Summertime Guide to Sunglasses
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Sunglasses are an essential staple for those who spend time outdoors. And rather than grabbing the gas station “get me bys” that are uncomfortable and only shade your eyes, why not treat yourself to the perfect pair of sunglasses that can actually enhance your vision, protect your eyes and provide the all day comfort you deserve.
Whether you’ll be spending your summer hitting the roads on two wheels, cruising the singletracks, hiking your favorite backcountry trail or kicking back and enjoying the beach life, we handpicked a selection of both active and lifestyle glasses that stand out for their clarity, comfort and durability.
Active Eyewear
Revant SL1
Ultralight Clarity
Revant S1L sunglasses are ultralight and optimized to perform in every way without stealing an ounce of focus. The Revant S1L sets a new standard for lightweight performance. Weighing in at only twenty-five grams, the ultralight minimal frame has a heightened nose bridge that locks in place with proprietary MaxGrip® material. See clearer for longer with better ventilation and a design that eliminates fogging.
With Revant’s ultralight frame and a pair of Elite polarized lenses, these versatile and flexible shades are a superb companion for any high-energy activity and promise to weather through without fail. The lightweight construction, strategic venting, and unobtrusive styling won’t bog you down in the middle of an activity. In fact, you might even forget you’re wearing them.
Features
- Ultralight design
- MaxGrip® non-slip protection
- Ventilated frame structure
- No headwear interference
- Elite polarized lenses
- Easy to swap lenses
- Protective case included
- Frames designed and built in the USA
- Backed for life with Revant Max Care
- Fit: Medium/Large
Available at revantoptics.com MSRP $155
Sungod Custom Pacebreakers
Customize Your Performance
SunGod gives control to you, allowing you to design and customize your sunglasses. The customization experience is a simple 4 step process, letting you choose the colors of the frame, icons, earsocks and finally picking the lens, allowing you to create your own unique look.
The Sungod Pacebreakers are crafted for high-speed intensity thanks to their sleek fit and curved lens that adds a boost of aerodynamics to the mix. The frames themselves are built from Sungod’s Adventureproof Frame Material that offer the ultimate in durability and protection, allowing the frames to be flexed without snapping or showing signs of stress, returning to their original shape and dramatically reducing the risk of breakage. The polarized 4KO lenses provide an obstruction-free window to the world and the 2mm polycarbonate lenses hold up to crashes with durability that is more impact resistance than glass or plastic for a boost of protection. And for your inner gram-counter, you can rest at ease knowing that the glasses weigh in at just 27 grams, so you don’t have to carry along extra bulk to the podium.
Features
- 2mm Polycarbonate Core Lenses – Precise optical clarity and complete impact protection
- Triple-Layer Scratch Resistance – Ensures lenses remain in the best condition
- Anti-Reflective Inner Lens Coating – Inner lens reflections and glare are eliminated
- 100% UV Protection – Complete protection against all harmful UV light
- AdventureProof Flexible Frame – Material is durable, hightensile and lightweight
- Grip-Lock™ Ear Socks – Increasing in grip with sweat
- Full Frame Impact Protection – Tested under extreme conditions to ensure unrivalled protection
- Lightweight – Weigh in at just 27g
- Interchangeable Nose Piece – 2 different sized nose pieces so you can tailor the fit
Available at sungod.co MSRP Starting at $90
Tifosi Alliant
Don’t Get Fogged Up
Sleek angles and premium materials define the Alliant as a performance sunglass for cyclists, runners, and endurance athletes. Vented lenses improve airflow while the adjustable ear and nose pads of hydrophilic rubber increase grip as you sweat ensuring a perfect, stable fit.
Perhaps the biggest name in high quality affordable active eyewear – and with good reason – Tifosi has a long history of offering up superb products at reasonable prices and these, their Alliant Sunglasses, are no different. The Light Night Fototec performance shades are made from a combination of a lightweight Grilamid frame and polycarbonate lenses – each of which featuring clever ventilation cut-outs that improve air circulation and prevent fogging. And the hydrophilic nose and ear pieces keep these shades snug on your face.
The Alliant is available in a number of different lens and color options.
Features
- Made of Grilamid TR-90, a homopolyamide nylon characterized by an extremely high alternative bending strength, low density, and high resistance to chemical and UV damage.
- Hydrophilic rubber ear and nose pieces for a no-slip fit.
- Adjustable ear and nose pieces for a customizable, comfortable fit.
- Vented lenses improve air circulation, prevent fogging.
- Photochromic lenses adapt to your environment, transmitting less light to your eye when it’s more sunny and transmitting more light as the day becomes night, providing an ideal moment-to-moment tint.
Available at tifosioptics.com MSRP $69 – $79
Smith Tempo Max
Maximium Clarity
A high contrast brown base lens color with a deep red mirror finish boosted with ChromaPop color enhancement technology to maximize clarity and help you effortlessly see more detail. Best for areas of high sun exposure and offering maximum style, this lens is built on the carbonic lens platform.
The Smith Tempo Max features a lightweight TR90 frame for a barely there feel as you run. An interchangeable lens design allows you to customize the sunglasses to your needs and the light conditions, while the semi-rim construction keeps the sunglasses aerodynamic while filtering out light so you can relax and focus on the trail ahead.
