Leadville Trail 100 Sponsor Product Highlights

This past Saturday was the 18th running of the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race in Leadville, Colorado and the 6th time that I have partaken in the race. This event has really grown in popularity and size during the past few years due to the highest level of professional cyclists like Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer showing up to compete. Along with the professional racers, larger corporate sponsors are becoming involved with this race and the whole Leadville race series, especially after Life Time Fitness took over the reins from Ken Chlouber and Merilee Maupin. As a racer, we have to be up in Leadville early on Friday for our medical check in which gave me a few hours to walk around and chat with the sponsors. Here are some interesting products from a few of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB sponsors.

Continue reading Leadville Trail 100 Sponsor Product Highlights

Spots on your glasses?

Are you annoyed the spots that are left behind on your glasses after getting caught in a rain shower or being forced to remove your glasses completely just when you need them the most so you can see where you are going on your bike in a storm? For $20, Oakley may have a solution for you. The Oakley NanoClear Lens Cleaner + Hydrophobic Kit is a liquid product which is applied directly to the lenses of your glasses and repels water similar to the RainX product for your car’s windshield.

The Oakley NanoClear Lens Cleaner + Hydrophobic Kit is easy to apply using the applicator marker and is formulated to work with almost any type of eyewear and frames, including prescription glasses. To apply, simply run the marker tip across the entire lens surface, wait 30 seconds then buff it lightly with the included MICROCLEAR cloth. The formula can be applied to both sides of the lenses – especially useful for those who sweat a lot. The coating prevents water from leaving streaks and sheens that can corrupt your vision, and it creates a smudge-resistant barrier that repels skin oils and lotions, so keeping your lenses clean will be a whole lot easier. Continue reading Spots on your glasses?

Lazer Sports Now Has Lazer Vision

The Belgium helmet company, Lazer Sports, has recently announced the fall release of a new line of sports eyewear designed for cyclists. Established in 1919, Lazer is the oldest, continuously run manufacturer of helmets, for the bicycle, motorcycle and leisure helmets markets in more than 50 countries, over 5 continents. Brian Kee, part of the new vision division at Lazer Sports, introduced the eyewear the will be appearing in retailers later this year during a presentation at this years PressCamp. The new line of glasses has five different styles with estimated retail pricing ranging from $40 to $90. Continue reading Lazer Sports Now Has Lazer Vision

Eye SPY Performance Glasses

A spy probably should keep a low profile and not draw attention, but frankly SPY Optic didn’t get the message exactly, and instead went and released new glasses that will be sure to get you noticed.

This is part of the SPY Y Performance series, of highly-stylized technical eyewear, which has arrived with two models, the Quanta and the Alpha. Both feature the SPY-patented anti-fogging Scoop venting system; virtually unbreakable Grilamid frames; impact-resistant, optically-correct and distortion-free ARC (Accurate Radius Curve) lenses; glare-reducing Premium Trident polarized infusion in select models; bounce-back glare-diffusing lens coating; anti-scratch and hydrophobic and oleophobic technology; environmentally reactive Hytrel rubber nose pads and temple tips; and UVA, UVB and UVC protective treatments.

“SPY’s connection to technical eyewear goes all the way back to the beginning of the company, when we invented our anti-fogging technology, so the whole ‘Performance” thing is an evolution of our heritage as much as it is about design or innovation,” says Jeremy McGrath, seven-time AMA Supercross Champion, SPY founder and rider. “We started out as California racers who did other sports, and that vibe is still what SPY is about today. If I don’t have to wear goggles, whether it’s mountain-biking or hitting golf balls or whatever, I’m wearing these glasses.”

Both models are available now and are sure to let you see well and look good.

SPY Optic Official Website

Wiley X Yaks About the Zak

Black glasses just look cool, especially when they have that covert ops style. The company says these are not about looking or cool or making a statement – yet they do – but this is made for those who get in, get the job done and get out. In other words the type of wearers who let their actions speak for them in just about everything they do.

