses have a great field of view with no frame in the way and simple PivLock lens replacement. Really like the lens replacement cost over the Oakley Radar.
vastly improved
Zach Pina
Member since
I wasn't crazy about the original Pivlock, and Smith must have been listening, because the new version is leaps and bounds better. Much more aggressive styling and a subtly updated lens geometry with nicely improved nose piece adjustment. Fit is still super lightweight, but it now slides around helmet retention systems more comfortably. There's an awful lot to like here, and in case you were wondering, sizing on the V2 Max is on par with the Oakley Radar XL - definitely tall (the difference between the V2 Max and the regular V2 is only in its height - not width or stem length) coming in around 50mm at the top above the nose, and potentially in the way if you like your helmet to sit low on your forehead. Otherwise, excellent vertical and periphery coverage. Crazy multi-sport versatile, and if you score the White or Acid Yellow colorway, Euro-fabulous too.
be gentle
Greg Hill
Member since
I like interchangeable lenses, they make sense since light changes so much in the course of a day. These lens change easily but be really gentle especially if it is cold. I snapped my first pair in the cold, it may have been driver error but I cannot say for certain. Just be gentle.
I am using them for mountain biking and finding them to be great, they do fog up when I stop but clear up quickly when I am moving again.
Lightweight and Great Coverage
ros5298435
Member since
For a larger face guy, these are the best riding glasses that I have found. They are super light weight, easy to change the lenses, they look great on and they come with a hard case to safely store everything when I am not wearing them. The Ignitor lens (rose tint) is my all time favorite lens. You will love these!
Lightweight and Great Coverage
ros5298435
Member since
For a larger face guy, these are the best riding glasses that I have found. They are super light weight, easy to change the lenses, they look great on and they come with a hard case to safely store everything when I am not wearing them. The Ignitor lens (rose tint) is my all time favorite lens. You will love these!
