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what’s the best pair of photochromic glasses for MTB. And which photochromic lenses actually work in the UK where an average ride could be dark woods, bright sun, overcast skies and anything in between?
Most reviews I’ve seen are usually more road bike focused.
I've a great pair of Julbo Renegades, bought after reading this review. Superb.
I've got Oakley Sutros, and I really like them. Zero distortion, they seem to change pretty quickly and coverage is excellent.
I've got Optilabs, they change quickly... with varifocus, work just great.
Melon are my go to.
Others on here aren't fond of them
I've got some from Banana Industries. They're excellent.
I think there are 2 main types of lenses, some that go from clear to fairly dark and some that go from slightly dark to really dark.
Banana ones are clear to fairly dark and do pretty well year round. I struggled a bit the other day going over Cut Gate into the low morning sun but otherwise they seem to suit UK riding.
Only downside is going from bright sun into dark woods. They don't react all that quickly and you end up squinting at either a patch of sunlight glinting through the trees or, a big square rock. It's not always easy to tell.
I think that's pretty standard for photochromic in general hough and not just the Banoptic ones.
I wouldn't want the darker catervolenses for off road use. Defo go for the clear to fairly dark.
Oh, the other downside is when you stop for a bit, take them off and put them down, if one half of the lense is in the sun and the other half is in the shade, when you set off again you've got one light eye and one dark eye which is a bit weird.
I actually thought mine were broken because they had a totally clear line through them. It was just where a plant had blocked the sun from the lense.
Ive got some Tifosi Fototec photochromic sunglasses (with the reading pane); they work really well and I suppose the test is that I kind of forget Im wearing them so a good sign for both comfort and light condition adjustment.
:edit: From the initial posts on this thread across various companies and budgets, sounds like most photochromic glasses actually do a good job
@TheartistformallyknownasSTR do you have the original lenses or the Vantage ones in your Melons.
Good to know that the Julbo and Oakley glasses change colour fast enough.
@TheartistformallyknownasSTR do you have the original lenses or the Vantage ones in your Melons.
Good to know that the Julbo and Oakley glasses change colour fast enough.
Originals - not sure about the look of the vantage ones tbh. Might give them a shot if I get some Kingpins in the future though (currently running Alleycats)
I ride through a lot of trees and never seem to struggle with the transition - I wear prescription glasses when not on the bike too, so my eyesight isn't the best.
I use the low light lenses for winter/overcast days
Picked up the dirtlej ones on sale recently, super light and found them really good over a week in the alps that had every possible kind of weather
Get some from Planet X for £20 https://planetx.co.uk/search?keyword=Photochromic&resourceType=collection, then spend whatever you save on something more worthwhile.
The PX glasses are good: they change reasonably quickly and they are nice and clear.
I gave up spending £££s on glasses as I damaged them so frequently.
I have the photochromic version of these - very lightweight, well vented, very pleased with them. Recently been handy for sunset rides, so going from low sun to darkness
GrandTour Optics – Galibier https://share.google/E6ZNMxTEwzfXRrP0r
then spend whatever you save on something more worthwhile.
I've tried many riding glasses over the years and quality optics definitely make a difference. I've got a couple of cheaper sets currently (only clear I think, I don't use them) - Madison and Endura. They are horrible to look through compared to the Melons
Fair enough of course if that’s what you like to spend your cash on, let people enjoy things I reckon
I’ve never found much difference between PX level glasses and much more expensive models. I have a pair of Rudy Project photochromics, but I rarely use them.
I find all glasses scratch so easily that after a year I’d rather have a new pair of cheapos.
Victory Chimp. I've tried a few different pairs in the past but these are great quality at a very reasonable price. I have 4 lenses with mine including photochromic. They are great on rides with open and tree covered sections.
I need prescription lenses for riding and find that the photochromic Oakleys are great. They handle all light conditions (including night), the lens is perfect optically and they last for ages.
Thanks for the advice. Plenty of food for thought. 👍🏻
Check what the range of tint is. Most go from 0-3 but some only go as far as 2. I have a pair of the Tifosi readers like nuke above but they don’t go dark enough for me. I have another pair of Tifosi which go much darker, it seems the difference between 2 and 3 is a lot more than I would expect , the 2s really don’t feel 2/3rds as dark as 3
The RockBros ones are excellent. Bought as an emergency when I lost my Oakleys, and for me they are better. Not going back any time soon.
I need prescription lenses for riding and find that the photochromic Oakleys are great. They handle all light conditions (including night), the lens is perfect optically and they last for ages.
A mate says the same. Apart from lasting for ages. Do not - repeat not - leave your prescription photochromic Oakleys anywhere a labrador puppy might reach them.....
I have / had Oakley Radar with the Photochromatic lens and they were typically (for Oakley) excellent. I seem to be incapable of keeping lenses in decent condition and couldn't find an Oakley replacement so bought one from Revant Optics and it's just not as good - too dark, not as crystal clear. Back on the hunt.
Another fan of the RockBros ones.
Rad8 photochromic prescription glasses for me. They seem to work well for me and have done for years.
