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Morning All,
For the umpteenth time yesterday I was reminded I could do with some cycling sun glasses having to stop and fish a bug out of my eye.
It must have been ten years (or more) since I last bought a pair of Oakleys and looking at several pairs recently found their newer, non USA made, frames pretty crap - flimsy with a cheap feel.
I have a pair of M Frames (grey camo frame) from 20 plus years ago but the lens is too dark for off road. Now I could get a new lens, maybe a Prizm, but for the price of a lens it looks like you can buy a number of brands offerings that come with multiple lenses.
I appreciate that glasses are very much down to personal preferences but any advice, more so on quality of lens and frame over style, would be much appreciated.
I've been using these for the last 6 months and been very pleased with them. Totally clear on night rides and grey days and then tinted when out in the clear. I've been convinced that they weren't tinting and then been surprised at how bright everything is when I've taken them off. Haven't tested how quick they transition, but I've not really noticed any issues with them being too dark or not dark enough. On a properly bright day I'll prob wear something with a stronger tint, but for those in-between days they've suited me perfectly
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ROCKBROS-Photochromic-Anti-blue-Sunglasses-Computer/dp/B075R7HNG4
Bought some 100% Hypercraft glasses off SportPursuit and the lens is excellent, quite dark but works well on cloudy days. Bought 100% cos I knew spare lenses would be available, so now bought a photochromic lens for winter. Only thing is they have a raised part in the middle that clashes with my Fox helmet, so I can only wear them commuting. Too rattly for MTB, but SportPursuit do have other 100% designs with good discounts.
Having lost too many pairs of "nice" sunglasses, I just buy these https://rockbrossport.co.uk/products/rockbros-half-frame-photochromic-sports-sunglasses-cycling-glasses-uv400 - they also do a full frame version. Cheap, lens works fine if not that fast to change, goes almost clear (but still use cheap clear safety glasses on night rides), good fit and seem to vent okay as well.
I bought some a kind of oakley copy prizm lens pair from Banana Products. Great fit but the lenses were nowhere near that "pop" you get with proper prizms. I'm still not buying any more Oakleys tho 😉
I've been using these for the last 6 months and been very pleased with them. Totally clear on night rides and grey days and then tinted when out in the clear. I've been convinced that they weren't tinting and then been surprised at how bright everything is when I've taken them off. Haven't tested how quick they transition, but I've not really noticed any issues with them being too dark or not dark enough. On a properly bright day I'll prob wear something with a stronger tint, but for those in-between days they've suited me perfectly
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ROCKBROS-Photochromic-Anti-blue-Sunglasses-Computer/dp/B075R7HNG4
Just realised the link doesn't appear to show properly - lets try this...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ROCKBROS-Photochromic-Anti-blue-Sunglasses-Computer/dp/B075R7HNG4
I'm running these. Literally disposable the price so doesn't really matter what happens to them to even start to worry about them. Photocromic so great riding in woods then out in the sunshine.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005205362570.html
Or polarized / mirrored if that's more your look
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005944980560.html
My scary experience, wearing cheap 'bike' sunglasses - a stone flicked off a car coming the other way and shattered the lens.
I moved on to Bolle safety glasses (for impact resistance, as well as being certified to wear all day without impacting vision). They also do ballistic/MOD rated specs (which is what I'm using now - why not).
Being safety wear (and relatively disposable in industry), they're not expensive.
I have a dark set for the road, and a lightly tinted set for off road (called CSP). The CSP tint filters blue light, so it's easier to transition from light to dark (like going under tree cover on the MTB for example).
I really like Madison Crypto shades. Got a multi-lens pack that includes some fancy mirror green sunshades, a clear one, and an orange one that I never use. Think on offer was like £30 but they're about £50 for the set usually.
They're really well made, and look pretty cool as well. I have some proper Oakley Sutros that I use for the road and tbh they are excellent, but they're too dark for foresty stuff I find. Buying a whole new set of sunglasses was cheaper than a clear lens by itself for them, and stops me faffing with swapping it!
Has anyone got a pair of the Banoptics glasses?
https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/products/banoptics-chameleon-performance-eyewear
I'm a bit of a Melon Optics fanboi. I think some people don't get on with them with the arms pressing into their head, but they are fine for me with Fox helmets.
Look great (Alleycats for me) and the Zeiss lenses are superb (photocromics but Zeiss but still very good.
I have photocromics for mtb sunny days, low light for dull days and red chrome for sunny gravel days
Unfortunately you can't buy a pair and send them back as they are classed as custom, but I believe you can try them on at Rogate if that's any use
Galibier.cc is now my stock answer. If only they sold conti vert pros.
I do also have some rockbros and like them. I crash tested a pair and didn't go blind even though I knocked myself out.
Bole also good. Tend to use clear safety specs for cross as they rarely last a season.