Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
One of the recent product releases that caught my attention is a different style of sporting eyewear that seems to solve some issues I experience on the bike. They’re made by a new company called Ombraz and their innovation is glasses that don’t have “arms.” You might call them “temples.” Whatever you call them, the pieces that are missing are the sides of standard glasses frames that rest against the face and extend over your ears.
I know there’ve been other glasses held on with other types of arms and cords. And, I haven’t yet had a chance to try Ombraz glasses. But, I’m interested because they’re held on with a cinch strap that goes behind your head. This means they shouldn’t slide down the nose or fall off. Plus, if you need to take them off on a muddy ride for example, you can let them dangle on the cord.
To me this seems like a great feature. I can’t tell you how many pairs of glasses I’ve lost because I put them in my pocket, forgot about them and then smashed them – or because I stuck them in my helmet or hung them on my jersey and ended up dropping them.
Also, because of the armless design, the glasses pack flat and have no parts or hardware to loosen, break or fail. You can even sit on them with less chance of damaging them. All of this could make them perfect for cycling.
According to Ombraz, the glasses boast crystal-clear Carl Zeiss optics with smudge-and scratch-resistant German-engineered polyamide nylon lenses. They provide 100% UVA / UVB protection and are both water and oil resistant. They come in Non-Polarized Grey or Brown, or Polarized Grey, Brown or Yellow, so you can pick what’s right for your preference and conditions.
Ombraz glasses are held on with a marine-grade custom-woven Japanese nylon abrasion-resistant cord that’s made of 100% recycled materials and is guaranteed for life. Ergonomic sliders in the back let you cinch the strap for a perfect adjustment. Ombraz says the glasses are made to be worn a little loose.
The frames are hand-carved of plant-based biodegradable acetate and they sport optimized nosepads sculpted to comfortably fit all noses and reduce fogging. The glasses will fit all head sizes, though be sure to read Ombraz’s fit tips for which models are best under Sizing on this page: https://ombraz.com/pages/contact.
Another nice thing is that Ombraz is an eco-conscious company. For every pair of glasses sold, 20 trees are planted. As I write this, according to their website, 438,240 trees have been planted so far. Ombrazs cost $125 for Non-Polarized and $140 for Polarized. And they offer free 30-day returns and exchanges so you can give them a try risk-free. To learn more, ombraz.com.
Here’s a video showing how to fit the Ombraz cord:
10,172 Daily Rides in a Row
Jim Langley is RBR’s Technical Editor. He has been a pro mechanic and cycling writer for more than 40 years. He’s the author of Your Home Bicycle Workshop in the RBR eBookstore. Check out his “cycling aficionado” website at http://www.jimlangley.net, his Q&A blog and updates at Twitter. Jim’s cycling streak ended in February 2022 with a total of 10,269 consecutive daily rides (28 years, 1 month and 11 days of never missing a ride). Click to read Jim’s full bio.
It’s an interesting product that reminds me of whether the ear pieces of sunglasses should go over or under one’s helmet straps. The usual answer is over the straps, because that’s what pro racers do. I also say over, but for a more practical reason. My theory is that if you crash, you want your glasses to go flying away from you. If they are under the straps, they might dig into an eye causing great damage, perhaps loss of sight in that eye. I’ve had the good fortune of never having to test my theory. Notwithstanding, eyeglasses that are tethered around one’s head seem dangerous in the event of a crash.
Thanks, Fixieguy. I put glasses over the straps, too, unless the straps are very far away from the face, as can be the case on MTB helmets sometimes. I might get a pair of these glasses and be able to try them and see just how snug they are against the face. I got the idea from their product info that they recommend a little play between the glasses and face and also that the strap was easy to loosen and tighten.
I did witness the results of glasses cutting into a friend’s face when he crashed. But, I don’t know whether he had them under or over the helmet straps. Luckily they only hit his face not his eye. He didn’t need stitches but he was cut and developed a black eye, too.
Thanks!
Jim
I’m glad your friend did not suffer greater harm, and thanks for validating my point.
The glasses are nice looking but I absolutely have to use my Look Mirror which attaches to my glasses arm. I have tried helmet attachment and hate it. So for me, not the pro rider, just someone who is out there all the time on roads, unfortunately these won’t work.
Sorry
Thanks for the feedback, Lady Cyclist, that’s an important point. Appreciate you pointing that out.
Jim
De-fogging and wiping sweat off my brow would seem to be problematic, especially on the move. Seems like these would be two handed operations which would be challenging on the bike.
Thanks, you might be right, Russell. Ombraz says to wear the glasses loose not tight against the face. Maybe this will reduce fogging and make it easy to drop the glasses for cleaning the brow?
Thanks!
Jim
As it gets colder, the advantage of being able to strap these over ear warmers or balaklavas looks really good.
Thanks, Dan, that’s a good point.
Jim
My ophthalmologist, has to do ER calls, she likes high quality plastic lenses, such as Rudy.
The only time she lets me wear glass, is with a full face helmet, I go American Optical,
They are issued by the Air Force.
Did not see in your article whether these accept prescription lenses? However, like Lady Cyclist above, I use an eyeglass-mounted rear view mirror, so these would not work for me, even if I could get my progressive Rx installed in them. Love the idea of them, though!
Try using “Croakie” eyeglass straps which would give normal sunglasses the functionality of these armless glasses. They’re on Amazon.com for about $13. Not sure what advantage these armless glasses have.