Sunwise specs appeal

Last updated: 8th July 2012

Award-winning British eyewear brand Sunwise's 2012 collection combines flair, good looks and versatility. They argue it makes them the eyewear of choice for golfers this season.

We got hold of a pair of the glasses and eventually the British summer saw enough sun for us to test them! Here's our take on them:

THEY SAY:

The features

Sunwise provides sunglasses for varying light conditions, allowing golfers to tailor their eyewear to the time of day and the amount of cloud cover.

Sunwise's golf styles offer wide protective coverage but no bottom rim, giving both a high degree of safety when blasting out of sand, and an obstruction-free view of the ball during the golf swing.

Grippy arms keep all Sunwise golf models stable, even when a golfer is hitting from thick rough.

The background

Created in 1996 Sunwise prides itself on innovative and exciting British eyewear. It is a partner of England Athletics running up to the 2012 London Olympics,

The sales pitch

"Sunwise eyewear looks fantastic, saves you shots on the golf course, and is British," says Sunwise Brand Development Executive, Maria Aries.

"Our mix of high quality and affordable prices makes Sunwise a great impulse purchase when the sun breaks out, and we're available in hundreds of UK pro shops this year.

"However, it's not all about sunshine: golfers today also realise that professional sports eyewear, like Sunwise, helps you to see your ball and the contours of the golf course more clearly - particularly on the green - whatever the weather."

The ranges

A turquoise blue twist now sparkles in the Waterloo Chrome, last year's best-seller and the spearhead of Sunwise's popular and innovative Chromafusion range.

Extending the Premier 'Made in UK' Chromafusion and Polafusion ranges are new GS styles Waterloo GS Green (Chromafusion) in understated metallic shamrock green, and Greenwich GS Grey (Polafusion) in a masculine grey with matching deep purple components.

Both are finished with a fun gold flash coating on their advanced technology lenses.

Other attractive new arrivals bring the Sunwise golf range for 2012 to over fifty styles, including interchangeable British designs which effortlessly take you from the golf course onto the street and into the realms of casual wear, giving you the versatility you need without breaking the bank.

Brightening the already striking interchangeable range are the Equinox RM White with sunshine yellow features and red multi-layered protective lenses, and the Twister Green in neon green with cool grey features.

The gorgeous Equinox Pink and petite face style Thirst Pearl add glamour and femininity to the sporty interchangeable ranges.

The all-new interchangeable Cherwell range features adjustable nose pads, for a secure fit for all face shapes. Each item features a single mirror lens which can be interchanged with additional lenses for all light conditions.

Cherwell is available in conventional Black, Grey and Deep Red, and for the more daring it comes in a bright White with Blue components.

WE SAY:

There's not much doubt that eyewear is a tough market place at the moment. It seems quite quaint to remember how golfers used to wear naff sunglasses they clearly originally bought for their summer holiday.

These days it could hardly be more different and Sunwise fits right into that modern trend.

They are light, fit well and look good. I've worn some performance eyewear that hasn't gripped very well in hot conditions but my Windrush pair stood up to that test.

The best feature is the selection of lenses. I really appreciate not squinting in the sun, but the best option in my opinion is the light-enhancing lens - I struggle with depth perception in late evening gloom but this option really helps my golf.

Having dropped my bag on them, too, I can confirm they withstand wear and tear. They're also pretty good if you jog - I've used mine for that as well. And never overlook how hayfever sufferers can stop pollen getting in their eyes with good fitting sunglasses.

It's fair to say that I'm a confirmed (and converted) fan of performance eyewear and Sunwise passed the test.