Rudy Hypermask durability?
 

I'm a fan of Rudy Project having come from many years of Oakley M frame ownership. I currently own two pairs of Rudy Sportmask sunglasses and have one pair sent back to Rudy for the $24.95 warranty lens replacement as I write this...another temple broke off on my second pair of Sportmask. As Dr. Pete mentioned a couple of years back, these are outstanding sunglasses which are 'fragile'. Both pair of mine have broken and I am careful with my stuff. Unavoidable in other words. Why the Sportmask? Because its rimless (and hence fragile) and it has the best vision in the drops of any glasses I have ridden minimizing neck extension...neck soreness being my Achilles heel btw. So I don't have the run as much neck bend as say compared to Oakleys which have a top frame that blocks some vision up top when in the drops if that makes sense.

All that said, enter the pricey Rudy Hypermask which looks like the brother of and is the replacement to the Sportmask. I asked the Rudy rep on the phone today if the Hypermask is more durable than the now discontinued Sportmask and he said the temple was redesigned and is stronger . He said compared to the Sportmask, he hasn't had as many returns.

So my question to the 41 is, understanding likely very few ride the Hypermask, what is your experience? Any breakage?
Thanks

Sorry, Campag, can't help you. Since I've yet to break my admittedly fragile-feeling Sportmask after 3 years, I've not yet to moved to the Hypermask. FWIW, I like the Sportmask for the same reason you do... plus the fact that they offer the most wind protection for my LASIK repaired eyes.

In July 2012 I had a crash that resulted in 13 stitches in my chin, a torn labrum and only minor scratches on my Hypermask. They're much more durable than the Sportmask.

That said, I picked up some Smith Pivlock V2 cheap on chainlove not too long ago. Very similar and also good quality.

Haven't had any issues with my Hypermask. The lens are great. The frame is very lightweight and feels fragile but no major issues. My only complaint is nowhere near as grippy on your face as say Oakley. They tend to slide down a bit under hard effort (perspiring). Otherwise, one of my favorite pairs to wear.

Good to know yours haven't broken after 3 years. My new lens/replaced Sportmasks haven't re-broken and am waiting for return of 2nd pair which will hopefully outlive the first. Since the Sportmask has been out of production now for a while, Rudy is running out of replacement lenses for that model. This pair that broke was the silver color polarized grey lens they no longer carry. Rudy, based upon their $24.95 replacement lens policy, is sending me completely new sunglasses with black temples and racing red lens, the red lens really helps my aging eyes distinguish contrast and yet still maintain ample darkening on a bright day and of course better in flatter more cloudy light.. In fact for cycling which is all I wear these for aside from occasional trips to the beach, the racing red lens is really better than the polarized grey lens so I am good with it.
Thanks.

Sorry to learn of your crash...something we all have to contend with at some point in this sport it seems.
I appreciate the heads up about the durability of your Hypermask. Kind of begs the question why the Hypermask came to be. My guess is the Hypermask was created to replace the Sportmask because the temple of the Sportmask was under designed and prone to failure and Rudy saw a lot of returns. The Hypermask for all intents is almost identical to the Sportmask but with different temple connection between lens and side arm(s).
Will say this. The Hypermask are very expensive sunglasses but likely the best thing on the market for cycling.

A quick question about the Smith Pivlock V2 which does look like a close cousin to the Sportmask having the same benefit of vision with a low head position. Is the nose piece adjustable as with the Sportmask/Hypermask or is the nose piece of the Smith simply a molded rubber piece without a metal core like Rudys and therefore can't be adjusted?

Thanks

Surprised they slide down. Will give you a tip. The nose piece on of the Hypermask is likely the same design as the Sportmask....rubber molded over an inner metal insert. This gives the nose piece tremendous adjustment and memory which to me is really what separates the Rudy from Oakley, Oakley being just a solid rubber nose piece that can't be adjusted. Based upon the bridge of your nose and all of ours are different, sometimes radically, you should be able to get the Hypermask to stay put if you adjust the nose piece. You have many options. If you turn in the two lower tabs of the nosepiece they will dig more into the side of your nose and create a more solid connection.
Since I don't like the feel of doing this, I do something a bit different. I turn out the extreme bottom of the nose bridge but keep the upper part of the inverted U a bit closer together. This reduces any digging of the ends of the nose piece and yet creates a solid connection. Again, the nose piece has great adjustability to keep your Hypermask in place. You may want to experiment a bit.
Thanks for your input.
PS: a further tip about adjusting the nose piece. The best technique is with a pair of needle nose pliers. Grasp the side of the nose piece you want to bend with the pliers 'next to where you want to bend it' and then use your index finger to bend the nose piece to desired shape. This takes all stress off the nose piece to lens connection which you don't want to disrupt. HTH.

Thanks for the advice. It took a while to respond since I had to try them out. Much better fit now. Thanks for the advice. I have to say that these are a favorite (or one of my favorites). I love the clarity of the lenses. Super clear and not so dark. Great for those winter rides or low lighting rides such as dawn or sunset and yet still good enough for a summer day too. Since they are super light, the weight never bothers my nose. And now that I've resolved the sliding issue. We're good to go! Thanks again.