TIFOSI
TECHNICALLY TOPS FOR DAILY AND SPORT SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow, SLC
August 8th
Words, Judith Ecochard,
Celebulites may be hiding behind Jackie O shades but the trends in the sports eyewear market continues to be a move away from oversized sunglasses to on trend smaller frames that manage to offer full eye protection fused with the latest techy innovations.
The dual roles (function and street fashionable) played out in every sunglass exhibitor we visited.
TIFOSI
We cannot believe we were not familiar with this line of sports sunglasses as this popular 35-year-old brand had its antecedents in biking/golfing…activities we love.
Priced in “the sweet spot” of $39-$89, Tifosi’s extensive line of polarized sunglasses (shatterproof, 100% UVA/UVB protection, glare reduction) for men, women and children are all products of in-house technical know how, and quality workmanship.
New for Spring ’09 is the “Dea” model for gals-with interchangeable lenses in smoke, clear and AC Red (for different lighting conditions), and hydrophilic rubber ear and (narrower) nose pieces for fit and comfort. Side ventilation –making these shades perfect for sports and everyday wear…and chic thicker side temples-are added pluses.
We also tried on a pair of EC™ Lens (extreme contrast)-a purple-ish, light-weight lens that helps golfers read those greens down to every itty bitty blade of grass.
Oh well, there goes that excuse.
Other new Tifosi innovations featuring Fototec™ lenses with variable tint technology that lighten or darken “for a squint free view” …are the GT™ Lens that assists wearers in “distinguishing a ball in flight (tennis/golf).
INFO: TIFOSI
DEA
SMITH® OPTICS
We haven’t worn a pair of Smith Goggles since Andre 3000 of Outkast made it cool for every hip urban dweller to wear while struttin’ the city streets.
Hey, it was a look that had its moment.
We really like the new Smith designs…particularly the Interlock Spoiler with Grilamid TR90 frames punched up with snazzy metal accents… a whole lot better for everyday and active endeavors. We know the Tech Lite technology behind the shades (scratch-resistant glasses that are light weight) are tops…and the unique interchangeable-lens Interlock system (twisting the two temple arms releases the lens)…are practical and user-friendly.
But yes, Smith continues to offer cutting edge snow goggles (tinted interchangeable lenses, fog-free vision via the patented Vaporater lens, perfect fit) as well as eyewear for motorsports.
And snow helmets that are sure to become fashion statements too. (All those construction crane collapses).
INFO: SMITH OPTICS
MSRP: Sunglasses $99-$130, Goggles $74-$120
IMAGES COURTESY OF TIFOSI AND SMITH OPTICS