AMERICAN military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan wear them not only because they look cool but because they are high-tech.
These days, a good pair of sunglasses doesn't just require sleek styling - it needs to be sophisticated too.
Apart from filtering out harmful UV rays, another protective role is to be like body armour for the eyes.
There may not be much shrapnel or bullets on Singapore roads, but the ability to be strong enough to withstand impact is highly desirable.
Which makes any of the following shades the perfect accessory for a high-performance car.
Oakley Radar Path ($510)
The popular Californian brand is one of the handful of suppliers that meets the stringent standards of the US military.
This particular lightweight model from Oakley's sports performance range is engineered to block out the blinding rays of glare magnified by flat surfaces such as snow, water and pavement.
The lenses can be changed to better suit the environment.
These shades also help maintain sharper vision with their trademark Hydrophobic feature, which is a permanent coating to prevent rain, sweat and skin oil from building up on the lens.
In other words, ideal for that passing shower when you're in your convertible with the top down.
Rudy Project Ketyum ($670)
This Italian brand also gets the US Army's seal of approval.
Its products were created originally for use by athletes, but they have since gained a following outside the sporting arena.
The Ketyum model is Rudy Project's top-of-the-line offering and features lightweight and flexible temples made of
Kynetium, a special aluminium alloy containing magnesium and silicon.
Spring hinges allow good adjustability and comfort, while the polycarbonate lenses are interchangeable.
Ermenegildo Zegna Racing ($600)
This is the less sporty and slightly more luxurious alternative.
Zegna's Racing model is inspired by the world of racing cars.
It features linear frames with perforated leather sheaths on the temples and the upper part of the double bridge.
What better way to match your Italian driving shoes than with a pair of Italian designer sunglasses.
Serengeti S Flex Satin ($565)
The Kansas-based maker of driving sunglasses says it designs eyewear that eliminates strain and fatigue on the eyes
during long drives.
Its Photochromic technology has molecules inside the lenses to adjust by lightening or darkening automatically to
suit changing light conditions on the road.
At the same time, the Special Control lenses block 95 per cent of blue light, a colour in the visible light spectrum that can cause eye fatigue.
Serengeti's S Flex frames also conform to facial contours with their S-shaped temple design.
The double action movement retains the memory of the face shape and automatically returns into place for the same fit every time the sunglasses are worn.
For more information, call Capitol Optical on tel 6339-7030
This article was first published in the Business Times on June 28th 2008
