ROKA Lockhart – Clear Vision From The Office To The Gym

Let’s face it, not everyone has perfect vision. I happen to be one of them. From the time I get up, until the time I go to bed, you can usually find a set of glasses on my face. I can see okay without them, but as I have gotten older, I need them more and more for reading, which I am doing all day long. When working out (not riding outside), I’ve always struggled with finding glasses that would stay in place when things got a little more intense. That is until I had a chance to try the ROKA Lockhart. And now, I have a pair that works from the office to the gym, and everywhere in between.

Prescription glasses aren’t something we review often, but after ROKA announced the Lockhart and Hamilton prescription frames, I knew I was interested. Both frames are made from TR-90 nylon, which is about 50% lighter (22g for the frames) than acetate or polycarbonate without giving up any strength or durability. Both have springloaded hinges for comfort and to help them fit a wide range of head widths.

The Lockhart is more of a classic squared frame, while the Hamilton has more of a rounder lens shape. Both feature thicker, classically shaped temples, with a subtle ROKA logo near the hinges and model name and info on the insides. ROKA is also stamped on the top of the bridge for a subtle branding touch. The Lockhart is available in matte campfire tortoise, gloss black, clear, vintage (frosted white with gold accents), and my choice, Bourbon, an orangish-golden transparent color. The Hamilton is offered in a glossy campfire tortoise, gloss black, and vintage.

What really sets them apart from other prescription frames I’ve used is their GEKO Fit and Retention system. ROKA adds two soft, grippy elastomer pads on the nose and each temple to help provide a comfortable grip to keep them in place. The pads are hydrophobic (repel water) and chemical resistant, so no matter how sweaty you get, they stay in place. The nose pads also come in three sizes to help provide the best fit possible for a range of nose shapes.

For lenses, ROKA offers three options, the standard polycarbonate, an upgraded Trivex, and High Index for those with stronger prescriptions. ROKA uses the highest quality polycarbonate, which features anti-reflective, anti-scratch, super-hydrophobic, oleophobic (oil resistant), and anti-fog coatings. They are lightweight, impact-resistant, and offer 100% UV protection. The Trivex lenses (additional $70) are even lighter than the Polycarbonate but offer higher clarity both in the center and edges of the lenses. The High Index (additional $90) allows for a lighter and thinner lens for people with stronger prescriptions.

You also have the option to add different tints to the lenses. Standard, the lenses come in clear. If you want a lens to adjust to different light conditions, Photochromatic (additional $100) is an option to provide a lighter lens inside, and a darker lens when outside. And for those working at computers or in front of screens, the Blue Light Blocking lens tint (additional $60) helps to filter out blue light that can put increase stress on your eyes.

The last option is single vision, non-prescription readers, or progressive lenses. For the progressives, you have three options. Standard All-Purpose (additional $225) provide near and far-distance correction, with a transitional intermediate zone. Computer Specific (additional $275) offers a larger intermediate zone (2-7 feet viewing distance), which is great for a pair you’ll use at the office or home, but not recommended for activities that require farther viewing, like driving. The Ultimate All-Purpose (additional $325).

So after sending over my prescription, a package arrived from ROKA with a set of Lockhart frames with standard all-purpose polycarbonate lenses with clear tint ($450). The different lenses and tints mentioned above are unfortunately only for the single-vision and non-prescription reader lens options. The presentation was very clean and classy, but the glasses are what we are all really interested in. Right from the beginning, the fit and clarity were great, and they felt light on my face. I’d had the prescription for about 9 months already, but everything looks crystal clear. I had some issues with adapting to progressives in the past, but no issues with the Lockhart.

My reference points are a number of Oakley frames I’ve worn for over a decade. Tumbleweeds, Crosslink Pitch, Frogskins, and the Miter are just a few. All had their issues though. Tumbleweeds had smaller lenses and the nose pads caused some pressure points on my nose. The Frogskins lacked nose and ear grips, so they didn’t stay in place when active or sweaty. The Crosslink Pitch stayed in place well, but there was a well-known issue that over time, the O-matter on the temples would deteriorate and get sticky, and not in a good way. I had hope for the Miters, but the swappable nose pads stretched over time and didn’t always stay in place. They worked okay for being active, but they weren’t the best option.

All of this changed with the ROKA Lockhart. With two to three months of use, they are as clear and comfortable as the first day. In the office, I have plenty of range in the progressives to work on my computer and read documents, but also continue to use them for everyday things like driving and watching TV at home. I’ve also had a lot of compliments on how they look. The Bourbon frames are different but still subtle and classy. I wasn’t sure at first, but the more I wear them, the more I like the color.

In the gym is where the Lockhart solidified my feelings. I’ve used them for teaching Les Mills The Trip classes four times a week, riding on the trainer at home, and other workouts like TRX, kettlebell, boxing, and yoga. In each case, I was either really sweaty, moving around pretty aggressively, going upside down or some combination of them. In any case, they stayed firmly planted on my face, even when my skin was a little on the oily side. For example, when I would kickbox with a Century Martial Arts B.O.B., my Miters would have a tendency to slide off when I’d start hitting B.O.B. with some hard, fast combos. During Zwift races, the Lockhart helped me to be able to read my iPad screen clearly but also stayed in place for end-of-the-race sprints, where I would normally drop my glasses to the floor before making my move. In any case, the GEKO system really works well.

I tend to really take care of my glasses very well, prescription or sunglasses. It has been no different with the Lockhart, but at the same time, there is always a chance to scratch them. I have to say, the lenses look just about perfect. The anti-reflective coating has worked just as well as any other prescription lens I’ve had. The anti-fog treatment is a little more challenging. For example, coming inside from the cold, or into a steamy room, they did have a tendency to fog up. I can’t really fault the glasses though, as just about every pair of glasses I have fogged up under these circumstances.

For me, the ROKA Lockhart checks off all of the boxes for prescription glasses for an active lifestyle. They look good, they fit well, they stay put on my face, and I can see clearly in any situation. Starting at $225, or $450 as tested, that’s not a bad price for a quality set of glasses with progressive lenses.

ROKA might be a newer name for you, but one you should know going forward. With options like the Lockhart and Hamilton, along with others that are more fashion-focused, their prescription glasses will keep you looking good and seeing clearly. On the bike, they also have some solid options that are available with a prescription and non-prescription lenses. We have a pair of prescription sunglasses on the way that will give us a chance to try out prescription lenses on the bike as well.  Check back for that review in the Spring, but for now, the Lockhart will continue to help me see clearly no matter where I am or what I’m doing.

http://www.roka.com