Oakley's Thump 2 sunglasses hit the slopes

And that's just where they belong. One word: wow. I've used the before while testing it out in the office, but the sunglass/MP3 player combo isn't something I'd use day to day--I prefer a high-capacity MP3 player with a screen and my $10 if-you-lose-them-it's-no-big-deal shades. However, when I went snowboarding in Colorado last weekend, I decided the Thump 2 was the perfect accoutrement for the trip, and I was right. I will never snowboard with a regular MP3 player again. Further, I don't think I can ever 'board in poor weather again, because that would mean I'd have to wear goggles, a serious step down from the Thump 2 sunglasses. The glasses themselves provide excellent eye protection from the sun's harmful rays, which can be particularly blinding when reflecting off bright white snow, and the dark tint was perfect for a sunny day on the slopes. Of course, the cherry is the built-in MP3 player. No more taking your player in and out of your pocket to adjust track, volume, and so on, and no more fiddling with a dangling earbud every time you need to talk to your run buddy (for example, every 15 minutes getting on the lift). Although I had to remove my glove to adjust a track or the volume, having all those controls perched right on the side of my head was handy beyond words. And I definitely didn't mind not having an LCD; there's just no need for it here. I didn't even have to remove my gloves to flip the adjustable earbuds in and out of my ears, which I was constantly doing on the right side. Plus, the earbuds don't seal up your ears, so you can still hear what's going on around you--an essential feature when you want to be aware of your surroundings, which I always do when riding a hill with many other people. If you're second home during the winter is up on a snow-covered mountain--and you have some cash to blow--I highly recommend picking up a pair of Oakley's Thump 2 sunglasses. They even work with my Mac!