Modular, Aviator Glacier Glasses Made From Plant Materials: Zeal Selkirk Evaluate

Utah’s solar was excessive within the cloudless blue sky as we hiked out of Satan’s Kitchen in Canyonlands Nationwide Park and round Elephant Canyon. The November temperature was excellent as cool air descended from the snow-capped La Sal Mountains. As we marched, saddled with our in a single day packs, I absorbed the beautiful, otherworldly surroundings in crisp element regardless of the solar and sandstone glare.

I wouldn’t usually have chosen glacier sun shades for a backpacking journey. However I used to be keen to check Zeal’s new Selkirk shades, and there wasn’t fairly sufficient snow in Colorado but for snowboarding. I figured the desert panorama of Canyonlands would make for a perfect pre-ski-season testing floor. So, I introduced the Selkirks, and I used to be grateful I had. These modular glasses proved much more versatile than I had anticipated.

That was simply my first outing with the Selkirks. Since then, I’ve worn them on snow quite a few instances and at the same time as day-to-day shades round city. Sure, I wore glacier sun shades round casually, going to the health club and out for beers with pals.

And, because of Zeal’s intelligent design, I didn’t appear to be a complete gaper. In actual fact, I bought compliments from individuals who had no concept these glasses have been even geared for glaciers in any respect.

In brief: The Zeal Selkirks are glacier sun shades constructed from plant-based resin with a modular design. The facet panels block out peripheral glare extraordinarily nicely and fold down below the arms for storage. They’re additionally very simply detachable, so you possibly can put on these glacier sun shades in common sun shades mode as nicely. For ski tourers, backcountry skiers, or anybody who likes to train in snowy situations, this can be a versatile eyewear possibility that isn’t restricted to lively use.

Examine the Selkirks to different sun shades on GearJunkie’s information to the Greatest Sun shades for the Open air.

Zeal Selkirk Glacier Sun shades Evaluate

Primarily based in Boulder, Colo., Zeal Optics has carved a reputation for itself within the eyewear area by making trendy, lively sun shades and snow goggles utilizing plant-based supplies in a lot of its frames and lenses.

The Selkirks are proper consistent with the model’s method, constructed from its proprietary Z-Resin, which, in line with the model, is at the very least 45% bio-resin. Its Ellume Polarized lenses additionally leverage a plant-based polymer.

The resin plastic is impact-resistant and has a pleasant matte really feel between your fingers. Between the body and the polymer lenses, these shades are mild in your face. In addition they don’t get chilly whenever you’re out within the snow, like some metal-framed glacier sun shades I’ve worn.

The Selkirk facet panels are unperforated and successfully block out peripheral glare once they’re on. They fold down below the arms for storage (barely awkwardly, however you work it out). Or, you possibly can take them off by gently pinching the ends towards one another. The hinge factors come out of its sockets, and you may retailer the panels within the included sun shades pouch or case.

Lens Readability

The Ellume Polarized lens is one other proprietary Zeal characteristic. They filter sure wavelengths of colour, heightening reds, greens, and blues. In keeping with Zeal, that gives crisper, clearer imaginative and prescient.

The lens on the Botega Burgendy Selkirk (which I’ve) is darkish grey. Usually, I desire amber lenses, however the darker tint of the Selkirks is especially good on vibrant days and/or in environments with a whole lot of glare.

Previously, I errantly used eyewear that was undergunned for bluebird ski excursions, and my eyes bought strained. These present sufficient safety and polarization that my eyeballs don’t get overexerted.

The darkish grey tint may be too darkish for low-light, low-glare days outdoors. However that’s not what these glacier sun shades are meant for.

Readability-wise, I feel Zeal’s Ellume Polarized lenses can grasp with the most effective. On a number of events, I’ve stopped to actively squint and attempt to discern visible distortions by way of them. Whereas I can’t actually attest to which colours they filter out and by how a lot, I’d agree that they give the impression of being fairly darn crisp and clear to me.

Detachable Facet Panels & Forehead Piece

I believed I broke the Selkirks the primary time I knocked a facet panel out. We’d gotten to our Canyonlands campsite late, my fingers have been chilly whereas I used to be making an attempt to place them away, and I fumbled, popping the small plastic piece off.

After I realized they have been supposed to try this, I bought excited. I may put on them on the path identical to regular sun shades. I didn’t uncover the nostril bridge additionally pops out till in a while.

If you take away all three items, the Selkirks turn into an everyday pair of aviator-style sun shades. I saved carrying them after we had emerged from the desert and stumbled right into a brewery. Had I been carrying a pair of extra traditional-looking glacier sun shades, I absolutely would have drawn appears to be like and feedback. Nevertheless, the one remark I bought was a praise from one other patron.

My solely concern with this design is consumer error. I worry that I’ll finally lose the facet panels as a result of I’m fairly good at misplacing small, free elements of issues. If I used to be carrying them whereas snowboarding and actually crashed, the panels would possibly come out and be misplaced. Or, I may simply drop one or go away them someplace and neglect. That’s extra of a “me” drawback, although, and never an actual dig in opposition to these sun shades.

Word: Between the time I wrote the above paragraph and when this evaluate was accomplished, I truly did lose one of many facet panels. Hopefully, Zeal will promote replacements.)

A Word on Dimension

The Selkirks have an outsized body match. Meaning they’re giant on the face (try the scale we listed within the product block on the prime). I like larger sun shades as a result of they match my face nicely. Nevertheless, you probably have a small face, you would possibly contemplate totally different glasses. These solely are available one measurement.

Zeal Optics Selkirk Glacier Sun shades: Who Are They For?

For a pair of sun shades to face out within the hypersaturated eyewear market, it takes some considerate design work. Zeal already differentiates its merchandise by making them out of plant-based resin.

However the Selkirks are distinctive on their very own, too, due to the modular glacier parts. You possibly can put on them in glacier mode or common sun shades mode, relying on what you’re doing or the place you’re.

Ski tourers, backcountry skiers, snowshoers, winter hikers, and anybody else who likes taking part in round in vibrant, snowy situations will love these sun shades. If you happen to’re the sort of one that likes “quivers of 1,” you possibly can conceivably make the Selkirks your solely pair. They’re versatile sufficient for a number of sports activities and even life-style activties.

I actually dig these shades. I feel they give the impression of being cool and do a rattling good job of defending my peepers from glare and UV. They’ve earned a everlasting spot in my backcountry ski pack. (Or, at the very least, they’ll earn a everlasting spot if I can get a alternative facet panel for the one I misplaced.)