3 for the price of 1 protection (Madison D Arc Sunglasses)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	Madison D Arc Sunglasses
Date:	15/04/09 (475 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 3 pairs in one, comfortable, light weight, stay in place well, cheap

Disadvantages: Not the best quality, does not have the same image as premium brands

****What it took for me to realise glasses are required****

Before I started road cycling I always thought that glasses were worn to show the 'right' image and for vanity purposes. One evening late last summer I was out on a training ride and after struggling up the steepest hill in a local village (yes - we do have some steep hills in the predominantly flat county of Norfolk) I was looking forward to the descent. I reached the peak of the hill, moved my hands to the drops on the handlebars and started furiously pedalling to build up speed. The sun was now low in the sky and everything was in shadow. I didn't see the swarm of mosquitoes until it was too late and I was in the thick of it. They went in my mouth (I know you should always cycle with your mouth closed but I find this difficult when I am panting!), up my nose and in my eyes. The speed was building up to more than 25mph (which is quite fast on a pushbike - although I won't be wearing the yellow jersey any time soon. Lol.) and I couldn't see or breathe and a loss in control saw me going over the handle bars and crashing in to a field.

Although this episode did little more than dent my pride (as well as scratching the bike) it did get me thinking about how much worse the situation could have been and it suddenly dawned on me that glasses are a necessity for cycling, whether it is sunny or not since a loss of vision (through sun blindness, creatures landing in your eye, road side crud being flicked up by passing cars or just dry eyes from wind exposure which is greatly exaggerated whilst cycling at speed) will ultimately lead to pain.

****Researching and sourcing****

The job of researching sunglasses commenced and it soon became apparent like most types of product on the market there are loads of different types of glasses available from different manufacturers to suit all tastes and, probably more importantly, budgets.

After reading an article on a cyclist forum on the fantastic BikeRadar.com, I realised that different conditions required different glasses, therefore a single pair of glasses was unlikely to do everything I needed them to. What started off a simple mission soon turned in to a mind field and I got confused until I stumbled across a small article in an MTB magazine.

In order to protect the eyes a cyclist needs three basic types of glasses, including

i) Dark - for sunny conditions
ii) Light enhancing - for conditions where there is a little sunlight and for early evening rides (i.e. as the sun goes down)
iii) Clear - for days where there is no sun but eye protection is still required.

Most glasses contain one type of lens, therefore it looks like 3 different pairs are going to be required. In addition, what happens if you set off in the sun but it soon turns grey and rains? Or, you set off in the daylight and it turns to dusk? Is it really necessary to take 3 pairs of glasses with you (carrying anything on a bike is a pain) to ensure that all bases are covered?

This article was on a pair of glasses made by Madison (an established manufacturer of cycling apparel with a good reputation), called the D'Arcs. The D'Arcs are different to most types of glasses in that they consist of a frame with 3 inter-changeable lens, which means that one pair effectively does the job of three. My mind was made up and I promptly ordered some D'Arcs and eagerly awaited my purchase.

****The box and its contents****

The D'Arcs arrived in a large protective plastic box that included:

i) Light weight plastic frames
ii) 1 dark lens
iii) 1 clear lens
iv) 1 yellow lens
v) A protective bag
vi) A cord

The box was segregated in to compartments for each part of the kit for extra protection. Normally when budget glasses are bought you're lucky if the product arrives in a cloth bag, let alone a hard plastic case, so I thought this was a nice touch. Whilst the box is too big and bulky to stick in your pocket to carry your glasses around when you're not wearing them, it is ideal to store them in at home to ensure that everything is kept together and the other lenses don't get misplaced somewhere.

****What the box claims****

The box claims that the D'Arcs are " Suitable for all active sports in all light conditions, consist of 3 lens - dark, persimmon light enhancing and clear, made to a super tough design and engineered comfort fit and are CE and EU approved".

It is clear that the D'Arcs are aimed at all types of out door activities although I have only ever seen Madison marketing them to the cycling fraternity, which is strange. Surely their marketing department should be trying to push these to other extreme sports markets (snow boarding, ski-ing, sailing etc.) to grab larger market share? Maybe they have tried, and failed, since this is quite a competitive market that is dominated by Oakley, Fox and other 'fashionable' brands.

The box also states "The Ergonomix name signifies the applied science of equipment design, to maximise the performance of the Madison ("M") vision product by minimising operator fatigue and discomfort".

I'm not entirely sure what message the manufacturers are trying to get across here. I have never suffered fatigue from wearing sunglasses, but then I guess I have never had the 'fashionable' WAG style sunglasses that cover the entire face, preferring to have glasses that are smaller and more understated. Maybe the WAG glasses are really that heavy that wearers do suffer fatigue from wearing them.

