Product Review: Transitions Adaptive Sunwear

Today's review is for another product that I have found useful during my fall commutes.

I love sunglasses. Anytime I'm outdoors, I have a pair on. Sunglasses are invaluable for riding, not only do they protect your eyes from the sun - and harmful UV rays, but they also protect your eyes from debris. If your ride starts early, or ends late, it can be difficult to wear your glasses throughout the whole ride. There are options, such as glasses with interchangable lenses, but then you have another set (or more) of lenses to keep track of, or to store. The other option is photochromic lenses.

Photochromic lenses dynamically change their tint based on the changing light conditions. 

Transitions Optical is a pioneer in photochromic technology, they have been producing corrective lenses with the technology for over 20 years. I had a pair of glasses back in junior high (and junior high was way longer than 20 years ago) that had Transitions lenses. 

Back in 2009, Transitions Optical launched Transitions Adaptvive Sunwear, and partnered with some of the major players in the sports industry, such as Oakley, Nike, Callaway, and Bell helmets, to introduce their product outside of  clear ophthalmic lenses.

When you're talking about prescription Transition lenses, you are normally concerned about just going from clear to dark. With sports lenses, Transitions has worked in different tints and colors depending on the activity. 

Since I haven't swung a golf club in anger in several years, I didn't pay attention to the Nike Golf, or Callaway lines, and instead focused on the cycling options from Oakley and Nike Max.

For cycling, there are several different options available. Oakley has light grey, G40 (muted rose), clear-black Iridium, and VR50 (light tint), Which are available in their Fast Jacket, Flack Jacket, Half Jacket, and Racing Jacket frames. Nike has the speed tint available in their Tailwind 12, Skylon Ace and Skylon Ace Pro frames.

For me, my fall commute usually starts and ends in the dark. It is nice to have a pair of glasses that adapt to whatever light conditions are out there without having to fumble with interchangable lenses on the train, or remembering to put a pair of glasses in my bag so I'll have them later in the day. 

Nike Max Speed Tint, deactivated and activated.

Oakley Flack Jacket with the Transitions clear/black Iridium lenses.