ActiveDim Pioneer Sunglasses Review

Photochromic sunglasses are rare and often expensive. Add polarization to that mix, and you have a true unicorn—a combination few brands offer, and usually at a premium price.

ActiveDim, however, has managed to include both features in all of their models, and at a surprisingly accessible price point. This raises the key questions: How do they compare to more established brands? And does the budget price signal lower quality?

ActiveDim Pioneer Sunglasses

ActiveDim may not be a household name, but they got my attention during my extensive search for photochromic polarized lenses, a quest that led me through dozens of manufacturers’ websites.

The Pioneers are wayfarer style, with medium-sized lenses, metal frame, and slightly wrapped arms. The lenses are photochromic, changing tint with the light, as well as polarized.

First some quick pros and cons, specs and then into the review.

Specs

Photochromic

The Pioneer’s are photochromic, so UV light will trigger the crystals to align, darkening the tint. With no UV they start quite light, good for cloudy days or around sunset. While the exact VLT numbers aren’t published, the range likely spans Category 1 (light tint) to Category 3 (dark tint).

When exposed to UV light they darken, reducing the light coming in. They don’t darken drastically but enough to cut the light from a sunny day. For extreme brightness on snow or water, I’d pick a darker lens but for all-around use driving, hiking, fishing and camping the VLT range on these work well.

The change is fairly quick, under a minute. They seem to change faster in higher UV. The chemicals in photochromic lenses are usually sensitive to UV light.

During testing in over 35° C weather, the heat noticeably limited the maximum darkness—a known effect for most photochromic lenses. They darkened about half as much as they did in cooler conditions. Below that threshold, however, they performed as expected.

Polarized

Photochromic sunglasses with polarization are my dream sunglasses. They cut the glare on the water and snow, or driving after it rains. It makes it easier to see through the water and around high glare in general. Without things glowing with reflected light, you’ll see better color and definition.

The polarization performs well, effectively cutting glare off water and wet pavement. A minor critique is that they seem to give a slight blue tinge to wet objects, which slightly alters color perception.

Comfort

Comfort is a major strength. At just 27 grams, these are extremely light, making them easy to forget you’re wearing them. The silicone touchpoints are grippy but not grabby. The spring hinges open when you put them on but don’t grab your head too tight. They stay in place well moving around.

The frames are constructed from an aluminum and magnesium alloy, balanced by soft silicone touchpoints on the nose-pieces and the backs of the arms.

The downside to the metal is the frames can get very warm when left out in hot sun. The metal doesn’t touch your skin when wearing them though, only silicone.

Final Thoughts

For a surprisingly lightweight pair of sunglasses offering both polarized AND photochromic lenses, the ActiveDim Pioneers are an exceptional value. The metal frames with silicone are very light and comfortable.

They’re less for going hard running or riding but they work well for everything else. They stayed on no problem but the smaller lenses and wayfarer style were less suited to those activities.

The lenses start at category 1 so you can wear them sunrise to sunset outside. For long days on the snow or water, you might want a darker lens but the more tinted end of the lens is still plenty for bright days.

It’s rare to find polarized and photochromic lenses together. The ActiveDim Pioneer is the first I’ve ever seen at this price.

Price: $86 (normally $143)