Features
- Semi-rim construction with interchangeable ChromaPop lenses for bright light and low light conditions
- Megol nose pads
- Performance injected TR90 frame material
- 9 base lens curvature
- Auto-lock hinges
- Rx compatible
- Medium fit/coverage
- Includes additional ChromaPop Contrast Rose Flash lenses
Available at smithoptics.com and amazon.com MSRP $169
Lifestyle Eyewear
Sungod Custom Renegades
Customize Your Style
Style and performance fuse to create a cutting edge design. Featuring colour-accented icons and Sungod’s trademark 4K Optics lenses, the Renegades have been engineered for every adventure and will be custom designed by you.
Classic lines and styling meets dynamic protection and contrast in the Sungod Renegades. The 4KO tech in the lightweight polycarbonate lenses filters out harmful UV rays while repelling oil, dirt, water, and scratches, for days at the beach or cruising around town. The Adventureproof Flexible frame lets you rest easy knowing that these shades will survive the heavy abuse you’re sure to put them through. An exceptionally grippy matte finish on the frame helps keep the fit snug and secure, and the included microfiber bag wipes down and stores your shades at the end of the day.
Features
- 2mm Polycarbonate Core Lenses – Precise optical clarity and complete impact protection
- Triple-Layer Scratch Resistance – Ensures lenses remain in the best condition
- Anti-Reflective Inner Lens Coating – Inner lens reflections and glare are eliminated
- AdventureProof Flexible Frame – Material is durable, hightensile and lightweight
- Full Frame Impact Protection – Tested under extreme conditions to ensure unrivalled protection
- Lightweight – Weigh in at just 29g
- Interchangeable Lenses – 6 refined lens tints to choose from
- Cool Matte Finish – Stay in place, without getting sticky or sweaty
- Secure Steel Pin Hinges – Ensure maximum security and durability
Available at sungod.co MSRP Starting at $60
Maui Jim Monkeypod
Beach Buddy
Maui Jim’s Monkeypod Sunglasses are great for coverage from harsh sunlight. Their wraparound curvature combines with thicker temples to keep your eyes shaded at all times. The MauiPure lens material delivers optical clarity with top-of-the-line scratch resistance and Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 lens treatment eliminates glare and visual distortion for decreased eye fatigue. The wraparound frame has a saddle bridge with nose pad inserts to keep a snug fit even if you happen to break a sweat. This large wrap offers lasting protection from the sun, while the unique acetate temple arms gives this style an edge.
Features
- Frame – Black Matte
- Lens – Blue Hawaii – Mirror coating offers amazing color enhancement and clarity
- Lens Material – MauiPure – Ultralight and excellent scratch & shatter resistance.
- Shape – Large wrap shape that complements square, round, oval or heart shaped faces.
- Bridge – Saddle-style fixed bridge with adjustable nose pads
- Finishing Treatment – Three colorful options available in gloss and matte finishes.
- Material – Grilamid
- Hinge – Traditional hinge
Available at www.mauijim.com MSRP $229
Native Eyewear Ashdown
Road Trip Ready
This squared-lens frame, named for the remote Ashdown Gorge Wilderness in southwestern Utah, has an adventurous side that’s always down for a road trip. Contrast-enhancing optics ensure that no obstacle goes unseen and Cushinol nose pads and temple tips keep this lightweight frame in place, while trilaminate frame technology provides superior durability so you’re always ready to take the road less traveled.
The subtly square styling of the lightweight Rhyno-Tuff Air frame sets the Ashdown apart from the masses, but it’s the premium Polarized lenses that really set the standard with their glare-cutting, color-boosting qualities, showing details that hide beneath the surface, and creating a color-rich experience that is more descriptive than the naked eye. Of course, all the color in the world is no good if your shades slide down your nose, so Native hooked the Ashdown up with Cam-Action hinges and Cushinol nose and temple pads to keep them glued to your face whether you’re in the water, on land, or in the air.
Features
- Co-Injected Rhyno-Tuff® Air Frames
- Cushinol™
- Cam-Action Hinges
- Interchangeable Lens System
- Made of eco-friendly material
- Optimal fit for medium profiles
Available at amazon.com/nativeeyewear. MSRP $119
Sunski Portolas
Next Level Look Good, Feel Good
No waste, All Win. After a multi-year process of R&D, Sunski created a new way to use recycled plastic to achieve the style, feel, and quality for which Sunski is known. The Sunski Portolas are made of strong, durable – yet flexible recycled plastic material molded into frames that have been designed and thoroughly tested.
The Sunski Portolas is a universal winner for the modern aesthete. Designed to be your everyday, go-to pair of shades, the Portolas are infused with a splash of sophistication to ensure they stand out to the discerning eye. They feature a high nose bridge, accentuated keyhole and thin, low-profile arms. With their lightweight feel, the Sunski Portolas Sunglasses are sure to land a starring role in your summer plans. Available in Black Rose and Tortoise Aqua they offer distinct color contrasts and distortion-free views to reduce eye fatigue throughout the day. Plus, the lenses are housed in the 100% recycled lightweight frame for a light and comfortable feel on the face.
Features
- Made from recycled plastic
- Polarized and comfortable
- Forever warranty
- Planet positive
- Crafted carrying case
- Microfiber cleaning pouch
Available at sunski.com MSRP $ 68