Nita cycling glasses review: a cheaper, sustainable alternative to React?
6.9.2024
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
A cool look, perfect fit and made from sustainable materials. Nita from Coast Optics impresses in several ways. Here’s how the cycling glasses from Whistler fared in my test.
Sam and Alex, two bike-crazy Brits, meet in Whistler, Canada – the Mecca of mountain biking. Inspired by brands including Patagonia, the two founded their own company in 2023 and launched their first products: goggles and sports glasses. Their aim is to develop high-performance, sustainably sourced quality products with minimal environmental impact. By using recycled materials, they want their sports eyewear to be an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional products.
A widely used material in the industry is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), for example. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), on the other hand, is much more environmentally friendly. It’s 100 per cent recyclable and biodegradable in three to five years. TPU is flexible, UV-resistant, durable and shock-absorbent. The material is therefore great for bike glass frames.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
However, TPU is a category of plastic that requires a lot of energy and resources to produce. That’s why Coast Optics processes Bio-TPU for the Nita. According to the manufacturer, the material’s obtained from renewable resources such as a corn-based biopolymer and has a recycled material content of 48 per cent. Bio-TPU is a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional, petroleum-based TPU.
Coast Optics for trails and beyond
For this test, the manufacturer provided me with three models with different lenses. All three pairs of glasses sit perfectly on my nose. There’s no wobbling or sliding. In a word: perfect! That’s a big thumbs up for the Nita. I’m also impressed by the wide field of vision and the good anti-fog properties of the cylindrical lenses. The interchangeable lenses of the Nita sports glasses are made of impact-resistant polycarbonate and have an anti-scratch coating.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
The glasses are available in a range of frame colours and with lenses for different lighting conditions. Alpen Purple, the first photochromic glasses from Coast Optics, have also recently been added to the Galaxus range. This technology involves the glasses automatically adapting to changing light conditions. These are the key features of the glasses I tested:
Details
- Frame made of lightweight, durable and strong biodegradable Bio-TR90
- Easily replaceable, cylindrical, anti-fog and scratch-resistant lenses
- 100% UV protection
- Nose and temple tips made of ultra-grip rubber ensure a secure fit
Technical data
- Lens height: 60 mm
- Frame width: 138 mm
- Arm length: 120 mm
Nita Alpen Purple with photochromic glass for changing light
What’s in the box:
- Nita frame Alpen Purple
- Photochromic lens category 0–3, VLT 83%–15% light transmission
- Case made from recycled microfibre
Nita Moss Green with Gold Sun and clear lens for sunny conditions
What’s in the box:
- Nita frame Moss Green
- Gold Sun lens, category 3, VLT 15% light transmission
- Clear lens category 0 / VLT 85% light transmission
- Case made from recycled microfibre
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Sports glasses
CHF119.–
Coast Optics Nita sports glasses Moss green with Gold Sun and clear lens
Moss green mat, Lucid, Gold Sun
Nita Black with pink crystal and clear lens for overcast conditions
What’s in the box:
- Nita frame Black
- Pink Crystal lens, category 1, VLT 70% light transmission
- Clear lens category 0 / VLT 85% light transmission
- Case made from recycled microfibre
Sports glasses
CHF119.–
Coast Optics Nita sports glasses black with pink crystal and clear lens
Black, Lucid, Pink Crystal
The lowdown on Coast Optics’ Nita
Anyone who knows me knows my preference for sports glasses from React. However, the technology from Switzerland with its unbeatable contrast enhancement has its price, which not every biker is prepared to pay. This makes the glasses from Coast Optics a real alternative, offering great value for money. The only drawback is that they’re not suitable for corrective lenses.
The Nita fits perfectly, the lenses don’t fog up, and the models with replacement lenses can be changed in a few simple steps. The large field of vision is also a plus. The Coast Optics models are priced somewhere in the mid-range. Their photochromic glasses adapt quickly to changing light conditions. Again, React glasses are better in this department, as the transition from shade to bright sunlight is faster and therefore unnoticeable.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
So if you’re not prepared to cough up 300 francs for a pair of sports glasses, the Nita from Coast Optics is an alternative to brands such as React that’s worth checking out.
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
Bike
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
7 comments
later