Rudy Project, the Denver-based company that has sponsored thousands of age-groupers, teams and pros for years, has become synonymous with triathlon sunglass technology. And rightfully it should. Company de facto leader Paul Craig and his crew debuted many models which will soon be decorating the noses of many a tri-geek.

The first new technology, ImpactX®, is just about as cool as you can get. The lens is made of impact-resistant material stronger than polycarbonate - in fact, it's the same material used on airplane cockpit doors and Apache helicopter windows. I actually held a lens from a Rudy Project Rydon in between my index finger and thumb and bent it to the point where both ends touched each other. In essence, I bent the sucker in half and it snapped back to its original shape with absolutely no distortion, enabling it to snap back into the interchangeable frame system. Why is this important? First, if you're in an accident on the road, or if a projectile flies up to your face from a car or bicycle tire, the lens will protect your eyes - they won't break. They're so strong they carry a lifetime guarantee.

But that's just the beginning. Rudy then took the ImpactX technology and added photochromatic properties. The ability of a lens to change from clear (or almost clear) to dark depending on light conditions has been around for decades, but Rudy added it to the indestructible ImpactX. Then, if that weren't enough, they added an option for polarization.

Simultaneously, Rudy developed new RX capabilities for its sunglasses as well. In the Horus model, the frame around the lens (the "pod"), not the lens itself, can be removed and replaced at will. This provides an ingenious method for changing the look of the glasses, as they come in different colors.

After spending time with them, it was clear - no pun intended - that at this show, they were hands-down the most innovative. A sunglass company reigning at a cycling show? You better believe it. Next time you put on a pair of glasses for riding, make it a pair of Rudy Projects.

For that, they win our Best of Show.