Cycling sunglasses are important for protecting your eyes from dust, wind, insects, and sunlight. It is important to understand that cycling glasses need to perform several protective roles to ensure your comfort and safety while biking and that an ordinary pair of fashion sunglasses will not do the job adequately.
Marcin Bialoblocki riding in Sunwise eyewear
What are the best lenses for cycling?
The first essential for a good pair of cycling glasses is that the lenses provide 100% protection from harmful UV rays which can damage the eyes. This is particularly important for cyclists in view of the length of time spent outdoors.
Ideally we would recommend choosing sunglasses with interchangeable lenses so that you can wear the protective eyewear in different weather and light conditions. Look out for cycling glasses that come with a grey 20% light transmission lens for use in bright, sunny conditions, a yellow lens to increase contrast and definition during tricky, low and flat-light conditions and a clear lens for low light riding conditions.
A good pair of cycling sunglasses will have shatterproof polycarbonate lenses. This is a key difference between protective sports eyewear and wearing normal glasses or fashion sunglasses because the proper cycling glasses will not shatter if a stone or other debris from the road or track hits them.
Cycling glasses frame design
The best shape for cycling glasses is a wrap around design as this helps to block the wind and keep dust out, both particularly important considerations for cyclists suffering from dry eyes or wearing contact lenses.
As you will be wearing your cycling sunglasses for protracted periods, it is important that the frames fit well and are light and comfortable. Choose a frame that fits your head shape well. Look for impact resistant frames made of TR-90 which is a very strong and light material. Many well designed cycling sunglasses have additional rubber impact protection for the temples and nose.
Sunwise Equinox is favoured by top racing cyclists for its light frame and good airflow
Finally, a good pair of cycling sunglasses is designed so that it does not mist up too readily when you get hot. Look for a design that allows good air flow such as the Sunwise Equinox, pictured above. Some models have vented frames and lenses such as the Dixon RX-2.
Sunwise Dublin adapt to either sunglasses or goggles
If you are buying glasses for mountain biking, you need to balance the need for anti-fogging with a design that will keep the dust and mud out of your eyes.
Prescription cycling glasses
If you need to wear specs to see clearly while riding, then it is worth shopping for prescription cycling sunglasses that have all the design features described in this article plus the facility to take optical inserts behind the sports lens that will meet your prescription requirements.
Dixon RX - good for road cycling or mountain biking
Recommended in this category are the Dixon RX2 multi-function sports eyewear which can be used as cycling sunglasses or converted to biking goggles simply by fitting the gasket. The RX2 has a wide choice of lenses including grey polarized, yellow light enhancing, clear, amber, and photochromic (light reacting). An alternative in the Dixon range is the stylish RX TAC-3 if you prefer direct glazed eyewear, which can be customised with a wide range of interchangeable lenses.
Also recommended for cycling are the Rapid Eyewear Pro Performance, prescription sunglasses which come with 3 interchangeable lenses, including polarised and yellow light enhancing and the Sunwise Dublin, again with interchangeable lenses and the facility to adapt it to a goggle by fitting the adjustable head strap.
How much should you spend on a good pair of cycling sunglasses?
The good news is that you don’t need to break the bank when buying cycling sunglasses, provided that you go for recommended, well made brands.
There’s no doubt that you can pay handsomely for top branded models such as Oakley, but other brands that are recommended for cyclists, including Sunwise and Dixon eyewear, can offer a good specification without paying such a premium.
The innovative Sunwise Chromafusion is under £60.00. The Pro Performance is around £85 including both cat 2 and 3 polarized lenses. The RX TAC-3 is available from only £95.00 prescription ready – good value for high performance direct glazed eyewear. Illustrated below, it is suitable for cycling and mountain biking and can be worn with or without gasket, and as sunglasses or low profile goggles.
Stylish direct glazed sports eyewear - prescription ready for under £100
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