78% matchBlack Diamond
Hardgoods-first mountain gear, engineering-led
What changes: Climbing hardware and skis rather than optics
Brand profile
Smith Optics
Idaho-founded, Safilo-owned eyewear brand making ski goggles, helmets and sunglasses, known for ChromaPop lenses and magnetic MAG lens-swap systems.
KetchumOrigin
UnisexFocus
Gorpcore / OutdoorStyle
$$$Price
4 brands like Smith Optics like Black Diamond, Ortovox, Strafe Ski →
What to know about Smith Optics
Invented the sealed ski goggle
Orthodontist Bob Smith built the first sealed thermal-lens goggle with breathable vent foam in 1965, hand-making early pairs before production started in Colorado in 1969.
Snow gear first, sunglasses second
The range spans goggles, helmets and sunglasses for skiing, cycling, running and fishing, with the technical snow products doing most of the defining.
Buy it for the lens tech
ChromaPop contrast lenses, 4D MAG and I/O MAG magnetic quick-swap goggles and Koroyd-lined helmets are the specific things Smith is known for.
If you like Smith Optics
78% match
75% matchOrtovox
Snow-safety hardware plus merino mountain kit
What changes: Avalanche transceivers and apparel, no eyewear
73% matchStrafe Ski
Athlete-owned freeride shells to pair with goggles
What changes: Apparel only, smaller and pricier
72% matchFlylow
Same resort-and-skintrack crowd, durable bibs
What changes: Soft goods, indie scale, no optics or helmets
Brand facts
Smith makes goggles, sunglasses and helmets for skiing, snowboarding, cycling, running and fishing. Orthodontist Bob Smith built the first sealed thermal-lens ski goggle with breathable vent foam in 1965, selling early hand-made pairs before production began in Rifle, Colorado in 1969 and moved to Ketchum, Idaho in 1971. The company incorporated as Smith Sport Optics in 1989 and is part of Italy's Safilo Group, operating today from Portland, Oregon. Signature products include 4D MAG and I/O MAG magnetic-swap goggles, ChromaPop contrast lenses, Koroyd-lined helmets and Lowdown sunglasses.
- Founded
- 1965
- Origin
- Ketchum, United States
- Made in
- Italy, France
- Price
- $$$
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- September 2026
- Styles
- Gorpcore / Outdoor, Athleisure / Sportswear, Techwear