The Fuse Optics provide a new solution for communications, streaming music or cancelling noise, where built-in earbuds are held in place by the frames of the glasses. We think this could be the fusing of sight and sound in a sleek package.

Fuse Optics Official Website

FUSE Optics ™ will introduce its line of audio adaptable glasses at the SIA Snow Show in Denver, CO, January 25-29, 2012. The progressive eyewear company is first-to-market with its U.S. Utility Patent that is poised to transform the eyewear industry. The product line features a hinge design temple bar that is audio-adaptable, allowing the user to stream audio with the device of their choice at work or play. Perfect for the extreme sports enthusiasts and the active lifestyle devotee. The flexibility and versatility of FUSE Optics ™ provides a sound solution for a variety of applications: communication, streaming music, cancelling noise, or worn as traditional glasses, allowing the users to adjust for various needs throughout the day.

Founder and Ideologist, Richard Sanpei, observed runners, bikers, skiers, contractors and many others who wore both glasses and earbuds to connect to their iPods or cell phones. “I noticed how people tried to keep earbuds in during activities without success. I also saw that contractors and other workers needed two devices, safety glasses and ear plugs, and struggled with adjusting the ear plugs. As an inventor, I saw a problem that needed to be solved. The hinge design provides one single device that meets those needs,” said Sanpei.

Based in San Luis Obispo, California, FUSE Optics ™ is a team of creative and dedicated individuals who are building the reputation of the company through cutting-edge products and exceptional customer service. FUSE Optics ™ conceptualizes, develops and brings to the eyewear industry innovative new products with its revolutionary utility patented hinge design. For additional information about FUSE Optics ™ please visit: www.FuseOptics.com; call 805.234.3657, or write to Info@FuseOptics.com.

These new Rx-ready glasses combine style with the popular half-frame design, making these equally appropriate for serious shooting, sports activities or just socializing. The new WX Valor features the ANSI-Z87.1-2003 Impact Standards rating as well as U.S. Military Specifications for combat eyewear (MIL-PRF-31013). This new line can also easily adapt to a wide variety of tasks and light conditions.

The Black Ops WX Valor (Model CHVAL01) features a stealthy combination of Smoke Grey lenses and a Matte Black frame designed to meet the uniform needs of law enforcement and secret service personnel. WX Valor Model CHVAL02 combines a Gloss Black Frame with Wiley X’s distinctive Bronze Flash Lenses for superior performance with good looks. WX Valor Model CHVAL04 features Polarized Smoke Green Lenses – ideal for reducing reflected glare and for use on the water – with a unique Metallic Silver frame.

Extra interchangeable lenses are also available, turning every pair of WX Valor sunglasses into an adaptable eyewear system for shooters. We’ll be sure to keep our eyes out for these at SHOT Show.

Wiley X Official Website

“With more than 20 million veterans currently living in America, just about everybody has a friend, relative or co-worker who has served in some branch of the military,” said Myles Freeman, Jr., Co-Owner of Wiley X, Inc. “Take the simple step of expressing gratitude to the vets in your life this Veteran’s Day. Make a phone call to say ‘thanks,’ take the time to chat in the halls, or better yet, invite some veterans over for a home-cooked meal. You’ll be surprised how powerful this is and how appreciated it will be. This simple gesture of appreciation will make it a memorable holiday for them— and you.”

Over the past 25 years Wiley X has built a reputation as a leading provider of eyewear and gloves designed to protect American soldiers on the field of battle. To do this, Wiley X sunglasses are manufactured to the highest standards of performance and protection. Wiley X tactical eyewear products meet stringent ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Velocity Impact standards, protecting soldiers against a wide range of dangers while providing the clear vision and eye comfort needed to perform their duties. It’s for this reason that many Wiley X tactical sunglasses are available through GSA and carry their own National Stock Numbers. Wiley X is the only premium sunglass brand with this ANSI certification on every product it makes.

We say thank to you Wiley X for its message, and thank you to the American soldiers serving throughout the world today, as well as the veterans who served our country.

These sites include the fashion site Gilt.com (which expanded to home goods, travel and more); OneKingsLane.com for home goods and décor; and pop culture and décor flash sale site Fab.com. When you visit the site and click on a sale you see the timer counting down to the sale’s close. One site I wasn’t aware of until recently is adventure and gear site The Clymb (theclymb.com). The site focuses on sales of outdoor clothing, footwear and gear. On any given day you might see sales for outdoor apparel, running or hiking shoes, stainless steel of BPA-free water bottles, surfboards or fly fishing gear. Since checking out the site, I’ve seen brands such as Keen footwear, Patagonia, SPY Optic, Stanley water bottles, Pearl Izumi apparel. And that’s just a sampling of the sales, with anywhere from three to 12 going on in a given day.

