Article by Sally Reiley
Vinco Sola Sunglasses ($249)
VINCO Performance Eyewear
Vinco set out to create the first truly renewable high performance eyewear and succeeded in producing a product that delivers a groundbreaking blend of sustainability, durability, and high-performance design that is ideal for serious runners and cyclists.
Each pair is crafted in Italy using Lignatura™, a proprietary organic-based wood biopolymer that is carbon-neutral. The manufacturing methods are environmentally responsible using hydroelectric power. The eyewear is fully serviceable thanks to precision stainless steel hardware and best-in-class steel-spring cam temple hinges designed to last a lifetime.
Key Features:
Renewable Materials: Frames made from Lignatura™, a proprietary renewable material that replaces fossil-fuel-based plastics. Lignatura™ is a carbon-neutral ultra-resilient bio-resin derived from a byproduct of paper production. It’s a very cool story: Lignatura™ consists of 98% Bio-based content from Fir and Beech wood fiber. Raw materials are PEFC-certified from forests in Finland using controlled reforestation practices. Flax, Jute and Sisal fibers are also combined in the mix to achieve the specific performance characteristics.
Even the round cardboard cylindrical packaging that the shades arrived in is sustainable.
Rebuildable Design: Lifetime serviceability with metal components and replaceable parts. At the end of your shades’ useful life, send them back to Vinco and they will replace them (and recycle the old parts)
Comfort & Fit: Ultralight (only 27g for my Sola size small), customizable fit with infinitely adjustable temple tips that you can bend as needed; feels weightless on the face; each model comes in two sizes for best fit to your face
Optics & Protection: Ultra-panoramic polyamide lenses protect eyes from glare and are specifically tuned for bright conditions to reduce eye strain, and amplify red tones for safety (better to see red tail lights of cars)
Models:
Sola – Designed for runners.
Terra – Tailored for cyclists.
Both come in Sizes: Small (134mm) and Large (138mm)
How do the Sola perform on the run?
The Sola shades are designed for runners (Terra model for cyclists) and come in two different frame sizes. I chose the smaller size as I have a small face. At first I thought they looked too large (plus I am old school and I am just getting used to these larger styles of eyewear for athletes) but then I realized how customizable the fit is. The tips of the temples bend like pipe cleaners for a personalized secure fit.
Peter here, adding some color commentary. I too have a small face and these sunglasses look huge coming out of their awesome sustainable packaging. Fear not!
The adjustability makes the fit super easy to tune in and the upside of the big lens is the excellent coverage. These are a bit more like ski goggles than sunglasses.
There are sunglasses out there that give me reflections off the back of the lens, but the Vinco do not. They are super-light and disappear on my face. Even more important for me, they stay put when I put them up on top of my head for the dark start or finish of my runs.
As an added bonus they don’t make me look stupid. These are excellent glasses that I look forward to wearing all summer long!
The coolest thing about them is that you forget you are even wearing sunglasses at all - they are that light and comfortable while being protective. I had no issues with glare or reflections behind the lens, and enjoyed them in full midday sun.
Protecting your eyes is vital, and relaxing your face while running (no squinting) makes you faster! So does smiling, and there is reason to smile while wearing Vinco shades.
I am sure that these will also be great shades for backcountry and nordic skiing come the winter season (alpine skiing is now strictly the domain of goggles that are helmet specific compatible).
I might try them out on the water for ocean sailing in a few weeks. Being on the water adds to the glare and reflection challenge, so stay tuned for my updates.
I for one love the sustainability focus of this company. The shades are not made of plastic but rather wood byproducts, and the manufacturing process in Italy using hydroelectric power. Not to mention that the shades are fully renewable and recyclable. A win win!
My only problem with the Vinco Sola shades is that my adult children all want them now!
VINCO PERFORMANCE
Sola and Terra SHOP HERE
Sally is a lifelong runner and mother of five who agreed against her better judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the past eleven Boston Marathons, three NYC Marathons, two Chicagos, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights (Berlin in 2025). With a Boston PR of 3:25:55 in 2022 (9th place in AG) and three consecutive 2nd place in Age Group awards in NYC, she has competed in several Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships and placed 6th in the world in W 60-64 when she ran an all-time PR of 3:24:02 at age 63 at the 2022 London Marathon. She also competes in USATF races of all distances with the Greater Lowell Road Runners team. To add meaning to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Team Eye and Ear and has raised over $320,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally stands tall at 5’2’’ and 105 pounds, and lives in Marblehead, MA where she trains outdoors year round. She blames her love of skiing out West for any and all Boston Marathon training challenges.
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