[High Ownership Satisfaction and Ease of Use] Trying Out the JINS x Snow Peak Collaboration Eyewear "JINS Switch Combination Titanium" [Quality Of Camping Life Improvement Committee #001]

Nice to meet you, my name is Saito Chitose. I am a photographer and writer living in Chitose, Hokkaido. I enjoy the outdoors, mainly traveling in a camper van with my family of three, including my two-year-old son, to photograph Hokkaido's stunning scenery and wildlife. At OUTDOOR GEARZINE, we are the "QOCL (Quality of Camping Life) Improvement Committee," and we will be sharing our impressions of camping gear, home appliances, high-tech gadgets, and more

This first one may seem abrupt, but is there an item that you can't do anything without? Some of you may say, "I can't do anything without my smartphone..." but for me, it's my glasses (eyewear). My eyesight has gotten worse recently, and I basically can't do anything without my glasses

Glasses are essential for outdoor activities, especially in Hokkaido, where I live, and even in other places, driving a car is generally necessary. In my case, this means I can't drive at all without glasses. According to " From Planet Vol. 173 <Survey on Glasses Awareness> " by Planet Co., Ltd., which operates an information infrastructure for daily necessities distribution used by over 1,400 companies nationwide, including myself, around 75% of Japanese people wear glasses in some form, so it can be said that glasses are essential for most people when outdoors.

And when driving long distances to outdoor spots, the more sunny the weather is, regardless of the season, the more you'll need eyewear such as sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. In short, whether you have good eyesight or not, eyewear is essential if you're going to enjoy outdoor activities by car. And in my case, as I have poor eyesight, there are many situations where I need prescription sunglasses in addition to my regular glasses, so I keep them in my car when I drive, but because I have another car in addition to my camper van, I often forget to pack them, which can be quite a hassle

I would like to share with you the results of using the second edition of the "JINS x Snow Peak" sunglasses, a collaboration between JINS and Snow Peak, which was released on June 15, 2023, after purchasing them as soon as they were released and using them for about two weeks now

In my case, without my glasses I can't even drive a car, let alone enjoy the outdoors. They are an essential item

Main features of JINS Switch Combination Titanium

The "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" can be used as sunglasses simply by attaching a magnetic plate

The second installment of the "JINS x Snow Peak" sunglasses collaboration between JINS and Snow Peak features 11 styles across 4 series, including two new additions. The new series, "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium," is inspired by Snow Peak's popular titanium mug and features titanium temples and stainless steel fronts for a titanium-inspired look. The "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Day & Night" also comes with interchangeable polarized and high-contrast lens plates, allowing for comfortable vision during the day, whether camping during the day or driving at night. Both offer lenses that maintain a comfortable field of vision while driving, and while I was interested in both, I decided on the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium," which features driving lenses and prescription lenses

Recommended points

• JINS x Snow Peak collaboration model is perfect for outdoor activities
• At JINS stores nationwide, you can receive your prescription lenses on the same day
• Stylish and lightweight titanium and stainless steel frame
• Simply place the drive lens plate over the glasses to use them as sunglasses
• The original case with the Snow Peak logo is the perfect size for everyday use
• The Snow Peak logos placed throughout the product will satisfy your satisfaction

Points of interest

• The actual price is 29,900 yen (tax included), which is quite a good price
• It would be nice if you could choose both driving and polarized lens plates

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed Review

I fell in love at first sight with the excellent design and functionality

The glasses and sunglasses plates of the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" are lined up

This is the second installment of the "JINS x Snow Peak" series, which was just released on June 15, 2023. I'm actually a fan of JINS's functional glasses, which you can get prescription glasses for on the same day at your local Aeon store, and I'm also a big fan of this year's hit product, "JINS SAUNA." I liked it so much that I even posted a review on my blog. If you're interested, check it out here.

For this reason, I closely monitor new JINS products and read press releases. I caught wind of the release of the second collaboration model with Snow Peak in a press release sent to me in early June. Among the materials, the one that caught my eye the most was the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium," which I tested this time. It features a silver matte frame, clear plate, and Drive Day lenses. I honestly thought, "I want these!" Now that I'm using them, I have a few complaints about this lineup. I like the silver matte frame, clear plate, and Drive Day lenses combination, so it's fine. However, if you want polarized gray mirror lenses, the only option is the gunmetal matte frame with a matte black plate. It would have been nice if there were options like a clear plate with polarized gray mirror or a matte black plate with Drive Day lenses. I would also have liked the option to purchase the frame, plate, and lens combinations of my choice. Furthermore, it would be nice if there was an option to combine the glasses with two plates, which would give more variety..

