Modular, Aviator Glacier Glasses Made From Plant Materials: Zeal Selkirk Evaluation

Utah’s solar was excessive within the cloudless blue sky as we hiked out of Satan’s Kitchen in Canyonlands Nationwide Park and round Elephant Canyon. The November temperature was excellent as cool air descended from the snow-capped La Sal Mountains. As we marched, saddled with our in a single day packs, I absorbed the beautiful, otherworldly surroundings in crisp element regardless of the solar and sandstone glare.

I wouldn’t usually have chosen glacier sun shades for a backpacking journey. However I used to be keen to check Zeal’s new Selkirk shades, and there wasn’t fairly sufficient snow in Colorado but for snowboarding. I figured the desert panorama of Canyonlands would make for a perfect pre-ski-season testing floor. So, I introduced the Selkirks, and I used to be grateful I had. These modular glasses proved much more versatile than I had anticipated.

That was simply my first outing with the Selkirks. Since then, I’ve worn them on snow quite a few occasions and at the same time as day-to-day shades round city. Sure, I wore glacier sun shades round casually, going to the gymnasium and out for beers with mates.

And, because of Zeal’s intelligent design, I didn’t appear like a complete gaper. In truth, I bought compliments from individuals who had no concept these glasses had been even geared for glaciers in any respect.

In brief: The Zeal Selkirks are glacier sun shades produced from plant-based resin with a modular design. The aspect panels block out peripheral glare extraordinarily nicely and fold down below the arms for storage. They’re additionally very simply detachable, so you’ll be able to put on these glacier sun shades in common sun shades mode as nicely. For ski tourers, backcountry skiers, or anybody who likes to train in snowy situations, this can be a versatile eyewear choice that isn’t restricted to energetic use.

Examine the Selkirks to different sun shades on GearJunkie’s information to the Finest Sun shades for the Outside.

Zeal Selkirk Glacier Sun shades Evaluation

Primarily based in Boulder, Colo., Zeal Optics has carved a reputation for itself within the eyewear house by making fashionable, energetic sun shades and snow goggles utilizing plant-based supplies in lots of its frames and lenses.

The Selkirks are proper in step with the model’s strategy, produced from its proprietary Z-Resin, which, in line with the model, is at the very least 45% bio-resin. Its Ellume Polarized lenses additionally leverage a plant-based polymer.

The resin plastic is impact-resistant and has a pleasant matte really feel between your fingers. Between the body and the polymer lenses, these shades are mild in your face. Additionally they don’t get chilly while you’re out within the snow, like some metal-framed glacier sun shades I’ve worn.

The Selkirk aspect panels are unperforated and successfully block out peripheral glare once they’re on. They fold down below the arms for storage (barely awkwardly, however you work it out). Or, you’ll be able to take them off by gently pinching the ends towards one another. The hinge factors come out of its sockets, and you’ll retailer the panels within the included sun shades pouch or case.

Lens Readability

The Ellume Polarized lens is one other proprietary Zeal characteristic. They filter sure wavelengths of colour, heightening reds, greens, and blues. Based on Zeal, that gives crisper, clearer imaginative and prescient.

The lens on the Botega Burgendy Selkirk (which I’ve) is darkish grey. Usually, I favor amber lenses, however the darker tint of the Selkirks is especially good on shiny days and/or in environments with plenty of glare.

Up to now, I errantly used eyewear that was undergunned for bluebird ski excursions, and my eyes bought strained. These present sufficient safety and polarization that my eyeballs don’t get overexerted.

The darkish grey tint is perhaps too darkish for low-light, low-glare days outdoors. However that’s not what these glacier sun shades are meant for.

Readability-wise, I feel Zeal’s Ellume Polarized lenses can grasp with the very best. On a number of events, I’ve stopped to actively squint and attempt to discern visible distortions via them. Whereas I can’t truthfully attest to which colours they filter out and by how a lot, I’d agree that they appear fairly darn crisp and clear to me.

Detachable Aspect Panels & Forehead Piece

I assumed I broke the Selkirks the primary time I knocked a aspect panel out. We’d gotten to our Canyonlands campsite late, my fingers had been chilly whereas I used to be attempting to place them away, and I fumbled, popping the small plastic piece off.

Once I realized they had been supposed to try this, I bought excited. I may put on them on the path similar to regular sun shades. I didn’t uncover the nostril bridge additionally pops out till afterward.

Whenever you take away all three items, the Selkirks grow to be an everyday pair of aviator-style sun shades. I stored carrying them after we had emerged from the desert and stumbled right into a brewery. Had I been carrying a pair of extra traditional-looking glacier sun shades, I certainly would have drawn appears to be like and feedback. Nonetheless, the one remark I bought was a praise from one other patron.

My solely concern with this design is consumer error. I worry that I’ll ultimately lose the aspect panels as a result of I’m fairly good at misplacing small, unfastened elements of issues. If I used to be carrying them whereas snowboarding and actually crashed, the panels would possibly come out and be misplaced. Or, I may simply drop one or go away them someplace and overlook. That’s extra of a “me” drawback, although, and never an actual dig towards these sun shades.

Observe: Between the time I wrote the above paragraph and when this evaluate was accomplished, I truly did lose one of many aspect panels. Hopefully, Zeal will promote replacements.)

A Observe on Measurement

The Selkirks have an outsized body match. Which means they’re massive on the face (take a look at the scale we listed within the product block on the prime). I like greater sun shades as a result of they match my face nicely. Nonetheless, when you have a small face, you would possibly contemplate totally different glasses. These solely are available one measurement.

Zeal Optics Selkirk Glacier Sun shades: Who Are They For?

For a pair of sun shades to face out within the hypersaturated eyewear market, it takes some considerate design work. Zeal already differentiates its merchandise by making them out of plant-based resin.

However the Selkirks are distinctive on their very own, too, due to the modular glacier parts. You possibly can put on them in glacier mode or common sun shades mode, relying on what you’re doing or the place you might be.

Ski tourers, backcountry skiers, snowshoers, winter hikers, and anybody else who likes taking part in round in shiny, snowy situations will love these sun shades. If you happen to’re the sort of one who likes “quivers of 1,” you could possibly conceivably make the Selkirks your solely pair. They’re versatile sufficient for a number of sports activities and even way of life activties.

I actually dig these shades. I feel they appear cool and do a rattling good job of defending my peepers from glare and UV. They’ve earned a everlasting spot in my backcountry ski pack. (Or, at the very least, they are going to earn a everlasting spot if I can get a alternative aspect panel for the one I misplaced.)