This is a sunglasses review that I held off on writing because, well, they’re Pit Viper. I have nothing against the Utah maker of stoke-forward shades, but it is a vibe. And while I respect the brand’s unapologetically ironic ’80s rockstar motif, I choose my sunglasses based on how well they work, not just how good they look.
And let’s face it, wearing Pit Vipers is at least as much about being seen as what you see. I consider myself a more function-forward spectacle tester. So, I assumed that kept me out of Pit Viper’s target demographic — up until the brand sent me a beautifully packaged pair of “The Limousine” sunglasses a few months back.
Resplendent with its gold wraparound lens, gold frames, and a gold chain — all tucked inside a faux snakeskin box — The Limousine represents the purest elements of Pit Viper, smelted together in unholy alchemy and forged in a fiery pit of giving zero f**ks.
Needless to say, I was impressed. But when I put The Limousine shades on, that bombast and power transferred to me, and I was as dazzled by the view from behind the lens as I was by the reflection it struck in my mirror. I instantly liked these sunglasses.
In short: Don’t let the marketing fool you; Pit Viper can make sunglasses that do more than draw attention. The aptly named Limousine ($120) frames are big and luxurious yet somehow come up just shy of gauche. You don’t have to rip down mountain singletrack in jorts or shotgun Old Style with a fresh mullet perm to pull these off. The Limousine draws just the right amount of dark magic without turning you into a hellraiser.
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- Lenses: Gold mirror (main); Brown fade (bonus)
- Light transmission: 16%, CAT 3 (main); 50%, CAT 1 (bonus)
- Protection: 100% UVA / UVB
- Polarized: Yes
- Snap button lens interchange system:
- Bendable metal nose piece & ear pieces:
- Weight: 45g
Pros
- Perfectly balanced
- Outstanding coverage without frame obstruction
- Absolutely killer vibe
Cons
- Avoid if you don't like gold
- Retainer strap is a little bulky
Pit Viper Limousine Sunglasses Review
Frame
Let’s be clear up front: As much as I like these sunglasses, they’re still Pit Vipers. It takes a wee bit of confidence — or ignorance — to put them on and expect to blend in with the humdrum of humanity. They are tremendously functional but still carry some flourish.
That said, these are not the funfetti-spackled Pit Vipers you might be accustomed to. These are monochromatic gold with sophisticated curved arms and a frameless facade — not the blocky, retro-neon sunglasses a tasseled professional wrestler might wear.
Both ear and nose pads are bendable, so you can dial in the best fit for your face, though mine felt great right out of the box.
Lenses
Once you’re at peace with the doubloon aesthetic, you can don the lens over your eyes and really appreciate what Pit Viper pulled off. From “inside,” the near-frameless design is outstanding. The Cat 3 polarized gray tint is plenty dark, with only 16% light transmission, and shades your eyes with an unbroken veil from top to bottom and side to side.
If the main lens is too dark — or if you really don’t need that much gold — Pit Viper includes a Brown Fade bonus lens. This looks like something out of a ’70s cop show; amber-brown at the top transitions down to near clear at the bottom of the lens. It’s a good option if you plan to wear The Limousine inside at least as much as out.
The lenses swap with dual snaps on either side of the lens. Changing between lenses is easy enough, although it’s a little nerve-wracking to tug on the polycarbonate lens and metal frames. But once you do it a couple of times, you learn how much pressure is needed.
The ‘Other’ Pit Viper
Pit Viper makes glasses for extreme sports (and extreme people). But The Limousine doesn’t quite have the “send it” vibe or feel that its brand-mates do. I hesitate to call The Limousine sunglasses “sophisticated,” but you could wear these to a (fun) wedding without being overtly tacky.
They are not an aviator style, but I would wear them anywhere I’d wear aviator glasses. They have style and class, although I’d wager my Limousines beat out Maverick’s Top Gun shades in every way that matters: more UV protection, more comfort, and more gold.
If you’re hell-bent on being reckless, you can snag a retainer strap to keep these from falling down the mountain (without you). My pair came with a fake gold chain that proved to be too much gold for any sane human being to wear at one time. But the option is there.
Get It, or Don’t
When it’s all said and done, I’m not urging you to go out and pay $120 (technically, $119.69) for these bougie Pit Vipers. What I am telling you is that I really like The Limousine — more than I’ve liked the other Pit Vipers I’ve tried.
They have quality materials and thoughtful construction, and the total package looks great — from both sides of the lens. They are comfortable, shockingly practical, and just gaudy enough to steal a second glance.