The delicate metal frame design that is unique to titanium, and the stylish impression that doesn't look bulky even when plates are stacked, are wonderful, so wouldn't it be nice to have more freedom of choice?

JINS stores also offer eye exams and allow you to receive prescription glasses on the same day

The beautifully designed "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" lenses can generally be adjusted in-store on the same day

The "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" is based on a series called JINS Switch, and is designed so that it can also be used as sunglasses by attaching a magnetic plate to the front of the glasses. What's great for people who wear glasses like me is that since they are attached over prescription glasses, you can see things with the same vision as when wearing glasses. Until now, I had to carry a separate pair of prescription sunglasses for driving in my car in addition to my regular glasses, but this will no longer be necessary

The market price for the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" is 29,900 yen, but this includes the cost of prescription lenses, and unless you select optional lenses at a nearby JINS store, you can receive your prescription glasses on the spot. In my case, there is a physical JINS store within walking distance at Aeon, so it's really convenient

At physical stores, you can get your eyesight tested and have your lenses adjusted to make things clearer in the distance or easier to see close up. For an additional fee, you can also choose optional lenses like progressive lenses. After my eyesight test, I was advised that progressive lenses might be more comfortable for me. The professional vision tests, adjustments, and advice available at physical stores are a major benefit of the JINS brand, rather than Snow Peak alone

This time, I decided to forgo progressive lenses and went for standard lenses, with adjustments that emphasized distance visibility over my previous glasses, to improve comfort while driving. Even so, the wait time to receive the adjusted lenses was only about 30 minutes. When you consider all of this service, the actual price of 29,900 yen for the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" doesn't seem expensive at all

I actually drove over 500km round trip to Hakodate

The plate for turning the glasses into sunglasses is easy to attach and detach using a magnet. It's easy to attach and detach, but it rarely comes off accidentally

I've been using the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" since the day I had my prescription lenses replaced, and when I wear them, the frame and lenses with the adjusted lenses weigh just 18g (actual measurement), which is quite light, so they're very comfortable to wear as everyday glasses. Also, when I had my diopter adjusted at the store, they made some fine adjustments to the frame, so they don't slip off easily and I can wear them comfortably. Furthermore, I chose the Drive Day lenses, and the plate weighs just 9g (actual measurement), so even with the plate attached, the total weight is only about 27g, even in sunglasses style. They're about the same weight as regular glasses, so even with the plate attached, they feel completely comfortable to wear

I drive almost every day to take my son to and from daycare and my wife to work, so naturally, I wear the JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium. I thought I'd share my impressions of a long drive that varied by time of day, so I went to a hot spring in Yunokawa, Hakodate City, about 250km from Chitose. After work, my wife and I caught up with our son from daycare a little after 4:00 PM. Since the sun doesn't set in Hokkaido until after 7:00 PM this time of year, we kept the Drive Day plates on until around 7:00 PM. The weather was beautiful that day, and the sunset's rays made driving difficult. However, the Drive Day plates, optimized for daytime driving, ensured a very comfortable view. Incidentally, I frequently removed and attached the plates to check the difference in appearance with and without them, and only dropped them once during a roughly five-hour drive. Since they're magnetic, I was worried they might accidentally fall off, but they never fell off even when attached. Only once did they come off when my fingers hit them at a critical angle while attaching or removing them. I can use it with a lot of confidence. It not only reduces the strong light during the day, but also the low-angle sunlight such as at sunset, so it was useful for me when driving at sunrise and sunset

Also, after the sun goes down, you can just remove the plate and it becomes just regular glasses, so you don't have to carry both prescription sunglasses and glasses, which is a great thing. On the way there, I drove from 4pm to 9pm, from early evening to night. On the way back, I drove from 11am to 4pm, during the daytime when the sun was strong, and both times I was able to drive comfortably

I also find it a little embarrassing to go into a convenience store or similar place wearing sunglasses, so the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" is very convenient as it turns into regular glasses just by removing the plate

The JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium is more than enough to serve the dual purposes of glasses and sunglasses when driving

The included Snow Peak logo sacoche and selito are also pretty nice

The "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" set includes the glasses, a plate, a cleaning cloth, and a case

