Once a dominant player in cycling (remember the Evil Eye and Evil Eye Pro?), Adidas has shifted its attention to making sports eyewear that’s suited to more than one sport. We spent a few rides wearing the SP0002 Competition. Here’s our take.
The first thing that struck us was how light the SP0002 is – 32 grams is like two tablespoons of sugar! But light is one thing. Fit is essential when you’re sweating around trails in the hot South African sun. The non-slip, slightly flexible curved arms, combined with the non-slip nose pads, ensure there’s no slippage, even on the bumpiest of rides.
The nose piece is adjustable to four widths, something we have always liked about adidias eyewear and which makes it suitable for most noses/faces.
The polycarbonate lens has a smoke mirror coating, adding to the good looks of the SP0002 Competition, while the vents over the nose and the upper outer lens on either side, deliver ventilation to reduce fogging. We didn’t experience any fogging, but we didn’t ride in sub-10 degrees Celsius temperatures, where fogging is more common.
The lens is medium in length and wide enough so that the frame on the sides isn’t in your peripheral vision. The frame is full, but so svelte that it’s hardly noticeable in your low peripheral vision. It comes with a second light-tint lens for low-light conditions.
SUMMARY: The adidas SP0002 Competition is light, fits really nicely and is good looking. It’s made for more than one sport, but really does suit mountain biking.
Colours: The pair we tested had a grey and purple frame with silver mirror lens, but they’re available in a very range of five frame colours with various lens options.
PRICE: Approx R3500 (varies)
