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10 of the best cycling glasses you can buy
Looking for a set of riding-specific specs? From premium offerings to affordable and versatile frames, here’s a breakdown of the best glasses that will leave the competition firmly in the shade.
There are many reasons why now is a great time to be a cyclist. From the continued growth of new disciplines such as gravel biking and bikepacking, to technological advances in everything from bikes to garments, cyclists have never had it better.
One particular reason to be excited is the vast range of high-end eyewear out there. While the general trend has seen cycling glasses get bigger and bolder in recent years, there are still some great options for those who are on the more restrained side of the fashion spectrum.
Regardless of your style, all of the glasses featured below offer great protection not only from the sun, but also from Britain’s unpredictable weather, wind, flies, and mud and grime-laced trails. In short, if you’ve been thinking about investing in a new pair of cycling specs, now’s the time to do so.
What to look for in a pair of cycling sunglasses
The first thing to consider is what type of glasses will work best for you. A cross country mountain biker, for instance, will have different requirements to an aero-focused road warrior, while an all-weather cyclist and a downhill demon will likely have different needs too. Here’s what to think about before you buy…
Lenses
Lenses are the most important part of any pair of cycling glasses. The first thing to think about is tints, as the tint of the lenses will often dictate what conditions you can wear them in. Most glasses come with interchangeable lenses that can be swapped out depending on light conditions (or others are available to purchase as extras). The usual three options are: shaded lenses providing 100% UV protection, yellow-tinged lenses for brightening things up in overcast conditions, and a clear lens for riding after dark. That said, opting for glasses suited to certain light conditions has obvious limitations – taking a spare set of lenses out with you isn’t really advisable as they're not really built for being shoved in a pocket or bag. This is where advanced technology such as Oakley's Prizm lens comes in as these lenses can adapt to a range of light conditions and keep your visibility high even when the sun isn't shining.
Lens shape
Your glasses aren’t just there to keep the sun out of your eyes. As any road cyclist knows, a good pair of glasses is essential in keeping bugs out of your peepers, while mountain bikers will be more than familiar with small stones, dust and gravel flying towards their face on the trails.
The solution is to opt for lenses with a decent level of coverage around the side of your eyes. Cater this to what you’re actually going to be using them for – it makes sense for a downhill rider to lean towards the goggle-like end of the spectrum, while a road cyclist would benefit most from aero lenses that give maximum field of coverage without restricting movement.
Frames
Naturally, the most important thing to consider is the fit. You’ll want the tips of the arms to fit snugly around the temple so that the glasses don’t move around when you turn your head suddenly or look down. Many glasses come with rubber grippers to help keep them in place, while adjustable arms can ensure a good fit. The rule of thumb is if a pair of glasses feels too tight when you try it on, it will definitely feel too tight an hour into an out-and-back gravel circuit. The general rule of thumb as well is, the more you spend, the more times you can accidentally drop or sit on them without snapping them in half.
Finish
Think about the practicalities of what you’ll actually be using your glasses for, too. If you live somewhere prone to rain (or are a glutton for punishment), it’s worth considering lenses with a hydrophobic (water-repelling) coating to ensure water doesn’t stay on the lens and get in your way. If you live in warmer climes, built-in ventilation can help prevent misting in hot conditions. And, whatever your needs, an anti-scratch coating is a must.
1. SunGod Renegades
Perfect for both on and off-bike activities
© SunGod
Price: From €50
For a hugely customisable option, look no further than the SunGod Renegades. Available in a range of frame colours – from matte navy to carbon to tortoise shell – you can also get creative with your lens colour, and opt for polarised or non-polarised 4KO lenses. Essentially, you can build these glasses however you like them. It’s worth paying the extra €30 for the polarised lenses though as they can make a huge difference with visual quality, especially in bright light. They’re the sort of glasses that won’t look out of place off the bike, and their solid construction makes them a highly durable pair of shades – handy should you accidentally park your behind on them.
2. Endura Char Glasses
Although entry-level in terms of price, the Char are a solid set of specs
© Endura
Price: €65.99
A good mid-range option, the photochromic lenses in these glasses adjust to changing light conditions and have also been treated with a hydrophobic coating to repel British downpours. And the best thing is they won’t fog up again when the sun returns, either, thanks to two vents at the top of each lens. Changing lenses is incredibly straightforward too and they offer excellent grip with temple tips and an adjustable nose piece.
3. Tifosi Eyewear Alliant Gunmetal
From this price point onwards, expect the introduction of single lenses
© Tifosi
Price: €77.99
Not to be confused with the British bike brand, this American glasses specialist makes eyewear for everything from golf and fishing to cycling. The lenses of this model are made from a single piece of durable plastic, meaning they’re robust and are less likely to obstruct your view because of a lack of bride. Add to that the ‘Glare Guard’ technology and you have a reliable, UV-filtering lenses which cuts down on glare and fogging up, too. The frame meanwhile is made from super-light, ultra-durable Grilamid TR90 thermoplastic.
