High performance sunglasses

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As spring approaches, an increasing number of people across the UK are looking to get outside and enjoy active pursuits after curtailing their activities during the winter. All outdoor pastimes, from mountain climbing to sailing, can benefit from performance sunglasses through their use of design and materials.

Adidas Eyewear has unveiled a new product with the launch of the Terrexpro, a state-of-the-art outdoor frame aimed at serious climbers, mountaineers and alpinists. The frame has been developed over five years in close collaboration with high profile mountain sports professionals and is said to combine a unique construction system with innovative features, making it suitable for the most extreme conditions on the planet. The key features of the frame include a new twin filter system, convertible sides/head strap, removable nose protector and interchangeable lenses.

Brazen technology

Marchon offers sports players of all kinds its Nike Brazen model. With crisp angles creating dimension on the temples and frame fronts, Brazen also features a ventilated, rubber nose bridge to improve the airflow and reduce any fogging and slip during activity. The frame is available with Nike's Max Lens technology, which is said to allow precise vision at all angles.

Distributed by Bushnell, Cébé has greeted spring with a collection of new models. Designed for extreme conditions, Cébé ICE features folding side shields, sides that fold inside themselves, a ventilated nose pad and an elastic strap that offers security in action. The frame also benefits from category 4 polycarbonate lenses, which are specifically designed for the exceptional light intensity at a high altitude.

Also from Bushnell is the Bollé range of Golf Sunglasses, as worn by pro golfer Sergio Garcia and available in a range of rimless and semi-rimless styles. The lenses are engineered to enhance vision and deal with the breaks, undulations and textures faced by golfers on the course. Bollé's polarised Marine Collection is said to provide all-day comfort in harsh sunlight by taking the glare off the water's surface. The collection also benefits from a hydrophobic coating to repel water.

Polaroid Eyewear's 2010 sunglass collection, which is available from Norville, includes the P7006 model. Designed for water activities, the inside of the wraparound frame is covered with a thin layer of ultra-light foam to make it easy to wear for long periods of time. Other Polaroid performance frames include Nannini Esprit, which offers protection from sun, wind and spray, and the Nannini Aqua for water sports enthusiasts. The Aqua offers a lightweight modular frame designed for yachting, sailing, windsurfing and fishing. The Nannini Swing is a frame dedicated to golfers, with a specific lens shape to offer a wider field of vision.

Slippery coating

ic!berlin has recently launched several performance sunglass models which feature extremely flexible temples that can be adjusted for fit round the temples and ears. The sunglasses come in four styles and feature a new photochromic lens with an oleophobic coating which repels dirt and water making the frames ideal for active pursuits.

For those wishing to adjust to changing light conditions, the new Quickclick model comes with a easy to change lens system that comprises two super-aerodynamic lens shapes in high contrast orange for dull days and graduated grey for bright days.

The Animal Rincon sunglass from Inspecs is a frame for men and includes polarised lenses and a 'click and lock' hinge system that eradicates the need for screws. For women, Inspecs offers the Speedo range of polarised sunglasses, which feature soft contact non-slip rubber components to improve comfort and fit.

British eyewear brand Sunwise has developed the new Trafalgar RX, which is said to be lightweight, protective and easy to assemble. The sunglass features two sets of multi-mode side shields to convert the optical frame to sports use.

The Swissflex Rainbow sunglass, available from The Eyewear Company, is made out of a micro crystalline polyamide which offers flexibility coupled with the stability required of a sports frame. The frame features no metal or screws and there are eight different nosepad designs to ensure an optimum fit.

Model VD66/67 by Vaude, available from Orange Eyewear, is well suited for sports lovers as the specialist design ensures that the lens will fall outward on impact. The frame is made from flexible and lightweight TR90 material, allowing it to mould to the head. ?