Based in Boulder, Colorado, Zeal Optics is a boutique eye-wear manufacturer with a knack for creating stylish, precision crafted sunglasses and goggles. Back in October we hooked up with our friends from the Centennial State to check out their latest frames – aka the Brewer. The Zeal Brewer Sunglasses are said to be a no nonsense pair of shades crafted for the everyday working man that were inspired by the hardworking and beer guzzling heritage of Milwaukee, WI. In the interest of holding them to their word we’ve been testing these retro inspired sunnies for the past few weeks on our own terms and today excited to share the results of our painstaking testing and review process.
Key Features:
- Polarized Hyperion Lens – all-purpose lens that has an ABBE value of 38 – allowing for durability and impact resistance similar to that of polycarbonate but with greater optical clarity.
- Z-Resin Frame – a plant based resin that every pair of Zeal sunglasses is made from. By making all Zeal sunglasses from this resin from the Castor Bean plant rather than harmful crude oils, it allows them to reduce their carbon footprint and be ecologically responsible.
- ProFlex Rubber – allows Zeal sunglasses to blur the line between active and lifestyle.
- Colorways – Matte Black, Matte Wood Grain, and Carmel Turquoise Gloss.
- Available in Prescription
– The Review –
Comfort:
(9 out of 10) Not surprisingly these shades are extremely comfortable. Which is probably why this classic frame style is so popular worldwide. The integrated ProFlex rubber nose and ear padding provide a soft no-slip fit that’s idea for people leading active lifestyle. The flexible limbs hug your head nicely while never creating pressure points or irritation even after several hours of use. Adding to the comfort of these sunglasses is their feathery lightness. Seriously, these bad boys weigh next to nothing!
Design:
(9 out of 10) The overall design of the Zeal Brewer Sunglasses is reminiscent of the classic Ray Ban Wayfarer in many ways, but is in many ways much more stylish in our opinion. The curves and lines of the Brewer are more cutting and defined which is down right sexy if you ask us! We’re also in love the subtle three-bar detailing on the limbs and at the lower left side of the frame. It’s little accents like this that really make theses shades stand out.
Optics:
(10 out of 10) Zeal has made us believers. Their Hyperion lenses are incredible! The bronze polarized lenses that came in our demo shades were killer. Not only do they block 100% of harmful UV rays, but they also deliver crystal clear vision with a depth/crispness that is very easy to get used to. In fact we found ourselves reaching for the Brewers over all other sunglasses in our collection after a very short time.
Durability:
(8 out of 10) While there is some questions as to how well the single pin plastic hinges would hold up in a pinch we did find the overall integrity of the Zeal Brewer Sunglasses to be very high. The lenses and frame are surprisingly scratch resistant. Scratches seem impossible to avoid, but during our time spent testing these sunnies we didn’t encounter any major scratching. The Z-Resin limbs proved to be ultra flexible and resistant to breaking or cracking. Additionally the nice folks at Zeal ship the Brewer shades with a soft cloth pouch for cleaning and storage as well as a hard case to keep them protected on more rugged adventures.
Value:
(9.5 out of 10) Anything polarized typically equates to more expensive at checkout. While the Brewer isn’t exactly cheap, they’re actually quite affordable when compared to similar shades from Oakley and Ray Ban. We think they’re priced to sell at $130 and would be an absolute steal if you find them on sale for less!
The Bottom Line:
These sunglasses were designed to look great on almost everyone. It’s a fact… we tested it! So if your looking for a new pair of shades that are totally stylish, comfy and deliver eye popping optics we strongly recommend you consider the Zeal Brewer Sunglasses for your next purchase. They’re shockingly lightweight, which we still can’t get over and are available in prescription lenses as well. They’ve quickly become our go-to sunglasses around the office and we’re confident you’ll find your money well spent on a pair for yourself.Buy Now: $129 or go to: ZealOptics.com
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