The Open Cube's party trick, however, is the way in which the arms fold away. There's a wide choice of frame and photochromatic HDO optic lens colours to choose from.
Peripheral coverage to the sides and bottom of the lenses is important, as glare that creeps in here can be distracting. Here are our top picks.
They are only slightly let down by occasional fogging issues due to a lack of lens ventilation, and the inability to swap lenses to suit the conditions is also a drawback.
They'll likely fit better too and be more comfortable thanks to built-in adjustability, and will be less likely to fog up.
Is it worth me spending so much on a flash set of shades?
There are photochromatic and standard lenses available, although the HV lens we tested transmitted a little too much light for sunny days and the large design might not suit those with a smaller face or a deeper helmet.
The lenses are interchangeable and are rated at 100 per cent in terms of UV protection. They're comfortable though and the Chromapop lens works well to up contrast.
You can even opt for photochromic options which darken automatically in bright light, keeping you covered across a wide range of conditions. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. A more contemporary style than the Koo Open Cube, we've found that they play very well with most helmets, both in terms of the frame shape and the arms. It's also crucial to ensure that the frame and fit work well with your helmet. The alternative is wearing contact lenses underneath your normal cycling glasses.
Read more about why we like them in our Smith Flywheel sunglasses review. Though the frames themselves aren't adjustable, the nosepiece is and combined with the rubberised arms does a good job of keeping them in place.
POCs Aspire cycling sunglasses represent the brand's move into a more premium and performance-focused space with an elegant colour palette comprising white, yellow, black and even tortoiseshell frame colour options. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Prizm Road lens, the best option to go for in the range in our opinion, allows continued use in high sun all the way down to twilight. Their weight, at 33g, is comparable with rivals like the Oakley Sutro, 100% S3, and Poc Aspire, meaning as well as staying put they're almost forgettable once on your face.
And finally they should come with a clear lens that is there for when you're riding after dark.
Other brands provide clip-in inserts which can sit behind your sunglass lenses, although this tends to reduce your in-focus field of vision. The Aeroshade is unique in that it features a height-adjustable nose piece, a technology Scicon calls Horizon Adapt which can tailor the field of vision based on your preferred riding position.
Delve into the details with our Rudy Project Cutline review. Good venting works for sweaty or rainy rides up your favourite mountains and the lenses change fast enough to get you through rain or shine. The price might be in typical Oakley territory, but the quality of the Radar EV sunglasses is just what you'd expect from the American brand.
To find the full story as to what we thought of them head to our POC Elicit Clarity sunglasses review. The frame is what'll keep the glasses firmly attached to your face, so look for a snug fit and adjustability in the arms and nosepiece where possible.
However, this lack of adjustment has resulted in the Sutro being available at a competitive price compared to rivals from within the Oakley range, as well as competitors POC and 100%.
We're huge fans, and with these making our Editor's Choice Awards for three years running, it's clear the Radar EV Advancer are a pair of our favourite cycling sunglasses. They might not be the cheapest option in the segment but the original design, superb lens coverage and quality, fit and style will undoubtedly appeal to many cyclists. Our medium pair offers an impressive fit and wide range of eye coverage despite the somewhat smaller lens shape.
That being said, as lens technology improves some lenses perform so well across such a range of light conditions, such as the Prizm Road from Oakley, that you don't really need to change lenses. Both the frames and the lenses ooze quality, and although there are no replacement lenses, the ones supplied are so adaptive that you can happily wear them all year round in a wide range of conditions. There's loads of adjustability to the nosepiece and the side arms. They offer impressive levels of comfort, however it's worth mentioning that they could well interfere with helmets for those with smaller heads, as the arm stems are about 15mm longer than average, and while they can bend laterally for added compression, they cannot bend downwards behind the ears.
While the lens is decently sized, it doesnt offer much of a wrap-around effect which does limit peripheral vision to a certain extent, unlike something like the Oakley Kato, which has an extreme wrap.
The price tag might put some riders off, but with the capability of swapping out and replacing each section, these could be the only pair you need for many years, making the cost per wear much more appealing.
