You gotta wear your shades.
No one needs to tell me twice, as I spend quite a bit of time outside and well, right about this time of the year, out on the river. As summertime hits us here in the Northern Hemisphere, I had the chance to try out these new pair of ZEAL Optics Penny Lane sunglasses, and here’s what I found.
Of their three sunglasses categories-Active, Performance and Lifestyle-the Penny Lane frame falls into their Lifestyle grouping. I found these glasses to be perfect for SUP boarding in the afternoon, taking a leisurely bike ride, and well, simply put-during my every day outings. The large fit made sure that no sun snuck through the sides of the glasses, and I enjoyed the ample coverage. The lenses are polarized, which are a must for me considering I spend so much time on the water. (Polarized sunglasses help to minimize the sun glare that comes off the reflection in the water.)
The glasses itself are light and durable, and fit snugly on my face. Sometimes I find sunglasses can hit on the temples of your head, giving you a headache eventually. Not with the Penny Lane-these glasses fit perfectly-not too tight, and not in danger of falling off.
The glasses have a hard carrying case that protects them from scratching and additional wear and tear, and I liked the additional protection. I have a habit of tossing my gear around, and I knew the glasses would last longer due to the case.
As a loyal tortoise frame colored wearer, I was intrigued by the bright sky blue color. Truth be told, I tend to not want to make bold statements with my sunglasses, and these were just a bit on the flashy side for me. Sure, I like to take risks and live adventurously, but these sunglasses were just a wee bit bright for me. They’ve got this covered though, and offer plenty of colors of their frames-even the tried and true tortoise option.
Lastly, the black, polarized, Hyperion lenses do a good job at providing full coverage to my eyes, but I felt at times I was still squinting a bit, even with the sunglasses on. I would’ve preferred darker lenses that gave just a little bit more eye protection.
What I Love:
- Light, durable frames that fit perfectly.
- Excellent travel hardcover case that protects against scratches.
- Large fit coverage.
Not so Much:
- Lighter lenses aren’t quite dark enough to stop squinting.
- Brighter frames are a wee bold for me-will head back to the tried and true tortoise shell frame color.
You can buy the Penny Lane sunglasses for $109 here on the ZEAL Optics website.