Get your head in the game with 4 top youth sports and safety eyewear models + 3 quick-and-smart selling tips

PHOTOGRAPHED
BY DAVID KRESSLER

WORDS + STYLING
BY KERRI ANN RAIMO

Barry Montalto, owner of Optique Unique in Metuchen, NJ, serves up three smart tips for selling youth sports eyewear.

1. Tap the Power of Play.
   ”Don’t make things hands-off for children. Right off the bat, parents are like, ‘Don’t touch them!’ I’m like, ‘It’s not [fine] china.’ They’ll be touching them a lot if they own them.”
2. Go Photochromic.
   “The one thing I try to impart with the sports glasses is to get Transitions lenses. Market them as sunglasses—whenever [the kids] go outside, riding their bike, playing with their friends—throw their sunglasses on. This way they go outside and they use them.”
3. Make Space.
   “We made the kids their own space. They have toys. Kids come right in. Encourage them to start playing first. Once they’re comfortable, then you can start putting glasses on them and they really do take to it much better.”

 

SPORTY STYLE

The Youth Force WX Crush from Wiley X has shatterproof Selenite poly lenses and includes an adjustable elastic strap. Meets ASTM F803 safety standards.

Nike Vision’s Nike Trainer S EV01063 from Marchon features a ventilated, self-adjusting nose bridge and Nike Max Optics Lens Technology.

Rec Specs Sport Shift XL from Liberty Sport has interchangeable temple + goggle attachments and end-piece cutouts. Meets ASTM F803 standards.

The Leader ProX from Hilco Vision features V-port technology, flexible temples, and a temple release button. Meets ASTM F803 standards.