WHAT IS IT?
SMITH Lowdown Slim 2 Rx
WHAT SETS IT APART?
Standard sunglass lenses can just darken a scene, whereas ChromoPop filters specific wavelengths of light where the blue/green and green/red colors cross over. This sharpens definition, boosts natural color vibrancy, and helps details like bass habitat and lure targets stand out.
SMITH Optics also assembles select products in its Clearfield, Utah, facility, part of a nearly 60-year commitment to expanding U.S. operations, innovation and quality control.
HOW DO I USE IT?
We all know that bass are ambush-feeding predators favoring shadows, vegetation and manmade structure like boat docks and more. Those secret hiding places are exposed like never before with ChromoPop technology.
ChromoPop lenses are ideal for anglers and specifically the Polarized Blue Mirror and Polarized Green Mirror for bright, sunny conditions in open water. I opted to review the Polarized Bronze Mirror that strikes an even balance between sunny, cloudy and even low-light angling scenarios.
SMITH’s premium polarization also blocks 99.9% of reflective glare bouncing off the water surface, effectively revealing sandbars, rocks and the movement of cruising bass in shallow water.
Lowdown Slim 2, a downsized version of the widely popular Lowdown, defines SMITH’s commitment that one frame size does not fit all face shapes and sizes. You can try them on using the “Virtual Try On” feature on the product web page (link below). Ideally, you can choose from a wide selection of frames that make the perfect fit, which is essential for taking full advantage of the ChromoPop technology.
Lowdown Slim 2 is a small to medium fit frame with 4-base lens curvature. You get six lens color choices and five frame colors (Vintage Tort, Matte Black, Black, Tortoise and Matte Tortoise).
Anglers will appreciate the Megol nose pads for nonslip grip to keep frames in place. AutoLock Hinges hold frames open for easy one-hand on and off, while Evolve bio-based frame material is lightweight and durable.
Prescription wearers will appreciate the smudge- and moisture-resistant coating for easy cleaning and clear optics. Anti-reflective glaring adds improved clarity while reducing eye strain.
HOW MUCH?
$217
$367 (prescription)
MORE INFORMATION:
ANGLER’S INSIGHT:
After years of wearing the same premium brand, switching to SMITH was a departure from the familiar. It didn’t take long to realize I might have been missing something. With my smaller face profile, the Lowdown Slim 2 proved to be an ideal fit.
The first time I put them on, I had a genuine “wow” moment. Colors seemed more vivid, details came into sharper focus and the world looked noticeably different through the lenses. For a bass angler, that’s more than a first impression. It could be a competitive advantage.
The ChromaPop Bronze Mirror lenses performed exceptionally well in bright sunshine, overcast skies and constantly changing light. More importantly, they helped me pick out underwater features I couldn’t see as clearly through standard polarized lenses. The improved depth perception when looking through shadows in stained water was very impressive.
Here’s the bottom line: Rather than simply darkening the view, ChromaPop enhances color contrast and definition, making blues bluer, greens greener and reds redder. That added clarity is a real advantage in today’s bass fishing world, where pressured fish demand precision lure presentations on every cast.
