Switch has been my go-to brand of sunglasses for a few years now, because I love the ability to easily change out the lenses using their magnetic technology. But with the new Stormrider sunglasses, the company has gone from magnetic interchangeable lenses to magnetic interchangeable eyecups. Interchangeable eyecups? Let me explain:
- Switch has taken the frames of the Stormrider sunglasses (as well as the Pathfinder) and made them so you can transform them to adapt with a specific type of activity. You can do this by adding or removing the magnetic eyecups. There are two different eyecups – Activity Guard and Climate Guard.
- Activity Guard screens out mild debris and wind while a soft, closed-cell cushion offers light weight comfort and allows airflow with integrated venting. Climate Guard provides a goggle-like fit with an ultra thin, flexible TPR rim for maximum blockage of debris, wind and water. It’s made from soft, thermoplastic rubber, is hypoallergenic, and also has integrated vent slots for airflow and to prevent fogging.
- To further protect the eyes, the sunglasses come with an adjustable band that connects to the frame arms. By tightening the band behind your head, the sunglasses wrap around your face, sealing off the inside of the sunglasses even more, and ensuring that they don’t fall off.
Other features include impact resistant injected nylon construction, increased lens retention, and flexible temple construction.
I got my pair of Stormriders in July and mostly used them while mountain biking. My thought was that the eyecups would be useful for keeping dust out of my eyes, or preventing cold wind from hitting my eyeballs during chilly, morning descents. Cold wind makes me cry, which blurs vision while dropping water bars at speed, which causes knee-raping crashes. The Activity Guard were a good choice and I really appreciated the protection they offered on bike descents, but while ascending, they cause the lenses to fog up. No problem there, as the eyecups come right off if you don’t need them. So my routine became eyecups out on the up, eyecups in on the down.
I did try the Climate Guard one cold fall day while riding in Park City, and found them to be too constrictive. They fogged up almost immediately, probably due to my face being overheated from the climb. While Switch says the Climate Guard have integrated vent slots for controlled airflow, I found it to be inadequate for any sort of physical activity due to fogging issues. Bottom line: the Activity Guard are best for warm-weather, active pursuits as long as you’re not exerting yourself too much.
My real test for the Climate Guard eyecups came when snow finally fell on the Wasatch. Switch says that Climate Guard creates a goggle-like effect. I also think they are like mountaineering sunglasses of old – you know, the kind with leather side flaps to keep sun out of your peripheral vision? The eyecups have rubberized flaps and the headband sucks the glasses to your face, much like goggles. So with that in mind, I took them skiing!
On the slopes, I never wear sunglasses unless it’s a very warm, spring day (see cold air eyeball crying effect above.) But with the Climate Guard, cold air does not penetrate. The only problem is that wearing sunglasses isn’t as warm as goggles, and these sunglasses are no exception. Read: I won’t be throwing away my goggles, but these sunglasses will be on hand for sunny, warm days in the mountains. The backcountry, however, is another story. Much like while mountain biking, the eyecups cause bad fogging while ascending in the skin track. So again, cups are good as long as you’re not overheating.
But to really test the Climate Guards out, I took them on a ski tour at Alta before the resort opened for the season. Snow guns were spraying all over the Albion area. So I skinned to one and stuck my face right into the stream of hurricane-force winds and frozen water droplets. While my beard got a nice cake of wet ice, my eyeballs didn’t feel even a breath of wind. That’s a pretty convincing testament to the kind of protection the Climate Guards can give you.
On the downside, I had an issue with fit. For my taste, or perhaps because of my freakishly small head size, I found the Stormriders to be very large in frame. The funny thing is that the Stormriders are the smaller version – the pathfinders are even bigger. The frames are bulky and wide, which is probably by design to accommodate the eyecups. I also found the temple arms to be bulky enough that they are not comfortable underneath a helmet, both bike helmets and ski helmets. Again, this is a size issue for me so people with wider heads may not have this issue.
The Switch Stormrider sunglassses include a kit of 1 Magnetic Interchange Chassis, 1 Pair of lenses (Polarized), 2 pair of Magnetic Eyecups, 1 Hard case, and 1 eyecup pouch.
The Good: Magnetic, interchangeable eyecups are an awesome idea that works really well. It adds flexibility to a normal pair of sunglasses to pair with any sort of outdoor activity.
The Bad: Lenses tend to fog up during aerobic activity when eyecups are inserted. Frames are large and bulky.
Final Word: If they fit you, the Switch Stormriders are the perfect choice for anyone looking for versatility and eye protection in harsh, outdoor environments.