Despite being fussy about lenses, David Lintern is happy to recommend the Sunski Feratta sunglasses for mountain use.
The Sunski Feratta Sunglasses are a pair of traditionally styled sunglasses with features designed for higher glare at higher altitudes. I’m fussy about fit with outdoor sunglasses but these has proved well designed for mountain use.
David Lintern recommends
The Sunski Ferrata are not cheap, but are stylish, well-made and perform well outdoors.- field of view
- glare protection
- secure on face
- lifetime warranty
- some rear light refraction
| Quick Specs |
|---|
| RRP: US$170 | £149.95 (available from Sunski) Weight: 38g (glasses only, with case 105g) Materials: Stainless steel frames and hinges, Helio polycarbonate lenses (recycled resin) Features: Polarized lenses, removable (magnetic) nose and (fixed) side sun protectors, protective hard case Sizes: one unisex sunski.com |
After weeks of use this spring, the stainless-steel arms are still stiff and hug the face, and the frame and hinges have proved resistant to loosening or bending. Crucially, they don’t wobble or fall down the bridge of my nose when I turn my head.
The lenses are pleasantly neutral in colour temperature (the tint is not overly warm or cold) and classed as ‘category 3’ – safe to drive in, suitable for general use outdoors, less suitable for glacier use. They claim to block 100% UVA/UVB/UV400 wavelengths and the VLT (visible light transmission, a measure of light allowed through the lens) is 10.88%.
I found them to occupy a very useable middle ground, offering higher protection without being overly dark when transitioning from sunlight to shade. A less wraparound, aviator shaped frame can sometimes allow sunlight to enter through the sides and bounce off the back of the glass, obstructing one’s view. The Ferrata aims to avoid this with the addition of a (faux suede/felt covered) nose bridge cover, and side ‘panels’, that swing out on hinges and affix to the outside of the frame, both magnetised. The panels are perforated with tiny air holes, which helps the lenses resist fogging. Both features are detachable which means you can strip the glasses back for more everyday use off the hills. It’s not a perfect solution to the light leak issue, but it does largely mitigate the issue, at least enough for me.
Lastly, sunglasses get trashed easily outdoors so the inclusion of a stiffened case here is very welcome. The Sunski Ferrata are not cheap, but are stylish, well-made and perform well outdoors.
How David tested
David used the sunglasses during the warm, late spring weather on both day hikes and a 3-day backpacking trip in Kintail. Weights are from his own scales. This review was first published in the August issue of The Great Outdoors.