Full disclosure, I was given a $50 credit to conduct this review. I was hard-pressed to decide on an item. I waited a few days to figure out what I wanted. In that time I missed out on a great pair of winter boots, the sale ended; some luggage I could really use, the item sold out quickly; and a baselayer top, I decided to see what else was coming on The Clymb.

I finally decided on a pair of Spy Optic sunglasses. I wear a pair of interchangeable lens sunglasses for regular wear. Though I decided it was time for a respectable pair of sunglasses. Of course I still wanted a pair that was sporty, and had the sun-protecting standards of a sport pair of sunglasses. So I placed the order.

Let me revisit the whole flash sale concept again for a moment. These sites hawk luxury items, high-end lines of goods. The product assortments are typically closeouts, and might contain 10 or 20 items from the manufacturer. I’ve found a few common actions in my experience. The sale lists the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and the sale price, which is often at 50 percent or so. When considering a purchase I always do a search on Amazon.com or Google. The prices on flash sale sites is generally a great deal, however I have found matching (or better) prices on Amazon.com for enough items to be prudent. The next thing to consider is that these sites charge roughly $8 on shipping. My purchase of a pair of sunglasses for $59.98 (including my $50 credit), added a shipping and handling fee of $7.98. This should factor into your cursory price comparison. The next element is that shipping can take a while. I placed my order on September 8; it shipped on September 23, and showed up at my door on September 30. For many of these purchases time is not an issue. But if you’re buying luggage or clothing for a trip, or an item for a gift, give yourself a month to get it. This is not unique to The Clymb, I’ve experienced this on the other sites I mentioned above.

In the case of The Clymb, I am happy with my purchase. The glasses came in their box, which the shipper surrounded in bubble wrap and placed in a mailer bag. While I was expecting a box, the soft envelope and padding were sufficient. I’d say the experience exceeded my expectations. And I do check the site every day for new sales. Today I logged in a little too late to by a pair of Salomon boots I’m coveting. They sold out of my size within a few hours of the sale going live. I still did a quick Google search and found the boots for twice the cost listed on Zappos.com. I really wish I could rewind a few hours and buy those boots before they went!

Oh and one more thing about flash sale sites, they reward referrals. You can only access the sales if you sign up, so they need to spread their word virally. If you refer a friend, you get $10 when that friend makes a purchase.

Update: The Clymb extended its $10 bounty to KineticShift readers. Follow this link to get $10 off your first order at The Clymb.

The Clymb Official Website

This past Saturday was the 18th running of the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race in Leadville, Colorado and the 6th time that I have partaken in the race. This event has really grown in popularity and size during the past few years due to the highest level of professional cyclists like Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer showing up to compete. Along with the professional racers, larger corporate sponsors are becoming involved with this race and the whole Leadville race series, especially after Life Time Fitness took over the reins from Ken Chlouber and Merilee Maupin. As a racer, we have to be up in Leadville early on Friday for our medical check in which gave me a few hours to walk around and chat with the sponsors. Here are some interesting products from a few of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB sponsors.

Adidas Eyewear

In the United States when we hear the name Adidas, we think of soccer or running, but Adidas does so much more. Last year they reintroduced their eyewear line into the U.S. with some innovative features. Adidas was showing off their ‘performance’ level at Leadville and specifically the cycling and running lines. The cycling line includes features such as ClimaCool for better ventilation; Sweat Blocker removable pads to keep forehead sweat out of your eyes; TRI.FIT adjustability featuring three-level height adjustment; Double-Snap Nose Bridge to allow a true custom fit on your nose; and much more. Knowing that most riders wear a helmet, the temples are designed to fit comfortably with a helmet, offer flexibility, be easily removed and also be replaced with an elastic strap if desired. The Adidas Eyewear line has many more features and options so that you can purchase the best pair to fit your needs. The Adidas ‘performance’ eyewear line start at $120 and tops off at $305 depending on the style and features that you order. Most styles are also available in either a small or large frame depending on the size of your melon. If cycling is not your activity don’t despair, Adidas also offers specifically designed eyewear for golfers, snow sport users, outdoor adventurers and casual users. The Adidas eyewear line is made in Austria and comes with a two year warranty.

