Review: Gunnar’s Borderlands 4 Ripper eyeglasses have style to go with comfort

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Gunnar is no stranger to collaborations. The eyewear company has created glasses tied to “Call of Duty,” “Overwatch” and “The Witcher.” Its a brand that has become synonymous with gaming because of its eye-strain claims and other features that have made it popular with esports competitors.

The company’s latest team up features “Borderlands 4,” the shooter from Gearbox Software. It focuses on two iconic characters — the Psycho, a generic enemy who appears on all the series’ covers — and Mad Moxxi, a recurring character established in the first entry. I had a chance to review the Ripper, which pulls details from the Pyscho and brings it to life in the eyewear.

The material is made from a lightweight polymer that sits easily on the bridge of the nose without budging. It’s surprisingly comfortable. Like other Gunnar glasses, the lenses fog up at times, creating a distraction, but it goes away after some adjustments.

As for the glasses lenses, it comes with amber or sunglass lenses. The review unit I had featured the amber, which is meant for computer work, reading or data entry. Gunnar says its glass and design help protect eyes through two ways. The high-wrap lenses trap humidity and block drying air currents. It’s supposed to prevent dry eyes. The second is that its amber lenses block blue light, which is blamed on digital eye strain, though the science about it is unclear. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has clarification on the matter, citing dry eyes as a factor but discounting blue light as a cause for eye strain.

From my use, the Borderlands 4 Ripper glasses do a good job keeping moisture around the eyes based on the aforementioned issue. It’s comfortable enough that I don’t mind wearing it when gaming or doing work. I like the slight dimming and the increased when I use it on a bright monitor. Personally, it didn’t hurt performance.

What I liked more was the design of these glasses compared to other from Gunnar. It echoes the comic book art-style that’s the hallmark of the video game series. If gamers use them on stream, the bold colors and outlines would make them stand out. It shouts I’m a “Borderlands” fan.

And that’s who these specs are made for. It’s a nice addition for those who love the franchise and believe in the science behind the glasses.

Borderlands 4 Ripper

2½ stars out of 4

Manufacturer: Gunnar

Price: $74