Aviators are back and it’s time to give SOLO’s stylish eco-friendly sunglasses a try
Bottom-line upfront… the SOLO Eyewear Maverick Sunglasses are great looking sunglasses, and everyone I had try them on thought they looked great in them. But, as a journalist, I’m always skeptical. I usually wear sport frames with rubberized temples while adventuring and was concerned that the aviator style frame and SOLO’s wide wooden temples would not be a good fit for strenuous outdoor activity. To test the functionality and durability of the Maverick model eyewear, I took them deep into the North Cascades on the Pacific Coast Trail for a few days to see how the glasses would hold up in a backpacking field test.
The glasses proved to be up to the test, providing good eye coverage, peripheral vision and comfort. The light bamboo and metal frames remained comfortable even after hours of hard hiking and never once slipped… even when I did. One down side was that the brown lenses were not dark enough to provide ideal protection against intense direct sunlight and would probably have been equally unsuitable on a bright ski slope or snowfield. On the three-day field test, the weather was partly cloudy and the glasses were ideal for the many sunbreaks and less intense light. However, when the noonday sun came out in all its extreme glory, I did find myself squinting behind the lenses.
The glasses may not cut the glare off a glacier at 12,000 ft. – and they shouldn’t have to. But they will look great handling most of what you get yourself into, and they will definitely blend in well at any après adventure hotspot while cutting the glare off your next extra-foam latte just fine.
The Last Word
As backpackers, we are by nature conservationists and, I like to think, humanitarians. These are two areas SOLO eyewear has gotten absolutely right. SOLO’s low impact manufacturing uses recycled bamboo for the unique temple pieces and a portion of the proceeds go to fund eye care for those in need around the world. According to the company, “SOLO has restored vision for nearly 10,000 people in need across 19 countries.” A list of the countries and partners can be found on the company’s website along with a way to donate to help those in need of eye care.
Tech Specs Maker: SOLO Eyewear Model: Maverick Lens: Brown CR39 polarized lenses, 100% UV protection Material: Recycled bamboo temples, cherry red stain, handcrafted metal frames Price: $95.00 Website: soloeyewear.comSOLO Eyewear Maverick Sunglasses
$95.00
Pros
- Versatility – Looks great on and off the trail
- Lightweight and strong
- Good UV and glare protection
- Eco and humanitarian friendly
Cons
- Brown lenses will not block intense light
- Not suitable for intense or extreme outdoor activity
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