SGB’s Fast Five

Five sunglasses hitting the trends SGB likes for 2016.

By Courtney Holden

Julbo Drift
Campers, mountain bikers and anglers can head straight from the backcountry to the brewery patio without changing their shades thanks to the versatile Drift, $180, from Julbo. Its wide field of vision, rubberized temples and no-slip rubberized nose piece provide coverage and comfort for long days out on the trail, while thicker, stylized temples offer a touch of class when strutting through the city. Zebra lenses provide technical, photochromic performance, darkening from category 1 to category 3 in less than 26 seconds in direct sunlight.

Julbo Drift

Costa Motu
Sure the Motu, $169, frame style from Costa is eco-friendly — but it’s so much more than that. Composed of a nearly-indestructible bio-based resin material sourced from the castor plant, the frames have increased durability, decreased weight and can hold their shape from extremely hot to bitterly cold temperatures. Thank you Mother Nature! In addition, by incorporating this bio-based resin frame construction, Costa reduces its manufacturing process emissions by up to 40 percent. You’re welcome Mother Nature!

Costa Motu

Peppers Princeton
Extra lens coatings give the Princeton, $125, a member of Peppers’ Epic Handbuilt Collection, a leg-up on the competition. The model’s ultra-thin, polycarbonate polarized lens features both an anti-reflective and hydrophobic coating to repel harsh reflections, water and dust. A hand-built Mazzucchelli acetate frame and Como-Tech Italian spring hinges round out the package.

Peppers Princeton

Smith Founder and Founder Slim
A vintage-inspired square lens shape, subtle keyway nose detail and classic silhouette define Smith’s Founder and Founder Slim, $99, sunglasses. These shades also give a nod to sustainability with their eco-friendly Evolve frames. Look for them with impact-resistant carbonic lenses and color-enhancing ChromaPop polarized lenses. Both the Founder and the Founder Slim incorporate sport-inspired detailing, Megol nose pads and auto-lock hinges.

Smith Founder

Spy Optic Whistler
Mood and color-enhancing optics? Yes please. The Happy Lens technology found in Spy Optic’s Whistler, $120, model admits the sun’s “good” rays — namely long-wave blue light believed to lift mood and alertness — while blocking the sun’s “bad,” short-wave blue light and UV rays. These scratch-resistant, polarized lenses also boost the brightness of colors and improve contrast. More reasons to Whistler while you work: Its lightweight, monal alloy composition, sturdy five-barrel hinges and 100-percent UV protection.