Having graduated from what were effectively sporty versions of normal twin-lens glasses, we're now in an era where bigger is better; larger lenses are ubiquitous as riders have realised it gives better wind protection at speed, and a better field of vision in a variety of body positions. Frameless cycling sunglasses offer the most unimpeded view, particularly if they are at the larger end of the lens size spectrum.
England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Unlike some options like the Oakley Kato and the Smith Flywheel the Demos can switch lenses, and ships with a low light lens to use too.
Read more: Bolle Chronoshield full review. Pair them with one of the best cycling jerseys and a fresh pair of the best cycling socks to be the envy of the caf ride.
Aside from the glasses themselves, there are a number of other little things you should be looking for when buying your cycling glasses.
When you pay for your new cycling glasses, most of the money will probably be going towards buying the frame rather than the lenses, so you want to make sure that you're getting good value in this area too.
The other option for riding in changeable conditions is photochromic or photochromatic lenses which will change their lightness and darkness depending on the conditions. Smith have Chromapop, while Oakley have their Prizm range, both offering increased clarity and contrast for the conditions of your choosing. The innovative brand has launched many special edition sunglasses teaming up with famous athletes like Shaun White for the Signature Series Holbrook, Valentino Rossi for the Signature Series Frogskins or the Mark Cavendish Signature Series Radarlock. This ridge keeps the lens from bowing out, increasing retention and resulted in a pair of glasses that hung onto even the smallest heads with a tenacious grip.
Taste is a very personal thing. The best cycling glasses are as much about fashion as they are function, but their main purpose still hinges around the primary role of protection, be it from bugs, debris, rain, or the harmful UV rays of the sun. Most of the best cycling glasses that come with interchangeable lenses will come with three different options.
However, those on the latest and best cycling glasses are much better, offering quick changes in tint from almost clear through to dark enough for bright summer riding. With more or less every aspect of the Cutlines being able to be swapped out, removed or replaced, we found these the best cycling glasses for total customisation, and a great single pair for year round use. The Oakley Kato certainly caused a stir when they arrived on the scene. The HiPER lens performed exceptionally well, though we wouldn't recommend choosing a pair without this option.
Read more: Rudy Project Cutline full review.
What it does possess in spades, however, are superior ergonomic qualities particularly when it comes to fit and comfort thanks to the sizeable nose piece and flexibility of the Grilamid frame and arms.
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Read more: Koo Demos Sunglasses full review.
Strategic venting means we experienced zero lens fogging during testing, and the tailorable fit and the unobstructed visual clarity means it wasn't long before we'd forgotten we were wearing them at all, and that's something that only the best cycling sunglasses can boast to have done.
If you're riding regularly a really good set of cycling sunglasses can be a real benefit.
Though they lack the adjustability and the peripheral coverage of the Kato, they didn't ever feel lacking because of either.
The one-piece Clarity lens, also seen on the Elicit model in this guide, developed in collaboration with Carl Zeiss Vision, provides enhanced contrast and colour definition across the spectrum.
The entire Open Cube range adopts a subtle colour palette with 12 stylish pastel hues to choose from. There are a wide array of styles on offer, as well as a multitude of lenses, but don't worry if you're unsure what to go for; we've put together a guide at the bottom of the page to help you find exactly what you need. (LogOut/
The frames themselves are unobtrusive, with no blind spots or ingress in the field of vision. While cycling sunglasses are rarely heavyweight, we found that such a featherweight pair was genuinely noticeable in its absence of mass. Some of the best cycling glasses come with venting slots or other features to help guard against this. The overall fit is snug and secure, but our tester was aware of the side venting, which did take a little getting used to.
In much the same way as Rudy Project, the Koo Open Cubes follow the same Italian way of doing things by trading the contemporary goggle-like appearance of its peers for a more traditional lens arrangement.
