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Are they worth the £££ - I'd be getting a red chrome lens and a photocromic, so would be £205
Any suggestions for a similar type of glasses that are maybe as good and a little less spendy?
I have a set and they're just a better fit for mountain biking for me, had M frames and so on in the past, but the alleycats just fit nicer and feel like they have less gaps on my face, do you need the red chrome and photochromic, you can get the photochromic as an option for £155, the lenses are the expensive bit as they are zeiss?
The base package also comes with the low light lense, which is great as i use that a lot, the other lense (haven't a clue) is the one that works best in woodlands, they used to have pics on the site showing you the lense options, but that seems to have vanished?
I’ve got a set and really rate them. Top quality lens, comfortable and great coverage.
The only very minor issue is past of the storage case fell apart almost immediately.
I have been really happy with my Bliz glasses. When I bought mine they worked out a little bit cheaper than the Melons.
Really like mine got a "chromed" lens and the low light. Recently bought a photochromic. Not used the chromed since last summer, can't see me using it now I've got photochromic. It's a win on light dark transition.
Just about to pop a pair of Melon Kingpin frames on the classifieds. Frame only with drawstring bag. Worn once. I bought two pairs and the turquoise frame is a bit much for me*. I’ve liked both the alleycat and the kingpin.
DM is interested
*actually isn’t an exact match for my nail varnish.
Have a pair, wear them on the road bike and the mountain bike every time I ride. Only minor issue was the nose piece kept coming off so I put some super glue on it which doesn't seem to have stuck it permanently but has added some roughness to the barbs so it doesn't come loose any more.
I’ve got some Alleycats, bought the frame and the low light lens. I use this all year and think they are superb. Really are a glasses you forget you are wearing.
I have some & I’m not a massive fan of them, but I may be biased in that I don’t like wearing glasses full stop. I find helmets with increased coverage (TLD A3) they touch, and when riding down trails it’s really quite annoying & uncomfortable.
Better solution I have found is the Smith Wildcats. They set a bit lower, so there is a bigger gap & no contact. They also do a fully clear lease, which is essentially all I want when riding MTB.
I should add, not exactly a budget alternative.
i had some Alleycats, but sent them back, as my Poc Tectal helmet sits quite low on my head and the arms from the glasses was interacting with it. Not sure if it would have caused rattling or discomfort, as i didnt risk trying them outside, in case i couldnt return them.
A buddy has some Alleycats and Kingpins. The kingpin felt a lot narrower than the alleycats.
The banana industries chameleons will be my next attempt (linked by teenrat above), if i get a chance to try some on.
I've got a pair, although got mine on a black friday sale last year with red chrome lense, low light and photochromic for £135. I use all 3 lenses a lot, mainly the photochromic and then red chrome on super sunny days and low light for evening rides or if I'm in the woods and it's cloudy.
Really rate them, tried some cheaper alternatives but they never quite cut it. I ride with contact lenses in so need something covering my eye or the air passing over them dries them out and makes my eyes water. Also got some melon goggles recently that are great.
I think the Alleycats are excellent, so much so I often forget I have them on, which is what I wanted as a non-glasses wearer! I've been using the low light light lens throughout the year and on night rides with no issues. I use with a TLD A3 helmet and have no issues - guess it depends on the shape of your melon!!
I was concerned about them misting on climbs, but it's very rare and they clear very quickly.
I did get a small crack in the nose area on the low light lens. I contacted Melon and they sorted it immediately, no quibbles, so I can confirm their customer service is excellent too.
Highly recommended.
I was bombarded with Rob Warner adverts on FB for months (if not years) and finally caved and bought some last summer. I've been really happy with them.
I got Red chrome, silver chrome and low light lenses. I've not used the silver chrome (really sunny day one) yet as most of my rides are in and out of the trees. The Red chrome has a darker tint at the top of the lens which is really handy in mixed light. The low light is great too, I'd say my usage has been 50:50 low light and red chrome.
I would agree with the comments about the frames clashing with helmets, definitely more of an issue with my enduro helmet (Montaro). For me this doesn't affect fit/function of either helmet or glasses, it just means a bit of rattling, which I understand would be annoying for some.
Yeah, Rob's advertising obviously works haha
Hmm, food for thought - I wear a Bell Super DH, with or without chin bar. I have worn shades with it and not really been an issue though
Cheers for the feedback
Another +1 on the approvals list.
Don’t have photochromic lens, Red Chrome has been good for me on MTB and road.
Use the low-light lens at night and it’s good for that too.
Had to return mine....they hit the top of my helmet but worse the arms are long and straight around the ears not curved so they hit the retention cradle and were very uncomfortable with my helmet ,Lazer jackal.
Lazer is the only brand of helmet that doesn't give me pressure headaches so what might not be an issue with the glasses on other helmets but didn't work for me .was genuinely gutted but couldn't justify keeping them for non bike stuff as the look is a bit brave
another +1 have 2 pairs, low light lense in my regular mtb pair and some matt grey with the violet chrome (green/purple) lense perfect for sunny moorland days or riding my gravel in sunshine.
the nose piece changed late last year, so no longer falls off.
i forget they are on, great glasses
Another fan here. I only wanted low light lens so bought the full set and returned the chrome lens for refund. Worked out same as buying frame+ lens but you get all the other gubbins, carry case etc.
Also just got the photocromatic lens too.
They’re not without flaws, but no glasses I’ve found are. They steam up when I’m hot and not moving fast, so have keep em on my head & pop em on for the the descents, which I often only remember to do half way down!. I’ve also still occasionally gotten blobs of mud in my eye while wearing them!?
Anyone tried the Turbovent lens (the one with holes drilled in it) - they are available again for this weekend only. I think they make sense as I sweat a fair bit but am concerned that the holes may be a visual distraction when wearing them.
And (a very personal choice) able to comment on the S version as I've a small face / head.
Just an update, as it was mentioned above, I had a problem with the nose pads coming adrift. Contacted Melon and they have changed the design since I bought mine and it’s now a lot more secure. I did have to pay for it mind, kind of expected it to be a free upgrade for existing owners as it appears I’m not the only one….(based on a sample of two complaints)
I ended up getting some Endura Dorado II, but may still get some Alleycats at some point
They are pretty decent, look good, not bad for fogging, can be worn as half or full frame, have a hydrophobic coating. Photochromic works well without you noticing.
Only used the low light lens once, but it did seem a bit dark in the trees
I have a pair, optically they are excellent but they sit very high on my face and clash with the front of my helmet so aren't really wearable.
Based on handing round my riding group it seems that they only really fit people with a narrow or low nose bridge.
Having tried to get in touch with them about this I have to say that their customer service is awful if you have a problem. Very good before they have your money, don't even respond after.
Alleycats for me. I only use low light, winter, and photochromics.
Had them for a couple of years, the best glasses I've had
Anyone tried the Turbovent lens (the one with holes drilled in it) – they are available again for this weekend only. I think they make sense as I sweat a fair bit but am concerned that the holes may be a visual distraction when wearing them.
I'm always on the lookout for sweaty git solutions.
The idea already exists in the Oakley Sutro Vent.
Review here https://thesweetcyclists.com/oakley-sutro-lite-sweep-vented-prizm-cycling-sunglasses-review/#:~:text=Despite%20the%20swept%20back%20lens,yo u're%20looking%20slightly%20upwards.
"we found the circular vents distracting to ride with as they are visible"
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