They had me at “made from 85% recycled fishing nets.” I’ll admit that sustainability ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to choosing cycling gear. That aspect was a big draw of the Vallon Watchtowers. But what about performance? Do they offer all that’s promised?
Here are my thoughts…
Features:
- Zeiss lens
- Shatterproof
- RiPel hydro-oleophobic coating
- 100% UV protection (UV400)
- Three colour options; Black, smoke tint, dark-teal, copper tint (pictured), silver, brown tint.
- Frames are made from sustainable nylon-6 (85% recycled fishing nets)
- Comes with three nose pads and a microfibre pouch.
It’s been a pretty miserable few months in the UK. Whilst I’m not entirely a fair-weather rider, the additional faff of wet rides doesn’t fill me with enthusiasm. But what’s that got to do with glasses? Well, in Wales, we get a fair dose of liquid sunshine, and I wear glasses in all conditions.
Vallon categorises the Watchtowers as cycling or gravel glasses, but who says that’s all they need to be for? I wear them on my mountain bike, so I’m going to call them MTB glasses too. Anyway, rain. This is where the RiPel hydro-oleophobic coating came in handy. With both anti-smudge and a repellent surface, there was little build-up and water slid off which is a massive relief because wet lenses and trying to see is never a good mix.
Pros:
- Sustainable!
- Light
- Look good
- Come with three interchangeable nose pads.
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- ££ (mid-range budget for many).
- Best in sunny/bright conditions (not in dense forest etc).
- Don’t come with a hard case or with a wipe.
- Can’t change lenses.
You do have to wipe them, but the lenses have gone through quite a bit and still look good. As mentioned above, a wipe would have been a nice inclusion (but then you have to remember to take it with you). The pouch itself is quite soft and I use it on occasion. But as it’s soft it doesn’t offer much protection which is a worry because I often break glasses, though not on purpose.
When not in use, I keep them in the box they came in, it’s sturdy and most importantly, keeps them safe.
First impressions focus on the design. Vallon says they’ve gone for a retro look, “inspired by the more rounded shield shapes of the 80s.” And I’m here for it. I also like the colour combination of the pair I tested. The shape also means they fit well with a variety of helmets. That was the case for me at least.
I find them pretty comfortable. There’s a good field of vision and nothing digs in where it isn’t supposed to. The very small gripe I have, and this is something that’s not specific to the Watchtowers (I’ve had similar with other glasses), and that’s a bit of ear discomfort. But this is only after wearing them for hours.
If you like to wear your riding glasses on and off the bike, these might not be the best choice. That’s not to say you can’t. However, due to the design, the top rim sits away from your face. Something that works well when you have a helmet on. When you don’t? Not so much. But again, that’s my personal preference.
But the fact that they sit away from your face also means they don’t steam up, and if they do it clears very quickly.
Verdict:
If style and sustainability are high on your list, the Vallon Watchtowers are worth considering. Best suited for sunny days and not so much for riding in dense forests. Having said that, I do reach for them regardless. They are comfortable and do what you need riding glasses to do, protect your eyes, clear when fogged and not feel like they are in the way.
There isn’t much I dislike. They are competitively priced, they look good and they’re lasting well. The lifetime warranty is a bonus too.