Smith Optics

Loading spinner

About Smith Optics Canada

Durable, stylish and well-regarded, it’s hard to go wrong with Smith Optics for your ski, ride and eyewear needs.

Smith Optics: Pushing the limits of sight and safety

Smith Optics was founded in 1965 by Dr. Bob Smith, a dentist and avid skier. He wanted to craft a better ski goggle that reduced foggy lenses and ended up creating unique double lens smith goggles with breathable vent foam. In those early days, he built his smith goggles by hand and sold them out of his van on ski trips to Utah and Colorado.
After refining his designs, Dr. Smith began producing the original smith goggles in 1969. The early 1970s saw production move to Ketchum, Idaho. By the 1980s, Smith goggles for skiing had expanded into goggle production for dirt bike and mountain bike ...riders as well. In 1989, Smith became incorporated as Smith Sport Optics Inc. The 1990s saw a flurry of innovation as Smith introduced the V3 goggles, which drastically increased skiers' and riders' fields of vision.
In 2006, Smith opened its own manufacturing plant in Utah and began dabbling in the snow helmet market. In 2007, the I/O goggles were released as the first snow goggle with intuitively interchangeable lenses. Since then, Smith has continued innovating with a set of eco-friendly sunglasses called Evolve, and Smith ChromaPop, which allows for unrivaled levels of vibrancy in goggles. They’ve also begun producing bike helmets and refining the catalog of products.

Why Smith Optics Canada?

Altitude Sports carries a large inventory of products from Smith Optics Canada. Smith has proven over decades of innovation that their products can help redefine what's possible. Smith helmets are expertly designed, and smith goggles continue to set the standard for vision while skiing or riding. Why Smith Optics Canada? They’ve been at the forefront for a long time and look poised to continue delivering excellent products for years to come.
At Altitude Sports you can choose from a dynamic lineup of Smith bike helmets, including their Signal, Convoy, Forefront, Session and Network helmets. If skiing is more your style, check out the Smith Express, Maze, Vantage and Mission helmets. As for Smith goggles, peruse the I/O ski goggles, proxy ski goggles, skyline and squad lineups.
Altitude Sports also offers many varieties of Smith sunglasses. You can check out the Attack, Reverb, Ruckus, Shift MAG, Lowdown, Layback sunglasses and more. With dozens of Smiths' finest products, Altitude is the best place to experience all that Smith Optics Canada offers.



Frequently Asked Questions


Who bought Smith Optics?

Smith Optics was bought by the Safilo Group in 1996. Safilo is an Italian company that designs, produces and distributes eyewear products. The group maintains a manufacturing presence in Slovenia, the United States, Italy and China.

Where are Smith Optics Canada glasses made?

Smith Optics owns a manufacturing plant in Utah where many of its products are made. Smith also has a large manufacturing presence in Italy due to their owners, who are Italian. The Safilo Group (Smith Optics’ parent company) operates a factory in China, although the Smith brand does not currently manufacture any products there.

What are the most famous Smith Optics products?

Smith is known for a few stand-out products, including their I/O line of ski goggles and helmets. Recently, their sunglasses have become very popular, specifically the Guides Choice, Attack, Basecamp, and Outback sunglasses.

  • Your Cart is Empty