Review: GUNNAR Loop with Amber Sun–Shift are some fine looking transition glasses, but tries to do too much

The folks at GUNNAR are always coming up with new and interesting ways to get around problems. Prior to now, they had realized that people like having the option to keep the same frame inside or outside without having to buy two pairs of the same glasses. While the original solutions created their own problems, they came up with a better transition lens to go into their new GUNNAR Loop glasses.

But, is the GUNNAR Loop everything it’s cracked up to be? I’m not so sure that it can handle the pressure of what it’s meant to do, considering it’s trying to do a lot.

What’s in the box?

Let’s get this out of the way, as GUNNAR notoriously offers similar pack-in accessories across a lot of their in-house frames. At this price range, you can always expect to get a hardshell case of some sort, a microfiber pouch, and a microfiber cloth in various shades of gray.

I will give them credit that, recently, their higher-end glasses have been coming with the faux-leather, black triangular cases that fold into themselves when it isn’t in use. When the glasses fit, as the GUNNAR Loop does, these are some of the best cases that GUNNAR offers.

The pouch and cloth are pretty standard, but nothing to write home about. I hope they start varying colors for pack-in accessories sometime soon, as I’m drowning in the same monotone items.

Tech in the Specs (or, Holding a Lens Up to These Glasses)

When we talk about GUNNAR, they automatically get some positive points when it comes to their lenses. You’re always going to get the awesome quality of anti-reflective, smudge and water resistance, blue-light blocking, and total UV protection.

The GUNNAR Loop was designed to give gamers the ability to go touch grass without taking off their glasses. Inside, you’re treated to the usual 65 Amber yellow that GUNNAR made so famous for years. But, when you step out into the sun, they transition to give some 90% sun shading (the same as their darkest sunglasses). GUNNAR’s website calls it “Photochromic Amber Sun-Shift lens technology.”

After tons of tests on my end, I’ve come to the conclusion that they didn’t take the Floridian sun into account for the transitions. No matter how much I point them directly at the sun, they only darken a little bit.

When pitted against some GUNNAR sunglasses, such as the GUNNAR Overwatch Reaper that I recently reviewed (among others I have in my collection), I’m left scratching my head. They’re both supposed to be the same shading, according to GUNNAR, but the non-transition shades are significantly darker, and the GUNNAR Loop doesn’t stand up nearly as well in the sun here.

They still darken and work well enough for short-term use. But, for what they’re designed to be, I don’t know if they hold up against just having a different pair of cheap sunglasses. 

The technology is almost there. It just falls a little short. 

Wearing the GUNNAR Loop glasses

All in all, they’re a lens company, and the frames themselves are just the vehicle. But, the GUNNAR Loop is a strange vehicle for this entire experiment.

I’m a big fan of rounded frames nowadays and the GUNNAR Loop has that part on lock. With a wiry, stainless steel look, they look good on a face.

However, beauty often comes with pain. For some reason, they come with 180-degree flexible hinges in lieu of their wonderful normal flexible hinges. Where other glasses can flex around my bigger head, the Loop squeezes it because it locks into positions.

Like I do with all of my GUNNAR reviews, I’ve been wearing them while I type this. And, well, my head is starting to hurt from the pressure of the metal on the side of my head. 

I’m sure my qualms only affect those of us with larger craniums, but it’s a problem that harkens back to some of GUNNAR’s licensed frames. 

Final Verdict

I’m really torn about the GUNNAR Loop. On one hand, they look stylish, have some amazing technology imbued into them, and are made to last. But, on the other hand, they just aren’t comfortable to wear long-term.

I need GUNNAR to consider comfort more in some of their glasses. While slightly more expensive frames like the Campbell or anything from the Arbor Collection have spoiled me on a beautiful balance of style and coziness, I often forget that anything is on my face at all when I wear them. Whatever comes after the GUNNAR Loop needs to step up its game if you want me to wear them both inside and outside.

If you’re looking, you can pick up the GUNNAR Loop on their website for $74 without transitions, which is a solid price for just 65 Amber or 35 Clear. But, if you want the transition lenses that also mildly turn into sunglasses (without a prescription), you’ll need to fork out a bit more at $110 instead.

I do recommend these for people with smaller heads, and if you fit that criteria, they’re hot.