Koobi PRS Saddles

Soon to be followed by a number of other manufacturers, Koobi has been producing saddles for years featuring their “Personal Ride System” (PRS). The system loosely follows the concept of the springer seats that you might have had on your bike as a kid. The Koobi PRS saddles feature 4/10-inch of travel to smooth out the ride of your bike through the utilization of varying durometer elastomers customized to the weight of a rider. Each saddle is manufactured in Italy, but when an order is placed, specific questions are asked regarding your weight, number of hours that you ride and primary use. Once Koobi has that information, they will assemble a saddle customized for you. The leather used in Koobi saddles are a little harder than normal saddles, and like a good baseball glove, require a few hours to properly break in. Over time, the elastomers will breakdown from use, but new ones can be ordered and installed fairly easily by the end user. Koobi saddles that feature the “Personal Ride System” range in price from $180 to $240. These saddles are recommend for most bikes except those with full suspension. The 4/10-inch travel is negligible when used on a bike with many inches of travel so the rider will really not benefit from the PRS.

Platypus

A few weeks ago, we featured Platypus  in our Made in America feature on Fridays and it was a pleasant surprise to find one of their 1.0 liter Soft Bottles in our racer packages. This year at Leadville, Platypus was showing off their new Origin hydration packs. The new Platypus Origin packs feature a premium, Big Zip SL reservoir at their core, offering the elite performance of super-light, uncluttered design, weatherproof protection and superior fit. The Origin family of hydration packs features include multiple hose routing and access, on-the-go pockets, fit-focused Bio-Curve construction and reservoir storage that doesn’t steal gear capacity. The Origin line ranges from $79.95 to $159.95. The reservoir is made in the U.S.A. and the pack is made in Vietnam.

Herbalife24

Just as important as the equipment is to an athlete, so is the nutrition. Technology throughout the years has helped the athlete fine tune the food and drink they ingest into their bodies improving their performance and health. Herbalife has introduced their Herbalife24 line of products designed to offer the first comprehensive performance nutrition line empowering athletes 24-hours a day. The seven-product line is customizable so you can determine your day-to-day needs based on activity levels and training demands. Herbalife24 is based on the latest proven science and every product batch they produce is third-party tested for substances banned by sporting regulations. This due diligence assures the athlete that what is listed on the label is exactly what is in the product. All products serve a specific nutritional purpose and contain all-natural colors, flavors and sweeteners. At their Leadville booth, Herbalife24 was offering taste tests of their Prolong and Rebuild products. Both products had a good taste and were not too chalky. The chocolate Rebuild was actually one of the best tasting, after-workout drinks that I have tried – very smooth and easy to drink. Herbalife24 products are sold exclusively through Herbalife Independent Distributors and are not available in stores. Checkout their website to customize  the Herbalife24 products for your fitness goals.

Buddies

Launching their product at the Leadville Trail 100 was the Dutch company, Buddies. This new snack food resembles what most Americans might recognize as a corn dog, but this deep-frozen snack is being advertised as a healthier treat. Buddies is the sponsor of the 1996 Olympic Champion, Bart Brentjens and his team (Bart actually finished the 2011 LT100 in 6th place). Buddies essentially is a Dutch roll with a hot dog, apple filling or pear filling inside. They are “produced with all natural ingredients containing just the right nutritional values.” This was an odd product to launch at a sporting event which is so focused on nutrition, but truthfully after racing 100 miles you can pretty much eat whatever you damn well please. As for nutritional value, I have no idea since I could not find that information anywhere.

The Oakley NanoClear Lens Cleaner + Hydrophobic Kit is easy to apply using the applicator marker and is formulated to work with almost any type of eyewear and frames, including prescription glasses. To apply, simply run the marker tip across the entire lens surface, wait 30 seconds then buff it lightly with the included MICROCLEAR cloth. The formula can be applied to both sides of the lenses – especially useful for those who sweat a lot. The coating prevents water from leaving streaks and sheens that can corrupt your vision, and it creates a smudge-resistant barrier that repels skin oils and lotions, so keeping your lenses clean will be a whole lot easier.

