Review Crew: Ryders Sunglasses + Giveaway

Ok…I’ll just come right out with it. I love these sunglasses :-)

Now perhaps this should be prefaced with the fact that I’m no sunglass connoisseur. No wait…maybe I am. I was going to tell you how as a lifeguard/pool manager for many years I’d go through a good 3-4 pairs of cheap sunglasses each summer. They were cheap, but still I guess you could say I’ve seen my fair share of sunglasses.

I really haven’t been one to wear sunglasses while running though. I’ve just opted for a hat and a squint, but a few weeks back the squinting got old, so I bought myself a pair of Foster Grant’s Active (Raquel Welch wears them so they MUST automatically be fantastic right?). I tried them on at the store. They looked cool. Felt fine. Figured they would do.

Good thing I opted to try them out at my daughter’s t-ball game first before taking them out on a run (which is hilarious btw. The t-ball I mean. The kids either stand around playing in the dirt OR they’re like my kid and attempt to field any ball that is hit anywhere regardless of the ball’s actual proximity. As a matter of fact, my daughter fielded her own hit on one occasion, but I digress). I didn’t even make it half way through the game with these sunglasses on. I have no idea why, but either these sunglasses shrink while you wear them or they cause your head to expand. I don’t know which, but by the time my daughter got up to bat for the second time, I had a wicked headache and couldn’t take the squeezing anymore. If I had worn them on my long run, I’d probably have pitched them or randomly handed them out to some passerby (hello there Cycling Casanova with waaaaaaay too much cologne on, would you like a pair of sucky sunglasses?).

But the Ryders on the other hand, ahhh….sweet Ryders. So very light, I don’t even know they’re there. I actually tried two pairs. One with an open frame (which my husband says makes me look sporty and I don’t think anybody’s ever called me that before. So, you know, I’ve got that going for me) and one with closed frames. My personal preference was for the closed frames because I think I can get away with wearing them pretty much anywhere, whereas the open frames if I were to attempt that people might expect me to just up and start running wherever I was, like my kids swimming lessons or the family 4th of July picnic. And you know, people are much less likely to talk to you if they think you might just take off running on them at any moment.

It all worked out though, because apparently if you have super long luscious yet overly sensitive lashes like my sister, the closed frame glasses might not be the best choice for you. She was thoroughly annoyed that her eyelashes kept touching the lens of close framed pair. So after we were about a mile out on our sunglass test run, we swapped pairs. She was happy. I was happy. All was right with the world.

So my verdict: Thumbs Up!

RUNDAD SAYS:

“There were a lot of things to like about the Ryder Sunglasses.
1. Light, yet had sturdy construction.
2. The lenses relieved a lot of eye strain and squinting that usually occurs when running.
3. Rubber tips on the ear and nose pieces made the glasses very comfortable to wear and prevented slippage.
My one recommendation would be to buy the model without the frame on the bottom and the slide. This will prevent any obstruction when looking off to the side.”

RunDad Verdict: Thumbs Up!

RUNSIS SAYS:

“Not much to say which I think is a good thing when it comes to sunglasses. I barely noticed they were there. They didn't bounce on my face or squeeze my brain. They kept the sun out of my eyes and seemed like little LCD screens since my vision seemed crisper with them on.” (weird, but yeah. I’m totally agreed about the LCD thing).

RunSis Verdict: Thumbs Up!

And thanks to our friends at Ryders and Outside PR, two of you get to add a pair to your super sweet running gear collection. Here’s what you’ve got to do:

Required to enter:

1. Be or become a follower of this blog.

2. Visit the Ryders website and let me know which pair of these three you would choose: Lolite (Black), Porter (Black), or Drill (Light Blue)

Additional Entries:

• Become a fan of Ryders on Facebook


• Become a fan of Outside PR on Facebook


• Become a fan of Secrets of a Running Mom on Facebook


• Tweet, Blog, Email, Update your Facebook Status or come up with your own creative way to somehow promote this contest (each method worth 1-entry, limit 5)


• Make a donation of any size to the Madison Walters Cumulus College Fund

Notify me via the comments (one comment is fine) what methods you have chosen to enter. All entries must be received by, Sunday July 11th at 11:59 PM. I’ll announce the winner on Monday, July 12th. Good luck!

P.S. Looks like we might be having a little trouble with the comments, a Blogger glitch. I switched the comments to post automatically, but if you still can't get your comment to show up, then send me your contest entry via email or Facebook (HA HA! We are too smart for you Blogger. You will not ruin our giveaway no matter how uncooperative you might choose to be!)