Fly High or Swim Deep: There's Protective Eyewear to Every Sport

By Paddy Kamen

From high-flying snowboarders to on-the-ground golfers and underwater divers, sports eyewear is increasingly necessary for eye and vision protection.

There’s a huge range of sporting activities available to active people today. And most of them require some kind of eyewear, whether for UV protection or to guard the eyes from injury.

Opticians who specialize in sports eyewear find they become ‘destination’ stores. Mike McComb, co-owner with his optician wife, Kelly, of the Iris store in the Richmond Centre Mall in Richmond, B.C., is a case in point. Drawn to selling sports eyewear through his intimate connection with the world of wakeboarding and cable boarding (he officiates at competitions all over the world), McComb says there are many benefits to selling these products, quite aside from his personal affiliation with sport.

“I carry the cool brands that young people identify with, and they buy the eyewear because it is associated with the sport and applies to that particular culture. These sports, like skateboarding, BMX and wakeboarding tend to be pretty hard on the body so they’re the purview of the young. But I also sell to adults who need special eyewear for motorcycling, cycling and golf.”

McComb estimates that about twenty per cent of his total sales come from sports eyewear. “I carry a huge selection, with as many as 200 pieces from some manufacturers. Active people have come to know that this is my specialty and they come from all over to shop here.”

Karen Tarshis, of Sports Specs & Opticals in Toronto, says her emphasis on sports eyewear promotes sales of multiple pairs. “It is not unusual for a client to walk away with three pairs of eyewear from one trip to my store.”

Tarshis offers everything from Rx-able eye protection for tennis, soccer, hockey and baseball, to the more common golf and cycling eyewear. And whenever children are in the store, she lets their parents know about the importance of UV protection, offering a good selection of inexpensive children’s sunwear. She also does well with generic swim goggles.

“While sport eyewear is still perhaps more of an expense to the consumer than they would wish, once they are educated and realize the need for protective eyewear they are happy to have it,” she observes.

Susan Ferron agrees. “Our role as opticians is to introduce new products and educate our clients about their use. Eyewear is about so much more than daily-use eyeglasses; it’s about lifestyles and with people of all ages becoming more active, we have a perfect opportunity, as well as a responsibility to let them know how to protect their eyes and vision when they’re engaged in sports.”

Ferron’s store in Sechelt, B.C., offers a wide variety of protective eyewear for floor hockey, racquet sports, snow and water activities, as well as motorcycling and cycling. Although consumers can purchase some of these products from sporting goods shops, Ferron finds they are delighted to buy them from a specialist who can adjust the eyewear. “Other retailers can’t fit the eyewear and this is our area of expertise. My customers love this and I know they tell their friends to shop here for that reason.”

If you’re thinking of upping your ante with more sports eyewear you’ll want to know about the latest products. Keeping in mind that all the eyewear covered herein offers complete UV protection, here’s an overview of the best:

The Dirty Dog Wet Glass is a popular new product that combines fashionable sunwear with sports-specific goggles – all in one piece. “It comes with a hydrophobic lens coating in an 8 base curve to provide the ultimate in a close, comfortable fit.  With a detachable headband and polarized lenses, these make a perfect choice for anyone who spends a lot of time around the water,” says spokesperson Marina Alexander.

Dirty Dog’s success comes from a combination of style, quality and price, adds Alexander. “We use TR90 nylon for frame construction, with a deep groove for lens fit – which allows the frames to bend and flex without breaking and the lenses to stay intact. The lenses are either a polycarbonate or double acrylic with a polarizing filter laminated in between. All lenses are treated with a scratch resistant hard coat and are distortion free for clarity of vision.”

The Carbon Hybrid Collection from Converse and distributed by Wescan features sunglasses made of a proprietary combination of carbon graphite and TR- 90 nylon that provides both strength and flexibility yet is extremely lightweight. This innovative new material combined with polarized lenses enhances performance while its sleek yet functional designs provides a unique fusion of fashion and function. Many styles feature a built in sun visor designed to prevent harmful rays, reduce glare and block wind. Like the shoes, vulcanized rubber is adhered to the carbon hybrid material providing increased comfort and performance.

adidas introduces the ID2 snowboarding goggles, the agilis multisport glasses and the adidas Originals Suria sunglasses. All three models were winners at the red dot awards, an internationally renowned design competition. The ID2 and agilis scored in the Sports, Games and Leisure category, the ID2 being selected as the “best of the best” product. The adidas Originals model, Suria, netted its award in the Jewellery, Fashion and Lifestyle category.

Franz Koll, adidas eyewear brand manager, notes, “We are delighted at having received such a prestigious prize for three of our glasses in a single year. This strengthens our resolve to remain true to our approach in future and continue to design top quality eyewear for the sports and fashion sector.”

Sundog Distributing Inc. currently sponsors three of the best professional golfers in the world, including rising star Paula Creamer on the LPGA Tour.

