When it comes to sunglasses, there are a number of brands that cyclists are familiar with. Wiley X, may not be one of those brands.
Originally founded in 1987 by Myles Freeman Sr., a U.S. Veteran, Wiley X is a family owned and run business currently run by Dan Freeman and Myles Freeman Jr. While the company still has a separate Wiley X Tactical division that focuses on protective eyewear and gloves for the military, law enforcement, and civilian shooting sports, Wiley X has a wide range of products for the outdoor world including everything from cycling to fishing, hunting, and more.
Claiming to be one of the only companies whose entire line of glasses exceeds occupational safety standards, glasses like the WX Omega above meets or exceed ANSI Z87.1 standards for high-mass and high-velocity impact protection.
But that’s something that Wiley X has been doing forever now. What’s new is their latest lens technology called Captivate. Claiming to filter out the light spectrum where blue & green and green & red wavelengths merge and also filtering out High Energy Visible blue light waves, the glasses are said to offer enhanced color and better clarity while simultaneously enhancing depth perception.
The lenses also offer 100% UVA/UVB protection, an oleophobic coating to repel dirt, oil, water, and sweat, and a Bayer 7 rating for scratch resistance.
Currently offered in four styles and eight different polarized lens colors, the shades offer a versatile fit that could work both on and off the bike. These certainly won’t replace the mega shields that have become popular lately, but if you’re looking for a pair of glasses that you could use for riding, hiking, and everything in between, the WX Omega seems to offer a comfortable fit.
Sold with a hard case, a soft cloth cleaning pouch, and a leash cord, the Captivate polarized glasses will run $160 with free shipping in the U.S.
