Performance eyewear can be expensive; it’s easy to spend $300+ AUD on a set of specs for riding. Then there are those of us that are happy with $10 safety glasses from the hardware store. But what about the people in the middle? Those that want more than the Bunnings special, but not the most expensive bit of kit.
Heatwave has an offering for this middle order, in the form of their Vector sunglasses ($129.95 AUD). These are a lightweight, performance based specs with anti-fog technology, and shatter resistant interchangeable lenses. All characteristics of a good pair of riding glasses, in our humble Flow opinion.
Heatwave Vector Sunglasses key features:
Lenses:
The Vector has a variety of lens options, which all include anti-fog and shatter-resistant technology, and are available in both fixed tint, photochromic and clear options.
When doing a side-by-side comparison with more expensive options, from popular brands like Smith, Oakley and 100%, there is a difference in visual optics. For example, technology like Smith’s ChromaPop is a filter that is tuned to block certain colour wavelengths, namely where the green, red and blue wavelengths cross over to help your eyes pick out details and create contrast. While it may sound like marketing mumbo jumbo, in our experience, you can ride these tinted lenses in surprisingly dark conditions before vision becomes poor — they also average about $300 AUD in price. Oakley’s Prizm and 100%’s HiPER are both versions of this type of colour filtering.
The Heatwave Vector’s tinted lens doesn’t have this technology and will require you to reach for the clear lens a little sooner. On another note, the clear lens needs to be bought separately. We’d love to see this included, as we believe this would significantly add to their already decent value.
Bright sunlight or moderate shade was where the tinted Vector performed really well. The contrast and clarity left nothing to be desired here. Another positive is that it’s easy to swap to a clear lens via their tool-free system if deep, dark woods are your jam.
Heatwave Vector frame design
These are Heatwave’s lightest frames at 39g (with lens installed). Despite being their lightest, the Vector still feels robust and well-constructed. The low profile of the lens means that it fits close to your face. This is a benefit of any MTB eyewear, as it reduces the chance of debris slipping in behind the lens. The close profile also opens the peripheries and contributes to the overall range of view, which is something we were really pleased with during testing. We definitely didn’t feel any sort of tunnel vision. One of the ways these specs achieve such a close fit is through the Hytrel rubber nose piece, and a forward tilting frame that enables them to sit further back on the nose. We found the nose piece to be comfortable and provide the right amount of pressure to keep them snug but not digging in.
Flow’s Verdict:
For a mid-price product, the Heatwave Vectors are a great option. Particularly if you prefer running a clear lens when you ride. Whilst the tinted lenses didn’t perform as well as some of the more high end competitors, we feel this is fair considering the price difference. There are a variety of colourways in both the frames and lenses; so enjoy the freedom in dialling in your desired look!