Each kit is good for about 50 applications, but it should be noted that the NanoClear is not compatible with snow goggles or anti-fog treated lenses. The Oakley NanoClear Lens Cleaner + Hydrophobic Kit contains: one bottle of Hydrophobic lens treatment with “pen” applicator and one streak-free high quality MICROCLEAR cleaning cloth with HDO logo. Rumor has it that Oakley is in the process of phasing out the factory applied Hydrophobic coating option to its eyewear so this DIY kit may be the only way to have eyewear with this water repelling coating. The kit can be purchased directly from Oakley’s website if your local eyewear retailer does not carry the kit. Spot on, or rather spot off

Oakley Official Website

Three of those styles will have two different polycarbonate interchangeable lenses and come with a hard case. The Solidstate is the medium fit model with a rubber nose piece and adjustable temples; the Electron is the small fit model with rubber nose and temple pieces; and the Argon is the large fit model with adjustable, rubber nose and temple pieces. The interchangeable all come with two different Photochromic lenses. One is a transitioning clear to smoke lens and the other is a smoke level of tint featuring synthetic melanin which offers a SPF protection for the eyes of 140.

The Quantum is Lazer’s ‘fashion’ or off-the-bike model of eyewear. The Quantum will come in a wide variety of colors and have polycarbonate lenses, but will not have rubber at the contact points (nose and temples). They could be worn while riding as the lenses do offer the same impact protection of the other models of eyewear, but without the rubber contact points, the have the potential to move around the face a bit more.

Finally, the Zenon is Lazer’s ‘price point’ model of cycling eyewear. With a retail price of $40, the Zenon does still feature some ‘high end’ features like rubber contact points and polycarbonate lenses, but will only come was a soft case.

You might be thinking to yourself, “do we really need another eyewear manufacturer?” Well Lazer is also introducing a unique eyewear system. Based on their ‘Magic Buckle’, a magnetic helmet buckle introduced last year, Lazer will debut the ’Magneto System’ at EuroBike and InterBike later this year. The Magneto System uses magnets in the front straps of their helmets which mate up to magnets in the temple piece of certain models of their eyewear. For this system to work, those models of eyewear that will be part of the Magneto System will have temples that are shortened to the point just before the ear – the area of the head that the front strap travels down the head, towards the chin. For those of you who wear sunglasses and a helmet for an extended period of time might appreciate this new system. Since the temple will be shortened, the uncomfortable and sometime painful pressure area above your ears will be no more! What is unclear at this point is if the Magneto System glasses can be worn off the bike without the use of the helmet to hold them on your head.

Be on the lookout for the new eyewear from Lazer later this year at your favorite bike shop.

Lazer Sport Official Website

This is part of the SPY Y Performance series, of highly-stylized technical eyewear, which has arrived with two models, the Quanta and the Alpha. Both feature the SPY-patented anti-fogging Scoop venting system; virtually unbreakable Grilamid frames; impact-resistant, optically-correct and distortion-free ARC (Accurate Radius Curve) lenses; glare-reducing Premium Trident polarized infusion in select models; bounce-back glare-diffusing lens coating; anti-scratch and hydrophobic and oleophobic technology; environmentally reactive Hytrel rubber nose pads and temple tips; and UVA, UVB and UVC protective treatments.

“SPY’s connection to technical eyewear goes all the way back to the beginning of the company, when we invented our anti-fogging technology, so the whole ‘Performance” thing is an evolution of our heritage as much as it is about design or innovation,” says Jeremy McGrath, seven-time AMA Supercross Champion, SPY founder and rider. “We started out as California racers who did other sports, and that vibe is still what SPY is about today. If I don’t have to wear goggles, whether it’s mountain-biking or hitting golf balls or whatever, I’m wearing these glasses.”

Both models are available now and are sure to let you see well and look good.

SPY Optic Official Website

And it is an interesting name for a stylish, yet protective pair of eyewear and it is now part of the Wiley X Black Ops Collection. Introducing the Zak, the new eyewear inspired by the shadowy world of covert operators and designed to meet the demands of elite military personnel, law enforcement or just serious shooters or anyone who wants to look totally badass.

The Wiley X Black Ops models, including newest member Zak, all feature stealthy matte black frames and military spec neutral grey lenses. These shatterproof, scratch-resistant Selenite polycarbonate lenses not only deliver superior visual clarity and 100% protection against UVA/UVB rays, they provide the company’s trademark High Velocity Protection relied on by soldiers and heroes around the world.

