Adidas Tycane Pro Outdoor Sunglasses
By Monte Johnston, ACMG Apprentice Guide

2019

The Adidas Tycane line of sunglasses are specifically designed for climbing, skiing, mountaineering and watersports. While not a household name in eyewear, Adidas boasts a wide range of high quality, sport-specific and casual sunglasses with top notch optics.
I tested the Tycane Pro Outdoor sunglasses with the Light Stabilizing Technology (LST) Active lenses. The same frame is used for all Tycane models, just with different extras included. Because of the wide range of lens choices available, this review will focus more on the lens material, coatings and durability than any specific finish, color or lens category.

Frame Features as Tested

• Facefit foam pad (removable)
• Head strap (removable)
• Side vents
• Lens changing system
• Removable hinge at the temples
• Temples adjustable up & down
• Flexible frame
• Optional float for watersports
• Lightweight: 28g (+4g for Facefit foam)

Frame Fit & Feel
Without the Facefit foam pad, the glasses fit snuggly and securely in place with no movement. The adjustable temples allow the angle of the glasses to be adjusted and can compensate for uneven ears. The thin, wrap-around frame keeps unfiltered light out while maintaining good peripheral vision.
The frames and temples also flex so there is little pressure on the sides of the head, allowing them to be worn all day without a headache. Their lightweight also keeps the bridge of the nose from getting sore over time.
The removable hinges at the temples are handy if you're prone to sitting on your sun glasses or crushing them in a pack. The hinges at the temples come apart but can easily pop back into place.
With the Facefit foam pad in place, the glasses feel much bulkier and I had to adjust the angle of the temples to keep the frame from moving with my face (lifting when I smiled). While not needed to keep light out, the Facefit foam pad works very well at sealing out wind and powder snow, much like goggles.

Features of the LST Lens as Tested

• Lens Material: Scratch Resistant Polycarbonate
• Finish: Mirror
• Light transmission: 16%
• Lens category: 3
• UV Protection: UV 400 Filter
• Hydrophobic coating (outside)
• Anti-fog coating (inside)

Lens Quality & Longevity
The lightweight polycarbonate lenses are clear and crisp and, even after about eight months of use, still in great shape. The coatings on the lenses have not suffered at all from being repeatedly cleaned and there are no scratches on them yet. This is partly from good care but also due to the quality of the coatings which have stood-up exceptionally well.
Fogging
With the anti-fog coating and side vents, the mirrored lenses didn't typically fog up, even for slow-moving, high-output activities like a steep up-track, despite little room for air circulation with the contouring frame. However, fogging was an issue with a cheaper pair of clear lenses I tried. Also, the Facefit foam caused fogging as it closed the side vents, leaving only small perforations around the edge for airflow.
Pros: Great fit, lightweight, wide range of good quality lenses available, durable.
Cons: Fogging with some lenses (worse with the Facefit foam). Lenses are hard to change without smudging them a bit.

Overall
A fantastic pair of sunglasses for just about everything from cycling to ski touring to summer glacier travel or SUPing. The interchangeable lenses ensure that you can get the right lens for the right job and with the lightweight and comfortable frame is easy to forget you're wearing glasses at all. Unless you plan to use them as a pair of emergency goggles I'd skip the Facefit foam pad.