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Product: Polarized Sunglasses

Manufacturer: Roundup:

Wired Rating: 0

When you’re fishing or biking or driving (really anytime you’re outdoors) you’d do well to strap on a set of sunglasses with polarized lenses. These optics are designed to filter glare from notoriously reflective surfaces like water, asphalt and sand. The best ones are capable multitaskers, winnowing harsh photons without distorting colors, all while looking effortlessly cool.

Ray-Ban 8041 Aviator Titanium

There’s a reason why pilots, cops and your dad have been wearing aviators for years. They look tough and provide Secret Service-level protection for your eyes. Ray-Ban’s model 8041 amps things up by adding polarized lenses and titanium frames to the equation. Bright, overhead retina-searing sunlight? Filtered handily without a hint of color distortion. In our water tests, the lenses drastically cut glare, even when the surface became choppy. And the titanium frames are a revelation for the accident-prone. We repeatedly sat on, dropped and haphazardly tossed the frames without seeing them get bent out of shape. Best of all the specs look good on everyone. An assortment of folks in the Wired office modeled the 8041s; some with enormous heads, others with mighty shocks of hair, and folks with slim, angular faces. Without exception, everyone looked awesome wearing aviators, despite not being jet-jockeys or police. (We did have a few dads.)

WIRED Frames are the ideal mix of ruggedness and style. Look good on everyone regardless of head size or face shape. Titanium frames sits snugly on your face and never get uncomfortable. Kills virtually all glare dead.

TIRED Lenses not as tough as frames — they scratched like a pissed off tabby. Tough to keep clean; oily residue built up faster than a beach along the gulf coast.

$215, ray-ban.com

Persol PO2979S

For style, you can’t beat a pair of tortoise-shell Persols. (Just ask this guy.) The lenses handily eliminate aquatic glare, but they really distinguished themselves behind the wheel: The Persols distilled the reflection from asphalt better than any other model we tested. The lenses are tough, too — a series of drops onto concrete and sand didn’t leave a single mark on the optics. The frames however are a bit hefty and often slid off our tester’s nose when his proboscis got sweaty. Still, when you look almost as cool as McQueen these are the most minor of quibbles.

WIRED Cooler than the surface of Neptune. Earned top marks in driving performance. Lenses resist damage like +2 armor.

TIRED Thick, heavy frames slide off face fairly easily (unless you have a Cyrano De Bergerac sized schnozzle). Collects dirt and grime faster than a hobo with poor hygiene.

$255, persol.com/usa

Oakley Polarized Frogskins

The Frogskins may look retro but they’re the lightest and most comfortable of all the shades we tested. We took them rafting (class 3 rapids, what?!) and they stayed secure despite some nasty drops, hard bumps, and one unplanned trip over the side of the vessel. They’re not bad at filtering out glare either with a subtle amber tint and very little color distortion. We really only have two slight gripes: 1) These frames are so lithe we often forgot we were wearing them in the first place. 2) The white Oakley logo that mars the side of each arm is hopelessly garish. Sorry guys, if we wanted to advertise that badly we’d go to work for Wieden+Kennedy.

WIRED Lenses and frames so light (1 ounce!), you swear they’re filled with helium. Metal-free joints lend an uncomplicated, casual feel. Quite possibly the best-looking design Oakley carries. Barely a hint of color distortion.

TIRED Enormous Oakley logo is seriously gauche, despite ’80s-era typeface. So little mass, some say they feel cheap.

$140, oakley.com

Zeal Optics Zyaa

Does looking like Bono from the Zooropa era sound like a smart look to go for? Then you might want to reach for a pair of the Zyaas. While the large, wrap-arounds actually did a fairly decent job of eliminating water-reflected glare; color filtration is not exactly stellar. Looking at the world through these glasses yielded a brownish-pink hue that is almost gut wrenching after long exposures. While extremely light (1.3 ounces) the Zyaas are also cheap in terms of construction and cost. But if you’re looking to get polarized at a low price, there are a lot worse choices than these specs.

WIRED Supremely light and quite comfy. Stays securely fastened to face no matter what crazy-ass (white-water rafting, mountain biking) conditions you put them in. Can you argue with that price? No. No you can’t.