“Our products attract customers in all demographics.  However, with the introduction of our Paula Creamer Collection in 2006, we have seen a huge increase in female customers,” says John Whitney,vice-president of product development. 

The Paula Creamer Collectionincorporates the “Prowl” featuring decentered 10 base PC TORIC lenses and a stainless steel frame front; “Strive” featuringone-piece 6 base polycarbonate lens and the performance of MaxFlex RILSAN frames; and a one-piece Bubble 9 base decentered PC lens on “Impression”.

All Sundog products adhere to product standards for North America, and several models are Rx-able.

Manta World Sport was started by former squash pro Brooke Siver, who says sales of protective eyewear for racquet sports have doubled in the last three years.

Siver is the exclusive Canadian distributor for RAD protective eyewear. “RAD goggles will never fog up,” he says. “And all of their products are approved for impact resistance at 90 miles per hour.”

Rx adapters are available for all RAD products. A special adapter piece slides into the nose piece. This adapter holds a prescription lens that one can use for any RAD eyewear because the nosepieces are all the same.

“Kids especially won’t use protective eyewear if they are bulky and ugly,” notes Siver. “RAD products are stylish and lightweight in funky colours.” The Turbo model, with interchangeable lenses is one of the most popular pieces.

Oakley recently launched the Active Lifestyle Collection for Women. A performance collection designed with input from top female athletes, the collection celebrates the unique personalities and lifestyles of Oakley’s famous sports pros, including 2008 World Indoor Champion in hurdles, Lolo Jones and three time Olympian skier Katerina Nash.

The Enduring™ styles are made with proprietary O Matter® frame material encompassing the famous three point fit. Plutonite lenses are available in two shapes, with optional vents. Two sizes of nosepiece allow the wearer to optimize the fit, and lenses come with Oakley hydrophobic/oleophobic anti-smudge lens coating as a standard feature. Prescription ready, the eyewear features optimized peripheral view and side coverage of Polaric Ellipsoid lens geometry.

Bushnell is making an impression with three new additions to the Bollé Sporty Snakes collection – Rattler, Venom and Coral. With thermogrip™ nose pads and temple tips, which absorb moisture, these beauties stay on for volleyball, running and biking. The nylon frames are extremely strong, yet lightweight and flexible.

The entire Snakes collection is Rx-able, with strong polycarbonate lenses and a polarizing option.

TMS Optik focuses exclusively on Rx-able sports eyewear for the Canadian market, with Loubsol, Demetz and Nannini sports eyewear. Demetz began their business over fifty years ago developing scuba goggles with optical inserts with Cressi. They have since developed prescriptive eyewear for almost all sports including swimming, water sports, skiing, and skydiving. A recent innovation is the Opticob, a universal optical insert that can be easily transferred from a ski mask to motorcycle goggles.

Nannini Eyewear offers a modular system of different frames for different sports, allowing the wearer to have a single optical insert that fits all models. Additionally, their Motorcycle line offers classic leather goggles, each model being Rx-able. President Georges Gignac is especially impressed with the leather goggles which are made by the same manufacturer who produces very high-end brand names, but which sell for a reasonable price.

Divers are bound to be impressed with the new Unidive snorkeling mask from McCray Optical Supply. With Rx lenses, the mask is available in two styles, with or without the one-way purge valve, which allows the diver to easily disperse water from the mask.  When the mask is clear, the valve seals shut. The specially designed mask also has flow-tunnels under the nose piece that directs air and bubbles out of the diver’s field of vision. 

McCray also offers water lovers Mosi Rx swimming goggles, with interchangeable Rx lenses allowing for greater flexibility and prescription customization.

Those who prefer the slopes to the water will enjoy McCray’s Italian-designed line of sports eyewear and ski goggles by Salice Occhiali.

Nike Vision, distributed exclusively by Marchon Eyewear Inc., introduces new sun eyewear for runners with the Impel and Tailwind. Each model is equipped with Nike Max Optics lens technology that gives enhanced clarity and precise vision at all angles.

Impel and Tailwind are streamlined, durable and exceptionally lightweight, with the patented Nike Max Speed Tint, which reduces the glare that reflects off asphalt, thereby relaxing the eyes. Both lens shapes offer the same ventilated lens and nose bridge to improve air flow. The secure-wrap temples, made of magnesium, are hyper-light, and the waffle tread pattern gives better grip.

Specifically for women, the Inspire offers the same benefits in a flexible nylon 8 base frame, featuring a jeweled logo on the temple arms.

See Worthy Inc. tells a compelling story for swimmers. “Research has shown that inferior swimming eyewear can actually cause your vision to deteriorate,” says founder Paul Lantiga, who brings Sable WaterOptics swimming spectacles to North America.

“Sable was very first in the world to offer flat lenses in aquatic eyewear, that don’t distort vision above or below water. And they were also the first to offer a wide range of prescription lenses. This product allows the millions of people who love water sports to experience superior vision and protection,” notes Lantiga.

