Submitted by
body electric
a Weekend Warrior
from spokane
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008
Strengths: durability coolness and there oldschool with new school attitdue. (talking Ravens and Hotcakes)
Weaknesses: there discontinued.
Bottom Line:
I purchased Ravens and Hotcakes back in 1998 and have used these sunglasses for the last 10 years. I wore em' riding, golfing, swimming, hiking, boarding, skating, running and fu**ing. hehe
anyway on the 10th anniversary of these shades lasting me this long I found the coveted silver frame Arnette Ravens on eBay and the clear Hotcakes as well. I will never buy any other because of the unique style of these shades. You look at all the trendy sunglasses now and they all want to look like these classics. Arnet (before they were Arnette) started the trend of the white, black and silver frames with dark lenses in 1994. I stick with what I know and I'm sure there are cooler and better shades out there but everytime I wear these people aske me what kind of shades are those and get the most complements.
there timeless like Ray Ban Wayfares and aviators.
peace.
Strengths: Looks, changability of lenses, optional brow pad
Weaknesses: none.
Bottom Line:
Buy these glasses, especially if you can find them cheap like I did. The best part about these glasses (besides their looks) are the option snap on brow pad - great for absorbing sweat. I use the gray lenses and they are great during the day. SHould I be night riding I pop them out, and pop in clear lenses that I bought for $19.00. Arnette makes solid sunglasses - I have 4 pairs including my snowboard goggles. And their warranty dept. is excellent should you have any problems. BUY ARNETTE!!
Strengths: Comfy, nice interchangeable lenses, stay on when it gets rough.
Weaknesses: The arms have a tendancy to break off - plastic hinge
Bottom Line:
These really were a greta pair of sunnies. Pity they are broken (went through two pairs with same breakage), as they are now unavailable in Oz. Anyone know where I can get my hands on a new pair?
Strengths: a very strong frame, and lenses, that if ver scratched, the scratch is minute to the wearer, and the 'viewer'
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
the company is great, and i've had the pleasure of knowing several sponsored riders over the years. That doesnt affect my decision, since i got them when they just started to go mainstream. They fit well, look terific, and are perfect to ride in. they were designed for the rider's ride, and for the rider's persona. Above all, they represent a great company that looks oout for their clients, and that builds a great pair of sunglasses
Favorite Trail: i freeride mx, and dirt jump/street ride bikes
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Similar Products Used: DSO, oakley
Bike Setup: kx 250 dirt bike mongoose, gt, and haro bicycles
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Diogo Ferreira
a Cross Country Rider
from Lisbon,Portugal
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2000
Strengths: tough stick to your head in any condition
Weaknesses: things get a little too dark after sunset
Bottom Line:
i bought a pair of silver catfish. they'r my first ones so i can´t compare them to others. i usualyy don´t like glasses but the lack of them cost me a fall so i decided to buy a pair. i bought them for a little more than a month and i use them almost every day. they'r just great. i strongly recommend arnettes catfish to any biker. i don´t know about the other but this ones stick to your head and have great lenses. there's a considerable loss of visibility at night but i don´t usually ride much at that kind of hours.
Excellent pair of glasses. The lenses are easily removable and can be done w/o scratching the lenses (a la Smiths). I like the fact that the earpieces can be molded and bent to the shape and comfort of your head. My glasses came with 2 sets of lenses (brown and orange) for only $60. The Arnettes also don't have that lame ass mechanism where you have to slide your lens out (a la Smiths) which looks really dumb (I can say that because I use to own a pair of Smiths). I give it 5 chilis!
Similar Products Used: Oakley Sub-Zeroes, Smith Sliders
Bike Setup: Steel Univega, JUDY XC w/ Englund TAC, full XT
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tai Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from ABQ,NM
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1999
Strengths: Stylin', Light, not too expensive, interchangeable lenses
Weaknesses: sit too close to my face and fog up, optics are inferior to Oakleys, service stinks,
Bottom Line:
I got them cus the just looked so damn nice...but once I started putting in long rides in them especially in winter...they would fog up cus they sit on my face too close (I'm Asian...small nose bridge)...then my ex stepped on them...they broke...had to pay to get them replaced...took forever to get them back... optics are significantly inferior to Oakley's..I'd say for the money Oakley is still one of best for optics and overall quality...even if they don't have any hip appeal whatsoever... nice glasses overall...but not the fattest sheep in the flock...
Strengths: great fit great looks interchangeable lenses anti-fog
Weaknesses: customer service
Bottom Line:
broke a pair snowboarding then broke a second pair in a freak accident,but thats not the problem the problem is their customer service dept. after leaving 5 voicemails(unable to get a real person)i get a call back(two weeks after)and in the meantime i had worn them withone arm missing and i lost them so i they call back ask if i have a return and i said i did but dont have anything to return now they said we dont sell to the public and i should go to a store and buy some more!!!first of all, im in the industry and was WILLING to buy another pair thur them and they wouldnt even listen to me. in short, the glasses are great,but if they break you are SOL!!!
Submitted by
John
a Cross-Country Rider
from Glen Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1999
Strengths: ~Super Strong ~Look Awesome ~If you're lucky, you're the only one that has them ~They score chicks ~Cheaper than most
Weaknesses: None really, interchangable lenses would be nice.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that Arnette makes the dopest glass on the planet. For starters, just look at the logo, it's awesome. I've had a pair of Ravens for 2 years now, I've RAN OVER them twice on my bike, and dropped them numerous times and not a scratch anywhere. I just bought A pair of Swingers from my friend today, mint condition. I haven't gone for any rides with them yet, but as far as scoring chicks, the swingers have that covered. Bottom line... ...Don't shave your legs, wear Arnettes and FOX racing gear, ride hard, and eat whatever you feel like.
Similar Products Used: ~Smith Buzzsaw (also rad, but way too expensive) ~Various other smiths and oakleys
Bike Setup: '99 Trek 8500, Full XT drivetrain, Judy 100, Hayes front and rear hydros.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan R. Kong
a Weekend Warrior
from Madera California
Date Reviewed: August 9, 1999
Strengths: Today's August 9th and it was the happiest day of my life. I finally got my pair of Arnette Swingers (Copper/Gray lens). These shades are the best there is and the best there ever will be, they are very light and they fit me perfectly.
Weaknesses: Weaknesses, yeah right
Bottom Line:
Whats the bottom Line ? Arnette Swingers the best cause Stone DAN Steve Austin says so.
Similar Products Used: don't need to try any others, Oakleys, Ray Ban, and other name brands are no match to Arnettes. ARNETTES the best.
Bike Setup: Im a Bodybuilder and when I workout at an outside gym they keep the sun from hurting my eyes and they look so cool while your lifting weights.
While riding, I broke the ear piece of my Arnette Swinger sunglasses. So I called Arnette in California, and they told me that they have never, can't ever, and won't ever sell replacement parts. They told me that I have to buy new sunglasses! They won't let me buy a simple earpiece to a great pair of sunglasses! All I can say is that Arnette turned some great shades into a really crappy investment. Looks like I'm buying another supermarket pair!
