Kate Agathon

Has anyone else noticed that recent sunglasses trends have seemed to gravitate towards larger frames?

That’s a double whammy for someone like me who not only has a small face, but has a flat nose bridge thanks to my Asian heritage.

In a market saturated with oversized fashion and performance eyewear, it is difficult to find sunglasses that meet my 3 F criteria of Fit, Function, and Fashion.

Thankfully, the Campo sunglasses by Boulder-based Zeal Optics are just the sunglasses I’ve been looking for! They fit my small face and I appreciate their understated look (still trendy, but not glaringly so).

Appearance and Fit

The first thing I noticed about the Campo sunglasses when I took them out of the box was how very small they appeared. The frames almost looked like they were made for youth. Would they fit me? I wondered.

Keep in mind though, whenever I shopped online or in person for sunglasses, all I found were large frames. Frames so large they looked almost comical (the Jackie O look is definitely not for me). So of course the ones that are size-appropriate for small faces are going to appear deceptively small in comparison to their trendy counterparts.

Once I put them on, though, they looked great! The Campos actually complimented my face, not the other way around (I’ve worn sunglasses that have completely taken over my face).

They looked and fit like they were made for my face. Hooray! Finding the right sunglasses is like finding the right pair of jeans; it’s a frustrating process but when you find the right ones it is a cause to celebrate. And the Zeal Optics Campo sunglasses are definitely a reason to celebrate!

Thanks to the ProFlex rubber on the nose and temples, the Campos didn’t slide down my nose and they stayed put, no matter how much I tilted my head or looked straight down. Double hooray!

Tech

The most notable feature of the Campo sunglasses is that they are super light.

Thanks in part to the Z-lite thin injection frame technology, the plant-based square polarized Campo sunglasses are easily the thinnest and lightest sunglasses I have ever worn. Weighing less than an ounce, they’re so lightweight you forget they’re there.

How lightweight are they? Well, more than once before leaving the house I’ve had to check the carrying case to make sure it wasn’t empty. And when I’m wearing them, they’re so light it’s almost as if I’m wearing nothing at all.

Don’t, however, let their lightness or minimalist frame fool you into thinking they’re flimsy, or lacking in quality.

Unlike some cheap frames that are light but are deficient in technology, the Campos are packed in technology and thoughtful design.

Key features are:

• Polarized

• Ellume Color Filtration

• Proflex

• Z-Resin Bio-Plastic Frame

• Rx Ready

• Pin Hinge

• Z-Lite Thin Injection

• Asian Fit Compatible

• Impact Resistant

• Scratch Resistant Hardcoat

I mostly wore these while driving, occasional visits to Denver, and for hikes around our mountain neighborhood and was impressed with the clarity of the Ellume Polarized lenses.

Forget looking at the world through rose-colored glasses, look at the world through polarized lenses! The environment is brighter, sharper, and clearer when wearing the Campo sunglasses.

I have not been this enthusiastic about a pair of lifestyle sunglasses in a long time.

The Campo is available in four colors/lens options: Matte Black/Dark Grey Lens, Maple/Copper, Glacier/Horizon Blue Lens, and Matte Tortoise/Rose Lens. The Campos come with a zippered carrying case and lens pouch for ultimate portability.

I chose the Matte Black/Dark Grey Lens because like the Little Black Dress, they go with everything and don’t look overly trendy or sporty.

Overall thoughts?

These were the first pair of Zeal Optics lifestyle sunglasses that I’ve worn, and I’m glad to have found them!

Having a small face and a flat nose bridge makes finding sunglasses a challenge, but the Zeal Optics Campo sunglasses have effectively ended my aforementioned 3 F quest (Fit, Function, and Fashion) in lifestyle eyewear.

The only square-shaped sunglasses that I’ve been able to wear, the Campos are easily my favorite lifestyle sunglasses for their fit, style, and astounding lightness.

Additionally, the polarized lenses provide surprising clarity and color that outmatch other brands that I’ve tried.

I am delighted with how well these fit, look, and feel. I seriously have not worn any other lifestyle sunglasses that fit so well.

If you have a small face and are looking for some stylish, high-quality sunglasses that won’t slide down your face or give you headaches, I highly suggest wearing the Zeal Optics Campo sunglasses.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.