05/21/2015
Summer is finally here, bringing with it lots of bright sunny
days and a new range of outdoor activities. While protecting your
skin from the sun is a no-brainer, protecting your eyes should be
too. Sunglasses are a valuable piece of safety gear during any
outdoor activity. They protect your eyes from dirt, dust, bugs, and
most importantly, the harmful rays of the sun, which can cause
cataracts and other problems with your eyes. The heat of the sun
can also dry your eyes out, causing eye fatigue. Not only will
sunglasses help you see better to perform your best, but they can
help you stay alert and active longer!
We can help you ensure that your eyes remain protected in style,
with sunglasses from Smith, Suncloud, Maui Jim, Oakley, and Costa.
While the first three are old favorites, Costa is a new brand for
us, and we're incredibly excited about their polarized lenses and
impressive styles. Every pair of Costas that we sell have 580G or
580P lenses, which means that whether they are glass or
polycarbonate, they block 100% of UV rays and are 100% polarized
for maximum clarity. They obstruct yellow light to enhance color
and block blue light to reduce haze and blur, giving you the best
possible view from within your frame!
Here are some of our favorite models of sunglasses, with the
main features that make them best suited for each outdoor activity
you love!
Shades Great for
Paddleboarding
Costa Brine 580P in tortoise with green mirror
lenses
When spending a day standing on your board and paddling, you want
a pair of glasses that won't weigh you down. Costa's, Brine 580P
are made from Polycarbonate, a material that is virtually
unbreakable, lighter weight than glass and won't fog. All Costa
lenses are polarized, providing 100% UV protection and reducing eye
strain. The frame has a slight curve to it, blocking the side of
your eye from the reflecting sun in any direction your
paddling.
Kayak With No
Distractions
Costa Rooster 580G in blackout with blue
mirror
While kayaking your sight line is expanded over miles of open
water and visible sky. The Costa Rooster 580G creates a clear plane
of vision, with glass lenses, which offer a higher level of clarity
and are resistance to scratches. These frames are side-cupped,
hugging your face at the temples to provide additional protection
from the glare of the sun. Mirrored lenses help with glare by
reflecting harmful light away from your eyes, making them an
excellent choice for activities on the open water.
Protect Your Eyes While
Running
Smith Parallels in matte black with green Sol-X
lenses
These wrapped frames offer extra protection to the eyes, helping
you whether you're on the trail or a bright sunny road. The
nosepiece is constructed of Hydrophilic Megol, a material that
gently grips the skin and actually grips harder when introduced to
moisture. The lenses have a gray base, which won't distort color,
and a multi-layer green mirror, which reflects glare and works to
reduce eye fatigue in bright conditions. These lenses protect from
harmful UV-A, -B and -C rays, and two more lenses are included, so
you are protected in any light condition.
Hike Farther and
Longer
Maui Jim Haleakala in gray fade with HT
lens
Maui Jim's HT, or High Transmission, lenses are yellow and allow
the highest transmission of usable light, making them perfect for
low-light conditions. Yellow lenses provide an enhanced depth of
field and superior contrast, making these sunglasses an excellent
choice for exploring shaded forest trails. The Haleakala is made
with a wrap frame that will help protect your eyes from unseen
obstacles, like small branches hanging over the side of the trail.
The adjustable nose pads are made of Rabalon, which helps to
prevent slippage.
Keep You Eyes Safe While
Biking
Smith Pivlock Arena in white-red fade with red Sol-X
lens
Smith created these lenses with athletes in mind--they are made to
fit the face snugly to prevent slipping in the most extreme
conditions. A two-position adjustable nosepiece made of Hydrophilic
Megol keeps them in place with no distractions. Biking with wrap
around frames is important, so your peripheral vision isn't
obstructed. The Smith Pivlock has frames set farther back on your
temple for better visibility of other riders and oncoming traffic.
The wrap around lenses also help to block wind from your eyes and
prevent fogging of the lens. The lenses have a gray base, which
keeps colors from being altered, with a red mirrored layer that
fights glare. The lenses protect against hazardous UV-A, -B and -C
rays. They come with two sets of lenses for varying light
conditions.
Look Sharp! The Best
Lifestyle Shades
Costa Palapa 580P in gunmetal with silver
mirror
Wireframes offer a fun look for everyday wear and look great on
men and women alike. An essential feature is the silver mirror
lenses that have a copper base, designed for very little color
distortion. Built into these glasses is a mirror layer that
reflects glare and makes the best use of light that's coming in.
Silver mirror lenses are great for outdoor activities with variable
light conditions, making them your go-to shades for everyday
use.
Oakley Frogskins in polished clear with violet iridium
lens
These sunglasses have a fun classic look, great for men and women!
The lenses are made of Plutonite, a material that offers excellent
clarity and impact resistance along with protection against UVA, B,
and C rays. The lenses are lightweight and great for all day
wear.
Reading on the
Beach
Suncloud Aviator 2.00 in gold with brown
lenses
Suncloud has a great new line of readers that are perfect for
relaxing on the beach with a book. The polarized lenses fight glare
so you can read in even the brightest sunlight, and the built in
Bifocal lenses magnify at the bottom without obstructing your
entire view.
When you
have to walk the dog in a downpour or run errands on a super wet
day, it's important to have a highly waterproof layer that is up
for any conditions you might encounter. The Precip from Marmot
($99) is an excellent do-all jacket, with a storm flap over the
zipper and armpit zips to give you extra ventilation. A lighter,
more durable option is the Fuse Form Dot Matrix ($179.95) from the
North Face, which uses a new way of fusing different fabrics
without seams to make them even more water-tight.
Maintaining a
professional look with a raincoat on can be tough, so we recommend
opting for a jacket that has a longer length, to appear more
clean-cut and offer additional protection. The Codetta Coat from
Arc'teryx ($299) has an above-average center back length of 32
inches and comes in neutral colors.
When
you are heading out on a long-term camping trip or backpacking
adventure, you'll need a coat that is not only highly waterproof
but offers above-average ease of motion. The Beta LT from Arc'teryx
($499) is a Goretex Pro shell so breathable that you don't even
need pit zips, and articulated elbows keep the fabric from bunching
up.
Every kid needs a
good, protective rain coat so they can continue enjoying their time
outside all throughout the rainy season. The Resolve Reflective
from North Face ($58.95), the Precip from Marmot ($65) and the
Torrent Shell from Patagonia ($99) all come in boys' and girls'
colors, with sizes from XS to XL, and include reflective features
for added safety.
