BLIZ is a Swedish eyewear brand that is expanding its reach across Europe and beyond, and recently in the UK via distributor Reydon Sports. Billed as ‘active eyewear for active people’ the brand has extended from alpine sports to a variety of categories – from sailing to surfing, skating, running, cycling and triathlon.
BLIZ Active Eyewear originally launched in autumn 2007; and, as part of its international expansion, it landed in the UK this year. The brand also has a diverse roster of endorsers including the BLIZ Merida elite road cycling team.
A number of BLIZ frames can suit the multisport athlete, including FORCE, RAPID and the outdoor-focused TRACKER frame. We put the BLIZ TEMPO sunglasses through their paces to see if the company’s claims of ‘top-end performance at an affordable price point’ stood up to scrutiny.
With a £65 RRP in the UK, the BLIZ TEMPO package includes the sunglasses, a hard case, cleaning cloth, head-strap and light enhancing alternative lenses to ‘brighten up a dull day’. The company adds that the TEMPO compares favourably with other brands at a similar offering that can be priced up to £200.
BLIZ notes that its frames are shatterproof. Having met up with Clive Arthur of BLIZ/Reydon Sports over a coffee, and after a few minutes of him stamping on a spare pair of lenses with his heel, they certainly appeared to support this claim.
Stamping on a pair of lenses is clearly a bit extreme, and can get some strange looks when seated in a coffee shop! But, the use of polycarbonate, for its strength properties and light weight does give cyclists, in particular, some comfort about the robustness of BLIZ lenses.
The BLIZ sales angle is essentially a price/quality one, coupled with having a light weight and the features that athletes would expect for a top-end, premium priced pair of glasses. An interesting extra element is that BLIZ also produces a children’s version of its sunglasses. Few brands have yet to really explore kids-specific apparel and accessories. So, this presents a welcome option for parents keen to encourage their offspring in the world of multisport.
The BLIZ TEMPO lenses (and all BLIZ lenses on glasses priced from £65 and above) include a hydrophobic coating to wick away moisture. Having given the regular, adult version a run-through, on the bike, and on the run, the coating on the lenses does appear to do the job.
The TEMPO glasses have a detachable sweat bar that clips onto the top of the frame. This manages sweat better than the rimless method of wearing the glasses. Either with or without the sweat bar, the TEMPO glasses are light and unobtrusive weighing just 25g in their original configuration.
The TEMPO sunglasses have 100% UVA and UVB protection. The frame is made of Grilamid (TR90), which provides high flexibility and low weight. There is an adjustable friction rubber nose pad and adjustable temple tips in a rubber wire core for adjusting the frame to a face.
According to BLIZ, the rimless option ‘delivers virtually unhindered vision, perfect for fast-paced sports like road cycling and triathlon.’ The detachable top bar is positioned as being ‘ideal for lower speed sports like mountain biking’. Athletes can if they prefer also use the supplied head/neck strap for sports involving greater upper body motion, such as trail running. Although, the head-strap won’t be for everyone, it is an interesting extra to give athletes a range of fit options.
All-in-all, the BLIZ TEMPO sunglasses do impress. They look the part and have the features that would entice multisport athletes and cyclists – without breaking the bank.
www.blizeyewear.com
www.reydonsports.com