The "JINS x Snow Peak" collection, including the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium," comes with a Snow Peak logo cleaning cloth (eyeglass cleaning cloth) and a sacoche (case). The cleaning cloth is approximately 14 x 14 cm and has a large "snow peak" logo written diagonally in the center. This also increases the satisfaction of owning the glasses, but what I particularly like is the sacoche (case)

This is an original case for carrying sunglasses, but the one that comes with the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" is approximately 95 x 58 x 185mm in size, which is quite wide enough to fit just the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" and also comes with a shoulder strap with a carabiner. It's perfect for wearing over the shoulder as a small sacoche. What's more, it also features the "snow peak" logo

I carry my bifold wallet, my car keys with the remote controller, and the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" as my everyday glasses. I store my Drive Day lens plate and cleaning cloth in it when I'm not using it. It's a little tight, but I can also fit an iPhone 8 Plus. I also use a glasses case (sacoche) every day because it keeps all the essentials together when I go out. I've never used a case that comes with glasses before, so I feel like I've gotten a great deal. Even the cheapest Snow Peak sacoche costs nearly 5,000 yen, so this is a real bargain. Being petite, I like this special, smaller Snow Peak sacoche because it's not available in the regular lineup. I definitely recommend giving it a try

It's nice that it can fit a bifold wallet, car keys, plates, and even an iPhone if you want

Summary: JINS x Snow Peak eyewear is highly recommended for both outdoor and everyday use

The Snow Peak logo on the edge of the titanium temples also adds to the satisfaction of owning the glasses

Snow Peak is one of the most popular outdoor brands, but if the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium" wasn't a collaboration model with JINS, I probably wouldn't have been particularly interested. Considering the hassle of adjusting the diopter of the lenses, fine-tuning the frames, and replacing the lenses when the prescription gets too weak, Snow Peak eyewear alone would have seemed like a product for a select few with dozens of direct retail stores nationwide, and I probably wouldn't have wanted them. However, the story is completely different when it comes to collaboration models with JINS. With over 700 JINS stores worldwide and over 450 in Japan, you can confidently adjust your diopter and fine-tune the frames at your local JINS store upon purchase. Even for me, who lives in the regional city of Chitose, Hokkaido, there's a JINS store within walking distance, so I can rest assured about the after-sales service that's unique to eyewear. I think this is a huge advantage

Furthermore, the high-end model of "JINS x Snow Peak," "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium," features the "snow peak" logo within the titanium frame, making it a highly satisfying product to own. For those who wear glasses, these glasses are essential when enjoying the outdoors, but with the addition of a plate they can also be used as sunglasses, and the double name with Snow Peak makes them highly satisfying as outdoor gear. What's more, they can be used at JINS, which has many physical stores across the country, making them a highly satisfying, convenient, and practical piece of outdoor eyewear. Highly recommended

By the way, the actual price of the "JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Flip Up" is 19,900 yen (including prescription lenses), so why not try them out for yourself at your nearest JINS?

Details and purchase of the JINS x Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium

For more product details, please see JINS×Snow Peak JINS Switch Combination Titanium

Chitose Saito

A former editor of a monthly camera magazine, he became immersed in the outdoor lifestyle of campervans and car camping while pursuing Hokkaido's spectacular scenery and wildlife. He is currently a photographer and writer who travels all over Hokkaido with his wife and two-year-old son, capturing and writing about everything he experiences, from cameras and lenses to outdoor activities, camping, child-rearing, PC gadgets, cooking, and even dieting. For OUTDOOR GEARZINE, he plans to write a variety of articles, primarily for the "QOCL (Quality of camping life) Improvement Committee," which aims to improve the quality of life while camping and in a campervan

Boro Photo Blog

   

Related reading

[Free Shipping, Actual Price Under ¥30,000] Tansu Gen's "Spot Air Conditioner QL03" is a huge hit in our summers, providing serious cooling in both campervans and at home. [Quality of Camping Life Improvement Committee #002]

ALTRA LONE PEAK 9+ Review: The brand's flagship trail running shoe gets a complete redesign with Vibram® MegaGrip technology! [Hands-on Review]

Review: SALOMON XA ELEVATE + OUT PEAK 20 - A reliable companion for speed hikers who want to ride through rough terrain and steep slopes!

NESTOUT's open-ear wearable speaker, the SPEAKER-1, is surprisingly comfortable enough to wear all day, even when running through the snow