Be a friend of BS
Rudy Project Sunflower Sunglasses
July 6, 2009
I have always had issues with sunglasses in general, finding it difficult to find any that were comfortable, functional, reasonably fashionable, and fit my extremely narrow face. As I get older, however, I realize that simply going without in the bright sun is not doing my eyeballs any favours, so I was very happy to get the opportunity to test out Rudy Project’s new Sunflower sunglasses.
The Sunflowers are from Rudy Project’s Performance Attitude Collection and combine Rudy Project’s technical design prowess with a significantly more fashionable appearance than their more strictly functional athletic collections. The pair I tested are in Demi Turtle Gloss with Brown lenses, and with their larger lenses and vintage movie star shape, they look like they could be rockin’ any designer runway. Perhaps not so surprising because they are actually made in Italy.
The Sunflower glasses are still designed by Rudy Project, however, and that means that above all they are functional. The brown lenses are designed to enhance color, cut glare, and maximize visual clarity in bright sun conditions, as well as to block UV rays. They fall into the 3N category on Rudy’s rating chart, meaning they are recommended for “intense solar radiation.” They are great in bright sun, and though I was worried that because they are dark lenses they might be too dark on overcast days, they are fine outside on overcast days too. Not so good in a dark room or on a dark night, but in that case, unless you’re Cory Hart, you don’t need sunglasses.
The Rudy Project website advertises the Sunflowers as “perfect for smaller faces” and they fit my miniscule visage, well, perfectly. The nose and ear pieces are comfortable and they stay on snugly without causing pressure.
Weighing in at 37 grams, the Sunflowers are double the weight of some of the glasses Rudy Project offers. These are not aerodynamic racing glasses, but they are going to serve you well on your daily commute, as you cruise around the city or head out to the beach. The biggest downfall for me is actually with the case. The glasses come with a hard case which the website describes as “virtually indestructible.” I believe them, but it is also really pretty big and the snaps and flaps seem more complicated then they need to be. I suppose if I would rather not take up so much space in my bag I could leave the case at home and trust Rudy’s Anti-scratch treatment. As with all of their sunglasses, they offer a lens replacement guarantee for life in case of scratching.
Price: $149.99 USD
Details: Rudy Project’s Sunflower sunglasses in Demi Turtle Gloss with brown lenses.
Pros: Comfortable, stylish, functional, fits small face well.
Cons: Large and awkward case.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Rudy Project
Reviewed by: Emily