Sable provides a variety of nose bridges for best fit and proper pupil distance. With virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lenses and advanced anti-fog and anti-scratch technology, Sable goggles also provide protection from pool chemicals and waterborne bacteria.

Samantha McGlone, the 2006 Ironman 70.3 World Triathlon Champion says, “I’ve had an opportunity to use just about every swim goggle that is available in the marketplace and SABLE stands above the field.”

Protective Optics Inc. introduces the latest addition to the popular Wiley X Active Series, the new Drapht™. This piece is suited to a wide variety of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, windsurfing and fishing. The same technology and materials developed to provide High Velocity Protection (HVP™) for American soldiers is applied to protect eyes from distracting glare, dust, pollen and other irritants.

The Drapht features a stylish frame made from ANSI-certified triloid nylon that is lightweight, yet extremely rugged.  The wrap-around style and wide temples help Drapht fit snugly and minimize intrusion of peripheral light. This is especially important on the water or during outdoor activities where concentration is vital to safety.

Not surprising given their military heritage, Wiley X lenses are shatterproof and treated with a special scratch-resistant hard coat to maintain their performance and protection in the harshest conditions.

Spy Optic is a company deeply rooted in action sports, focusing on surfing, snowboarding, motocross, skateboarding, wakeboarding and skiing. Spy mixes technology with action sports and pop culture influence to produce a collection of eyewear that meets the highest optical standards, exemplified by engineering advancements such as ARC™ prismatic polycarbonate lenses, Trident polarized lenses, and Delta™ photochromic lenses. Proprietary Scoop™ venting frame design in both sunglass and goggles, Gemini™ snow goggle lenses, and interchangeable Selectron™ foam in their moto goggles have all exceeded existing standards in performance eyewear.  Spy is protected by over 40 design and technology patents pending worldwide. 

Hilco’s Expanded Sports Vision Program offers a turn-key merchandising program that simplifies product selection and maximizes sales. Covering all major sporting activities, Hilco products include racquet sport and basketball protection with Jam’n™, T-Zone™, and Zoom™, Vantage prescription swim goggles, Rx-able diving masks, Alpina® over-the-glasses ski goggles for enhanced vision and performance on the slopes, and Alpina® Rx-able pro sport optics sunglasses offer superior vision for cycling and most other outdoor activities.

Dragon Alliance is a preferred brand for youth who are into surf, snow and motocross. Available in Canada through Timebomb Distributing, the brand is geared to active young men. Endorsed by veteran snowboarder Jamie Lynn, a new goggle with his name will be the hot item for next winter.

“We’re not going after price point, but place a strong emphasis on high quality frame and lens materials,” says brand manager for Dragon, Jeff Gall. “Dragon is always researching new and innovative materials, lenses and coating processes for our products. Our frame materials are also put through rigorous testing. Dragon’s engineers work very closely with plastic and nylon engineers to create exclusive super polymer blends giving our frames infinite strength.”

From Mormaii Canada, comes the fascinating Mormaii Floater sunglass kit which is adaptable to both land-based and water sports. The frame is made of grilamid, has a molecular memory and can be changed from the Street version to the Water Performance version by simply changing from the earpieces to the neoprene strap and exchanging the rubber nose pad for the performance rubber frame, all of which float.

"Floater sunglasses maintain the same visibility at all times no matter what the outside temperature. They protect my eyes from the strong water drips that get into my face," says Sebastian Cuattrin, a canoeist with 11 medals in the Pan-American Games.

Mormaii has several other products for virtually every sport. Many pieces are Rx-able. All pieces are hand painted assuring that there are no two pairs alike.

Parents of young children will be pleased to find the My First Shades brand, distributed by Gabby’s. These retail for less than $20 and so make a good impulse buy, while giving value. The Extremes collection come with shatterproof, impact-resistant polycarbonate frames and polarized lenses with anti-fog vents. The eyewear stays on active kids via a neoprene band, rather than traditional temple pieces. Available in two sizes for children age 3-7 and 7-10. The Infinity Shades are winter goggles in sizes 3-7. My First Shades also features Rx-adaptable impact-resistant sunwear for babies.

Rudy Project specializes in Rx-able sports eyewear for professional athletes and everyday sport lovers around the world. Several proprietary technologies are featured in their various models including Zyon™, a full frame sunglass with interchangeable lenses suitable for water or mountain activities, and Guardyan™ a full-face counter mask that is perfect for motorbike enthusiasts. Rudy Project takes pride in their proprietary polycarbonate lenses, coatings and polarizing properties.

Rudy Project works closely with the professional cycling world, and more than 600 racers belonging to 26 teams will be wearing Rudy Project eyewear during the 2008 world cycling season.

Canadian agent for Rudy Project, Alain Lachambre, says the company offers an amazing choice of lens combinations with virtually 100 per cent of the product Rx-able, either via an insert or directly on the lens. “I’m very impressed with both the quality of the product and the company’s commitment to strengthening their relationships with optical professionals.”