If you’re pounding out a run on the pavement, screaming across singletrack, or paddling down class IV whitewater rapids, you need to see exactly what you’re doing while at the same time keeping your eyes protected.
The Helix from Zeal Optics is an ultra-performance rimless sport sunglass designed to provide clear, unobstructed vision while keeping the UV rays out from all directions. Which is a good thing because come summer, Helios is always stalking you, ready to crush your vision and wreck your athletic endeavors.
Your Battle Against Helios…
Whether running, cycling, or just being your general awesome self, you should rightly be worried about Helios (that would be the greek sun god) and his powers. Towards those ends, Zeal Optics has crafted the Helix to serve as your own personal Prometheus (that would be the greek protector of men… come on people we’re running with analogies here!).
Like your own crystalline shield, the Helix Hyperion Lenses embed new highly specialized SPF film and formulated resins to significantly reduce glare while cutting out 100 percent of UVA, UVB and UV rays.
Also polarized for better performance on the blacktop or the water, the Helix has a wrap-around style to provide broad coverage and block more of Helios’ raging powers even when he attempts to run a sneak attack from the side.
Before Helios taps out, he might call upon his cousin Aeolus, greek ruler of the winds, to try and slow you down. Luckily for you, the same wrap-around style also improves aerodynamics, cutting down on wind that can dry out your eyes. They also provide extra protection against rain, sand, obnoxious gnats and other swirling debris. So you can tell Aeolus to suck it.
While there’s no greek god of sweat, there’s no secret to the fact that you’ll still work up your fair share of perspiration during your training session. So Zeal gave the Helix unique vent holes at the temples allowing small amounts of air to pass through the lenses helping to dry the beads of hard gotten sweat around your face before it can fog up your classes and impair your vision.
Rubber nosepiece and Zeal exclusive My Fit Nosebridge™ technology helps keep your new running sunnies in place.
And lest you forget, like every pair of frames from Zeal, the aggressively wrapped Z Resin™ frames of the Helix are made from castor bean based plastic material instead of petroleum to leave a little smaller carbon footprint.
The Critique….
The Helix has won over our run gurus, but that doesn’t mean these shades are not without a few critiques. First, the amber-tinted Helix lenses excels in moderate-to-low light conditions, but like other amber lenses they often provide less overall protection from direct harsh sunlight.
The stylings of the Helix make it a tremendous choice for small and larger sized faces alike. That being said, for those with a slightly broader nose bridge, the Helix does sit a little high. With just a little more adjustability in the nose, these would be darn near close to the perfect performance sunnies.
Bottom Line…
Summer may be the domain of Helios, but thanks to the Zeal Optics, the Helix ensures that you’ll see clearly with an unobstructed view while the Greek gods sit on the sideline and watch you cruise on by.
Manufactured by Zeal Optics (www.ZealOptics.com), the Helix is available for $149 from ZealOptics.com and other online retailers.