With the sun finally showing its face over RCUK Towers, it seemed like an appropriate time to uncase some new eyewear.
Jet Black is an Australian company manufacturing a range of cycling products, including static trainers and bike bags.
Jet Black’s eyewear range is five strong, and includes the flagship Svelto, a glass with a light weight frame and three interchangeable lenses. Our white-framed sample set has come with blue, clear, and amber lenses.
The blue lens is said to transmit light while “reducing the full spectrum of environmental glare”, while the clear lens is simply to protect the eye. Jet Black recommend the amber lens for use on early mornings, in rainy conditions, and at dusk.
The lenses are made from Polycarbonate, with claims for low weight (46 per cent thinner and 37 per cent lighter than common plastic lenses, according to Jet Black ) and 100 per cent filtering of harmful UV rays.
Each is treated with Jet Black’s XPortal anti-glare coating, and here the manufacturer claims insight from dealing with the powerful Australian sunlight.
The Svelto is also available with Photochromic lenses, that darken or lighten as UV levels rise and fall, but are slightly more expensive.
They clip in and out of the lightweight plastic frame in a system described as FCLS (Fast Change Lens System), one that relies on a locating lugs cut into the top of the lens.
The temple guides are aluminium and finished in an elegant gun metal grey. Rubber ear pieces slide over the ends of each and are available in different colours, including red, yellow and blue.
The nose piece is adjustable, and easily shaped by squeezing or splaying the soft, rubber-coated frame, another item available in a range of colours to match the ear pieces.
Early impressions suggest a lightweight glass, comfortable enough, with a simple mechanism for changing lens. The wraparound profile has proved the outstanding feature thus far.
We’ll be conducting further tests with all lenses in the weeks ahead. Check back soon for a full review.
The Jetblack Svelto cycling glasses cost £43.99 with standard lenses, and £54.99 with Photochromic lenses.
Website: Jet Black Products
UK distributor: Chicken Cycles
