When I was offered the Reebok by Lucyd NITROUS Smart Glasses, I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical. Smart Glasses, as a concept, haven’t really taken off in the way some analysts thought they would and for a long time, they seemed stuck between too fanciful to be real and too underwhelming to be worthwhile. But a lot has changed since those halcyon days of Google Glass, and I was curious to see what the new world of Smart Tech had to offer.
Honestly, I’m a little bit conflicted with the NITROUS Smart Glasses, because they really are the kind of thing that are cool in theory, but don’t really hit the mark in practice. As a wearable that offers some enhancement to your daytime excursions, they can be pretty cool. But for anyone wanting a more accommodating experience, they may be left severely wanting.
When I reviewed the Samsung Gear Sport way back in 2018, I referred to smartwatches as “a very convenient middle man between my phone and my hand,” insofar as it eliminated the need to reach into my pocket when needing to interact with my phone. In some ways, the NITROUS Smart Glasses act similarly, but to put it bluntly, the NITROUS Smart Glasses are effectively an MP3 player you wear on your face.
That’s a bit glib, but not entirely untrue. The NITROUS Smart Glasses are more of a piece of high-end active wear—better suited to outdoor exercise or simple day-to-day activities. And, to its credit, for what it is, it works pretty well. The frame of the NITROUS Smart Glasses supports two HiFi open-ear speakers that pump out audio at an incredibly high quality.
Testing the Reebok by Lucyd NITROUS Smart Glasses while in optimal conditions, I was almost convinced that I was wearing headphones, as the clarity and position of the audio was so crisp and clear. While wearing the glasses outside during a run, it was still possible to hear the audio even with the ambient noise of beachfront vendors and crowds of people.
The inclusion of these speakers, alongside a simple toggle—which we’ll get to in a moment—adds a bit of bulk to the glasses’ arms, but not so much that it becomes cumbersome. It maintains a sleek, professional look, and at 51 grams, the frame of the NITROUS Smart Glasses has a sturdy bit of heft that makes them feel secure during use without being overbearing.
“…the Reebok by Lucyd NITROUS Smart Glasses are a fairly decent entry point into the smart glasses market.”
I’ve mentioned before that I currently live in Brazil, and as such, a pair of good sunglasses is essential. However, as someone who has never really liked wearing contacts, getting prescription sunglasses can be a bit on the pricey side. Thankfully, Lucyd was able to provide me with prescriptions through SmartBuyGlasses, which increases the usability of these glasses not just for me, but for anyone with compromised vision.
Furthermore, living in the northeast part of Brazil means it’s hot almost year-round, which is where the NITROUS Smart Glasses’ Polarized UV400 lenses really came in handy. While walking outside during peak daylight, I was genuinely impressed with how comfortable my eyes were under the blazing sun.
What disappoints me most about the NITROUS Smart Glasses, though, is their simplistic control that doesn’t really provide a lot of options for usability—especially during activity. The unit features a simple switch that can be flicked up or down to control volume, pressed in to pause or play music, or activate your phone’s digital assistant with a long-press. There’s no way to alter the functionality or use the device to cycle through your music, and considering that’s one of the core features of the NITROUS, it’s a bit of a let-down.
And with the unit touts a suite of “AI Features,” it’s effectively what is available on your phone—or through ChatGPT, via the Lucyd app. I can see how, in theory, using a digital assistant for simple features like advancing a song or checking the weather would work with the NITROUS Smart Glasses. Not only that, but utilizing the active translation feature can be a genuine boon if you’re vacationing abroad in a non-English-speaking country.
But if there’s any ambient noise, getting the glasses to hear your command can be a bit more difficult. Not only that, but needing to hold the button down every time to issue a command is just far more tedious than it needs to be. I just really wish it offered some way to tailor the user experience to your specific needs, to make the unit feel more personal and functional.
However, for a competitive $199 USD, the Reebok by Lucyd NITROUS Smart Glasses are a fairly decent entry point into the smart glasses market. They’re a low-frills unit with some impressive speakers behind them that will be a genuine addition to any user who prioritizes outdoor activity.
- Superior HiFi Sound Engineering: USA-tuned audio system delivers exceptional sound quality with rich bass and clear highs that surpass conventional audio eyewear
- Multi-Activity Design: Lightweight, secure construction with adjustable nosepads ensures comfort across multiple sports and fitness activities
