I’m a big fan of the saying ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’. With that in mind, I’d have to say that the Revo Guide II’s are more of an evolution than a revolution. Maintaining the same great style you expect from Revo, they now use high-contrast, polarized Serilium lenses that are lightweight, shatterproof and constructed from polycarbonate. They incorporate Revo’s SurfacePro Protection System, which is comprised of 3-6 layers of mirror coatings, 5 layers of protective coatings that help reduce intrusive back-surface reflections, a coating that that repels water and sweat, and finally a coating on the front of the lens that repels oil and fingerprints.

Revo quality and style, of course.

Mirror Coatings - 3-6 layers of high-tech performance mirror coatings based on NASA lens technology used for satellite protection
Back-Surface Protection Coating - 5 layers of protective coatings that help reduce intrusive back-surface reflections
Hydrophobic coating - Permanent coating on the back of the lens that repels water and sweat
Oleophobic coating - Permanent coating on the front of the lens that repels oil and fingerprints

• Lenses - High-contrast polarized serilium lenses made of polycarbonate
• Style - Curved fit relative to your face
• Elastomeric Nosepads - Slip-reducing rubber that provides a more secure fit when active
• Revo Light Management System (LMS) - Manages the full spectrum of light, including blue light and high-energy visible (HEV) light. Filters out harmful light, while selectively allowing light that is helpful for vision. All lenses feature Digital Polarized Plus technology for 100% polarization to protect against glare, while still allowing you to view devices, watches, phones, etc.

The new Guide II’s are pretty much the same as the previous version only $10 cheaper (they will run you $189 instead of $199) and a slight design change to the frames. They no longer have the hollowed out section on the arms to make them lighter. They also don’t ship with the retention leash that made them such a staple on my backcountry ski touring missions. The arms on the Guide II’s still have the holes ready to accommodate the leash, but you’ll need to save the old ones, as I couldn't even find any for sale on Revo’s website. It’s a shame as this was one of the features I valued most about the Guide glasses. 

The Guide II Sunglasses come with a new, sleeker carrying case that weighs less and takes up less space in your pack; Two things I can’t get enough of.

On the plus side, the optics clarity of the Bluewater Serilium Lens can’t be beat. The previous lenses in the Guide sunglasses were the Terra version and were a little dark for ski touring on cloudy days. Not so with the Bluewater Serilium Lenses—they provide good contrast on overcast days while still protecting your eyes in the brightest sun.

Overall the new Guide II sunnies are ideal for ski touring because of their wrap around frame design. I only wish they still came with the retention leash as they made a great product even better.