Glacier sunglasses designed for mountaineering and skiing, with the focus on protection from bright sunlight at altitude and reflection from snow and ice in a relatively traditionally styled frame.
The Smith Embark Sunglasses are specifically designed for snowy mountain activities like mountaineering and backcountry skiing. They feature a more traditional frame style, unlike the increasingly popular single-lens wraparound sunglasses. They come with a category 3 polarized lens incorporating Smith’s ChromaPop technology.
Smith Embark Sunglasses: The stats
| Best for: | Skiing and mountaineering |
| Lenses: | Chromapop |
| Frames: | Bio-based |
| Also included: | Strap, side shields, hard case, microfiber case |
| Eco-conscious: | Frames are made from 55% vegetable oil |
| Overall rating: |
Features of the Smith Embark Sunglasses
Lenses
The first thing you notice about these glasses is the lens. When you look through them the view is crisp and clear with enhanced colour and contrast giving a noticeable “pop” and a high-quality feel. Additionally, they are not very dark, making images appear brighter compared to other snowsport glasses.
Smith claims the lenses are “smudge and moisture resistant,” but my experience is quite different. I find that the lenses smudge and collect grease and dust more easily than others I have used. Furthermore, any kind of uphill activity lead to rapid fogging, especially when using the side protection.
Frame
The Evolve frame material is Smith’s ethical alternative to 100% nylon frames, utilizing 55% vegetable oil for a more sustainable option. The frames feel light and of reasonable quality, but honestly, apart from the ethical considerations there’s not a significant difference between this material and my €40 Decathlon glasses.
That said, the “auto lock hinges” are an effective feature, opening with a solid action and staying open for easy one-handed on and off. However, this type of feature is easily available on sports glasses at a quarter of the price and also the side shields are not auto lock, especially after they have had some use.
The standout feature of the Embark frames is the customizable adjustment on the arms, which Smith calls “easy adjust quick fit temples.” I find this feature very effective; I prefer my glasses to fit tightly, especially for running and skiing. This adjustment ensures a close and secure fit that lasts.
Side shields
Removable and ventilated side shields add peripheral light coverage, and low-profile, adjustable temple arms let you customize the fit.
The side shields are highly effective at blocking peripheral sunlight, making them especially useful for light reflected when trudging up a snow glacier under a blazing sun. This feature is essential for glacier glasses. The shields are easily removable and made of flexible rubber, which suggests they will be quite durable. However, after some use, the hinges can become loose, causing the shields to flop slightly between your head and the arms of the glasses. While this isn’t a big problem for me, some people might find it annoying.
Strap
The strap is quite chunky, giving a reassuringly secure fit. It features a simple and easy fastening system, making it quick to remove. Although I haven’t used these for skiing yet, I feel this feature will be most useful for that activity.
An important note for me is that I need the strap on the absolute minimum setting. My head circumference is 57 cm above the ears, so if your head is smaller than this, the strap might not work as well.
Also included
The glasses come with a high-quality microfiber bag, which I use both for carrying them in the mountains and for cleaning. The hard case is sturdy and well-made; it’s not entirely rigid but provides ample protection for the glasses, even when they’re carelessly packed in a duffle bag alongside an axe, crampons, ice screws, and other gear.
Smith Embark Sunglasses review
I’ve been using the Smith Embark sunglasses with the Cat 3 polarized ChromaPop lens almost every day for the last two months during alpine and glacier travel in the Alps, reaching altitudes up to 4800m. I’ve tested them in bright sunlight at high altitudes and in poor visibility while navigating glaciers. These sunglasses have replaced my previous glacier glasses, the Julbo Shield with reactive lenses, which are in a similar price range.
The first thing that struck me about the Embark glasses is the lens quality and brightness. As someone who usually dislikes wearing sunglasses, I was pleasantly surprised by the vivid and sharp view provided by the ChromaPop lens. With 14% visible light transmission, they are quite light for glacier glasses. Comparable offerings from Oakley are around 11%. In the European Alps, I prefer the lighter lens, and with the side shields, the protection feels adequate. However, if you prefer a darker lens or are heading to very high altitudes, these might not feel dark enough.
The frames feel light but sturdy, and compared to my previous Julbo glasses, they seem of superior quality. The easy adjustment by subtly bending the arms is a great feature, allowing for a secure fit without needing to heat or drastically reshape the glasses. With my old Julbos, I had to heat the arms with boiling water to bend them, but with the Smiths, this wasn’t necessary. The rubber coating on the arms and nose appears robust and well-made. Typically, my glasses fail because suncream and sweat cause the rubber to peel, but with the Embark, the rubber completely covers the plastic, and I am hopeful this design is more durable.
The side shields are easily removable and effectively block peripheral glare. However, after some use, they can become quite loose, which can be a bit annoying. My main concern is lens fogging, which I find is particularly bad with these glasses, likely because the fit is too snug. When using the side shields, the glasses fit very snugly on my face, blocking sunlight but also any airflow to the inside of the lens, leading to quick fogging when I start heating up and sweating. This isn’t a problem for downhill skiing but can be frustrating for uphill activities.
The side shields have small vents, but they don’t provide enough ventilation for me. I’ve had this issue with similar styles of glasses with side protection. If you tend to experience sunglasses fogging up while exercising, these might not work well for you. I would be interested in trying single-lens sports style glasses like the Smith Pursuit to see if the larger lens size offers adequate protection with increased airflow.
Versatility
These are versatile sunglasses. The style is understated, and if you remove the side shields, they work well as everyday sunglasses. The Cat 3 lens is also suitable for driving. With the side shields on, they become effective glacier glasses for climbing and alpinism. Plus, adding the strap for a secure fit makes them more like goggles, suitable for downhill skiing or mountain biking.
With an RRP of £220, they are at the top end of the market for this type of sunglasses, above the Julbo Shield, which at this price point would offer a reactive photochromatic lens. The Embark is in a similar bracket to the Oakley Clifden with the Prizm lens, which is worth checking out if you are considering the Embark.
What I love the most about the Smith Embark Sunglasses
I love the adjustable temple arms and chromopop lens.
What I don’t love so much about the Smith Embark Sunglasses
The fogging and lack of airflow when using the side shields is problematic for me. I am going to try them with some Muc Off anti-fog treatment spray and hopefully this will solve the problem.
Verdict
The Smith Embark Sunglasses are highly versatile with top-quality lenses. The most important consideration is whether the shape suits your face. Personally, I find that the shape doesn’t work well for me; they tend to fog up because they feel too snug. Overall, I would rate them 3 out of 5 stars.
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Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.
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