Gallery: Sports Shades to Fit Every Activity
01switch-lycan
If you've ever tried to run a marathon wearing aviator sunglasses, you know the value of eyewear that's suited for specific uses. There's a pair of shades for almost every sport you can think of -- from riding a century or climbing a mountain to sitting around on a beach with a Corona. The Swappers ------------ Switch Vision aims to make switching lenses a simple affair with the magnetically attached lenses inside its new [Lycan sunglasses](http://www.switchvision.com/product_12501.html) ($150). The interior side of the lens slips into a groove in the frames while strong magnets located near the temple hinges hold everything in place. The system works really well -- when you want to swap tints or treatments, the lenses pop right out when you push on them, and the new lenses snap right in. I was even able to swap lenses one-handed while driving (not recommended) without ending up rolling across the sidewalk. The lenses stay in place if you take a tumble, too. It took a lot of effort to knock the lenses out of the frames -- more of an impact than you're ever likely to encounter. The Lycans come with a set of polarized (shown above) and rose-tinted lenses, with a slew of other lens options available for between $50 and $120 each. __WIRED__ The Triguard polycarbonate lenses are just about scratch-proof. If you hit something hard enough to knock one of these things out, your sunglasses will be the least of your problems. __TIRED__ Sunglass case doesn't fit both sunglasses and the extra lens case. No rubber grip on earpieces. *Photo courtesy of Switch Vision*
02bolle-tempest
The Multi-Sport Marvels ----------------------- The best multi-sport sunglasses are the ones you stop thinking about moments after you put them on your face. These [Bolle Tempest](http://www.bolle.com/products/tempest/satin-crystal-gray-tns.aspx) shades ($150) are light enough to forget that you're wearing them, and the highly effective B-clear lens will remind you how effective they are every time you take them off. The [Trivex lenses](http://www.ppg.com/optical/opticalproducts/opticalmaterials/Pages/Trivex.aspx) are lightweight enough to wear during marathon sessions without soreness, and tough enough to survive a few drop-and-kick situations. One of the most notable aspects of the lenses is their hydrophobic coating, which makes sweat roll right off, keeping view-obscuring residue to a minimum, while the open design keeps the lenses from fogging. __WIRED__ Extremely clear lens system. Sweat rolls right off. Featherweight design. Temples bow out a little to fit around helmet straps. __TIRED__ Frames aren't super grippy, and they tend to slip down your nose on rockier downhill runs. *Photo by Ariel Zambelich/Wired*[](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/about/#faq13)
03kaenon-arlo
The Downtimers -------------- For everyday use, [Kaenon's Arlo](http://www.kaenon.com/sunglasses/arlo/) model ($204) combines street-savvy style with the company's SR-91 polarized lens and an extremely grippy set of nose pads molded into the frame. The result is a set of shades that looks great in town, but will also perform fairly well in the wild. The lenses are startlingly clear, cutting glare without reducing clarity, and they survived drop tests without a scratch. The shades stayed put during mellow mountain bike rides and during long day hikes, but its lack of rubber grip at the earpieces gave it a tendency to slip down the nose when trails started to get rough or when my dome started getting too sweat-soaked. __WIRED__ Amazingly clear lenses. Looks good in all activities, especially the ones involving a resting heart rate. The most scratch-resistant lenses of the bunch. __TIRED__ Frame slips off during bouncier endeavors like trail running and sprinting after the bus. *Photo by Ariel Zambelich/Wired*[](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/about/#faq13)
04revo-headway
The Boaters ----------- Designed for kayaking, deep-sea fishing and other watersports, [Revo's Headway sunglasses](http://www.revo.com/#/models/79-headwaytm) ($200) rock the company's polarized water lens, a glass lens that knocks down blue colors to provide a clearer view of what's going on underneath the surface. The lenses are also treated with Revo's "Element Shed" coating, which allows salt water, sweat, and other obstructions to roll right off the lens. On a dawn kayaking trip in Monterey Bay, the lenses cut down the glare considerably in direct sunlight, allowing for amazing views of the pelicans dropping in on the fish. Don't worry about dropping them in the water, either -- they come with a leash and foam buoy to keep them afloat when (not if) they tumble overboard. __WIRED__ Glass lenses resist scratches. Water lens noticeably cuts reflective glare. They still look good on dry land. __TIRED__ Pricey. Frame sits close to face, and long eyelashes tend to brush the lenses. *Photo by Ariel Zambelich/Wired*[](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/about/#faq13)
05julbo-explorer
The Mountaineers ---------------- A few years ago, I climbed Mt. Shasta with a pair of frameless running sunglasses. The open design prevented fogging, but it also let in enough reflective sunlight to give me a terrifying case of snowblindness. That's a sunburn. On my damn eyes. It's as bad as it sounds. Which is why [Julbo's Explorer sunglasses](http://www.julbousa.com/mountain/explorer/) ($190) seem like such a great idea -- removable wings on the frames provide full eye coverage, while front vents prevent excessive fogging. On snowshoe trips back up Mt. Shasta, the Explorer's removable eye shields provided total eye protection, while the polarized and photochromatic lens lightened the tint during cloud cover, then ramped up the protection when the sun poked out. The result? No blindness, snow or otherwise. __WIRED__ Full-face coverage. Lenses are wicked clear. Earpieces bend to fit helmets, beanies, and mutant skulls. __TIRED__ Makes you look like a cast member of *The Book of Eli* if you wear them at sea level. *Photo by Ariel Zambelich/Wired*[](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/about/#faq13)
