The New $395 Nikes for Runners

“Nike Vision has a new line of sunglasses out for runners this spring, and the top-end Vaporwing Elite and Vaporwing will run you $395 (about £275 or AU$560). That's the kind of price we're used to seeing for so-called smart glasses, but these sunglasses don't recharge or have any electronics in them. Yet Nike says a considerable amount of technology went into designing and building them,” according to a recent post on CNET. “The new sunglasses, for which Nike Vision developed "new materials and vision technology," are designed to conform to the shape of a runner's face but also offer good ventilation to prevent fogging. On top of that lensmaker Zeiss created 'state-of-the-art optics that deliver advanced acuity, so the athlete can lock on a moving target, accurately identify objects and assess distance.'” Read more.

New Eyewear from Nike

"Combining the science of vision with expertise in sport, Nike Vision continues to enhance its product line with new high-quality designs and color additions," posts Midwest Lens. "Offering a variety of on-trend shapes, color palettes, and durable materials, this superior eyewear collection is versatile in design, ideal for those who like to indulge in sports on a regular basis." Read more.

Nike and Marchon Release Fall Sunglasses Collection

"This season, premium eyewear brand Nike Vision announces the launch of its Fall 2015 SB sun collection. Comprised of six styles, the product array builds on the Spring ’15 inaugural collection that featured the Nike Volano, Nike Volition, Nike Achieve and Nike Recover. New styles for Fall include the Nike Unrest and Nike Flatspot. The collection rolls out to consumers this month and will be available at select Nike Vision retailers." That's the beginning of the Midwest Lens post. Read more.

Marchon and Nike Extend Deal

Marchon Eyewear, Inc. has extended its licensing agreement with Nike, Inc. for the exclusive design, production and worldwide distribution of Nike optical and sunglass collections. Claudio Gottardi, President and CEO of Marchon Eyewear, commented: “We’re extremely proud to continue our successful partnership with Nike. This unrivaled brand is constantly at the forefront of sports technology and innovation, therefore pushing our design team to continue striving to develop new groundbreaking ideas and high-quality products.” For more information about Nike Vision, visit www.nikevision.com.

New Eyewear from Nike

"Nike Vision’s product line continues to expand with an array of new optical styles that maintain the same attention to detail and ultimate focus on the athlete, providing premium quality eyewear to help see sport better." That's the start of a Midwest Lens post.

Kevin Durant Eyewear from Nike

"This season, Nike Vision will launch an optical collection in collaboration with one of today’s great basketball players, reigning MVP Kevin Durant," writes Midwest Lens. "The collection will consist of two unisex styles: an adult sunglass, the NK 7230 KD, as well as a Young Athlete design, the NK 5530 KD. The NK 7230 KD launched in October, while the NK 5530 KD will be available beginning in January 2015. Both feature Durant’s signature logo and will retail at select optical providers." Read more.

New Eyewear from Nike

“Nike Vision continues to seamlessly blend athletic inspiration and innovation together to create premium quality junior eyewear with a youthful, fashion forward twist,” notes Midwest Lens. “The new Junior Optical Collection offers a fresh approach to style with an assortment of vibrant color combinations that are accentuated with signature logo details. For the athlete in everyone, Nike Vision provides kids prescription glasses to see sport better.” Read more.

Nike’s Impel Swift Ranked #1 Sports Sunglass

The Independent ranks what it calls the “ten best sports sunglasses.” Nike’s Impel Swift topped the list. For the other nine, read more.

Nike Drops Its Magneto Eyewear Project

“During my reporting for Fast Company's profile of Nike, which we just named as the Most Innovative Company in the world, I learned that Nike, too, had once considered reinventing eyewear,” starts the Fast Company post about Nike’s innovative eyewear. “Back in the early aughts--years before it dreamed up the FuelBand and Flyknit--Nike's eyewear concept, internally called ‘Magneto,’ was, briefly, its next big thing. It wasn't a wearable computer though--the idea, essentially, was to have athletes tape magnets to their temples and then clip futuristic eyewear onto them. It was a novel concept…” Read more.

After Denial, Pistorius Reportedly Loses Endorsement Deals with Oakley and Nike

The Guardian reports that "Oscar Pistorius was estimated to receive endorsements worth more than $2 million a year. Two days ago, his agent assured the media that these sponsorships were safe. Now it's being reported that Oakley has cancelled its contract with Pistorius and Nike has "no further plans" to use him in advertisements." Read more.

Oakley and Nike Fight Over US PGA Champ McIlroy

“American sunglasses maker Oakley has launched legal action to try to retain its sponsorship of world number one golfer Rory McIlroy who is set to become the new face of sportswear giant Nike,” says the New York Times. “U.S. PGA champion McIlroy is poised to rubber-stamp a 10-year deal with U.S. company Nike worth as much as $250 million, according to media reports. Nike is set to supply the 23-year-old Northern Irishman's clubs and have its name or logo on his clothing in an exclusive deal. However, Oakley, owned by Italy's Luxottica, is challenging the move and started legal action in its home state of California last month.” Read more.

