Article by Courtney Kelly
Bolle Victus Pro Black Matte Clear Lava Photochromic Cat 1-3 Sunglasses ($280)
For a female runner with a small face, finding the right pair of sunglasses is tricky. I was looking forward to testing the Bolle Victus Pro as a chance to try a smaller and adjustable frame.
I have tried inexpensive glasses, writing off high quality glasses as a running accessory I might lose or scratch. —And it’s true, I love the ease of throwing $25 Goodr or Tifosi into a pocket or bag without much guilt if it results in a scratch.
The Bolle’s are a different story. The Victus Pro sunglasses are premium sunglasses and deliver a premium experience.
Whether you are a cyclist, a trail runner, a road runner, skier, or an avid morning beach walker these sunglasses will provide you with great protection and a wide range of light conditions utility due to their photochromic light adapting lenses. There are 8 options to select the perfect color and light protection for your needs.
Pros:
Super lightweight
Connected rubber nose piece stays put even through moisture/sweat
Temple Fit-Tec (3 axis) and Thermogrip rubber for custom fit
Nose piece doesn’t get caught on hair when pushed on top of head
Seamlessly and quickly adjusts from full sun to shade.
Made running by the water and beach easy!
Cons:
A little reflective glare from ventilation slot
May be fragile? particularly at the temple axis point.
Even though its a small frame its still quite large on my face
Some sliding down my nose towards the end of my run (it was hot!)
I tested the Black Matte Lava Photochromic Cat 1-3 for testing from their top tier Phantom line. The variable VLT, or visible light transmission allows more light to come through in dimmer conditions and more light to come through in darker conditions, has a 12% (bright sun) up to 82% (dim light) range, making them highly versatile.
As you can see in the photos above, in darker conditions they are nearly clear and then darken significantly in full sun.
Other options include high contrast polarized , the SLF option and the SLF Polarized option at varying prices. They are made of 40% bio based materials.
They stow in the protective sleeve and in a hard case.
Are the Bolle Victus Pro’s worth the premium price tag and the extra care to keep them in good condition?
The Phantom line provides 100% UV protection, a photochromic lens (automatically darkening and lightening in response to light levels), anti-fog and Thermogrip hold technology for high impact activities. They are also available in prescription.
During my runs, the Victus Pros felt weightless, and much of the time I forgot I was wearing them. The wrap around style protected me from UV rays even from the sides, and from bugs and dust from the road.
They allowed me to engage my focus fully on my running rather than be distracted with fit or not being able to see the ground in front of me in suddenly shadier areas or in low light.
The Fit-Tech 3 axis adjustable temples allowed a good fit around the head without being too tight. There were no directions on how to adjust the temple FIT-TEC and I was a little afraid to flex it too much as they seem delicate.
The adjustment is just a minor flexing of the axis point (in/out, up/down), so it is not a locked down feel. This is not a bad thing as moving them to the top of your head mid-run is always an option.
Thermogrip rubber at the temple and nosepiece gets stickier as heat and moisture interact with it. I only noticed a slight sliding down the nose toward the end of my run, but with higher temps and sunscreen this is expected.
I noted the high clarity when running directly into morning sun along an ocean road and I was even more impressed when under trees. The up to 82% light transmission was evident in shady areas especially as your eyes need some adjusting going from one extreme to the other such as with conventional "darker" all the time sunglasses. Here the lenses change to clearer with more light transmitted in dimmer conditions. The clarity and lens color contrast made assessing bumps and cracks in the road appear seamless.
The ventilation slits in the top of the lenses kept fogging at bay and kept my face cool and ventilated.
There are replacement lenses available if you scratch or damage them.
Although they are very functional and highly innovative sunglasses, I think the fit is still too wide for my face. I think if they had women’s size frames it would be easier to find a just right fit.
I think most people will find putting money into a high quality pair of sunglasses like the Bolle Victus Pro is worth it.
Bolle Victus Pro
Bolle Shop Here
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mother to her girls.
All RTR reviews: HERE
Latest Reviews-chronological order HERE
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
No comments:
Post a Comment