Smith Outback Sunglasses Review (with On-Water Testing)

Allow me to take you on a little journey, my friend, as I share my thoughts on the Smith Outback fishing sunglasses. As an avid fisherman, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a high-quality pair of polarized sunglasses when you’re out there casting your line.

Not only do they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, but they also help you spot those elusive fish beneath the water’s surface.

Let’s dive into the details of the Smith Outback sunglasses. I’ll share my personal experiences with them and how they measure up in terms of comfort, lens features, fishy factor, and more. You’ll see why they’ve earned a spot as an alternate to the highest priced sunglasses in my review.

First Impression of the Outback’s

When I first laid my eyes on the Smith Outback sunglasses, I was immediately drawn to their sleek design and the beautiful bronze-tinted glass lenses. The tint and mirror finish were particularly appealing, and I found them to be quite comfortable when I tried them on. However, I must admit, I was a bit disappointed that they didn’t come with a protective case.

How Well Did the Outback’s Work on the Water?

These sunglasses excelled at cutting glare and seeing fish. If paying over $200 is to much, I recommend the the Outback’s. Shortcut link to Amazon for prices and availability 👉 Smith Outback

Note how well you can see the gravel and shadow under these trout.

WHERE DID THE Smith Outback’s PlaCE IN MY COMPARISON?

Out of all the sunglasses I tested, the Outback’s finished in the middle of the pack. They ranked in 7th place out of 17 at the time of my review. A stand out feature of the Smith Outback’s is the glass lens and “the fishing seeing ability” They scored with the BEST sunglasses for seeing fish.

These sunglasses excel at seeing fish. I didn’t rank them with the best, but they are fighting against sunglasses that cost WAY MORE. Check prices and availability on Amazon with this link. 👉 Smith Outback Sunglasses

If you’re looking for the BEST, check out my FULL REVIEW link 👉 Looking for the Best Fishing Sunglasses. In the article I detail all the sunglasses tested and provide the nitty gritty details covering 16 factors that I reviewed.

Video Review Smith OUTBACK Sunglasses

Fit and Comfort

Putting them on, I found the comfort to be adequate, but I did wish the pads on the ears and nose were a bit larger. The medium-sized side shields provide good coverage, but they could be wider to cut down peripheral vision glare. The Base-8 curvature hugs the face well, reducing glare and ensuring a better view of the water.

Lens Features – Glass Lenses Rock!

The real magic of these sunglasses lies in the glass lens features. The bronze color is perfect for fishing as it enhances contrast and helps you spot fish more easily. With a polarization rating of 8, they effectively cut down glare, and the UV protection is top-notch.

The VLT (Visible Light Transmission) of 13.9% (my testing) hits the sweet spot, allowing just the right amount of light to pass through for optimal contrast.

Fishy Factor – Are they Perfect for Fishing

While the Smith Outback sunglasses may not tick all the boxes for the ultimate fishy factor, they certainly excel in one critical aspect – seeing fish. The ChromaPop™ polarized lenses, coupled with smudge and moisture-resistant coatings, provide crystal-clear optics and impressive color contrast. The only downside is the lack of spring hinges, which would have added to their durability.

What I Liked about Smith Outback Sunglasses

First and foremost, the ChromaPop™ polarized lenses truly delivered on their promise to enhance color and contrast. The ability to see fish more clearly and accurately in the water made a significant difference during my fishing trips.

The comfort of these sunglasses was another high point. Despite wishing for slightly larger nose and ear pads, the Megol material ensured a secure, non-slip fit, which was especially important when dealing with wet conditions or when casting and reeling in fish.

The lightweight design of the sunglasses added to their overall comfort, making them ideal for long days on the water.

Lastly, I was impressed with the quality of the glass lenses. The clarity and durability they provided were noticeably better than many plastic lens options on the market. The perfect blend of light-blocking and contrast provided by the 13.9% VLT made them suitable for a wide range of fishing scenarios.

Frame and Design

The plastic frame is fairly standard, and the sunglasses weigh in at a comfortable 30 grams. Although they don’t have spring hinges on the temple arms, the Megol temples and nose pads do provide a non-slip grip, ensuring the glasses stay put.

Style

Both my daughter and I posed for pics wearing the Outback’s. I’m a “fat head” wearing a large to XL size hat. She’s a small thing wearing a size small. Check out the pictures.

Additional Features

Now, let’s talk about the lens material. The glass lenses on the Smith Outback are truly remarkable. After testing many sunglasses, I can say that glass lenses do make a difference for the better. The scratch resistance and durability are also commendable.

Price and Value

For a price of $127 (at time of review), I would say the Smith Outback sunglasses are a solid investment. The lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects adds further peace of mind. Read more and check current prices with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Smith Outback Sunglasses

Although they don’t come with all the bells and whistles, they excel in the one area that matters most to any fisherman – seeing fish. With a 4.3-star rating on Amazon, it seems many customers agree.

Pros and Cons of the Smith Outback

Pros	Cons
Glass lenses	No protective case included
Bronze-tinted lenses ideal for fishing	No spring hinges for added durability
Excellent polarization and UV protection	Ear and nose pads could be larger for more comfort
Perfect VLT for contrast and visibility	Side shields could be wider to cut glare
ChromaPop™ technology enhances color and contrast
Non-slip Megol temples and nose pads
Comfortable weight (30 grams)
Lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects

Technologies that Set Smith Outback Apart

The Smith Outback sunglasses boast some impressive technologies, such as ChromaPop™ lenses, which enhance color and contrast for better fish spotting.

They also feature smudge and moisture-resistant coatings for clear optics and easy cleaning. Megol temples and nose pads provide a non-slip grip for a secure fit.

Last Cast with the Smith Outback’s

In conclusion, the Smith Outback sunglasses are a worthy contender for any angler looking for a reliable and effective pair of fishing sunglasses. They are particularly well-suited for those who value superior optics and contrast over additional features like spring hinges and protective cases.

If you’re shopping for the absolute best sunglasses, check out this article ranking all the sunglasses. 👉 detailing eveything