14 DAY TRIAL // Adrenaline addicts looking to protect their eyes from the sun, while protecting the environment, could opt for the new line of sunglasses from Zeal Optics. The Colorado-based company that is also responsible for the world's first snow goggles with GPS technology, has now opted for a more eco-friendly manufacturing process.
The new line of sunglasses from Zeal encompasses two new technologies that are aimed at providing an enhanced experience for performance sports enthusiasts.
Specifically, we are talking about the Hyperion Lens Technology and the Z-Resin frames. tken separately, the former produces hybrid, injection-molded de-centered lenses, while the latter represents a bio-based material made from the oil of castor beans.
"Castor oil is a legitimate alternative to crude oil-based plastics because the castor plant does not compete with food crops and can be planted in places where other plants cannot grow," said John Sanchez, vice president of Product Development at Zeal.
"By using this novel resin, Zeal is able to use significantly less energy in the manufacturing process which results in reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Our goal is to create the smallest overall carbon footprint for the company," he added.
Hyperion Lenses embed new highly specialized SPF film and formulated resins to significantly reduce the sun's glare by 99 percent, cut 100 percent of UVA, UVB and UVC rays and eliminate 95 percent of High Energy Visible wavelengths that can reportedly lead to serious eye diseases.
There are 18 new styles of sunglasses in Zeal’s new line, all featuring a mellow copper color that enhances vision in variable conditions, from bright sun to clouds.
Selected styles feature Zeal's exclusive My Fit Nosebridge technology that is ultra-adjustable, up to 50 percent vertically and horizontally.
The Lifestyle line, priced from $99 to $139 (€73 to €103), includes Re-Entry, Epic, Felicity, Brody and Penny Lane. The Active line, priced from $99 to $149 (€73 to €110), include Ridgeline, Backyard, Snapshot, Essential, Zeta, Takeoff, Insomnia, Upside, All In and Boundary. Finally, there are three Performance styles offered - Eos, Equinox and Helix, priced from $79 to $149 (€58 to €110).