Straight out of Verbier, Switzerland, the independent Vallon adapts classic eyewear silhouettes for outdoor adventures. The Watchtowers are Vallon’s latest offering, specifically targeting cyclists and adding to its extensive range of uniquely styled, eco-conscious outdoor offerings.

Manufactured from 85% recycled fish nets, the frames have a load of flex, meaning they’ll fit any head shape and should resist damage if you accidentally sit or, in my case, stand on them!

On the face, they’re lightweight, tipping the scales at just 32g, which is not bad for a full-framed large lens. Featuring an interchangeable, sticky silicone nosepiece (they come with two additional sized nosepieces) and rubber grip on the arms, they sit securely on the face even over the roughest terrain; ideal for off-road excursions!

The oh-so-hot-right-now oversized, shatterproof Zeiss lens I tested has a brown tint and category 3 Visible Light Transmission, meaning it’s ideal for bright, sunny, or slightly cloudy conditions. The optics and clarity are exceptional and I’d put them up there with the best of the best.

After my first, very sweaty ride, I noticed that I could wipe the lens clean with ease, with no smudging or leftover residue when I wiped them clean with their soft pouch. I didn’t think much of this at the time other than “that’s cool they clean up well”. It ends up being a bit of a feature of the lens; it has an Oleophobic (anti-smudge) oil-resistant, anti-fingerprint surface,, resulting in a surface that is easy to clean and stays cleaner for longer than cheaper lenses.

The Watchtowers arms bow out from their hinges, meaning they don’t interfere with, and most definitely sit over rather than under helmet straps. The downside is that when used on some trail helmets, the helmet shell touches the arms, pushing them down and making the frames sit crooked on the wearer. I don’t imagine many people will be wearing this style of sunglass while wearing a trail-style lid, but it’s worth noting.

The classic 80’s styling is polarising, and I’ve received comments at both ends of the spectrum from “What are those?!” to “Those are sweet glasses!”. I’m into them; they bring a relaxed vibe to an otherwise “racer” styled world of cycling sunglasses without giving up quality or performance.

If I’m headed out for a ride on anything but a dull, dark day, the Watchtowers are now my go-to sunglasses. If you’re on the hunt for high-quality shades that stand out from the norm, be sure to take a look at these. If the styling isn’t for you, be sure to check out the rest of their range.