New from Dragon 2013

"In 2011, Dragon launched its revolutionary frameless goggle The APX, or Advanced Projects X, which was the first of its kind to hit the market.  More than a year later, the eyewear brand has released its Spring 2013 look book, complete with an update on the APX goggle, which includes the new cylindrical NFX technology, and limited edition collaboration product with Nike and Lacoste." That's the word from Transworld Business. "The brand is particularly stoked on the collection for 2013, since it also marks Dragon’s 20 year anniversary in the surf and snow eyewear business. We talked with Dragon’s Director of Product Mike Tobia to get the scoop on how the brand has set this season’s collection apart from the past, and what we can expect to see from them as we move into the upcoming round of trade shows." Read more.

Nike's Strobe Gaining Popularity

"A number of athletes at Athletic Republic-Libertyville’s training center — high school, college, professional or even middle school — are wearing what look like cool sunglasses. But what they’re really wearing is Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobe eyewear," according to a Mundelein Review post. "The strobe eyewear helps athletes enhance their sensory and sensory motor skills when used with specific training methods conducted by Athletic Republic." Read more.

Open the Nike Sparq Vapor Strobe Training System

Recently Nike introduced its Sparq strobe training system, which improves the visually reactions of athletes. Here's what it looks like when you open the box.

Nike and Transitions Team Up

"Nike Vision has partnered with Transitions Optical, Inc. to introduce new Nike MAX Transitions adaptive sunglasses! Available in two styles and two lens colors, the new Nike MAX Transitions adaptive sunglasses respond to changing light while maintaining true to Nike’s advanced, sports performance engineering," according to Eye Surf. Read more.

Vision Center Teams Up with Nike SPARQ

"Val Vista Vision in Gilbert has teamed up with Nike to offer an advanced vision training technology to improve athletes' visual skills," reports AZCentral. "Called SPARQ Sensory Performance Training, the program begins with a 30-minute test to evaluate 10 skills: visual clarity, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, near-far quickness, target capture, perception span, eye-hand coordination, decision-making, hand reaction time and visual endurance. A custom profile is generated and compares an athlete's results to other athletes at their sport, position, and skill level in order to determine existing strengths and weaknesses and develop an improvement plan." Read more. More information on the Nike training program can be found here.

Knicks Player Gets Custom Protective Eyewear from Nike

"Soon after Amare Stoudemire signed with the Knicks in 2010, he said, 'I'm a pioneer right now to really take a step forward and help rebuild a program and get us back on top.'" That's the start of a post about the player's protective eyewear in ESPN. "What many people didn't know is that Stoudemire, the pioneer, wanted to rebuild something else when he arrived in New York: his on-court eyewear. In the latter part of 2010, STAT, a Nike athlete, approached the Nike Vision team, a newer division within the company's headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., to see if they could tailor make a pair for him. Stoudemire, who suffered a partially detached retina in his right eye in a game on Feb. 18, 2009, had been previously wearing more generic Oakley shades for protection, and he wanted something better suited for his game." Read more.

Nike's New Eyewear Proves to Improve Performance

Wired reports that Nike's "funky new Sparq Vapor Strobe eyewear works with the equally geeky Sparq Sensory Station to analyze and improve 10 vital visual and sensory skills. The eyewear’s lens works a bit like a strobe light — hence the name — by alternating between clear and obstructed fields of vision to improve your ability to target an oncoming object...evidence suggests it works. The system has been used in particular by NFL players like St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings." Read more. Optical News from OpticalCEUs report on this sports eyewear here and here.

Nike Offers Transitions Sunwear --- Max

"Nike Vision and Transitions Optical, Inc. showcased new Nike MAX Transitions adaptive sunglasses at the PGA Merchandise Show," says Eyesurf. "Available in two colors, the lenses are responsive to changing light and specifically engineered for sport performance including golf, hiking and trail running." Read more.

Nike's Strobe Sunglasses Interpret Field Info--Reportedly

"Nike on Thursday unveiled the SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear -- a pair of wraparound sunglasses that re-create the effect of an intense strobe light show at a rock concert," reports the Oregonian. "The effect is intended to help athletes better interpret information on a playing field and the glasses, Nike officials said, have been part of Oregon quarterbacks on-field practice arsenal for about four years. The Oregon-based footwear and apparel company also introduced a series of video vision tests that could be characterized as elaborate, high-tech versions of whack-a-mole."  Read more. You can read more about the eyewear at the 4traders.com site.

View full sizeBruce Ely / The OregonianJermaine Smith, a model, demonstrates the 3-D Body Scanner that allows Nike to develop form-fitting uniforms. Nike showed off the scanner Thursday, the day of its annual football products presentation. Senior technical designer Meg Okies looks on. Read more.