All-new React Rev sport sunglasses: slightly higher price tag, slightly higher quality

In late November of every year, the sporting world gets together in Munich for the scene’s biggest trade fair, ISPO. There, industry giants and SMEs alike showcase their products. Swiss company React also hit the Bavarian capital to present its new sport sunglasses.

I’ve spent the last few months testing these new glasses in sunshine, fog, snow, rain and dry conditions. Here’s a round-up of how it went.

Why you don’t need the all-new React Rev

Let’s start off with the good news. If you already have the React Optray (the predecessor to the Rev) and are satisfied with them, you can safely click out of this article and do something else with your time.

Sports glasses

289.– CHF

React OPTRAY

Ruby, Ruby

93

Sports glasses

289.– CHF

React OPTRAY

Ruby, Ruby

93

The manufacturer hasn’t made any changes to the light-adaptive technology in the lenses. I mean, why would it? The technology works by way of liquid crystals in the glass, which are activated when they absorb sunlight. As a result, the tint adjusts to the lighting conditions in a split second. React says both the Optray and the Rev are designed to darken 800 times faster and brighten 1,200 times quicker than current photochromic or self-tinting glasses. In other words, in 0.1 seconds.

I’ve linked my detailed review of that here:

If the Optray are a good fit for your face (as is the case for me), they’re all you’ll need in order to see well while biking or doing snow- or water sports.

Why you need the all-new React Rev

Here comes the bad news for your wallet. If you don’t already have a pair of React sports sunglasses or you aren’t entirely happy with the look of your current pair, the new Rev model is an expensive but brilliant option.

While upgrading the Optray, React placed a lot of importance on enhancing comfort. The first thing that catches your eye when you see the Rev is their full-frame design. While the temples can be adjusted to three positions, the tips have been made flexible, meaning they can be adjusted in all directions. The nose pad can be adjusted to two nose sizes, and there’s a holder built into the frame for prescription lenses. React also offers a small version of the new glasses for narrow faces. When wearing the glasses, the additional technology in the form of the various adjustable components didn’t have any negative impact. So far, nothing’s broken or failed to work properly.

The version with the pink glass makes the world turn green. And I mean green. It takes some getting used to initially, but it’s also really cool. Your eyes quickly get accustomed to it, and the lenses make things appear in very high contrast. Four small solar panels provide the energy required to run the glasses without batteries. According to React, the polarised lenses provide UV 400 protection from the sun, meaning they block UV rays up to a 400-nanometre wavelength. The lenses are available in four colours: nova, sky, ruby and onyx. All of them except the onyx version enhance the colour contrast. The full frame comes in black and white.

The glasses transition smoothly from protection category 2 to 4 (link in German), going from medium to dark to very dark tint. This means they can be used in the mountains too. Basically, the sunnier it is, the better they are.

According to the manufacturer, the technology in the glasses also works when you’re behind a car window. The lenses convert infrared radiation that’s not filtered by the pane of glass. What’s more, the glasses are designed to ensure faster reaction times, reducing your braking distance by up to 16 metres. Even at speeds of 80 km per hour. Since I don’t drive or have a suitable testing ground available, I wasn’t able to put this to the test.

Technical specs

• Weight: 40 grammes regular / 38 grammes small
• UV protection category: 2-4
• UVA, UVB and UVC protection: up to 400 nm
• Frame material: EMS Grilamid TR90 (polyamide), lightweight, flexible and resistant to the elements
• Rubber parts: thermoplastic elastomers, particularly skin-friendly
• Lens: polycarbonate
• Protection level: IP65 > 6=dustproof and 5=protection against jets of water
• Integrated holder for prescription lenses