Posts Tagged sunglasses
Travel Gear Under $20 for Fall
Polarized sunglasses for 10 dollars?
We don’t highlight travel gear sales too often on this blog since they can come and go so rapidly. As I’ve said before though, if you can wait until the hot new items is last year’s model, you can often get it for 25 to 50 percent off. Occasionally a fair bit more than that.
I just got the fall 2011 catalog from Campmor in the mail earlier this week and since it’s a print version, these deals should be around for a while. They’re all “while supplies last” and you may have to compromise on the color now and then, but these are sweet values for the cheapskates like me always trying to avoid paying the list price. If you order $100 worth of stuff, you get free shipping. (See the link at the end.)
A woman at Sunglass Hut once told me in a huffy voice that I could not expect to find polarized sunglasses for less than $100. She was off by 90% because there are five models of Scin polarized sunglasses on sale now for 10 bucks.
Getting geared up for ski season? You can get a pair of Bolle Mojo ski goggles for just $15.
This Princeton Tec Quad Headlamp pictured above is usually $35. Right now it’s $19. Four bright LED bulbs that will last for ages on one charge.
Like REI, Campmor has its own line of travel quick-dry basics clothing that’s significantly cheaper than the brands everyone knows. They have a long-sleeve shirt for men that’s a tad over $20, but three items for women that are less: a shirt-sleeve adventure shirt, a skort, and capri pants. There are also a whole lot of under-$20 items for kids, including convertible pants. Here’s a link to the adventure shirt for women. Do a search for “Campmor Adventure” after landing for the others. 
Speaking of kids, here’s an array of screaming bargains: how about a Marmot Girl’s Lumina Fleece or a Columbia Benton fleece for your little girl? Or get girls and boys some quality Terramar wicking long underwear sets for $15.
This isn’t the half of it (I didn’t even touch on all the socks) and if you go up a few notches in price you’ll find Timex watches, camping lanterns, and other great goodies for half price. Happy hunting! Free Shipping on Orders of $100 or More
Looking for reviews? See our adventure travel gear reviews or items that will help you travel light.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on September 21st, 2011
Cinzia Designs Bullit Aviator-Style Sunglasses
Cinzia Designs Bullit Sunglasses
Stylish and smooth, these cool sunglasses from Cinzia Designs will turn heads on the beach this summer. Their aviator-style lenses have clean, sharp lines and a larger style that is not bulky or heavy on the face. In the heat, their lightweight nature makes them especially comfortable. They come in either black or brown and with a high-quality, hardshell carrying case that keeps them safe in your beach bag or briefcase.
Cinzia Designs is well-known for its fashionable accessories and eyeglasses, and this masculine outdoor pair is no exception. The company makes use of its European heritage and know-how in producing quality eyewear, which is highly evident.
The temple bars are coated in a smart leather fabric lining that gives them an elegant and unique touch. It is unlike any other type of sunglasses that I have ever seen, and the leather trim gives it an edgy, masculine look. There is a double bar over the nose, which gives the larger rims more of a balanced appearance rather than looking like a set of dumbbells on your nose!
The UV400-polarized lenses provide the ultimate in sun protection, and the adjustable nose frames allow you to keep them comfortably on your face even while active in the hot sun. That’s one of my biggest pet peeves about glasses is that they can slip down your nose when you get slightly sweaty, but these are malleable enough to conform to your face.
Their sturdy frames prevent them from getting easily twisted in a briefcase or laptop bag (when you forget to store them in the sturdy case that comes with the glasses), and the large lenses sit perfectly on top of your head for that occasional dash of sunshine you want to experience. When you wear them, the lens is nearly opaque from the opposite side giving you more privacy than other types of lenses, especially handy if you want to snooze without anyone knowing!
They make a great back-to-school gift especially for college students and can be purchased online at www.CinziaDesigns.com.
Posted by Ramsey in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on August 22nd, 2011
Geared Up and Going Around the World
A while back we announced our biggest contest ever by far, giving someone the change to get geared up go traveling around the world. Practical Travel Gear was one of the hosts, along with eight other great independent travel websites.
Each week, over 8 weeks, we held a drawing and gave away a weekly prize to someone picked at random. Those 8 winners were then tossed into a randomizer for the big loot. Here’s who came out on top:
First Prizes:
2 tickets on our favorite domestic carrier, Southwest Airlines, went to Cynthia Hernandez
2 tickets valued at $1000/each from 1800FlyEurope went to Lauren VanMullem
Grand Prize Winner
The round-the-world trip for 2 goes to Leah Leonard of Chicago. (Yes, it’s an all-female cast of winners, but Leah’s taking her boyfriend around the world with her…)
Leah is going to make out like a bandit, thanks to all the terrific sponsors participating. Here’s what she gets:
- Round-the-world tickets stopping in seven cities from BootsnAll, your source for great Around the World Fares.