4. Bolle Shifter
Take a trip back in time with these 90s-inspired shades
© Bolle
Price: €130
Visually, the Bolle Shifter is hard to beat – especially for fans of 90s revival fashion. Available in a range of colourways, these are bright and boisterous in the best possible way. But it’s not all about looks – they hold up from a technical perspective, too. Grippers will help keep the Shifters in place, but the real win is in the photochromic lenses, which work to reduce mist, increase clarity and adjust to varying light levels, making them ideal for a temperamental UK day out.
5. 100% Glendale
These trail-ready frames and both super-wide and super strong
© 100%
Price: €182
Melding style with premium lens and frame technology, 100%’s Glendale shades are likely already very high on your wish list. Designed in California, the goggle-sized specs pair high-impact resistance frames with lightweight polycarbonate lenses that include 100% UV protection and scratch-resistance (they’re too nice to damage, but this will come in handy if you’re prone to the occasional spill). ‘HYDROILO’ lens treatment means water, dirt, and even oil don’t stand a chance of clogging up your field of vision, while the ultra-grip rubber nose pads will help keep them in place on the sweatiest of rides. Finally, the shatterproof, lightweight Grilamid TR90 frame means you needn’t be afraid to push them – and yourself – to the max.
6. Smith Wildcat
Another goggle-inspired set perfect for the trails
© Smith
Price: €185
Ride enduro or downhill? Then you’ll likely already be familiar with Smith’s oversized range of goggle-style glasses. For the uninitiated, these minimal frames offer full wrap-around coverage while the intuitive ‘Chroma-Pop’ lenses make cycling in darker conditions a doddle. The lenses are coated in a hydroleophobic finish (meaning moisture, grease, water and grime won’t hang around on your lenses), and while they obviously aren’t sealed in the same way goggles are, they do offer great water resistance. Where these glasses really excel, though, is in being very, very stylish.
7. Oakley Radar EV Advancer
The adjustable bridge boosts airflow and prevents misting
© Oakley
Price: €188
When it comes to sunglasses, Oakley is hard to beat. The Radar EV Advancer is an ideal choice for road cyclists thanks in part to its adaptive lenses, which will help you maintain a good field of vision all year round. Arguably the peak of cycling glasses innovation, the Radar builds on tech used in other popular models (such as the brand’s Flight Jacket Prizm) to add a new adjustable nosepiece that helps create space between the lens and the face to prevent fogging. They’re also incredibly lightweight and look the part too.
8. POC Do Blade
The frame's Grilamid construction makes these specs near-indestructable
© POC
Price: €195
Swedish brand POC is renowned for its technicality, and the Do Blade is no different. For starters, they are pretty much weatherproof, with polycarbonate lenses that are basically Teflon to dirt, dust and rain. Handily, all of the lens tints have been optimised for road cycling, meaning you needn’t dwell too long on which is the right lens for the road – they’ll all do a pretty good job. As well as being incredibly lightweight, the durable Grilamid frame also means they’re near indestructible, too.
9. Oakley Jawbreaker
Designed with Mark Cavendish, these are made for going places – fast
© Oakley
Price: €198
Yes, it's another set of Oakley sunglasses, but for a number of good reasons. Widely worn throughout the professional peloton, Jawbreakers offer great coverage and there is a wide range of lens options to choose from – including the aforementioned Prizm and also prescription ones. The clincher, however, is the fact that these were developed in collaboration with Mark Cavendish, which essentially makes them the coolest pair of cycling glasses going. Their single lens contains six vents for boosted airflow when things get heated, while ‘Switchlock Technology’ makes swapping lenses as easy as checking the forecast. The only word of warning is that with such a wide coverage, they may not be the best option for riders with narrower facial features.
10. Koo Open Cube
Helmet manufacturer Kask's sunglasses range is as premium as you'd expect
© Koo
Price: €220
A premium option by anyone’s standard, the Koo Open Cube from helmet specialist Kask makes up for its price tag with a whole range of top-end features. First off the block is the use of Zeiss lenses. Yes, that Zeiss, the German manufacturer whose lenses are so clear they’re used for photography and binoculars. Add to that the single-lens construction and your field of vision is improved considerably. The Open Cube gets big points for its customisable options; both the arms and the nose-pad are easily adjustable, making for a unique, workable fit. Throw in some suicide-door-inspired hinges on the frame’s arms and you can see why these are priced like the cycling glasses equivalent of a supercar.
