The Waymaker series of sunglasses from Lazer are available in two variations: the Way1 (tested here) and the Way2. Both take their design cues from the iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarer glasses, but there are some differences between the models. The Way1 glasses have a squarer frame while the Way2 have more of a cat eye shape to them. The Way2 glasses also get metal arms while the Way1s do not.
The frame and arms of the Way1 are made from Grilamid, a shatterproof and flexible plastic material. You can bend the arms severely and they snap back into shape–a nice feature to have in any pair of glasses, but especially ones used for riding. The lenses are polycarbonate and offer 100% protection from both UVA and UVB rays. They’re also coated with a hydrophobic treatment to help keep them clean.
Lazer actually refers to these as their “podium glasses” or “city riding” glasses, but I’ve been using them extensively on the trails for the past couple months. In fact, they were the only glasses I wore during all seven days of the recent Trans-Sylvania Epic.
I actually prefer riding in casual glasses for a couple reasons. For one, you can wear them out in public after your ride without looking like a stunt double for the X-Men’s Cyclops. Also, casual glasses tend to sit farther off your face, which can help reduce fogging and keep sweat from ruining your vision. I’ve tried numerous riding-specific glasses and the vast majority have let me down.
Perhaps my forehead skews more Neanderthal than others, or my eyebrows are bushier, but I’ve always had trouble keeping sweat off the lenses of sporty glasses. After getting fed up with having to take my glasses off five minutes into every ride, I started wearing my casual glasses out on the trail and have had much better luck.
The Way1s retail for $50, so to be honest, I wasn’t expecting too much from them. However, they quickly became my go-to glasses for everything: riding, posties (post-ride shades), mowing the lawn, or just walking my dog around the neighborhood.
The clarity of the lenses is excellent with no noticeable distortion, the tint strikes a great middle ground, and their light weight (29g) means they disappear on your face. Durability has been excellent as well, with the lenses showing no signs of wear after two-plus months of daily use on and off the trail.
If you’re in the market for a new pair of sunglasses that can cover you on the trail and beyond, check out the Way1s. They’re available in five colors at your local Lazer dealer now.
Thanks to Lazer for providing the Way1 sunglasses for review.