Wiley X’s Black Ops Zak features a lightweight, yet nearly indestructible frame that fits medium to extra large faces. Rubber nose and temple grips ensure a snug, secure fit through even the most vigorous activities. The glasses meet ANSI Z87.1-2003 high velocity and high mass impact and optical performance standards. Of course every Wiley X model is tested to withstand repeated impacts from a .25 caliber steel ball fired at 150fps, and the weight of a 1.1lb. pointed projectile dropped from a height of 50”.

We take back what we said earlier, these glasses aren’t just for those who want to look badass, they’re for those who truly are badass!

Wiley X Official Website

“With Memorial Day marking the unofficial kickoff to summer and many families taking the opportunity to get away for an extended weekend, it’s easy to forget the true meaning of this holiday,” said Myles Freeman, Jr., Co-Owner of Wiley X Eyewear. “Memorial Day is a time for Americans to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice so many have made over our great nation’s history. On behalf of the Wiley X family, I encourage people to pause during this holiday and really think about the gift we’ve all been given — as well as its tremendous cost. If you meet a veteran or a solider this weekend, make sure to say ‘thank you!’ We need to truly appreciate our fallen heroes and our standing soldiers alike.”

True words from a class act.

Wiley X Eyewear Official Website

Viggio founded Dual Power Eyewear after discovering that he could no longer read the small numbers on his bike computer and cell phone when out for a ride. After checking local bike shops and sports stores he found plenty of sunglasses, but nothing that addressed this issue.

Dual Power Eyewear launches with three styles, the Dual V6, S4, and SL2. Each model is available in two lens colors (smoke or brown) and feature impact resistant TR90 frames, shatterproof and scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses, and a discrete +1.5, +2.0, or +2.5 Optimized Magnification Zone.

Dual Power Eyewear is intended to be sold at retailers in a similar manner to how reading glasses are sold at most pharmacies. The consumer picks the style and magnification that meets the level of correction, and simple purchases them at the register – no prescription needed.

The eyewear line was soft launched recently in several Boulder-area shops. Lester Binegar, general manager of University Bicycles, said the sunglasses are already selling well.

“They are a product that we never had thought of needing, but fly out the door once they are tried on. At $49.95 retail we make a full margin and the customers feel like it’s a great deal for them as well,” Binegar said.

The company offers a 100 percent ’satisfaction guarantee’ so if you buy the glasses and find that the magnification or style is not right for you, simply return them within 30 days for a full refund or exchange.

If your local bike does not carry the Dual Power Eyewear line of glasses, you can order directly from Dual Eyewear.

Dual Eyeware Official Website

“We have long endeavored to provide our brave soldiers in the field with the vision protection they need and deserve,” said Wiley X Eyewear Co-Owner Myles Freeman, Jr. “Meeting the highest possible standards of quality and performance has always been something we take quite seriously. Manufacturing key tactical products like the PT-1 here in America will help us raise the bar even further — and we plan to expand on this important initiative in the future.”

The PT-1 is part of Wiley X’s lightweight and versatile Changeable Series products, designed to provide military and law enforcement users with the highest level of protection and the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and tactical situations “on the fly.” The glasses feature Wiley X’s Wrapback design to provide excellent peripheral vision and reduced backlit glare, while the Take-Flight nose piece is designed to adjust to any nose bridge for a secure and comfortable fit.

The Wiley X PT-1 is offered in single lens, two-lens and three-lens packages to best match a variety of missions and environments. The PT-1 is also RX-insert compatible for seamless use with corrective lenses. In fact, this same Rx-insert can also be used with several other Wiley X tactical models including the PT-3, Saber Advanced and
Nerve Goggle.

These advanced glasses have been engineered to protect the vision of soldiers and law enforcement in the field of operations, where things can go from bad to worse in a flash, and meet the military’s stringent MIL-PRF-31013 Ballistic Standard as well as the ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Standards.

It is fitting that if these are the innovative glasses protecting the eyes of our soldiers, they should be made in the USA!

Wiley X Official Website

The company is introducing its new line of hunting and shooting eyeshields at the SHOT Show this week, and these are the world’s first to be specifically engineered to function under ear cup hearing protection, comms devices and even helmets. This ensures that what protects the eyes doesn’t give the wearer a headache in the process.

The soreness and hotspots that is typically endured while wearing eyewear beneath the various headborne gear is now a thank of past, as ESS turns eye pro safety on its ear.

ESS Eye Pro Official Site