The long-overdue return of a 70s icon!
The Ski Aviators from VALLON is a throwback to the most iconic ski sunglasses ever made. Read why below.
The epitome of cool, this iconic style of sunglasses used to be worn by literally everyone, from ski legends Jean Claude Killy and Wayne Wong to movie icons Sam Peckinpah, Robert Redford and Paul Newman. They came in all different sizes and colors, but then they completely disappeared…
Sports eyewear specialists VALLON, have taken the original design, which dominated ski culture in the 70s and early 80s, and brought it right up into the 21st Century. The brand has previously created a modern version of the classic glacier glasses, and now, they've turned their eye to the Ski Aviators.
A quick dive into the history of the these sunglasses bring up some iconic names. One such character is Wayne Wong, a pioneer of the freestyle ski movement. In 1972, he won Skiing Magazine Freestyle Skier of the Year and went on to invent multiple tricks, such as the Wong Banger and Wong Mill, although he later became synonymous with the polar-white aviators he always wore.
“To this day, people continue to associate me and my white sunglasses with the freestyle skiing movement.”
— Wayne Wong
VALLON have recently partnered with Wayne to bring back his classic white shades, branded with “WW” on the side, in one of the cooler collabs we’ve ever seen.
But when it comes to the look and feel of the glasses, how have they been adapted to the modern day?
The first thing that strikes you is the mirror-coated lens. The original aviators arrived at a time when mirror-coated lenses on the slopes were all the rage, with the added benefit of reducing eye strain and protecting your eyes. The lenses are made from thick nylon polyamide; a material renown for its exceptional clarity as well as its highly impact-resistant qualities. The category 3 lens offers 100% UVA/UVB protection.
And finally, the aviator-shaped frame is handmade from high-quality acetate: a non-petroleum-based material that is hypoallergenic, durable, and lightweight all in one. There is a shiny finish to the acetate, which gives the Ski Aviators a truly premium look and feel. They are recommended for medium and wide faces and come in multiple colors, including the mighty retro tricolored frames.
Why this classic style ever disappeared is a mystery, all we know is that we are glad they are back, ready to bring a touch of 70s style and personality to the mountain.
Ski Aviators are available here from the VALLON store.
Photo credit: VALLON
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