Koo Open Cube Glasses Review

Koo eyewear is created by helmet brand Kask. Made in Italy, the Koo Open Cube are comfortable, functional, and offer excellent optical quality. It’s hard to do without them on the road.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: 3bikes.fr

Because pairing eyewear with a helmet makes sense in terms of both fit and aesthetics, Kask entered this highly competitive market with its Koo brand a few months ago. The range expanded in 2018 with three new models, two of which are dedicated to cycling, following the initial release of the Open when the brand launched. The Open Cube tested today incorporate most of the Open’s features, while abandoning the full frame around the lenses. This benefits the look, which we find more discreet and less “bulky” on smaller faces. Note that the Koo Open Cube are available in 12 colors, and in two widths, with specific dimensions called Asian Fit available on request. It’s a shame, however, that when paired with the Kask Protone, the objective isn’t fully met. Excellent in many areas (ventilation, comfort, finish), the Protone has an occipital retention system that wraps behind the ears and can conflict with the eyewear temples. Fortunately, these are of a perfectly classic length and completely flat, which ultimately proves to be not very bothersome while riding.

Zeiss Lenses

In addition to the choice of colors, the Open Cube come in a beautifully crafted box, with a frame and two interchangeable Zeiss lenses, which is a guarantee of quality.

Let’s emphasize the importance of lenses for sports eyewear that comply with European standards, which not only protect the eyes from UV rays, but also protect in case of a fall by bending rather than breaking. At a time when many counterfeits are circulating, this precision is not useless. The first lens, category 2, protects against UV while offering fairly clear visibility even when passing through shaded areas, with a light transmission of 21%.

The second, transparent, allows 85% of light to pass through. They are very easily interchangeable, even at the last minute before a ride, and there’s no need to struggle to find the right position on the eyewear frame.

The same goes for the nose pad, which clips and unclips easily from the single lens, but without lacking retention once in place. The Koo Open Cube are also supplied with two interchangeable nose pads, each of which can be placed in two positions, to bring the lens closer to or further from the face. Both are designed to raise the eyewear more or less once placed on the nose.

The originality of Koo Open Cube eyewear

Like the Open, the Open Cube are stored using a system of rotating temples. This particularity allows, thanks to three notch positions, to tilt the lens more or less relative to the face, for example to limit the appearance of fog, or to limit sweat inside the lens. However, even when used in fog or with a high degree of humidity, the Open Cube prevent fogging, thanks to the vents between the lens and the frame. These vents even create a slight draft that is slightly surprising during early morning starts.

In use

While riding, the Koo Open Cube are completely forgotten, despite the slight conflict of the temples with the helmet straps and the fact that they don’t feel tight on the face, which might lead one to fear that they would always need readjusting. But in reality, the silicone inside the flat temples and the rubber of the nose pad are enough to keep them perfectly in place, even in a full sprint or when turning your head to chat with riding companions. Only a light drizzle can be unpleasant on the lens, but that’s the case with all eyewear. Visibility is perfect, even with tinted lenses and in gloomy conditions. The transition between full sun and shaded areas doesn’t pose the slightest problem, as is the case with some lenses. The lenses don’t seem excessively sensitive to scratches, in addition to covering the eyes well. Finally, the absence of a frame under the lenses improves visibility compared to the Open. The Open Cube are therefore truly light, comfortable, well-finished eyewear with good features to ensure practicality and durability. Not cheap, they are nevertheless delivered with a nice box and two lenses.

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