TIRED A bit ridiculous looking on most people. Huge “Z” adorning each arm screams gelled hair and tribal tats. Color filtration is more warped than Lindsay Lohan’s legal defense.

$100, zealoptics.com

Product: Droid X

Manufacturer: Motorola

Wired Rating: 8

It’s only been eight months since the original Droid hit like a wrecking ball. Now, the mother of all (Lucas-licensed) droids is upon us with the July 15 arrival of the feature-packed Droid X.*

At 5 x 2.6 x .04 inches, the X is unapologetically large and more Sticky Fingers than svelte when pocketed. Otherwise, Motorola wisely kept the handset remarkably thin and relatively streamlined. Paired with its spacious 4.3-inch, 854 x 480 LCD touchscreen, it’s clear the Droid X was carefully crafted with a visually dense, touch-driven experience in mind.

In fact, it’s this attention to presentation that allows the X to truly shine. Navigating the phone is a surprisingly immersive experience, due to an uncannily fast 1-GHz Texas Instruments processor and 512 MB of RAM. In reality, the X’s hardware shaves just fractions of a second off the Droid/Eris/Nexus One response times, but it makes huge impact in the long run. When switching apps, you feel like the device is actively responding to commands rather than merely processing them.

Naturally, this sweetens the X’s cache of capabilities. Watching movies from the Blockbuster app, playing games from the Android Market, and even streaming music from Pandora is fast, effortless and best of all, free of lag. With a few clicks through the menu, we converted the phone into a 3G hot spot for up to 5 devices — which is the welcome feature du jour thanks to the HTC EVO and Palm Pre.

Motorola managed to cram three microphones into this beast: Two for noise-canceling purposes and one for regular squawking. This arrangement produced a surprising degree of call clarity while navigating San Francisco’s urban jungle of perpetual construction sites, gusts of wind and horn-happy motorists. An increased degree of warmth in the audio could’ve pushed the X into all-star status, but the pragmatism of good old-fashioned clarity was more than enough to get by.

Speaking of just getting by, the handset’s 8-megapixel camera is underwhelming for still pictures. What’s worse is the process of snapping pics woefully relies on a hard press of a physical button, which screwed with image clarity. However, the X’s pairing of solid video chops (720p video at 24 fps!) with high-def output (mini-HDMI!) makes for the quite the saving grace.

All this power, acumen and flair isn’t for everyone, though. At its core, the X is designed for a large, splashy, multimedia-heavy experience. Its size disqualifies it from any smartphone quick-draw contests (we permanently left it out-of-pocket for sanity’s sake), and its occasionally power-hungry features make it a bad idea to stray far from an electric outlet. That said, even this phone’s most plain vanilla features (e.g., phone calls) are simple, lightning quick, and well implemented. If you can handle the phone’s immense size, you’ll be treated to one of the finest Android devices available anywhere.

WIRED Incredibly capable and dapper take on the multimedia phone. Standard battery endures a full day of regular web/video/phone use. Dual camera LEDs make for an awesome flashlight. Sports more connections than Ari Gold: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, GPS and FM. Storage aplenty with 8 GB of on-board memory and included 16-GB card. Charges off mini-USB. DLNA ready for sharing pics, audio and video between compatible devices.

TIRED Call quality aside, it still feels like a TrapperKeeper against your face. No status light while charging. Movie downloads from Blockbuster are slooow and not viewable on the big screen in HDMI. Flimsy camera button and volume rocker. That mini-HMDI cord will cost you extra. Can’t realistically run a 3G hot spot unless you have POW-AH.

*Mother of all Droids … for now. The Droid 2 is due out later this year with more to follow.

Product: River Shoes

Manufacturer: Roundup:

Wired Rating: 0

Cold water. Hot sun. Sharp rocks. Slick docks. These obstacles mean nothing when traversing bodies of water with a good set of river shoes. The best ones will offer protection up top, and security below to keep you stepping, wet or dry.

New Balance SM921

If you want to make fast tracks across wet terrain, this lightweight low-impact river runner will add some serious twinkle to your toes. These kicks clocks in at a mere 11.3 ounces, and features a stable, running shoe-style sole with solid yet lightweight lugs that provide ample traction without stacking on grams. A quick-pull lacing system lets you enter and exit easily, and keeps the shoe secure on the foot so it won’t rub and cause blisters when wet. The mesh upper is flexible and light, and moves like a second layer of skin. We loved this shoe on a 5K run along the beach for crashing in and out of surf, and it was also our favorite for trail running.

But while it makes a great runner, its true calling is the life aquatic. Eight large holes along the sole evacuate water just about as quickly as it comes in. Likewise, a perforated rubber insole moves water through quickly without absorbing it along the way. Even better, not only does it let water escape, but sand and fine particulate matter also passes out of the shoe, rather than piling up in the toe or heel. When scrambling over wet rocks and wood, we kept a steady footing and were never in jeopardy of slipping. We were also pleasantly surprised to find that the mesh upper does a fantastic job keeping dry sand out, another reason we loved this shoe for athletic adventures around the water’s edge. Finally, the shoe dried extremely quickly in all circumstances, both in direct sun, and at home in a dark closet.

However, the SM921 did strike a couple of sour notes. While the quick-pull lacing system meant the shoes went on easily, it also meant the shoe sometimes slipped off the foot occasionally. When we tried trudging our way through deep mud, for example, we had to work to keep the shoe on our foot, and our heel came fully out multiple times. For the same reasons, small pebbles and other debris can come in around the ankle. And while the lightweight construction is great for fleet-footed excursions, it also means that the shoe doesn’t offer much stability against turning an ankle, or smashing your toes against the rocks. You’ll also feel sharp edges underfoot.

These are minor quibbles though. Overall, this shoe is an excellent choice for those who will be frequently moving back and forth from wet to dry and want something that provides freedom of movement, top of the foot protection, and underfoot traction.

WIRED Evacuates mud and sand like the Nile River. Dries exceptionally fast. Extremely lightweight and low impact, almost feels like being barefoot. Best beach runner we’ve ever sprinted across the sands in.

TIRED Comes off of foot waaay too easily. Pebbles and other debris get a free pass into shoe.

$90, newbalance.com

Keen Cimarron II

When it comes to all-around wet-and-dry performance, we were blown away by the versatile Cimarron II. The 12.1-ounce shoe is lightweight, and secures nicely via quick-pull laces. Loops on the tongue and heel help you get the shoe on and off quickly. Thick multidirectional lugs provide nice traction. And the webbed mesh upper provided both protection, and a degree of warmth in cold water. It all stacked up to a shoe that did just about everything well.

As a hiker, the Keen’s sturdy sole with protection for toes and heel proved stable and secure; we navigated rocky off-trail sections with peace of mind and without having to focus on our feet. It even made a passable trail runner that we logged a beach-side 5K in without any discomfort. In the water, it handled slick surfaces exceptionally well, and was also solid on sharp rocks thanks to a very rigid sole. We were also pleased with its performance in the mud, where it stayed on our feet even after sinking completely below the surface into the muck. While our heel did come up in the back end of the shoe, it never came out.

Yet we did have a few nits to pick out of these kicks. It did a fine job keeping out small pebbles and debris, but it did allow quite a bit of sand and smaller particulate matter in. And because silt is not easily flushed out, it tended to collect in the toebox, which was uncomfortable. Also, if you do manage to get a small pebble in there, you’ll have to take your shoes off to get it out again. Finally, while it does shed excess water, it doesn’t dry quickly. It was much slower to dry — both indoors and out — than the other two shoes we tested along side it. The wet upper combined with the collected sand rubbed our skin, but not in a good way.
The bottom line is that the Cimarron II is a very solid well-rounded performer. It wasn’t the best at anything, but it was pretty great at just about everything we threw at it. For a combination rafting and hiking shoe, it was aces.

WIRED Stuck to slippery rocks like a starfish. Heavy-duty toe and heel will keep your feet from getting stubbed out. First rate trail shoe; handled hiking and scrambling across rocks as well as it did water.

TIRED Tends to collect silt and sand. Very slow to dry, our feet stayed soggy in these suckers all day.

$100, keenfootwear.com

Teva Avator SR

While most river shoes are simply wetware versions of athletic shoes, the Teva Avator resemble work boots. The neoprene upper extends above the ankle, and it secures by means of a Velcro closure, plus two adjustable straps. Thick padding at the ankle and a stiff rubberized cup in the rear behind the heel offer some protection to keep your ankle from turning. Likewise, a stiff toe cup will keep you from totaling your toes on underwater rocks or other jagged edges. The hard sole was ace for stepping on sharp rocks and uncertain terrain, providing a secure platform that even stood up to a light stabbing from a Swiss Army knife.

And yet this work boot is very much a submersible shoe. Vents by the toe and heel allow water to escape, while the neoprene not only dries quickly, but it also keeps your feet relatively warm in cold river or ocean water. The adjustable straps stay closed no matter how turbulent the water, or what you wedge your foot in below its surface. Even when we plunged this shoe calf-deep in the mud, it never budged. Seriously, you’re more likely to have a beaver gnaw your foot off than you are to lose it in the water. Likewise, the ankle-high closure keeps out not only H2O but also dirt, grime and even fine sand. We were also surprised at how quickly the shoe dried. Although it has much more material than the New Balance 921 or Keen Cimarron II that we tested simultaneously, it was the first to dry in cool indoor conditions. It is, however, slow to drain, and in the sun it retained water longer than the others.

While we’re mostly positive on this kicker, but the shoe isn’t much of an athletic performer. The rigid ankle makes running and scrambling in it awkward, while the largely flat sole tends to become caked in sand and mud, and slips repeatedly on slick rocks and wet wood. It was also quite hot. While the neoprene upper is great for those moments when your dogs are sunk in chilly river water, in the sun they can get quite hot (and more than a little slimy).

Overall, we were impressed with the Avator, but it seems best suited to occasional splashes and is more of a workhorse than a thoroughbred.

WIRED More secure than a 64-character password; this shoe will not accidentally come off your foot. Exceptionally stable, great for walking through water where one can’t see below the surface. Neoprene upper kept our toes toasty. Dries quickly.

TIRED Banana peel-slick soles slid off algae-covered rocks like a fried egg off oiled Teflon. Slow to drain.

$90, teva.com

Product: CJ3B

Manufacturer: Icon Motors

Wired Rating: 8

Back when records were state of the art, the pre-Jeep Willys CJ3B was king of the jungle trail. Unfortunately, its skills haven’t held up as well as its looks. Loving its style but not its capabilities, Icon Motors produced an aesthetically faithful update.

OK, update may be understating it. Severely.

Icon acquired a few old CJs and laser-scanned all of their surfaces, generating a 3-D model of the 70-year-old vehicle. Then, they pressed new body panels out of modern steel (the old Willys was made of wartime metals that aren’t as tough as modern stuff) and coated it all in a Teflon-polyurethane powdercoat that we couldn’t scratch despite hurling the truck at trees instead of around them.

While the outside looks just like an old Willys, a 1940s mechanic would never recognize the undercarriage. The new, mandrel-bent frame is designed to accommodate a fully independent suspension, instead of the old leaf springs. The Chevy-sourced 4-cylinder engine makes 205 horsepower, but gets 23 mpg.

The 4WD system is adapted from a 2010 model-year Jeep: It’s more advanced, and, as an added bonus, owners won’t have to scour eBay for antique replacement parts when they get overambitious in the off-road park.

And while a 1950s 3B tops out at around 50 mph on the highway, we throttled the Icon down L.A. freeways upwards of 80. Then, when we hit the Miller Jeep Trail, we switched into 4WD low and went way beyond our comfort zone without seeing the Icon balk. With 24 inches of wheel travel, it can scurry over boulders, romp rutted trails, and negotiate inclines that would make a Hummer run screaming for a pedicure.

WIRED Every light is LED—from the dashboard to the headlamps. At just 64 inches wide, it’s narrow and capable enough to tackle trails that Jeeps aren’t technically allowed on. Just try to scratch the paint: We drove through a big-ass thorn bush and wiped away the evidence with a rag. Attracts more thumbs-ups than the Colosseum. Only 83 grand.

TIRED Only 83 grand?! Just like the old CJs, high-beam switch is next to the clutch. (They moved that for a reason.) Shifter feels sloppy, er, retro. Seat belts were a little janky, prone to locking up even in the rare moments when we had the Icon sitting level.