UVEX's eyewear range is highlighted by the new SGL 104 Vario (top), the SGL 202 Vario Race (right), and the Active Vario Shield (left) - James Huang/Future Publishing
The UVEX SGL 104 Vario features a traditional upper lens and one-piece, shield-type lens - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX equips the SGL 104 frame with a novel locking pin to secure the lens in place - James Huang/Future Publishing
Bendable earpieces on the UVEX SGL 104 Vario allow for a customizable fit - James Huang/Future Publishing
The UVEX Active Vario Shield uses a very minimal frame to maximize the field of view - James Huang/Future Publishing
Compared to the standard UVEX Active Vario (bottom), the new Active Vario Shield is lighter and offers a wider field of view - James Huang/Future Publishing
Photochromic 'Variomatic' lenses are featured on UVEX's top models to accommodate a broad range of lighting conditions without having to swap lenses - James Huang/Future Publishing
The new UVEX SGL 202 Vario Race sunglasses use a frameless design, like the Active Vario Shield but with stouter earpieces - James Huang/Future Publishing
While the standard UVEX SGL 202 (bottom) is very lightweight, some riders might prefer the new Race version's (top) stiffer and bendable earpieces for a more secure fit - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX's new top-end road helmet is the Race 5, currently being used by the Argos-Shimano and Ag2r-La Mondiale pro teams - James Huang/Future Publishing
The retention system is adjustable for height and circumference and is padded for comfort - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX will carry its Race 3 model into the current season unchanged. While its internal skeleton is great in terms of vent size and shape, UVEX claims it also adds too much weight - James Huang/Future Publishing
The retention system on most of UVEX's helmets easily adjusts for height thanks to these ratcheting anchors - James Huang/Future Publishing
Straps are removable for washing - James Huang/Future Publishing
The UVEX Ultrasonic CC is the company's top-end cross-country helmet, with 19 vents, a built-in visor, and front bug netting - James Huang/Future Publishing
The molded-in bug netting keeps insects away from your head while only minimally affecting air flow - James Huang/Future Publishing
A visor is included with the UVEX Ultrasonic CC, but it isn't adjustable - James Huang/Future Publishing
Popular models such as the XP CC (left) and Supersonic (right) carry on unchanged but with new colors - James Huang/Future Publishing
The ratcheting buckle used by UVEX allows for quick on-the-bike adjustments without you having to fight with dangling webbing - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX's eyewear range is highlighted by the new SGL 104 Vario (top), the SGL 202 Vario Race (right), and the Active Vario Shield (left) - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX continues to grow its expansive range of eyewear and helmets for the coming season – and if we're to believe reports from its US distributor, Magura USA, the brand is gaining steam stateside as well, boosted by its solid reputation, reasonable pricing, and the fact that much of the collection is still made in Germany.
New eyewear bolstered with photochromic options
The new sunglasses range features three key highlights: the US$199/£119.99 SGL 104 Vario, the US$159/£89.99 SGL 202 Race Vario, and the US$149/£69.99 Active Vario Shield. All three models come with photochromic Variomatic Smoke lenses and impressive broad transmission ranges from 9 to 78 percent depending on tint, meaning users shouldn't need to swap lenses with changing conditions.
The SGL 104 Vario is the most sport-oriented of the three, with a traditional shield-type, single-piece lens. This is secured to a continuous upper frame with a novel retractable pin to lock the interchangeable lens in place and bendable ear- and nosepieces for a customizable fit. Available frame colors include white/black, white/green, and all black.
The uvex sgl 104 vario features a traditional upper lens and one-piece, shield-type lens: - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX SGL 104 Vario
The SGL 202 Race Vario is a slightly modified version of UVEX's ultralight standard SGL 202 Vario, adding bendable, stiffer earpieces to go along with the existing bendable nosepiece for a more secure fit when riding off-road. In contrast to the SGL 104 Vario, the 202 is a frameless design for a wider field of view. Frame color choices include black/white, white/black, and green/white.
The new uvex sgl 202 vario race sunglasses use a frameless design, like the active vario shield but with stouter earpieces: - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX SGL 202 Race Vario
Finally, the Active Vario Shield looks similar to the existing Active Vario model but with a new single shield-type lens and no upper frame to block your view. Magura USA will offer this model in black, white/brown, and orange frame colors.
The uvex active vario shield uses a very minimal frame to maximize the field of view: - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX Active Vario Shield
New helmet models for both on-road and off
UVEX's road helmet range is topped by the new US$239/£139.99 Race 5 model, which is currently being used by the Ag2r-La Mondiale and Argos-Shimano teams. Features include a competitive 225g claimed weight, 23 vents, antibacterial carbon-infused pads, and double in-molded construction with upper and lower microshells for durability.
UVEX's new top-end road helmet is the race 5, currently being used by the argos-shimano and ag2r-la mondiale pro teams: - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX Race 5
The easy-to-use, single-dial retention system is also padded for comfort and height adjustable, the ratcheting buckle makes for quicker on-the-bike adjustments, and the entire strap system can be removed from the helmet for washing. Designed in Germany, made in Asia.
Interestingly, UVEX chose to skip the internal reinforcement skeleton used in the previous Race 3 flagship. While that system allowed for bigger and more deeply channeled vents, the company says it's also responsible for that helmet's so-so 270g claimed weight. Magura says that model is still quite popular, though, so it remains in the range for US$199/€169.95.
Topping the MTB range is the US$149/£99.99, made-in-Germany Ultrasonic CC. Like the Race 5, this model features a double in-molded construction with upper and lower shells as well as the same retention system and ratcheting buckle.
The uvex ultrasonic cc is the company's top-end cross-country helmet, with 19 vents, a built-in visor, and front bug netting: - James Huang/Future Publishing
UVEX Ultrasonic CC
The Ultrasonic offers a little more coverage on the rear of your head, however. There's a fixed-position visor included, and vent count dips to 19 although the forward-facing ones are augmented with molded-in bug netting. Claimed weight is 235g.
Other popular models such as the made-in-Germany US$119/£74.99 Supersonic and US$99/£59.99 XP CC carry over with updated colors.
