Product Details
Color Details
Size DetailsFrequently Asked Questions
Are the Smith Hookset sunglasses available with prescription lenses?
What is the difference between ChromaPop Glass and ChromaPop Glass PolarChromic lenses?
How does the Smith Hookset fit compared to the Guide's Choice?
Why do the Smith Hookset sunglasses have minimal bottom rims?
Are Smith Hookset lenses scratch-resistant?
What lens color is best for freshwater fishing with the Smith Hookset?
Compare With Similar Frames
How the Smith Optics Performance Water 206768 Hookset Sunglasses stacks up against the closest alternatives we carry.
- Larger frame with wider temples provides maximum sun protection and side coverage
- Proven favorite among professional fishing guides with years of field testing
- Available in more lens options including the popular Ignitor low-light lens
- Lower starting price point ($195-$307)
- Versatile style that transitions well from water to everyday wear
- Available with ChromaPop polarized lenses for excellent water clarity
- Maximum coverage for large faces and those who want the most sun protection
- Same premium ChromaPop Glass lens technology as the Hookset
- Wide temples block even more peripheral light and glare
Read the full comparison
Smith Hookset vs Guide's Choice vs Riptide: Which Fishing Sunglasses Are Right for You?
Smith Optics offers several excellent fishing sunglasses, but the Hookset, Guide's Choice, and Riptide each serve different needs. Here's how they compare.
Coverage and Fit
The Hookset delivers medium coverage in a streamlined rectangular frame that fits medium to large faces. It's positioned between the larger Guide's Choice and slimmer lifestyle models, offering serious fishing features without maximum bulk. The Guide's Choice provides the most aggressive coverage with wider temples and a larger overall profile—ideal for anglers who spend all day in unfiltered sun. The Riptide offers a more versatile style that works well on the water but transitions easily to everyday wear.
Fishing-Specific Features
Both the Hookset and Guide's Choice are purpose-built for fishing. The Hookset features minimal bottom rims that prevent moisture pooling, strategic frame chamfers for water drainage, and an integrated PivLock leash system. The Guide's Choice has been the proven favorite among professional guides for years, with maximum side coverage and the same moisture-management features. The Riptide, while offering excellent ChromaPop polarized lenses, lacks some of these fishing-specific frame details.
Lens Technology
All three models are available with Smith's ChromaPop Glass Polarized lenses for superior clarity and scratch resistance. The Hookset and Guide's Choice both offer the advanced ChromaPop Glass PolarChromic lenses that automatically adjust tint from 11% to 20-23% VLT based on light conditions—a game-changer for anglers who fish dawn to dusk. The Riptide focuses on fixed-tint ChromaPop polarized options at a lower price point.
Why Choose the Hookset?
The Hookset is the best choice if you want serious fishing performance in a medium-coverage frame that doesn't overwhelm your face. It offers the same advanced lens technology as the Guide's Choice but in a more streamlined package. The minimal bottom rim and moisture-channeling design make it ideal for anglers who need clear vision in wet conditions. At $237-$327, it's competitively priced with the Guide's Choice while offering better versatility for those who want one pair that works on and off the water. If you have a medium to large face and fish in varying light conditions, the Hookset with PolarChromic lenses is hard to beat.
At a Glance
Smith Optics Guide's Choice Sunglasses
Pros:
- Larger frame with wider temples provides maximum sun protection and side coverage
- Proven favorite among professional fishing guides with years of field testing
- Available in more lens options including the popular Ignitor low-light lens
- Aggressive 8-base wrap offers superior light blocking from all angles
Cons:
- Larger fit may overwhelm smaller faces or feel bulky for casual wear
- Heavier on the face, especially with glass lenses
- Higher price point ($207-$327 vs $237-$327 for Hookset)
- Less streamlined profile makes them less versatile for everyday use
Smith Optics Riptide Sunglasses
Pros:
- Lower starting price point ($195-$307)
- Versatile style that transitions well from water to everyday wear
- Available with ChromaPop polarized lenses for excellent water clarity
- Comfortable for all-day wear with similar Megol grip technology
Cons:
- Less fishing-specific features than the Hookset (no minimal bottom rim design)
- May not offer the same level of moisture management for serious anglers
- Frame design provides less wraparound coverage for side glare protection
- Not available with the advanced PolarChromic photochromic technology
Smith Optics Guide's Choice XL Sunglasses
Pros:
- Maximum coverage for large faces and those who want the most sun protection
- Same premium ChromaPop Glass lens technology as the Hookset
- Wide temples block even more peripheral light and glare
- Ideal for open-water fishing where sun exposure is most intense
Cons:
- XL fit will be too large for most medium-sized faces
- Heavier and bulkier than the Hookset's medium coverage
- Less versatile for casual wear or non-fishing activities
- Same price range ($215-$327) but with less universal fit