****Quality****

The box claims that the D'Arcs are made out of super tough materials although I do have my doubts over this. The frames are made out of thin plastic (I assume it is in order to make them light weight) which is of inferior quality to that of other sunglasses. Compared to my Oakley eye jackets the D'Arcs feel very cheap and nasty, but then considering the price I paid for the D'Arcs (I can buy 5 pairs of D'Arcs for the price of one pair of Oakleys) this is not surprising. The frames can easily withstand the occasional light knock or a large insect hitting them (whilst riding) but I wouldn't like to comment how they would withstand a large knock. Whilst the inferior quality may bother some people I do not have an issue with it as it just means I take a bit more care with them. Besides, in the worst case scenario I would much prefer to replace the D'Arcs than my Oakleys.

Unlike the frames the lenses are constructed out of good quality plastic and are able to withstand a bit more punishment. I have had insects, stones (flicked up from passing traffic), branches and sticks hit my lenses and they haven't even scratched. I am very impressed with the punishment the lenses have taken.

****Look****

Whilst the frames are made out of cheap materials it doesn't look like they are. It is only when you feel the frames that you realise how cheap and nasty they are.

The lenses are of the wrap around type, and are of an acquired taste. I find them a bit like marmite in that you either love the look or hate the look. Personally, I hate the look but then all cycling glasses are of the wrap around type as a larger lens is required to ensure maximum protection. Besides, I now realise that functionality must prevail over vanity.

****Comfort****

The D'Arcs are very comfortable and so light weight that there are times I forget I am even wearing them. Again, I assume this is down to the inferior plastic frames, but then given weight saving is the name of the game I can't complain.

The arms are straight, i.e. there is not an ergonomically shaped curve at the end to go around the ears, making them very comfortable. Despite the straight arms these glasses have never slipped off my face since the arms are quite tight and there is an anti-slip rubber sleeve that sits between the arm and the skin. Whilst you may think the rubber sleeve would be noticeable I can assure you that it is very comfortable and feels 'natural' within a very short space of time. For those of you that are still concerned that the glasses may slip off you can put the cord (that is included in the box) around them for your own piece of mind. I would never do this because a) there is no need, b) they look naff and c) I find the cord flaps about at higher speeds which irritates me.

****The lenses****

Whilst the lenses are of the wrap around type and very close to the face, like they should be, they are not so close that the glasses steam up whilst I am not moving. This is great since it is a common problem with many types of glasses including my much more expensive Oakleys.

Whilst the dark lens will keep out the strongest of sunlight they are not so dark that if the sun suddenly disappears behind a cloud, or you cycle through a wooded section or under some cover you will suddenly be plunged in to darkness, which is a good thing. Whilst some people like really dark glasses (I can only assume this is to maintain a bit of mystery) I am not overly bothered.

The persimmon lenses work exceptionally well and really do enhance vision when the sun goes down or in low light situations, despite making you look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Once again functionality must prevail over vanity when using these lenses.

Just as the name suggests the clear lenses are totally transparent and are used at night, in dull conditions, in rain or any other time coloured lenses are not required. These lenses are for safety reasons only and I find that when wearing them it actually looks like you're wearing a pair of industrial safety goggles, which is not a good look.

****Price and availability****

D'Arcs are available from many online and offline retailers, therefore if you are thinking of getting a pair then I would recommend shopping around to get them at the best price.

The recommended retail price is stated at £29.99 although I paid £20.00 for mine from Cycle Express during a promotion. At the time of writing D'Arcs can be bought for £21.95 (excluding P&P) from Merlin Cycles, £24.99 (excluding P&P) from UK Bike Store and for £23.48 (excluding P&P) from Bonthrone Bikes. Considering most cycling glasses cost in excess of £50 the D'Arcs represent great value for money.

****Conclusion****

The D'Arcs come highly recommended. They are effectively three pairs of glasses in one which allowing you to easily transport the other lenses (instead of two other complete pairs of glasses) just in case light conditions change whilst you are out on a ride. The D'Arcs will also cost you a lot less than one pair of 'decent' glasses, so think of the saving you are making by not having to buy three pairs. D'Arcs represent fantastic value for money and if the worst comes to the worst and you do break them then it is not as hard a pill to swallow as that if you had broken an expensive pair.

Although the frames are a bit fragile (care needs to be taken with them) the lenses are bullet proof and are more than adequate for the task. Despite being cheap the D'Arcs don't actually look it and it is difficult to differentiate them from more expensive wrap around cycling glasses until you get really up close and personal with them.

If you are in to branded products and wouldn't be seen in anything else then the D'Arcs are not for you. However, if you appreciate functionality over vanity and require something that is more than good enough for the task as well as being cheap and representing great value for money then the D'Arcs are for you.

Summary: 3 sssential bits of kit for cycling in 1 complete package