Optic Nerve has, well, a lot of nerve. For bargain prices, they crank out spiffy, functional designs that play well in the ’hood of far pricier shades. A case in point is the Autovaughn. Talk about functional: It’s a snug-fitting wrap with a nonslip nosepiece, temples with subtle but grippy rubber inserts at the tips, and ventilation openings at the corners of the lenses for antifog airflow. That last feature is much appreciated when you’re barely staying afloat on a steep mountain biking gradient; the last thing you want then is a foggy whiteout. All this is delivered in a style that’ll let you hold your head up high on street as well as the trail—no jocky geek factor. The copper lens is a smart choice. It lets in 27% of visible light rays—on the light side, and not what you want for a day traversing the Wapta Icefields in bright sunlight, but fine for shoulder seasons and hikes or runs that dart in and out of the woods. But don’t look to $59 sunglasses for brilliant optical quality. Passable and protective is what you get—and pay for. Eastern Mountain Sports carries the Optic Nerve line: