WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE COAST OPTICS NITA 2 GLASSES
The Coast Optics Nita 2 and Nita XL glasses are the second generation of glasses to hit the market from the BC-based brand. They are designed to offer an expanded field of vision, with the XL model boosting this by a further 10mm over the Nita 2 we tested.
Key points Coast Optics sought to deliver with the Nita 2 and XL glasses were excellent anti-fog performance and a rock-solid fit. The eco-friendly Bio-TR90 frame is given an extended rubber grip portion on the temple tips and Ultra Grip nose piece to help keep them in place. The Nita 2 has a 60mm lens height and 138mm frame width, while the Nita XL increases to 70mm lens height and 140mm frame width. The arms are 120mm long on both models.
There’s a solid lineup of lens options: Clear, Pink Crystal, Black Sun, Gold Sun, and Photochromatic. Each is tailored for different light conditions, with the Photochromatic covering Filter Cat 0 (VLT 83%) to Filter Cat 3 (VLT 15%). These interchangeable lenses are given anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings, and offer 100% UV protection.
In the box with the Nita 2 and Nita XL is your chosen lens (plus a spare clear one if you don’t opt for photochromatic), and a recycled microfiber glasses bag. The commitment to sustainability is clear with the plastic-free packaging and some bio materials used in the glasses. Once the eyewear has reached the end of its life, they encourage the return of their old or broken products to Coast Optics HQ for recycling.
The Coast Optics Nita 2 and Nita XL begin at $85.95 / £60 / €69.95 with the clear lens, retail at $108.95 / £77 / €87.95 with one of the tint lenses, and top out at $125.95 / £88 / €100.95 with the Photochromatic lens, tested.
THE DIRT
Fit, Vision and Durability. These are the three elements I consider most important when testing mountain bike eyewear, and three categories where the Coast Optics Nita 2 glasses performed well. Fit is subjective of course, but the flexibility of the frame; generous temple grippers and adaptable nose piece help to ensure they are going to fit a variety of faces. I did have issues with fouling on one trail helmet, but the Nita 2 glasses weren’t the only ones to suffer the same fate. On another 6 open face helmets, there were no such issues.
I’m a fan of larger glasses, so it’s a shame I wasn’t provided with the Nita XL model to test, as I think they could have elevated my experience further. But even so, the Nita 2 offered solid coverage and fitment for my medium sized head (based on helmet measurement, not ego).
With “Optics” in their name, you would hope that they would fit a lens with stellar clarity. As far as my eyes could tell, Coast Optics has done exactly this with everything from the clear lens through the Pink tint to the Photochromatic. I was initially surprised when I mistakenly fitted the Photochromatic instead of a clear lens on a particularly bleak day. It took me until the next morning to realize they had tinted when the sun appeared. While this doesn’t paint me in the most observant light, it does highlight the ability of the Photochromatic lens to go fully clear in darker conditions, which is a trait my densely wooded local trails demand.
One challenge that many glasses are unable to overcome is fogging on the most humid and sweaty days. A wet Scottish summer day has a special ability to condense moisture onto a goggle or glasses lens, especially when you throw a sweaty face into the mix, and there was one day during testing where the Nita 2 and Photochromatic lens just couldn’t hack it. Riding alongside Smith and Oakley-wearing riders who were struggling just as bad, it was perhaps just a day where no rider could expect clear vision.
Over the summer I’ve found myself reaching for the Coast Optics Nita 2 glasses with Photochromatic lenses more than anything else in my eyewear collection, and they continue to adorn my face for the majority of rides without giving me any reason to complain. At their comparably reasonable price and with their environmental credentials, it’s hard not to recommend supporting the two dudes at Coast Optics in their fight against the big dogs.
The Wolf’s Last Word
The Coast Optics Nita 2 glasses offer good vision and comfort at comparably reasonable pricing. With their eco credentials and solid performance, they make for a solid buy, and you can feel good about supporting a small operation with good intentions. 
Price: $85.95 / £60 / €69.95 (Clear Lens) – $125.95 / £88 / €100.95 (Photochromatic)
Website: coastoptics.ca
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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