[Closed] Prescription glasses/sunglasses for sports

I've always used (and been very happy with) Oakley, not a cheap option although some of the online places will do them a lot cheaper than the high street if you know your prescription/PD

Had Jawbones previously (now called Racing Jacket I think?) with transitions, which were great but looked very "technical". Got non-transition Turbines at the moment which look more like "normal" sunnies IMO.

I have some 'work' glasses I use onsite.
I use them on the bike too. Made by Uvex
https://www.uvex-safety.co.uk/en/products/prescription-eyewear/6345/uvex-rx-sp-5510-prescription-safety-spectacles/

As usual, I'll chip in with "buy a set of cheap sunglasses that you like, and get them reglazed with Transitions lenses from these folks - https://www.reglaze-glasses-direct.com /"

Worked for me, using a pair of £5-in-the-sales sunglasses from Mountain Warehouse.

Minefield of features which typically results in cost. As such you'll probably want sunglasses you can wear on and off the bike (beach, driving etc) so consider that. Most lens suppliers will offer various materials and coatings all neatly aligned to 'lifestyle' (price to match) so I wouldn't worry about that too much. Probably best to hit the high street opticians in the first instance to find a frame that works with £100-150 for lenses on top.

If you're anywhere near Leeds or York have a look at this place - https://www.eyekit.co/. If you're elsewhere in the country you might find a local opticians specialising in sports equipment.

I went full-on-feature with some Wiley X transition lens prescriptions and whilst they don't work in the car they're brill and go with me on the bike, beach and snow 100% incl. night rides.

Oakley Transitions in a Half Jacket frame. XLJ lenses for bigger coverage. I've been using mine for over 10 years (according to some photos I was looking at last night). I've had the lenses replaced once due to my prescription changing and once more because I managed to break one through my own stupidity. I damaged one of the wee rubber ear "socks" fitting something onto them, contacted Oakley to find out where I could buy a replacement, and they just sent me out a whole set free of charge.

I use the Transition lenses for all my riding, day or night.

One of the best investments I've ever made in cycling.

I bought some Oakley halfjackets with the cheapest lenses possible and got them reglazed by ciliary blue - I think they’re now rebranded as reglaze glasses direct - link a few posts above this one.

I had mine done in clear polycarbonate prescription lenses but they do tints / transitions etc

Julbo Zebra photochromic with prescription inserts, best I've had and I've had 'em all. Oakley, Rudy Project, Uvex, Dual Eyewear etc etc.

This is well timed. I have a cheapie pair of sports glasses from specsavers with the clip in optical inserts. They are ok but can get steamed up. Total cost was £100.
I now fancy getting some Oakleys with my varifocal prescription in transition lenses .
What frames are good for the bike or running but won’t look too out of place for more general casual wear?
I guess I’m looking at around £350-400?
I probably need to go to a shop and find some frames are too small for my face.
Is there anywhere in London that’s good or cheaper?

Very pleased with my rad 8 prescription photochromic glasses. I’m +2 in the bottom and 0 in the top. I wear them for cycling, running and hiking. It’s good to be able to read my garmin again!

Was just going to recommend avoiding clip in inserts for the same reason as above. RX Sport have been excellent with their level of service and prices for me, well worth checking their website, and contacting them with any questions you need answering.

Julbo with prescription transition lenses for riding. I got them from eyekit, they sent them out to me to try on, sent them back to them for lenses to be fitted.
I've had many pairs of Oakleys and the Julbo frames seem to work better with a helmet as the arms don't interfere. Also, use Julbo for normal glasses now to.

Or just fund some frames that fit you and as long as they don't have too much base curve (wrap) then get some lenses fitted by somewhere like reglaze direct.
I've been told the lense material doesn't need to be premium impact resistant because they are only relatively slow speed objects they are protecting you from Eg a poke in the eye from a twig... and you aren't going to be choosing glass anyway.

Are contacts an option?

I spent too much smashing up prescription glasses and went with contacts and Bolle safety specs at £6 a pop. Full UV stuff and designed to withstand shrapnel type impacts. Smash and scratch, just buy loads more. Also means I can swap types of glasses, use goggles, and same goes for skiing.

Can also not wear specs, just the contacts but I need something with the dust and bugs, more so with contacts, and risk of things in the eye when crashing.

I have literally just been through this process.

Tried loads on, some in airports and some from RXsport via their home trial service.

All Oakley aside from Smith Rebound

Didn't get on with the Field Jackets.

Crossrange and Crossrange XL didn't feel secure enough and the grippy temples are no longer included.

Flak 2.0 XL were alright.

Smith Rebound, coverage was good but felt a bit tight on my head.

I have well worn Jawbones/Racing Jackets with transition lenses already, for me the shape of the glasses fit my face really well so I just got another set but this time with Prizm Trail lenses.

Definitely bike specific and not casual!

@Jolly Green Giant

in transition lenses...but won’t look too out of place for more general casual wear

It's commonly referenced here that you'll look sinister in transitions when inside / in overcast weather. Not a problem when you're wearing baggies over tights but possibly so when you're in your best jeans trying to impress the ladies.

I just took my prescription to Asda, cheapest Nike sports frame, and another pair of glasses, full varifocal, only do the one choice thinnest lenses, £130 for two pairs. Transition coat was £30 extra and they're shatter proof lenses.

I was just chatting to my optician about this last week. He strongly advises Trivex over Polycarbonate lenses. Supposedly a lot better for scratch resistance. This adds about £40 to the Ciliary blue price but I might go for some for my racing jackets. Anyone have any experience?

Some of those reglazing places don't do oakley Lenses. I found it all a bit confusing so gave up

"Supposedly a lot better for scratch resistance."

Would seem unlikely. Both are soft plastics with a hard anti-scratch coating, so the lens material won't affect the anti-scratch properties unless it allows a better coating to be used.

Another vote for checking out Rad8 MTB Glasses

It’s commonly referenced here that you’ll look sinister in transitions when inside / in overcast weather. Not a problem when you’re wearing baggies over tights but possibly so when you’re in your best jeans trying to impress the ladies.

Thanks for the tip on looking sinister!
Thinking about it if I don’t go for transition lenses, varifocals will be pretty pointless too.
So Oakleys with single vision , standard dark grey tint or is it worth going for polarised or prism lenses ?

Not ridden with them yet but based on the garden test Prizm rail lenses appear to be bloody amazing

I bought prescription riding glasses from Optilabs a couple of years ago.
Been absolutely brilliant - photochromic lenses great for sunny days or night rides, very comfortable. Love not having to think about what eyewear to use.
I went with "Rascal" frame. Cost £160 back then.

Trivex is far better than polycarbonate optically. Both are shatterproof and very light. Normal plastic is not shatterproof. Reactions and Transitions lenses are more brittle than normal plastic.
Transitions are fine but on a sunny day they take a fair time to clear so going into woods can be a pain. I don’t like mine at BPW for this reason.
Plastic frames that sit on your face steam up much more than metal that are better ventilated.
I ride in ‘normal’ frames that look sporty and are light- titanium, and have different ones with different lenses. Most are just for distance, mainly for cheapness, but I miss my vari’s when in the uplift.
Specsavers can do two pairs of single vision one tinted for £69.
Sorry for the boring list of facts/opinions.
Edit 2 pairs titanium £129

Oakley Transitions in a Half Jacket frame. I've had them for a few years now and the lenses are scratched but still use them for running and biking.