Best Sunglasses for Cycling – but aerodynamic, please!

Buying sunglasses for cycling is very different from choosing “normal” sunglasses for everyday use. While the latter is more about the coolness factor (apart from obvious things like UV protection), sunglasses for cycling are arguably as important as wearing a helmet and so there are other factors you should consider. Whether you are an avid road cyclist or downhill mountain biker, the most important thing is of course glare protection, without which a casual bike ride can quickly turn into an accident. If you can’t see what’s going on in your field of vision or on the road at high speeds without squinting your eyes, it can be dangerous.

 What Lenses Do I Need for Cycling Glasses?

As well as providing glare protection, the lenses of cycling sunglasses also act as a shield to protect your eyes from bugs, rain, wind and anything else that comes up. Choosing wrap-around shaped lenses not only increases eye-protection but makes you more aerodynamic and gives you a wider field of vision.

Ideally, you choose the lens colour depending on the light conditions you expect, with three different options available. When the sun really shines at the height of summer, dark lenses are recommended, which absorb up to 85% of incident light. However, they should not be too dark, but continue to provide high contrast vision so that you can see bumps in the ground like protruding roots even on paths leading through undergrowth.

If cloudy weather is to be expected during your cycling tour, lenses with a yellow tint are a good idea, as they can brighten up your surroundings when visibility is cloudy and lacks contrast. At dusk and in the dark, the glass should not be tinted, as it would further impair the already poor visibility. Only clear lenses are suitable here, such as you find in sunglasses with photochromic lenses or, more specifically, cycling sunglasses with self-tinting.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, we’d like to recommend a few pairs of some of the best cycling glasses that you simply can’t go wrong with!

Oakley Radar EV Path

These wrap-around Oakley cycling glasses Radar EV Path are the result of decades of research. In cooperation with the world’s best athletes, Oakley has developed sunglasses that expand the field of vision with their lens shape. The lenses also feature exclusive Prizm technology for improved vision of colour, contrast and details.

Oakley Jawbreaker

The Oakley Jawbreaker sounds brutal and looks it. If you think you’ve got everything you need with the Oakley Radar EV, you’re wrong. The Oakley Jawbreaker takes the Switchlock lens change technology to the next level, allowing you to change lenses to adapt to your viewing conditions. When the weather changes, you simply change the lenses. And Oakley has no shortage of lens options, even such as photochromic lenses, suitable for a range of light conditions.

SMITH ATTACK

The name of these SMITH cycling glasses  sounds similarly aggressive. But “Attack” here only stands for the fact that the next tour is about to start. Their design, on the other hand, is totally smooth and the fit is extremely comfortable. This is ensured by adjustable nose pads that can be moved in two positions and securely fitting temples made of Megol. Thanks to MAG technology, this SMITH model is also a pair of cycling glasses with interchangeable lenses. They are available in a variety of lens types with colour and contrast-enhancing ChromaPop technology.

Bollé Aeromax

The brand Bollé claims “Performance and Innovation Since 1888” and proves this with the very aerodynamic bicycle glasses called Aeromax. The name says it all, and it even offers side protection to be prepared for any situation. Clear vision is guaranteed by the fiery Phantom lenses, developed in collaboration with Essilor to create photochromatic lenses that are market leaders in their category.

Gloryfy G9

The Austrian brand Gloryfy attracts attention simply because of the material used. The Gloryfy Unbreakable cycling glasses are made of the highly flexible NBFX, which can withstand even the toughest conditions. No matter how you bend them, they always return to their original shape due to the memory effect. The Gloryfy G9 is not only unbreakable, however, but comes with STRATOS lenses that provide maximum clarity on sunny days. And all this with minimum weight.

So what are you waiting for? Choose one of the cycling glasses, put on your cycling shorts and get on your bike! Alternatively, head over to our website to check out our wide range of sunglasses including prescription options and much more.