Recently, the design and shape of the best cycling sunglasses have come full circle and back to where it all started large, goggle-style lenses are presently the flavour of the month. If you find that all of the options here are stretching your budget a little too far, we also have a guide to our favourite cheap cycling sunglasses. First up you should have a standard shaded lens that will provide 100% UV protection and help to dim bright sunshine when riding in the height of summer. Visit our corporate site. We're also well aware that the cycling sunglasses in this list aren't especially budget-friendly, so we've got a sister page for cheap cycling sunglasses too.
The design is highly customisable, with a wide choice of lenses, sidearms, decals and frame colours. We ride them in all weathers, in bright sun and on overcast days. All come with their own protective lens cleaning bag and hard case for protection when not wearing. That being said they'll provide a range of benefits above budget sunnies and especially over non-cycling glasses, including better field of view, improved clarity of vision, better wind protection, better impact protection and, subjectively, style improvements too.
Polarised lenses reduce glare and reflections, particularly off water. Oakley, one of the leading product design and sport performance brands in the world with more than 800 patents, has opened a new retail destination in Singapore, Marina Bay Sands.
The bold nose shield design split opinions, as did the extreme wrap of the monolens.
Read more about them in our POC Aspire Solar Switch sunglasses review. Aside from the colour of the lens, there are a number of other things to look for when picking your pair of the best cycling glasses. High definition sunglasses for athletes, sports enthusiasts and anyone living an active lifestyle.
100% is well known for its outspoken designs, but with pro rider Peter Sagan favouring them for his Paris Roubaix victory, they're clearly winning cycling sunglasses. When combined with a cycling cap, the best cycling glasses are very useful when riding in the rain, and a hydrophobic coating will make sure that water doesn't stay on the lenses impeding your vision.
Hes twice ridden the Cape Epic, completed the Haute Route Alps, and represented South Africa in the 2022 Zwift eSports World Championships. Perhaps most importantly though, a new pair of cycling glasses are an easy way to make your Sunday best outfit pop. The yaw of the lens is easily adjustable so as to avoid the nose shield resting on your nose.
The brand tries extremely hard to create frames that will not only fulfil the desire for quality and innovation but aesthetically appeal to the customer, whether youre looking from sports sunglasses for men or women. Collectively, here at Cyclingnews, we've ridden with just about every pair of cycling glasses worth using, and a fair few that aren't. For more information on Oakley and Prizm technology, please visit: Oakley.com, Address : Marina Bay Sands, Unit B2-48 Store Hours : Sunday to Thursday (including PH): 10:30am to 10:30pm Friday to Saturday (including eve of PH): 10:30am to 11:30pm. You can swap it out for the included clear lens. Heres why you can trust us.
Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals. What should you be looking for when buying the best cycling glasses or sunglasses, how much should you pay, and should you go for one of the big brands?
For example, the Oakley Flight Jacket glasses have an adjustable nose piece to help airflow and aid moisture dissipation.
Another trend is complete frame customisation. Read more: Smith Wildcat glasses full review.
There's also an adjustable nose piece (available in two sizes) to further bolster comfort. However, we didn't rate this solution so well, finding it created a bottom heavy pair of shades with a tendency to slip down the face.
In fact we rate these excellent cycling sunglasses so highly, that we selected them for a Cycling Weekly Editor's Choice Award.
Our small faced rider found that the one sized (medium) glasses fitted comfortably straight out the bag, although it's worth noting that they do come with an interchangeable nose piece to ensure a perfect fit.
However, you don't have to spend a huge amount of money to get a pair of the best cycling glasses with interchangeable lenses which can be swapped out according to the weather.
Depending on the design, changing lenses can be fiddly though and, unless you're careful, often results in thumbprints on the lenses that need to be cleaned off.
The second lens should have a yellow tinge, which will be great for brightening things up when riding in overcast conditions, making it easier to spot rough road surfaces in flat light. Our guide to the best bike helmets talks a little about some nice touches some brands have deployed to ensure helmet and glasses harmony, when on and off your face. The store is the start of a journey for our customers to immerse themselves in the universe of Oakley, a brand that embodies sport performance, technology and aesthetics, and a brand that is worn by the worlds leading athletes while competing at the highest level..
