My eyes have always been sensitive to the sun, and I spend a lot of time outdoors, so a good pair of sunglasses has always been an important part of my gear selection. I have owned most of the major brands and tested a variety of different models and lenses, and not all the expensive sunglasses have measured up to the hype (I won’t name names). I picked up a pair of War Birds, and from the start I could tell that these will remain part of my go to rotation of sunglasses.
Purchase here: War Bird Easy Day Pro glasses
The pair I tested is their Easy Day model in Navy Matte finish with Smoke/Blue Shield polarized lenses. The simple, well-marked packaging opened up to reveal a sturdy, heavy-duty crush resistant Cordura case. The zippered case has a quick release clip as well as a combination of loops and straps to allow you to attach the case to your belt, backpack or other gear. The Velcro patch on the case is a nice touch. It comes with a Warbirds patch, but you can customize the case with your favorite patch if you like.
Inside the case was a soft microfiber drawstring bag containing a nice-looking pair of sunglasses – rugged enough for hunting, fishing, hiking or other outdoor activities, and stylish enough for the summer BBQs or social events. The bag doubles as a protective cover as well as a lens cleaning cloth.
The soft touch finish on the frames produces a nice feel in the hands and a solid grip on the face. The frames seem like they are virtually indestructible – light but durable. The only minor drawback would be that the flexible temples are not “moldable”, which could be a fitment issue for someone
with a smaller head. Fortunately for me, the frames and temples fit my average sized head perfectly and laid nicely under a hat. The temples are thin enough so that even under a knit cap, there is no pressure from the temples on your ears. The wide rubberized nose pads and the grippy pads on the ends of the temples keep the frames securely in place when you are hot and sweaty or actively moving.
The Blue Shield lenses were designed for water and snow sports where reflected light from the sun is intensified. At 13% light transmittance, they do a great job protecting your eyes from the sun, but not so dark that you can’t see if it gets a bit cloudy. If you are in a wet environment, the lenses are treated to shed water, so you don’t lose clarity from rain, sweat or splashing water. The coating also helps minimize fingerprints and smudges. The polarized lenses offer crisp contrast and clarity. The greens are greener, the sky is bluer, and on the water, you can practically see through it. Although this model is not a wraparound style, they sit close enough on your face to minimize the sunlight entering in from the top or sides.
The company has a variety of frame designs and lens types if you prefer different styling or use your sunglasses for different activities. You can choose from a range of frames from traditional to wrap-around, and there are over a dozen different lens types and colors for various activities and light transmittance. All the lens options utilize their proprietary 4Shadow lens technology with varying degrees of light transmittance and contrast. The lenses are also impact resistant to minimize scratching and breakage, but the company is careful to note that only certain lens options meet the OSHA/ANSI standards for safety glasses. If you need sunglasses to also serve as safety glasses, be sure to select a frame and lens option that meet the impact protection standards.
Overall, these sunglasses pretty much do it all. From a cost standpoint, these are a great pair of sunglasses at a very reasonable price. The list price for this model on the Warbirds website (www.warbirdpro.com) is $149, which makes them more reasonably priced than many of the big-name sunglasses, but very competitive in quality. If you spend a lot of time on the water or snow, the polarized Blue Shield lenses are the way to go. The Easy Day model is comfortable and stylish, with super crisp and clear lenses, and great sun and UV protection. An added bonus is that the packaging and sunglasses are made with recycled or renewable plant-based materials. The Warbird Easy Days are a great value for a moderately priced high-quality pair of sunglasses.
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