Ask the experts

[jamal]

I'd like to try oakley's prizm trail lens. Right now I have pocs with the cat 2 "trail" lens and also some photochromatic oakleys (and some darker glasses I pretty much only use road riding on bright days). I'd say on trails on a bright day the pocs are my best option, oakleys are mostly useful for cloudy days and evenings when i'm going to be riding in the dark but don't want a clear lens the whole time. I used to wear smiths with the rose lens most of the time riding trails and that worked pretty good but were sometimes not dark enough. my main complaint with the pocs is that they are hard to keep clean and that causes glare issues sometimes.

[east or bust]

What lens color/type do I want for riding in deep
Woods with sun shining through (I know first world problems) but I struggle with the sun scattering the light and it makes certain trail things harder to pick up…. Something high contrast? Some stuff I read suggested rose/pink maybe? Old trusty low light hello?

I have 2 friends that swear by the Smith “everyday rose” lens. Haven’t tried one for myself yet

[VTskibum]

Love Smith chromapop low light lenses (maybe same as the everyday rose mentioned?) for deep woods. The Oakley Trail lenses are way too dark for east coast deep woods, only wide open California trails IMO. The true Oakley Low Light is also a great lens, but only for really dark days of low sunlight in the woods.

Pretty particular about lenses not being too dark, especially as I’ve gotten older. Even convinced a long time Oakley fan that the Smiths are way to go.


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[ticketchecker]

If only Smith offered low light lenses in more models, it’s like they’re from Idaho or something


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[VTskibum]

Many of them do, they don’t make it prominent in their marketing, but the footer/bonus state whether they come with them or not.


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[rideit]

These are what I use, and they are amazing for this. Not the fastest to change, but they are almost always perfect for going in and out of shadow. If you leve them on the dash or whatever, then they are pretty excellent for driving, etc.

They fit the glasses perfectly (even ones that are not designed to be changeable)

[volklpowdermaniac]

Thanks everyone , great feedback. Now I need to find one with enough flow that it doesn’t fog on my sweaty fat face. Which is historically why I went to non glasses (except in very open terrain with lots of sun) but now I wonder if I should be a little more smart and not just take debris to the eyes every ride.

[Andeh]

Oakley has a really great low light Prizm lens that's kind of pink in color. It's excellent. Basically all my riding is in shadows in the trees and valleys, so I only ever put on bright light lenses when I travel. Smith has a low light Chromapop one that's really good too (Low Light Amber), but their "Ignitor" lens is a bit too dark if you're constantly in the trees. Of those 2, I think I slightly prefer the Oakley.

Related to that, I have the Oakley Flight Jacket glasses. They've got a little lever that pops the frame away from your nose when you're really sweaty or it's humid. I live right on the coast, where it's foggy about half the time, and these things never fog up.

The Smith Ruckus is pretty good too, and looks less goony. But they don't vent as well as the Flight Jackets.

[t.odd]

What lens color/type do I want for riding in deep
Woods with sun shining through (I know first world problems) but I struggle with the sun scattering the light and it makes certain trail things harder to pick up…. Something high contrast? Some stuff I read suggested rose/pink maybe? Old trusty low light hello?

smith photochromic are my go to lenses here in coastal BC, have been very satisfied using them over the past 4+ years, and aside from full on alpine sun days, it's rare I don't use them.

[jackstraw]

smith photochromic are my go to lenses here in coastal BC, have been very satisfied using them over the past 4+ years, and aside from full on alpine sun days, it's rare I don't use them.

Yeah, I use the Wildcat photochromic. The protection they provide while being incredibly breathable is pretty impressive imo.

[rudy]

These are what I use, and they are amazing for this. Not the fastest to change, but they are almost always perfect for going in and out of shadow. If you leve them on the dash or whatever, then they are pretty excellent for driving, etc.

They fit the glasses perfectly (even ones that are not designed to be changeable)

You use the Revant lenses for frequent lense changes? I used them to replace a scratched lense permanently but couldn't image doing that frequently as it as a pain in the ass. Does it get easier the more they are changed?

[BigHerm]

My edit function isn't working. Chromapop Contrast Rose is the exact lens I like for canopy stuff. I also use the Chromapop Contrast Yellow goggle lens for bikepark stuff.

[rideit]

You use the Revant lenses for frequent lense changes? I used them to replace a scratched lense permanently but couldn't image doing that frequently as it as a pain in the ass. Does it get easier the more they are changed?

I have no problems at all with the Challis, they pop in and out like they were meant to do so.
In fact, I usually have three lenses with me while riding. (Ignitor, yellow, and this orange)

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

I have yet to find photochromatics that seem fast enough for me. If there is any tree cover at all I just run clear lenses.

[One (+) Sentence]

I have yet to find photochromatics that seem fast enough for me. If there is any tree cover at all I just run clear lenses.

That’s not really what they’re for. Photochromatic lenses are best suited for starting or finishing rides in low light, ie. starting a ride early in the morning or finishing as the sun sets.

[Dantheman]

If there is any tree cover at all I just run clear lenses.

Same.

[radam]

I'll put in another vote for the smith Contrast Rose working surprisingly well in dense tree cover. I've even run them for nighttime fatbiking (so lots of light reflectivity off the snow) and they were perfectly fine. I do wish I had a photochromic for road rides, but can't imagine needing anything darker than the rose for a typical NE mtb ride.

[toastybroski]

I’m thinking of trying clipless without breaking the bank. Any good deals? It seems like spd is the most recommended. I am slightly terrified. Is it worth it? I almost exclusively trail ride.

All the fast people seem to have clips.

[skaredshtles]

<snip> Is it worth it? I almost exclusively trail ride.

After riding clipless for 25-ish years, I went to flats (back in 2015?) on a trip to the desert, and have never gone back to clipless.

All the fast people seem to have clips.

I'm not fast. So I guess YMMV.

[toast2266]

I’m thinking of trying clipless without breaking the bank. Any good deals? It seems like spd is the most recommended. I am slightly terrified. Is it worth it? I almost exclusively trail ride.

Yeah, just get some shimanos. Something like the me700's are cheap and will work fine.

After riding clipless for 25-ish years, I went to flats (back in 2015?) on a trip to the desert, and have never gone back to clipless.

It's funny - I've tried going back to flats once or twice (rode flats for years before switching to clips). I was a complete mess. Couldn't keep my damn feet on the pedals. I've gotten so used to being able to plow through chunder without having to worry about my feet bouncing off the pedals.

[jackstraw]

That’s not really what they’re for. Photochromatic lenses are best suited for starting or finishing rides in low light, ie. starting a ride early in the morning or finishing as the sun sets.

Not specifically. We are pretty much 80-90% tree coverage and they are perfect for that scenario.
The in and out of tree coverage in the West can be difficult, agreed.

[toastybroski]

Yeah, just get some shimanos. Something like the me700's are cheap and will work fine.



It's funny - I've tried going back to flats once or twice (rode flats for years before switching to clips). I was a complete mess. Couldn't keep my damn feet on the pedals. I've gotten so used to being able to plow through chunder without having to worry about my feet bouncing off the pedals.

What about shoe recommendations?

[toast2266]

What about shoe recommendations?

It's kinda just personal preference. I tend to like the lighter weight skate style shoes. Giro chamber II, Fox union, etc. They have a little more support and protection than the lower cut shoes like the giro terraduro.

[jackstraw]

What about shoe recommendations?

If you're riding tech I'm looking at the grip of the sole. I like the Rime and others that are similar. Saves your ass when you bail on rock.

[toastybroski]

I don’t even want to open this can of worms but is it worth switching?!? My five tens are pretty grippy but I’m tired of always readjusting foot placement in the uphill.