Remember when I said I was a sunglass hoarder? Well, add another great pair to the list. This is another active lifestyle pair - for running, cycling, etc. They are a new model in the list of XX2i products and are called Hawaii1. Now I have the Hawaii1, USA1, and Bermuda1.
I think the first thing you'll notice when you put on the Hawaii 1 are how extremely lightweight they are. So much so that you can barely feel them when you're wearing them. Major bonus points for that.
The noticeable difference between the USA1 and the Hawaii1, at least in looks, is that the Hawaii1 doesn't have the frame at the bottom of the lenses, and the arms are thinner. I really like they way they look when they are on. They come in matte white with polar grey lenses, matte black with polar grey lenses, or matte tortoise with polar brown lenses. Unlike most of their other sunglasses, these do not have the option to change lenses (not a big deal to me – I love the polar grey... they look blue and I dig it). The nose piece is adjustable to help fit any face shape for any activity.
It's been summer weather here, with lots of sunny days. If you're read any of my other sunglasses reviews you know that I have sensitive eyes and need sunglasses even on a cloudy day. I squint and get headaches and it's just no good. Plus, wearing contacts, having sunglasses helps protect my eyes from dust, dirt, and whatever weird things are floating in the wind. Also, I have a fear of getting bugs in my eyes, so there's that.
The Hawaii1 are great eye protection. Keeps out the sun and bugs. Again, they are super lightweight so often times you don't even notice them there. I've found for my face size, they fit/stay on best when I tuck them underneath my headphones or visor. Take note that adult sized visors and hats are usually large on me – I'll have them on their smallest possible size and they are still loose. I have been known to wear a child size hat if it's an option. So, if I don't tuck in these sunglasses at all, even after adjusting the nosepiece, I find they are little big for my face. They'll slide a little bit and I'll need to push them back up. It's more of a frame fit than the nosepiece that makes this happen — I think the frames are made for just a little bit bigger face than mine. I know most of the guys testing this particular pair didn't have this issue, so I think it's just my childish head size (it's also why I have a hard time finding regular glasses frames at the eye doctor haha). Anyway, if I keep them tucked in, then no problems at all. And honestly, I'm almost always wearing my headphones and a visor or hat, so it's not much of an issue for me. No bounce, no slide.
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| Flat Heather for Chicago Spring Half Marathon. |
One other thing of note was that without the frame on the bottom of the lenses, there's a bit of space for some sunlight to come through. Not a lot, just a little, and it also depends on how close to your face you wear the sunglasses. I need a little space so that the frames aren't touching my eyelashes, and I don't like them right up against my forehead. This didn't bother me at all, and I liked being able to glance down and easily see the cracks, holes, puddles I'd like to avoid. Sometimes lenses can be too dark and it's harder to see where you are going — makes it easy to trip (not any of my XX2i sunglasses, other brands!).
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| Chicago Spring Half Marathon. |
Some ladies have mentioned hair pulling when taking off their sunglasses. I didn't have this issue with the Hawaii1. Let me tell you my secret. Instead of sliding them onto your head, place them. This means you aren't sliding the rubber temple arms through your hair. You are just putting them on top of it. Take them off the same way. This makes it so your hair is getting caught on the rubber. I'm not sure if my explanation makes sense, so let me know if you need further clarification. I never had any hair come out this way. I don't even think about it, for some reason with sport sunglasses, I've always put them on this way. Unlike my everyday pair that I slide on through my hair. I must have subconsciously learned at some point that anything with the rubber won't work well if I put them on normally.
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| Flat Heather for United Relay of America Stage 318. |
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| Bright, sunny day in Chicago for the United Relay Group Stage. |
I obviously like them, or I wouldn't have worn them during so many runs and races. I've done a half marathon and 10 miler in them + countless training runs of 4+ miles. If they bothered me, I wouldn't be able to race in them, as any little thing that is off/bothersome aggravates me for the entire race. Even the smallest distraction over the course of 13 miles drives me insane (yeah, I'm one of those people). Say, if I had to push them up every few minutes because they were falling down, or take them off because they were fogging a lot. This doesn't happen with XX2i Hawaii1. Give them a try, you won't regret it (and even if you maybe get a style that doesn't work for you, see below for their amazing return policy – try a different style that might fit you better. For anyone with a smaller noggin' like me, I'd suggest a smaller frame).
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| Summer has hit in Chicago. This means high heat, high humidity, and sun. |
XX2i has a lifetime warranty. No questions asked, you break or scratch them, send them back to be replaced for a nominal shipping and handling fee. They also have a 365 day return policy. What does that mean? You can take up to 365 days to determine if you want to keep them and if not, send them back for a full refund less any shipping and handling fee. This is a great return policy, as it can be hard to know when buying something off the internet whether it's going to fit properly or not. Even with something like sunglasses, trying them on in store isn't enough. You need the time to wear them while doing your activity (for me, running), to know if they'll work. It's sort of like your shoes. They might feel great in store for 2 minutes of running, but the real test is when you get them out for long runs (once broken in).
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| Flat Heather for Soldier Field 10 Mile. |
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| On the 'field' post-SF10. Beyonce's concert that weekend meant the field was covered. Boo. |
The Hawaii1 cost $124.99, but you can get 50% this pair (or any other XX2i\) on their website using code XX2iRocks. I'm actually looking at adding the Crystal USA1 to my stash... don't they look super awesome with the green flash lenses?
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| Fellow BibRave Pro and best bud Angie and I sporting the Hawaii1 for SF10. |
XX2i will be sponsoring #BibChat on Tuesday, May 31. Join us at 8pm CT over on Twitter. Follow BibRave and XX2i, answer the six questions, converse with running pals, and be entered for a chance to win a pair of the XX2i Hawaii. If you don't win, use the discount code to snag yourself some sweet sweet shades.
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