At Gumption Gear we strive to provide our readers with in-depth, informative, and balanced reviews of the latest outdoor & adventure lifestyle products. Through our new feature “The Business of Gear” we aim to introduce our readers to the personalities and companies behind your favorite (or soon to be favorite) gear.
Before we post our review of performance eyewear from ZEAL Optics, we wanted to help introduce our readers to the brand and the vision behind the company. What you’ll discover is a company founded on passion, dedicated to a journey of exploration and innovation, all in an effort to provide the best product possible.
Our thanks to the ZEAL team for making this Q&A session possible.
Q: Tells us a little bit about your company, how did the brand get started?
ZEAL Optics is based in Boulder, Colorado and was started in 1997. Recently rebranded, we were able to really start from scratch. When we did take that step we were able to take a breath, listen to the consumer needs and design accordingly. Our brand is built on the ideas of giving a consumer a better option to live their life in. I think that we will see more and more companies follow in this direction as the consumer has shifted and is looking for a more subtle style. It’s not about being bigger than life; it’s about balancing a life. This is who our consumer is; a busy, hard working individual with true roots in a lifestyle that has defined their life, and we want to make products that go with them everyday.
Q: What is the vision behind Zeal Optics?
Zeal’s vision is to provide innovative and quality eyewear that blends seamlessly into an active lifestyle. To be part of the adventure of your everyday life, whether that’s skiing the first lines of the day or biking down to the local pub after work.
Q: Bringing a new optics line-up to market for any company can be difficult. As a relatively new company, what are some of the challenges you have bringing your high performance optics to the market?
For ZEAL, we are really bringing a totally new product into the marketplace for 2012, so our retail basis is looking at us to lead with strong brand imagery and product offerings. That is what we have seen a lot of, the retailer becoming very aware of their consumers and what they react to, so we try to listen and implement their feedback into our strategy.
Q: What sets Zeal Optics apart from other brands?
Not using crude oil in our frames! We went through a full rebranding all of 2011, so the greatest success was being able to build a brand that is from the ground up, different. We reinvested in elements we never thought possible, changed our supply chain to fit our business model and community values, bringing to market the only sunglass line in the world with every frame built out of a plant-based resin.
Q: Zeal sunglasses seem to embody a casual/reto-chic style. What are some of the design influences behind your products and what is the target audience?
Our audience is the hard-working individuals that live for their weekends at the lake, the days on the slopes, or even just the bike ride down to meet some friends at the local pub. We gather inspiration from our athletes, the people and lifestyle in Boulder, Colo., and the artwork and music that surrounds us everyday. The is no limit to the things that inspire us.
Q: Zeal Optics uses Z-Resin, a bio-based plastic from Switzerland, which is made from the castor plant bean for every pair of sunglasses. Why did you go with the Z-Resin technology and what are the benefits it provides?
We went with Z-Resin, because it is part of our commitment to eco-responsibility. The plant-based resin creates great frames that are durable and lightweight so that they continue to stay in line with the active elements of each of our sunglasses. Z-Resin is only part of our commitment. Our team is passionate about doing everything we can to help the environment, from biking to work to using methods to reduce our waste in the office.
Q: What else can we expect to see in the coming year(s) from Zeal Optics?
As far as additions in the sunglasses collection, you will see us focusing on very active elements built into all of our shades. We want to make sure that each piece can be used, whether that is running, walking down for a surf, or trying to make a yoga class at lunch. Life is busy and our shades need to stay with you through it all. Our 2013 goggle collection has also expanded to include the iON, a goggle that captures 1080p HD quality video and shoot up to 8 megapixel photos for quick, easy HD imagery. The collection also includes all new styles, new colors, shapes, materials…everything!
Q: If there was only one thing you could tell people about the brand, what would it be?
ZEAL is all about following your passion and living adventurously. We want to help our consumers follow their passions, by making quality-crafted eyewear that can go with you where-ever their life leads.
Q: Is there anything else that you think our readers should know about Zeal Optics?
They should check out our blog at zealoptics.com/blog and join our community of active living adventurers at facebook.com/zealoptics.