ESS 2.4 ICE Tactical Sunglasses

ESS Ice 2.4 sunnies are described, on the company's website, as "a lightweight, frameless eye protection system that offers a unique combination of high-impact resistance, unrestricted field of view, and interchangeable lenses for effective eye protection in any light condition" which pretty much sums up the basics.

One key point to note is that they are ballistic tested to a US MilSpec which means that they provide rather more protection than common or garden sunnies. You can find some rather interesting videos on the 'net which show various (independent and possibly unscientific) tests being performed on the lenses to demonstrate this. Highlights include the lens being shot with a .22 bullet (and surviving) or being driven over by an SUV and surviving again. Admittedly, the lenses aren't much use after such tests, but you can at least be confident that, if someone drives a Landrover over your head you'll be absolutely fine. It's also useful to know that ICE 2.4's are the eyewear issued to British Army in Afghanistan and that's got to be worth something.

I bought these shades for use when off-road cycling to replace my trusty (but elderly and rather less sturdy) Bloc Stealths. I was surprised to find that these high specification ballistic shades are only barely more expensive, which was one important factor in my decision to buy them.

You get the following items:

- The smoke grey (unpolarised) lens for use as normal sunglasses and a clear lens for use as a simple protective eyeshield in low/no light.
- The frame set (two adjustable ear-bows and a nose-piece)
- A strap that joins to the ends of the ear-bows and holds the sunnies securely to your face or 'round your neck
- A semi-rigid nylon webbing storage case
- A "no-fog" cleaning cloth.

The lenses are interchangeable, but certainly for the first few cycles it is quite difficult to detach and attach the frames and nose-piece to the lenses and I was quite worried about breaking something. As far as I can tell though, the parts are pretty robust so the chances of damage (if you're careful) are small.

The frame has been designed to be minimally intrusive which reduces obstruction to your field of view and increases airflow behind the lens (to reduce he chance of fogging). The lenses are also both very wide and close fitting (compared to my Stealths) so protective coverage is good.

Despite being so chunky (the 2.4mm thick polycarb lenses are much thicker than standard sports eyewear) the whole setup is not noticeably heavy and is very comfortable to wear. I've worn them a couple of times on the trail and when running and (I sweat like a donkey on Brighton Beach) they haven't fogged up yet. The strap also does a good job of stopping the shades slipping down my sweaty nose.

Overall, these seem to me to be excellent sports shades; effective, sturdy but very well designed. If they had cost more, they would constitute a bit of an indulgence or even a borderline luxury item, but as they are, they represent excellent value for money.

IMPORTANT NOTE 1: You can buy this product elsewhere /including/ the yellow high definition lenses elsewhere on the 'net and for much the same price as the two lens set advertised here on Amazon. It's worth shopping around!

IMPORTANT NOTE 2: Having used it for a little while now I can confirm that the soft case is rubbish. The case includes a "compartment" for the spare lenses but the compartment doesn't work and the lenses pop out, putting them at risk of scratching. If that's likely to be a problem for you, I would recommend looking at alternative storage approaches. I have some spare cloth pouches left over from an old set of shades which I will be using to protect the spare lenses in the case.