HIKING NEWS ITEM

Smith Optics Releases Street Savvy Melrose

FRIDAY, 30 MARCH 2007

KETCHUM, IDAHO – Welcome to the Melrose, a sunglass inspired on the streets of New York and L.A. and finished with Italian craftsmanship. Both sophisticated and eye-catching, the Melrose combines classic Italian design with American youth pop culture.

“The Melrose is the epitome of where today’s eyewear fashion is going – clean, sophisticated and forward,” said Eric Carlson, Smith Optics’ VP of Product Development. “It’s the definition of Smith Style.” Smith Optics designed the Melrose with a generously oversized wrap frame to conceal more than they give away, while a creative lens dropout at the temple draws attention as only a Smith frame can.

The Melrose frame is made with Grilamid TR90, a material that delivers stunning color, lightweight comfort and an enduring lifespan. On the Melrose temple, a Smith word mark is etched into a unique metal hinge. With a heavy 8-base lens curve, the Melrose features Smith’s proprietary Tapered Lens Technology™ (TLT™), a precise thinning of the lens from the center to the edges that eliminates any possible optical distortion.

More than just good looking, the Melrose lenses provide complete protection from harmful UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. And as with all Smith Optics sunglasses, the Melrose is protected by Smith’s Lifetime Warranty. The Melrose comes in a Black frame with Gray lenses; Havana with Brown lenses; Plum with Gray Gradient lenses; and White Gold with Brown lenses ($99).

ABOUT SMITH: Based in Sun Valley, Idaho, with a Southern California office in San Clemente, Smith Optics, Inc. was founded in 1965 with the creation of the first goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam. Today, Smith is known for its diverse line of sunglasses, goggles and helmets. Smith’s devotion to excellence, innovation, performance and style has made Smith the choice of action-sport athletes worldwide. Smith products are sold in more than 50 countries through sporting goods and specialty stores. For more information, check out www.smithoptics.com. Performance. Style. Smith. Solid. For our online media kit, check out Melrose.