The lenses offered superb clarity and contrast, and we found even on cooler days they didn't mist or fog up, with cut outs in the frame doing a good job at encouraging airflow.
The Oakley Sunglasses Collection, Special Editions & Oakley Heritage
Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood depend on this brand to help them block the sun and look on trend. While they didn't have the same field of view frontally as the Encoders, the Katos had incredible peripherals, and while the shallow lens was a drawback the retention was excellent, and so if the style is too much of a draw for you then they're certainly an effective choice.
They're especially useful if your ride takes you from bright sunlight to heavy shade.
If you're looking for great eye protection, but not the usual brands, then these are a great alternative pair of the best cycling sunglasses.
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Each of the reviews you can delve into on this page are the result of a significant number of hours hands on with each pair of sunglasses.
Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. published 18 May 22, The best cycling glasses not only protect your eyes, but they fit well, are comfortable, and look great too. The majority of high end glasses offer the ability to swap lenses, meaning you'll not be tied down to a single option.
Misting can be a problem when riding in damp conditions, when it's cold or just when you get a sweat up tackling a hill.
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They're high performing, especially when riding in dappled or changing light conditions, which is on par with both Oakley's Prism and 100%'s HiPER lens.
Read our Koo Demos review to find out more. Modelled here by Dexter, the Smith Flywheel however has no such issues; the combination of snug arms and a water and sweat resistant nosepiece mean they stay firmly where theyre told even over rough terrain.
We've also reviewed the Koo Spectro and Koo Supernova if you fancy something Koo but don't fancy the Demos. In addition, the store will continuously carry exclusive and limited edition products.
A retro style from Bolle's back catalogue, the Chronoshield has the on-trend big eye look and uses the brand's Phantom photochromatic lens tech that's among the best out there. Cyclingnews is supported by its audience.
All sunglasses, provided they meet the required UV filtration requirements, will provide you with some level of protection from the sun and the wind while out on the bike, but the best cycling sunglasses are designed in such a way to keep all but the worst of the elements out of your eyes even at warp speed so you can focus on the road ahead. In addition, they offer a good range of fit adjustment without the need to replace parts, thanks to a bendable nosepiece and temples.
The best cycling sunglasses on the market today, The best cycling glasses for all day comfort, A great option if you need off-bike style too, Visual clarity of Oakley's Prizm lenses is fantastic, Geometry and goggle style doesn't suit all face types, A great option for retention on small heads, Visual clarity of the lenses is fantastic, Longer than average temples can interfere with helmets on smaller heads, These are the option to go for if you're a weight weenie, A great option for riders who struggle with fogging, A great all round pair of cycling sunglasses, Today's best Oakley Encoder sunglasses deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Greta if you struggle with helmet cradle interference, A good option if massive lenses aren't your style, Unique folding style means they effectively lock shut, The field of view is good, despite smaller lens style, Unique folding style makes it harder to fold away whilst riding, The best option if you really want to stand out, With a double-click nose bridge design and military-grade lens, Scicon's foray into eyewear marks an impressive, albeit pricey first attempt, Good levels of fit adjustability, including adjustable rigidity of temples, Only misses the ability to adjust the temple length, Adjustable nosepiece and temples, interchangeable lower frame 'bumpers', Hydrophobic, smudge and oil resistant, HiPER, high impact resistance, Carl Zeiss technology: Ultra White, clear 16% VLT Ultra White, clear 16% VLT, Adjustable nosepiece, angle-adjustable temples, Adjustable temples, three interchangeable nosepieces, How to choose the best cycling sunglasses for you.
Change). On test, we also really liked them, and so much so that we had to include them on the Editor's Choice Award list, as even on our slimmer faced tester 100% S2 fitted really well. BA1 1UA. By One piece lenses are usually the best for this.
Second, you should hope for a soft microfibre cloth to help keep the lenses clean.
However you don't want them to be too tight otherwise they will quickly become uncomfortable. This is well-known as a top great brand for people with active lifestyles that like to hike, go on road trips, camp or go outdoors.
