Product test

Quite expensive and (sadly) pretty good: React sports glasses

24.3.2023

When put to the test, this pair of sports glasses from Switzerland wins me over across the board. Even my cat seems to be keen on the React Optray Ruby and Sky. For good reason.

Reactions to our product tests at Galaxus are often similar. If we don’t like a product, the manufacturer or retailer usually gets in touch and questions how competent the tester is – in this case me. And sometimes even directly in the comments. The person testing the product either didn’t understand it, tested it incorrectly, had a bad day or is clueless anyway. Usually all of the above.

Here’s a good example:

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Products the world doesn’t need: the SKG Leg Massager BM3
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If we like a product, the manufacturer and retailer are happy. But in that case, some Community members get in touch to cast doubt on the integrity of the person testing the product – so again, in this case, me. We must have been influenced by the manufacturer or retailer, be in their pocket or be clueless anyway. Usually all of the above.

React sports glasses: quite simply good

After my scathing review of a massager, I’m veering in the opposite direction today to tell you about a product that was love at first sight. That’s why these Swiss sports glasses already get the «thumbs up» here. Yip, you read that right. The React sports glasses are from Wattwil. It’s not just that they’re developed in St. Gallen; that’s also where they’re manufactured.

Swiss-made comes at a price, which is why you’ll have to dig further into your pocket if you want to get your hands on one of their five Optray models. But that’s the only drawback. In contrast, there are a number of arguments in favour of buying these high-tech glasses. Here’s a quick disclaimer: the manufacturer kindly provided me with these two models for me to review. There were no other «favours» from their side and, as always, no pressure whatsoever to write positively about the products. I’m impressed of my own free will.

React sports glasses are «Made in Switzerland», meaning they’re not exactly cheap.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

Light adaptive technology

Liquid crystals in the glass are activated when they absorb sunlight. This makes the tint adjust to ambient light in a split second. According to React, Optray is designed to darken 300 times faster and brighten 1,200 times quicker than current photochromic or self-tinting glasses. In other words, in 0.1 seconds. That’s not something I can verify with a stopwatch. All I can tell you is it’s blooming quick. My photochromic Fusion by Bliz, which I’ve been happy with thus far, can’t compete with it.

The 36-gramme React Optray is very comfortable to wear. Four small solar panels provide the energy required to operate the glasses independently of batteries and the like. The polarised lenses protect you from the sun with UV 400. For reference, sunglasses with UV 400 block UV rays up to 400 nanometres in wavelength. Consequently, Optray blocks all UVA, UVB and UVC rays that are dangerous to your eyes.

Optray solar panels provide your glasses with the energy they need.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

The glasses transition smoothly from medium, to dark, to a very dark tint. Or put differently, from protection category two to category four (site in German). And so quickly that I don’t even notice. It doesn’t matter if I’m out in the glaring sun or in a shady patch of forest, visibility is always exactly the same. To the extent that I initially thought the glasses weren’t working. That’s until I realised this is exactly how it’s meant to be. Not light, dark, light, dark, but an even light ratio in all conditions.

According to the manufacturer, this technology also works when you’re wearing the glasses 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. However, as I don’t drive, I wasn’t able to road test this.

Verdict: a great spectacle at a great price

To get the price thing out of the way, do you think almost 300 francs is a lot of money for a pair of sports glasses? In my opinion, it definitely is. Bliz’s aforementioned Fusion Nano Optics Photochromic currently costs less than half that. But we all have our own value system. In short, you have to decide if 289 francs is a lot or little.

Sunglasses

CHF289.–

React Optray

Sunglasses

CHF289.–

React Optray

I’ve been out on my gravel bike through fields, forests and meadows with the blue Optray Sky – the brand’s bestseller – a few times now. I’ve also tried the orange Optray Ruby. And I was impressed. With both models, the tint runs from top to bottom, dark to lighter. This is handy in the forest, for instance, when I want to look at the Edge 1040’s display. You just raise your head slightly and look at the bike computer through the lower, slightly lighter part of the glasses.

Both glasses boast contrast-enhancing lenses. The difference being the blue Sky looks rather cool, while the Ruby creates a soft, what I call «feel-good» light with its orange lens. It’s a matter of taste, but I prefer the latter. As well as being suitable for cycling, these models are also ideal for jogging, hiking, doing water sports, on the slopes and on the golf course. Assuming the price hasn’t scared you off, these glasses get a strong recommendation from me. React’s Optray Sky and Ruby have won me over across the board.

React’s Optray Ruby makes the world look that bit nicer.
Source: Patrick Bardelli

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From 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.

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