Rudy Project Rydon ImpactX Sunglasses review
What: Rudy Project Rydon ImpactX
Unifying seamlessly advanced design technology and materials science, the RYDON™ blends cutting-edge ergonomic features with advanced materials (Carbon, Aluminum, Magnesium, Silicium and Titanium) to create a super-lightweight, versatile, high performance sunglass. Rydon™ has been uniquely engineered with a carbonium frame and revolutionary aerospatial aluminum alloy (Kynetium™) temples which combine Magnesium, Silicium and Titanium to create an unbelievably lightweight (mg), durable (ti) and flexible (si) sunglass. These material advances allowed for the design specifications to be “pushed” giving our engineers the ability to create a stunning wraparound masterpiece.
ImpactX™ Photochromic lenses provide unique climatic management technology, getting dark from low to high light transmission within few seconds; ImpactX™ Polarized Photochromic enhance contrast and depth perception while providing unparalleled eye protection.
About Me: I’m a recreational Mountain Biker, a bike commuter and an occasional roadie. I’m 5’7″, 164 lbs and 37 yrs young.
Testing Grounds:Fullerton Loop, Aliso Woods, Turnbull Canyon, the mean streets of LA and the San Gabriel River Trail.
Thumbs up:I am a huge fan of sunglasses with photocromic lenses. I really like the way they adapt to different light conditions without the hassle of switching lenses. However, one of the drawbacks of such lenses is the range of how dark/light the lenses become. I have owned sunglasses that the low range is too dark, or the high range is too light. Surprisingly, the Rydon’s range is such that I’m able to ride at night
during cloudy conditions
and when the sun is really bright.
Another great feature of the Rudy Project Rydon sunglasses is the impact resistant lenses. I didn’t test that feature on the trail, but I take Rudy Project’s word, after all, the lenses are guaranteed unbreakable for life.
Thumbs Down:Some people may flinch at the $249 price tag, I know I did.
Recommendation:Yes, $249 is a hefty price to pay for sunglasses, but the Rudy Project Rydon are not just sunglasses. The Italian quality, the features, the materials and the guarantee make these sunglasses a good buy for those who can afford and appreciate this “stunning wraparound masterpiece”.
$249 for glasses … someone’s been hittin’ the crack pipe!
Hey Moe, not glasses related but what kneepads are you using in the first pic or are those just long shorts?
$249 is high but they seem to have a good range from light to dark. Oakley has some in the same price range but i’m not sure about theyre range, but they are photochromic and interchangeable.
Dial Tone: They are Primal wear Knee warmers. But when is time to ‘armor’ up, I have a pair of Sette Impact Knee/Shin guards: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16215-536_SETIM7-1-Clothing-14-Protective-Gear/Sette-Impact-Knee_Shin-Guards.htm
“stunning wraparound masterpiece”…sounds like a good way to end a massage.
Goddam glasses are getting expensive! Still, I bet they’re better for your eyes than $10 cheapies.
Wow those glasses officially make you bling bling!
I’ve wavered on buying these for quite a while. I’m a roadie, but after your review, I convinced myself I needed them (ok, really, really wanted them). I absolutely love them. For the folks who freak out about the cost: Just don’t get them. But, if you have the money, do a lot of riding and/or running in variable conditions, and don’t want to keep spending money on new lenses and/or frames (like my old Smith Optics), these are for you. I’m about to take them up to Alaska to see how they are with the glare from the water and ice on the glaciers. I’m expecting them to be amazing. They have been so far. Great review, and thanks for the extra rationalization I needed.
I bought the Rydon carbons using this review as a guide. Mine have the built in prescription so I paid big $$$, but that’s always the case with quality prescription eyewear. They are great. The field of view, comfort, weight, all terrific. I STRONGLY recommend the “photochromatic red” color…this is NOT the “racing red”, but rather a reddish amber that changes to a darker reddish grey in bright light. Strong contrast and detail, good color balance. It never let me down in any lighting situation, and unlike grey, won’t hide subtle contrast on the trail in dim light.
Moe, which specific lenses are in those glasses? Are those the ImpactX Grey, or the ImpactX Clear?
I believe they were the clear.
So the non-polarized clear? Thanks. 🙂
I have Rydon ImpactX Polarized Photochromic Gray lenses. They are good when they are new. I had to replace the lenses five times!!! Usually they start to deteriorate after one year of everyday use. There are irregular shape little bubbles start to appear inside the lenses. Additionally, when you look through the lenses on some black surfaces under very bright sunlight (like fresh or wet asphalt surface or tar) the black color turns into purple and it’s very confusing when you are biking. When lenses were new they did not change black colors. Rudy Project knows this problem and they slightly improved this product but it still have above mentioned problems. Thankfully Rudy Project replaces my lenses under the warranty for free. Warranty period is just 2 years. Be careful with this product and good luck!