Bolle Chronoshield Sunglasses

Wil Rickards

Is it just me, or do we all currently need a healthy dose of seeing the world with more clarity and in a better light? I decided to try a pair of Bolle Chronoshields to find out if they could do just that. Was it too big an ask? Well, it is claimed that during the American Civil War, soldiers were prescribed colored glasses.

The boy “borrowing” his father’s Bolle’s for a ski descent of Mt. Adams, WA

Rose tints were used to treat depression and help foster happiness, hence the saying, “seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses. “Apocryphal or not, I don’t care; Evel Knievel had his signature pair of rose tints, so if nothing else, they must be cool. I tell you this because I resurrected my contact lenses to wear these Bollés. The two big questions were, was it worth it, and do they make the world a better place?

As I was alluding to, I went with the brown-red lenses and was quickly smiling. This might be seen as a natural condition in Colorado; various substances are legal here after all. But the reality is that when the views pop, it is a pretty special place to live. The Chronoshields’ Phantom lens is incredible; the clarity and contrast lift colors and delineate a vivid scene.

Bolle Chronoshield Sunglasses

It is akin to seeing a photograph before and after some skilled use of Photoshop. The red tint definitely warms the view, yet there is so much more. And, being photochromic, the lenses darken as the sun brightens. Skiing under a cobalt sky, I was able to put them to the test; one minute, I was in the alpine above the trees, basking in the sun and vistas Colorado is known for.

The next, I was dropping into the dappled, then the thicker shade of old-growth pines. The quantity of light changed dramatically; usually, I would slow down or perhaps stop to allow my eyes to adjust. Not so today; the lens just did it for me. A few days later, it became even more apparent just how fantastic the lens is when I followed a similar route with my son.

Bolle Chronoshield Sunglasses

As we entered the forest, I kept on skiing, and he shouted to ask if I still had my sunglasses on. When I looked up, he had removed his; there was no need for me to do the same. I like to cover my face when skiing the trees; avoiding sweeping branches brushing my eyes is key to a good day out. Having to change them, on the other hand, is a pain. Photochromic lenses are the proverbial bee’s knees and are definitely the way to go. 

What else do you need to know about the lenses? Well, if you huddle around, and I don’t have to say it loudly, I did a routine snow inspection. The boy likes to laugh and call it a wipeout, but he is young and does not know what he is talking about.

On top of Mt. Adams, WA, with Mt. Rainier in the background. The world really does look better with Bollé. A 4000’ ski descent to follow helps as well.

Typically, once I clear my face of snow, my glasses steam up as soon as I put them back on, and then I am shouting at people as if I believe they are deaf; don’t ask me why. A quick blow and then wipe down with the softest material I was wearing (I know – bad boy), and there was no sign of fog.

Right there, that is the price of admission. I will also share that I hate goggles. I find that they steam up in the skin track and then are useless on the way down. These guys did not steam up once. 

So why did I choose to test these particular glasses? Well, I have a question for you in return. Do you remember the 80’s? If you do, do you think of dodgy bouffant hair, questionable music, and synthesizers? Personally, I remember bolted cliffs adorned in iridescent spandex and the sunglasses?

This was when Tour de France riders started covering the top half of their face in oversized mirrors, and I thought they looked terrific. When Bollé resurrected this full-faced style, I needed to catch up and get in on the action. So yes, it may be a mid-life crisis, and I may be making up for lacking expendable income in my teens, but there are other benefits.


CHRONOSHIELD

Bolle Chronoshield Sunglasses

Did I say I don’t like goggles? Well, with these guys, it will be rare that I need to wear them. The field of view is enormous, errant air flows are deflected from my eyes, and I can also hide behind them – where’s Wil? This is a win, win, win scenario. Then there is the comfortable fit aided by an adjustable nonslip nose piece. How about the padded attachment above the brow, which prevents sweat from slowly slipping into my eyes? Or the ridiculously light weight?

If there is one thing I would alter, it is the arms. I like the way some modern sports glasses hug the side of my head, but really this is a small and personal gripe. So yes, I encourage you to try these out. I am currently running around like a twenty-something again, partly because I am living in my memories and partly because I can actually see what I am doing.

The thing you buy sunglasses for – the lens is just incredible on the Chronoshields. I might even be tempted to try some Bollé goggles. And yes. It was worth resurrecting the contacts to try these out. And yes. My little world has more clarity and is more lit because of them.

On top of Mt. Adams, WA, with Mt. Rainier in the background. The world really does look better with Bollé. A 4000’ ski descent to follow helps as well.