Recently we hooked up with our pals at Arnette to get the low down on their latest and greatest products for the 2013 season. Before we could even get our foot in the door they introduced us to the Dibs Sunglasses with new patented A.C.E.S. (Arnette Creative Exchange System) which gives customers the option to swap out limbs and customize the shades to fit their lifestyle. At first glance these sunglasses were quite impressive mechanically and stylistically, but we couldn’t help but wonder how well the optics performed on brutally sunny days, how durable they are, or if there is any down side to the A.C.E.S. system? To shut us up and provide us with answers the team at Arnette gave us a demo pair of Dibs to take back to the office where we could fully test and review them on our own terms.
While yes, we could go into great detail explaining exactly how the Arnette Creative Exchange System functions through text and diagrams, wouldn’t you rather just watch the video? Yeah, that’s what we thought! Make sure to click the embedded video below to hear from Arnette pro snowboarder, Todd Richard as he explains how to properly swap limbs on the dibs…
Key Features:
- Grilamid Frame
- Mold Injected Hinges
- Arnette Creative Exchange System (ACES) System
- 100% UV Protection
- Included: protective pouch and hard case
– The Review-
Comfort:
(8 out of 10) The Dibs have a nice weight to them and feel very balanced resting on your face. We were impressed with their overall comfort. The lack of nose and ear padding isn’t noticeable at first, but after hours of wear we did find ourselves wondering if a little padding wouldn’t have been a smart idea. There was no serious discomfort at any point, but we do feel that a little padding would have helped. That being said they still remained comfy. One down-side we noticed was that they became a bit slippery after sweat entered the mix… a bummer for sports enthusiasts who’s last worry should be slipping sunglasses.
Design:
(9 out of 10) The Arnette Creative Exchange System is killer! The ability to interchange limbs to fit your style, mood or otherwise it a fantastic idea. Even better is the fact that the system works flawlessly. Using the included plastic pin it was easy to remove and swap out limbs. Once we got the hang of it, switching limbs was a 30 second process. Beyond the A.C.E.S. the dibs are also quite stylish as well, taking after that retro 80s inspired look that RayBan made so famous. These sunnies look nice with a pair of board shorts just as well as they do in a suit and tie.
Durability:
(7.5 out of 10) Though we are in love with the A.C.E.S. system it does create a mechanical weak point that other sunglasses simply don’t have. During our time with these sunglasses we haven’t noticed any deterioration in the mechanism that holds the interchangeable limbs together, but this is something to look out for in our opinion. The frame is quite flexible making it resistant to breaking or shattering and the hinges heavy duty. It’s our opinion that with proper care these shades could last for many years of use and abuse. TIP: always use the included protective cloth baggy for storage. It’s a sure fire way to protect the sunglasses from scratches.
Optics:
(8 out of 10) We came away from our testing sessions quite impressed with the optics Arnette outfitted the Dibs with. The polarized lenses deliver vivid and clear field of vision that is 100% UV protected. After wearing the Dibs for the first time you understand what good optics really are.
Value:
(9 out of 10) The asking price of $90 is spot-on if you ask us! Considering you’re basically getting two pairs of sunglasses for the price of one straight out of the box and additional limbs can be purchased for a small price. This is a great bang for your buck!
The Bottom Line:
If you’re a style conscious sunglasses fiend who is looking for one pair of shades to take the place of your entire collection in one quick swoop, we recommend you look into the Arnette Dibs when making your next purchase. The Dibs are simply timeless in their styling and provide an almost endless choice of options for mixing and matching to fit your lifestyle. We came away highly impressed with the performance of the A.C.E.S. system which was easy to master. We were also surprised by the optics and comfort they achieve. For the money you won’t find better optics and customization in one package!Buy Now: $90.00 or go to: Arnette.com
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