And it is an interesting name for a stylish, yet protective pair of eyewear and it is now part of the Wiley X Black Ops Collection. Introducing the Zak, the new eyewear inspired by the shadowy world of covert operators and designed to meet the demands of elite military personnel, law enforcement or just serious shooters or anyone who wants to look totally badass. Continue reading Wiley X Yaks About the Zak

Wiley X Eyewear Remembers America’s Soldiers Who Gave Their All

Today Wiley X Eyewear encourages everyone to remember our soldiers who gave their all, and so much more. The company, which has a long tradition of providing U.S. soldiers with state-of-the-art eyewear that protects their vision in combat situations and in the world’s harshest environments, offers a special thanks to the troops.

“With Memorial Day marking the unofficial kickoff to summer and many families taking the opportunity to get away for an extended weekend, it’s easy to forget the true meaning of this holiday,” said Myles Freeman, Jr., Co-Owner of Wiley X Eyewear. “Memorial Day is a time for Americans to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice so many have made over our great nation’s history. On behalf of the Wiley X family, I encourage people to pause during this holiday and really think about the gift we’ve all been given — as well as its tremendous cost. If you meet a veteran or a solider this weekend, make sure to say ‘thank you!’ We need to truly appreciate our fallen heroes and our standing soldiers alike.”

True words from a class act.

Wiley X Eyewear Official Website

Keep Riding in Focus

For years there has been corrective lenses available for those who are active in sports that could be purchased from most optometrists at a premium price. If you do not require corrective lens to see the road ahead of you, but are finding that when you look down at your cycling computer you can no long read the small numbers, there is a new option out there for you. Dual Power Eyewear is a company started by industry veteran Louis Viggio out of Boulder, Colorado that just launched a new line of eyewear, similar to bifocals, to address this issue.

Viggio founded Dual Power Eyewear after discovering that he could no longer read the small numbers on his bike computer and cell phone when out for a ride. After checking local bike shops and sports stores he found plenty of sunglasses, but nothing that addressed this issue.

Dual Power Eyewear launches with three styles, the Dual V6, S4, and SL2. Each model is available in two lens colors (smoke or brown) and feature impact resistant TR90 frames, shatterproof and scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses, and a discrete +1.5, +2.0, or +2.5 Optimized Magnification Zone.

Dual Power Eyewear is intended to be sold at retailers in a similar manner to how reading glasses are sold at most pharmacies. The consumer picks the style and magnification that meets the level of correction, and simple purchases them at the register – no prescription needed. Continue reading Keep Riding in Focus

Wiley X Marks the Spot With Made in USA Tactical Eyewear

Wiley X marks the spot, as the eyewear maker announces that its Wiley X PT-1 tactical glasses are now being produced in the United States. The veteran-owned company says this is the first example of an ongoing initiative that will see more tactical eyewear products built in America.

“We have long endeavored to provide our brave soldiers in the field with the vision protection they need and deserve,” said Wiley X Eyewear Co-Owner Myles Freeman, Jr. “Meeting the highest possible standards of quality and performance has always been something we take quite seriously. Manufacturing key tactical products like the PT-1 here in America will help us raise the bar even further — and we plan to expand on this important initiative in the future.” Continue reading Wiley X Marks the Spot With Made in USA Tactical Eyewear

SHOT Show: ESS Offers Superior Suppressor Eyeshields

You know this new eyewear is no joke it the maker calls them “eyeshields” and offers the brand name “Suppressor” for the frames. But when it comes from ESS, you also know this is going to be serious eye protection too.

The company is introducing its new line of hunting and shooting eyeshields at the SHOT Show this week, and these are the world’s first to be specifically engineered to function under ear cup hearing protection, comms devices and even helmets. This ensures that what protects the eyes doesn’t give the wearer a headache in the process.

The soreness and hotspots that is typically endured while wearing eyewear beneath the various headborne gear is now a thank of past, as ESS turns eye pro safety on its ear.

