In my last mountain bike review I tested the GEM MIPS bike helmet, together with the helmet I also got myself a pair of Outdoor Master Hawk HD Photochromic Sport sunglasses. First, before diving into the photochromic version of the Hawk sunglasses that I tested I can again repeat a few words on Outdoor Master brand and what to expect when you buy their gear. The mission of OM is to produce high tech gear at a very reasonable price. With most of their products you can expect to get top of the line technology, modern (but not flashy) design, usually a really nice selection of different color options and all that without paying loads of money.
Hawk HD Photochromic Sport Sunglasses
The Hawk glasses are again no exception. OM Hawk sport sunglasses come in 9 different versions (photochromic, polarized, cycling, HD, Hawk, Hawk II, Hawk III etc…) and each version has different color options for the frame and for the lenses. So there is really plenty of options to choose from. All Hawk sunglasses are meant for sport so you can use them for cycling and mountain biking or for a variety of other sports.
You can already see from the names of different versions that these sunglasses include all the latest tech there is when it comes to sunglasses. Photochromic lenses, polarized lenses, HD lenses.
And the price? My version, the Hawk HD Photochromic Sport Sunglasses cost one quarter (1/4) of the price of some big brand photochromic sunglasses (for instance Oakley etc…). And if that is not enough, there is a DISCOUNT CODE to lower the price even further at the end of this article. Now lets get into the review.
Photochromic lenses
The main high tech feature of the Hawk HD Photochromic Sport Sunglasses are the photochromic lenses. First, a little explanation what that means. In short, it means that these lenses automatically adjust to the amount of light in the surrounding and change to the most appropriate VLT. VLT stands for visible light transmission and it refers to the percentage of light that passes through your sunglasses, into your eyes. It’s the darkness of your lens tint.
Do you know how mountain biking goggles usually don’t have tint or at least don’t have much tint? That is because while riding through forest and in and out of shadows heavily tinted lenses would make the goggles too dark in the shadows. On the other hand, because bikes go fast, light conditions change quickly so even if you would have multiple sunglasses (heavy tinted and lightly tinted) it wouldn’t be very practical to stop and change them all the time. This is why most bike goggles use clear lenses that protect you from wind, bugs and dust, but leave the light adjustment to natural capabilities of your eyes. Or if you ride above the tree line, you use tinted lenses, because lighting is the same all the time.
But there is a solution to that problem – photochromic lenses. They turn your sunglasses from clear to tinted within seconds and you don’t have to do anything but enjoy your ride.
How do photochromic lenses work exactly?
These lenses contain special molecules, typically silver halide or organic photochromic dyes, that react to ultraviolet (UV) light. When exposed to UV rays from the sun, the molecules change structure, causing the lenses to darken and provide increased protection against glare. In low-light or indoor environments, the absence of UV light allows the molecules to return to their original state, making the lenses clear again. This allows Hawk HD Photochromic Sport Sunglasses to automatically adjust their tint based on the surrounding light conditions.
Does this work? Yes! You can see the difference even when you are out in the sun and look towards the sun or away from it. The difference is even bigger when you enter the forest.
HD Visual Experience
Hawk lenses are also rated HD. This means that they use filtering technology that reduces glare, improve sharpness, heighten color contrast, and reduces distortion. The result is less fatigue and more clarity and detail which is very useful for biking.
Build and Durability
Two more features are worth mentioning here.
Memory frames
The material used to make these frames is called TR90. It is extremely light and durable, making the whole sunglasses really really lightweight. How durable are they? You can push and flatten them and they will return to their original shape without breaking. See the photo from the test below:
Impact Resistant Lenses
Together with durable frames come impact resistant lenses which means these lenses won’t scratch easily.
Fit and Stability During Sports and Mountain Biking
Sunglasses are really lightweight so the don’t put much pressure on your nose and ears and you can comfortably wear them for a long time. The ends of the frames and the nose part are rubberized. This helps them stay in place even during rocky mountain bike rides. When I was testing them it was a hot summer day and I was drenched in sweat. Even when my nose was wet they didn’t move much or not at all.
Final words
A really nice pair for high tech sunglasses at a very nice price. Photochromatic lenses work perfectly, sunglasses seem durable and won’t break or scratch if they fly of your head into the rocks by any chance. They stay in place even when you are sweating and riding through rough terrain. And they are lightweight and comfortable enough that you soon forget you are wearing them. I really can not find anything bad to say about them, sorry.
Hawk HD Photochromic Sport Sunglasses Discount Code
You can get an additional 10% discount on your Hawk HD Photochromic Sport Sunglasses if you use this code when you check out:
CODE: 360GUIDE