Myself and a mate both have Oakley Jaw Breaker Photochromic - I really rate them
I use my photo chromatic Oakley Sutros in all light conditions. I really like not having to worry about which glasses to choose when riding - no matter what the conditions are. The reason I bought them was that I had a big off when riding into tree cover wearing shades previously. I was briefly as blind as a bat. Thankfully not an issue with the Sutros.
I found those Rockbros ones were way too slow to react when riding in and out of wooded areas. Kept having to hit the brakes and wait for them to adjust.
This may be the case for more expensive ones too. Ive never owned any posh ones.
rock bros ones for the win here. certainly never had to slow down! haha!
i dont think any react instantly/super quick but i could be wrong. your eyes react dont react instantly either.
my rock bros ones arent too dark so that maybe helps??
I found those Rockbros ones were way too slow to react when riding in and out of wooded areas. Kept having to hit the brakes and wait for them to adjust.
This may be the case for more expensive ones too. Ive never owned any posh ones.
It's fairly universal IME.
It's why goggles don't (with rare exceptions) come with photochromic options, they don't suit typical DH tracks that go in and out of the woods.
I've got some BBB ones with a 2.0 magnifying bit at the bottom. Great for reading maps etc.
Oakley jawbreaker photochromic. use them for basically all rides and conditions, night and day. First lens lasted 6yrs then was so scratched it had to be replaced which I did in May, courtesy of a members discount from these here pages.
Have tried a few other glasses over the years, cheap and expensive, nothing compares well IME.
I have 100% branded ones. Cope well with most mixed mtb rides except very enclosed dark forests or dusk. I bought a pair of clear lenses for evening rides but haven't tried yet.
I've got some spendy Smith ones that have been excellent in all light conditions from bright alpine sunshine to gloomy forest.
The main issue is that they're now so scratched that I need some new ones.
@TheartistformallyknownasSTR do you have the original lenses or the Vantage ones in your Melons.
I've just ordered some Kingpins with the Vantage lenses, so will let you know
The blurb for these is a bit misleading. They are barely mirrored at all when not in the sun.
I asked the question how they worked on a Facebook post and pretty sure I was told they stayed mirrored
And this is how the blurb is worded
This is how they look
This is apparently how they should look
Thanks for all the advice, in the end I got a pair of Madison Crypto Airs with 3 lenses and no photochromic lens as I got a very good deal on them. And I can get the photochromic lens at a later date. I would have bought a more expensive pair that one of you recommended but I suddenly needed to buy a new rear mech (thanks Dartmoor granite rock on Nutcracker) so funds were short
I had some nice Oakley ones that were given to me (my sister was sponsored by them for a while). Unfortunately they got nicked ☹️ they were my first experience of Photochromic glasses and I was very happy with them.
I then bought some el cheapy Oakley-alikes off AliExpress and I genuinely can't tell the difference in the photochromic functionality - same speed and same level of dark/light.
Considering the AliExpress ones were about £12 + postage I'm very impressed.
Frames and finish were nicer on the Oakleys (obviously!) but actually in use they were no better.
On my third pair of rockbros - the half frame version: https://rockbrossport.co.uk/products/rockbros-half-frame-photochromic-sports-sunglasses-cycling-glasses-uv400.
Managed to break the frame on one set by sitting on them. One set retired after two winters mud scratched to death. They may be slower to react that expensive brands, but that is offset by my inability to retain ownership of anything over about £50!
Being a contact lens wearer I like the full coverage of the wider lens. Optical quality seems fine.
I also have some very nice Rudy project photochromic I use on gravel rides. They are just too nice for me to risk dropping/scratching on the MTB. Can't say I notice much difference to the Rock Bros other than they are more nicely made/finished.
@TheartistformallyknownasSTR do you have the original lenses or the Vantage ones in your Melons
Wore the Kingpins with the Vantage lenses on a ride yesterday for the first time. Really good - in and out of trees and vision was spot on. Clarity excellent too and I'm someone who wears prescription glasses all day apart from when on the bike
Has anyone tried the Out-Of ones with the IRID lens? They look interesting but pricey and I don't like full frame cycling glasses so was hoping they'd bring out a semi-frameless version https://out-of.com/product/bot-2/
Also not sure if that rapid changing would actually be distracting and whether the solar cell bit works well under a visor.
As we're on the subject of glasses, has anyone tried these:
https://hindsight.store/
I can see the appeal, but they don't do a photochromic pair (yet) which is a deal breaker for me.
I do like the idea though, I so I'd like to hear from anyone who has had a go.
Has anyone tried the Out-Of ones with the IRID lens? They look interesting but pricey and I don't like full frame cycling glasses so was hoping they'd bring out a semi-frameless version https://out-of.com/product/bot-2/
Also not sure if that rapid changing would actually be distracting and whether the solar cell bit works well under a visor.
This technology seems perfect for mountain biking and even road biking when going in and out of shade. There seem to be limited reviews around, though, and rhe cynical part of me thinks "these have been out for a couple of years now - if this works as well as is claimed, then why isn't it more well known / bought out by e.g. Oakley?"
If I were stinking rich then I'd buy some to see, but since I'm not, I'll hold off.
There is another brand doing very similar, so hopefully in a year or two it'll be more of a standard thing...