ESS Eye Pro Official Site

Adidas Will Have You Looking and Seeing Good and Evil at the Same Time

Want to give someone the evil eye? Now you can give the look while sporting the look, thanks to the new Adidas Evil Eye Glasses Halfrim Pro, the latest in the line of Evil Eye line.

Our friends at BikeRadar.com announced that the company has released these new glasses that feature a reduced-frame design made from durable flexible SPX materials. The glasses further feature a removable sweat blocker that will keep the salty stuff out of your eyes. The glasses offer adjustable from nose pads and temples, so each wearer will get a snug fit. Continue reading Adidas Will Have You Looking and Seeing Good and Evil at the Same Time

Tour de France: Oakley on the Eyes

All eyes are on Oakley, or is that Oakley is on the eyes at this month’s Tour de France? The performance eyewear maker has announced updates to the glasses that will be worn by the competitors, and which will now be available to fans as well.

Lance Armstrong sporting a pair of Oakley Radar glass

Among the racers wearing the new Oakley glasses will be Lance Armstong, and he’ll be sporting LIVESTRONG versions of the Oakley Radar and Jawbone models. Each is available with quick change-out lenses, including the G30 lens that is being used by Armstrong. There will also be new Clear-Black Iridium Photochromic lenses with new technology that automatically adjusts to changing conditions – like those in parts of France where it can go from rain to sunny skies.

Fabian Cancellara will also  be riding in the Tour with Oakleys and while his chances to get back the Yellow jersey maybe off the radar, it will be the Oakley Radar glasses that will let him see the saw. He won’t be alone, as Carlos Sastre will also have his Radar on. Finally, look for Mark Cavendish to sprint to the finish with a pair of BMX Chrome Jawbone. Let’s just see if he actually can earn the green ones!

Oakley Official Site

BehindTheTour.com to check for information on Oakley riders and daily updates on the race.

Rudy Project Supports Olympic Medalists

Rudy Project was the eyewear of choice of Olympic athlete Anastazia Kuzmina of Slovakia who won gold in the women's biathlon.

As the Olympics close, the Rudy Project reports it had a hand in 18 medals, internationally. Before the torch was lit, Rudy Project said it would supply eyewear to a number of Olympic athletes. The round-up of athletes that placed on the podium included gold for women’s biathlon competitor Anastazia Kuzmina from Slovakia, who also won a silver medal. German cross country skier Claudia Nystad won gold in the team sprint. Johan Olsson from Sweden took gold in the cross country 4 x 10 relay.

Kinetic Shift congratulates all the athletes who competed in the Olympics. And kudos to Rudy Project for supporting so many winning athletes.

Rudy Project eyewear

Rudy Project Eyes Medals in 2010 Olympics

Rudy Project Noyz sunglasses
Rudy Project Noyz sunglasses are a pick for 2010 Olympic athletes.

As the Olympics gear up athletes are at the ready. Eyewear and helmet manufacturer Rudy Project outfitted many competitors in Turin in 2006, and will outfit many more in Vancouver 2010. While goggles and helmets will be in order for certain sports, the Noyz Fluo will cover many eyes. The Fluo version of the Noyz sunglasses have a technicolored-look, though the Noyz model is available in many bold colors. The lenses have ImpactX sun technology, which allows for a lighter lens, adds impact resistance, and doesn’t stress crack or craze. For sight, the lenses have favorable optical properties with a lower light refraction index, internal stress, and chromatic dispersion than comparable polycarbonate lenses. This brings a lower surface reflection and higher definition and sharper images.

The Rudy Project was just named the exclusive eyewear and helmet supplier for the USRowing, a three-year partnership including support of the U.S. National Team in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. In Turin, Rudy Project gear was on athletes who won 45 medals (18 gold, 13 silver, and 14 bronze). This winter Olympics athletes from Germany, Finland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Italy plan to wear eyewear from this Rudy Project.