Over ten years of R&D have certainly dialed in the specifics that make this classic sports sunglass tick. It is simply packed with performance-enhancing features. For starters, the extreme wraparound design and 10-base curvature of the lenses delivers excellent wind resistance and a wide-open field of vision.

While such a severe lens curve can also equate to compromised optics, the Evil Eye solves the problem nicely with a specially designed polycarbonate lens Adidas calls its “Decentered Vision Advantage,” a feature designed to provide distortion-free vision.

I tested this product during my final training days for and on race day of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, a 50-mile road race over two 10,000-foot mountain passes from Durango to Silverton, Colorado in the end of May, 2011. I also used it for shorter mountain and road bike rides during an unseasonably warm weather spell in and around Durango in January 2012.

The Evil Eye is crafted of Adidas’ proprietary SPX™ material, which is relatively lightweight, allergy free, and break-proof, a comforting feature for all cyclists. The sunglass’ polycarbonate lenses are also shatter-resistant.

While this sunglass weighs in at just over an ounce, I found the design to be slightly bulkier than some other similarly priced performance models, a fact that made it slightly uncomfortable for long hauls.

The Evil Eye felt quite comfortable for the first two to three hours of my training rides and the race but after this mark, I felt the pressure, in particular, from the nosepiece. During training and shorter rides I took the sunglasses off and make a slight adjustment to three-point-angle helmet-compatible temples and Double-Snap nosepiece, which changed up their position on my face and offered good relief.

Conditions for pre-race training and race day were sunny and cool without much wind or a cloud in the sky. The sunglass’ Light Stabilizing Technology lenses worked exceptionally well in this light condition and the field of vision, served up by the 10-base curve, was very good. Great for the sweeping mountain vistas of the race—and to spot other riders out of the corner of my eye.

I found the ClimaCool ventilation system to work well—I experienced no lens fogging, even on the longest, most brutal climbs. The Evil Eye also offers simple lens interchangeability; it comes with two lenses, LST Active (in either silver or gold, depending on color of frame) and LST Bright. Additional lens options can be purchased, including LST Contrast Silver, LST Active (gold, silver, or no flash mirror), LST Bluelight, clear, yellow, crystal silver gradient, and grey metallic. A prescription insert is also available that clicks in behind the outer lens.