These are the most expensive sunglasses I've ever worn!  Are they worth the exorbitant price?  After several years of using sunglasses that cost anywhere from 20% - 25% as much, I'm not so sure they are.  But if you have an unlimited budget, want the lightest glasses with the best optics available that go from light to dark in an instant, then you may just need a pair. 

Specialized describes the Arc’s as follows:

(1) “Ultra lightweight design sets a new standard at under 17 grams” – I agree, their hyper-light weight allows them to simply disappear from your consciousness.  You’re only reminded of their existence when either the sun goes down or sweat drips on the lenses.  If you’re a heavy sweater, there is no frame to help divert sweat from the lenses.

(2) “Exclusive Specialized Adaptalite™ Lens (“Road” formula) adjusts to existing light conditions” – This is my favorite aspect of the glasses.  The lens changes from light to dark imperceptibly.  Since I generally ride in the morning, often starting before dawn, I don’t like to wear dark lenses until several hours after daybreak.  Therefore, I typically ride in light/medium shaded lenses.  With the Arc’s, you have one set of lenses that adapt to all lighting conditions except nighttime/pre-dawn.  Moreover, the optical clarity is without equal.  I used them once during a late afternoon ride on a 1.5 mile looping course part of which had me riding straight into a setting sun.  I had no problem looking straight ahead and I could see without any perceptible glare.

(3) “NXT™ lens material is more shatterproof and lightweight than Polycarbonate” – These glasses are easier to knock off your head than most so I hope this is true.  I knocked them off once while removing a t-shirt and they fell on the pavement without scratching the lenses.

(4) “NXT™ Adaptalite™ lens in a “shield” construction for the first time” – I don’t really know the significance of this other than it allows Specialized to eliminate the frame.

(5) “Non folding Titanium temples for cutting edge styling and performance” - This is the most polarizing aspect of the glasses.  One negative is that they are easier to inadvertently knock off.  As long as you’re riding, though, they stay in place even when looking straight down.  Another negative is that you cannot fold the temples to keep them in a jersey pocket.  On the positive side, though, since the temples are curved like your neck and non-folding, you can move them to the back of your neck and back to your face without them inadvertently folding during the process.  When racing with glasses that become blurred due to sweat or rain, it’s very disconcerting to try to quickly move them to the back of your neck only to have one of the temples fold in the process.  Then you have to open the temples and try again while riding.  This convenience alone is worth the price of admission for me at least when participating in bike races or draft legal triathlons.  Another positive is that they ride on the back of your neck (a popular place for cyclists to keep their glasses) better than any pair I’ve used.

(6) “Molded Megol nosepiece and ear tabs hold comfortably” – They are indeed very comfortable.

(7) “Includes Specialized hard case for safe storage when not in use” – The hard case is first class, but because the temples don’t fold, it requires more storage space than typical cases.

(8) “Available in two sizes for a variety of riders” – I used the small size and thought they fit like other sunglasses made for smaller faces.

The primary purpose of TgR is to help you avoid buying products that are not appropriate for your purposes or may be otherwise unsatisfactory.  While I will continue to use the Arc’s, I hesitate to recommend them to others solely due to their exorbitant price.  Sunglasses, particularly those used for cycling, have a notoriously short lifespan due to the active nature of their use, exposure to sweat, having to travel with lots of other gear from event to event, etc.  Since you can buy perfectly good sunglasses with interchangeable lenses for $50 - $60, the Arc’s, at $230, are only for those who need the unique characteristics they offer and/or don’t have anything better to spend the $150 dollars on that they would save buying a different pair.

KDG