- A Southeast Asia tour for 2 from Asian tours specialist All Points East
- One year of travel insurance from World Nomads
- One-week First Class Eurail passes to go overland around Europe
- One-week rental car in Europe from Auto Europe
- Four hotel nights in swanky hotels in Thailand from Anantara
- Two BRX luggage sets from Briggs & Riley
- Head-to-toe travel clothing for two from ExOfficio
- Travel shoes for two from Lowa Boots
- $500 in spending money from Transitions Abroad
- Two pairs of Serengeti Eyewear sunglasses with Polar PHD lenses
And a big shout out to those who provided weekly finalist prizes, including most of the above, DK Eyewitness Publishing, and Travelfish.org.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Travel Light on July 20th, 2011
Sleek Bolle Crown Sunglasses
Bollé is more familiar to many people for their ski goggles than their sunglasses, but they’ve got a great line to choose from in the latter, including some quality sunglasses for kids. I’ve been spending lots of time with these very cool Crown ones.
For the past year I’ve been living in a spot in central Mexico where, apart from a rainy season that lasts about a month, it’s blue skies and sun every day. So I can’t leave the house without a pair of sunglasses and this Crown model from Bolle has been a good all-around pair to reach for and travel with on trips.
There’s nothing here meant to blow you away in terms of design: they don’t stand out or have a huge designer logo on the side. They’re just comfortable, stylish, and very effective in bright sunlight. In terms of behind-the-scenes technology though, they’ve got polycarbonate lenses that are 20 times more impact-resistant than glass and three times lighter. They’ve got a coating called “Carbo Glass” that keeps them from getting scratched and so far I don’t have a single one—after seven months of weekly use and putting them in and out of various pockets.
On the design side, Bollé’s Thermogrip pads keep these glasses in place well and the pinless hinges should keep these from falling apart in the future.
The Bolle Crown sunglasses come in five different models, with varying frame and lens colors. They’re meant to fit small to medium faces though, so pick something else if you’ve got a big head (literally, not figuratively). A nice hard carrying case is part of the package.
You can pick these up at lots of national retail stores, or check this dealer locator for a store in your area. These list for a reasonable C-note, but you can get them for about 40% less at Amazon. You can get this model or browse a great selection of Bollé styles (and sale items) at Campmor.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear on June 22nd, 2011
Costa del Mar Seven Mile Sunglasses Review
Costa del Mar Seven Mile Sunglasses
Hitting the beach or boat this summer? Well sunglasses are a must as they not only make it easier to see, but they protect your eyes from dangerous ultraviolet rays that over time can damage your eyesight. Many people like to pick up a cheap pair of sunglasses from a drug store or grocery store for quick use since they know eventually they will break. But, these are not often the most stylish glasses.
Costa del Mar has a full line of durable sunglasses that fit most any personality. True, the cost is a bit higher, but the trade off comes in their durability and UV protection. These are 100% polarized and UV-protected, which is important in choosing sunglasses.
Plus, you look a whole lot better strutting down the beach. I am not a sunglasses wearer myself, but know that I should take care when skiing, strolling the beach, or even just spending lots of time outside. So when looking for a nice pair of glasses, I knew I needed a solid pair that would look good and last awhile.
The Seven Mile style takes its name from the famous stretch of bridgework that links the Florida Keys west of Marathon. The large lenses are in line with some of the latest trends while spring hinges make it a durable pair perfect for athletic activities.
I particularly like the sturdy case that they come in, which makes it easy to toss into my briefcase or laptop bag when traveling. The sunglasses themselves are incredibly lightweight, which is important because in hot weather it can be uncomfortable with something bearing down on your face. Adjustable nose pads beneath the shades help the glasses to fit every face.
Costa’s glasses also heighten one’s visual acuity. For fishing, swimming or sailing, the blue mirror shade is ideal as it brings the best contrast and color while doing away with any glare in harsh sunlight.
The frame comes in three classic colors: gold, gunmetal, or a palladium hue. The shades can be mixed and matched to achieve the desired combination. Popular colors include blue, green, or a traditional tinted shade.
Costa provides a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty insuring that even if they break under normal wear they can be repaired easily. This valuable perk brings comfort to those wishing to invest in a nice pair of sunglasses.
The Seven Mile sunglasses are classically styled with an Aviator-type feel and elegant look that make them perfect for the business traveler looking to relax. They look good with a business suit, polo and shorts, or a bathing suit. Check out the boutique’s full line for your favorite style, but the Seven Mile is sure to be a popular option. The list price is around $169, but right now they’re a shade over a hundred at Department of Goods.
See all our Costa del Mar sunglasses reviews.
Posted by Ramsey in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, Travel Light on June 13th, 2011
