Chums Retainers Review
~Leesa J
I’ve had the opportunity to use a few different Chums products over the last few months. These include the Floating Neo, Chumbuoy Uni Float and the Classic Neoprene.
I’ve used the Chums retainers while hiking, paddling and snowshoeing. Each products has its own merits, but as a group I can say that they have performed as advertised, without any issues.
A nice, small and very useful necessity! (photo www.chums.com)
I’ve used the Chumbuoy Uni Float while paddling . Thankfully my sunglasses didn’t go overboard and neither did I. I do prefer to stay inside the kayak or canoe while on the water. I did try putting them in shallow water to see how well they floated, and I was happy to see they floated. The orangish-red float stayed on top of the water, and were easy to spot. I think this could come in very handy, if they ever went overboard in deep or rougher water. Made of closed cell foam, the Float is flexible. Something I noticed that hadn’t occurred to me – they stayed dry. I shook off the water and found that the Chumbuoy Uni Float hadn’t absorbed any. If they had, I would assume they would lose their buoyancy. Of course, my sunglasses got wet, but the float stayed dry. So when I put them back on, I didn’t end up with water dripping down my back. The float slides over the ends of my lanyard, turning it into a sunglass pfd. Easy to use, small enough to stuff in a pocket (or leave in the dry well of my kayak so I don’t forget it) and a really handy necessity. I look forward to using it for a long time to come.
Sunglasses held in place by Chumbuoy and hidden by the Buff
The Floating Neo has also also been used while paddling, and more recently while snowshoeing. I did the float test, and yes my sunglasses float if they end up in the water. They hold the sunglasses close to my face, and keep them there, no matter what position I am in. When I remove my sunglasses to take a picture for instance, I do find it a little uncomfortable because the band is on the short side, and they are too close to my neck if I let them hang. That’s just my personal opinion though, because they are in no way restrictive, nor do they rub against my skin really. I did find the perfect use for them though – snowshoeing. I like the shorter band in this case. They don’t let the glasses slip or fall off, even when I fall. I am also able to wear my buff, without the band interfering.
The Classic Neoprene Retainer
The Classic Neoprene is what I use for hiking, or other outdoor activities. I like that they keep my sunglasses close by, but are quick and easy to put on and take off. I take a lot of pictures while I am outdoors, so this is an important feature for me. The Classic Neoprene fits on either pair of my sunglasses, one of which has very small ear pieces, and the other’s are a bit wide and flat. The ends of the retainer slide snuggly over both.
The neoprene is flexible and smooth feeling, so there is no chafing on my neck. I also like that it slide easily over the fabric of whatever I am wearing. I never feel like it is catching, or ‘stuck’.
Chumbuoy - the same one that is under the Buff in the other picture.
All three of these Chums products serve their intended purpose, and that is keeping my glasses safe – either on my face, close at hand, or from sinking to the bottom of a river. The fit into the ‘don’t leave home without them’ category. They could also be considered inexpensive insurance for expensive glasses. I will be looking at durability over the next few months, and will report back.