If you’ve got a big ‘ead then we recommend a look, especially as there always appears to be some bargains to be had on this range. If you’ve got a narrower head then consider the Sportscoupe.
Pros
- High quality frame and finish
- HiPER lenses work well in all conditions
Cons
- Made for wider faces
About the Manufacturer
100% have always been about mucking around on two wheels, but when the brand started in San Diego in the 1980s it was the American motorcross that was the focus. Growing from the moto “how much effort do you give”, 100% sponsored multiple major teams during the 80s and 90s and became synonmous with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Starting with accessories and merchandise for MX, the brand branched into BMX and then into MTB and road cycling. With the sale and relaunch of the brand in 2012, the brand began to focus on performance eyewear and now produce performance and recreational eyewear across many disciplines.
100% are known for strong designs and colours and in the pro peloton you’ll find their glasses on the likes of Sagan and van der Poel.
Review
It may surprise given that the brand now seem to reserve all their promotion for their most outrageous glasses, but 100% still make some relatively subdued frames in you’re in the market for some quality new shades, but don’t want to look like you play keytar in an 80s synth band.
The Speedcoupe are one of these pairs and are one of the brand’s older models having been around since the relaunch of the brand back in 2012. On test we have pair in a light frame with a coral coloured lens with 100%s HiPER lens treatment – much like Oakley’s PRIZM treatment, HiPER is designed to provide enhanced clarity and contrast which is certainly useful in the very changeable weather of this Sydney winter season.
Unlike 100%s more recent flagship offerings, the Speedcoupe opts for a more traditional split lens, although these are still interchangeable. The frame features the attention to detail that 100% has become known for with a lightweight but tough polycarbonate construction and rubberised, textures bridge and temple tips to help the glasses well attached to your face.
It gets a little confusing, but 100% actually have two products in their recreation glasses range with Coupe in the title. There’s the Speedcoupe that we have on test and then there’s the Sportcoupe. If you were to do a passing glance at the frame, features and RRP then you might have a hard time telling the two apart – the Speed is a little more angular in the frame and lenses than the Sport, but overall there’s very little to tell them apart. That is aside from one thing – the Sport was designed for narrower heads than the Speed and therein lies the crunch.
It seems almost arbitrary to mark a pair of glasses down because they don’t fit. The Speeds are, like 100% well made and well finished and on the right sized head would have likely produced some cooing noises of approval. The HiPER lenses are also excellent and provided great clarity on the road in all conditions – especially in changeable weather or dusk and dawn. But we all know the feeling when a pair of glasses don’t sit on your face properly and we really struggled with the fact they were just too big and we were constantly in fear of them flying off.
If you’ve got a big ‘ead then we recommend a look, especially as there always appears to be some bargains to be had on this range. If you’ve got a narrower head then consider the Sportscoupe.
Key Specifications
- Frame: Polycarbonate
- Lenses: HiPER treated