My mom is in search for some cycling sunglasses with progressive lenses. Does anyone have recommendations? She read the reviews on Rudy Project but they were less than positive.
Appreciate any help.
Hi.
By ‘progressive’ do you mean the photochromic ones (ie what react and darken / lighten to changing light levels ?) Or some that are graduated top to bottom ?
If photochromic, I’ve used / got 3 pairs.
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a pair of very well used Rudy Project ‘Rydon’.
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some ‘Sunwise’ (a GB make) ‘Hastings’ (model).
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Oakley evZero Path.
The Rydons have probably got close to 15 years (defo over 10) use. They’re a bit long in the tooth and used for mountain biking these days. But have had plenty of use and held up well.
Lens coverage maybe a tad small for me. Even when pretty dark they clear well enough to keep wearing. I only swap to total clear glasses when riding at night on the mtb.
The Sunwise are my ‘go to’ pair on the road bike and TT. They are frameless so better for visibility when you’ve got your head down. And sensibly priced compared to most.
Optics are pretty good. They don’t go as clear as the Rudy glasses when it’s dark out - I have to drop them down my nose a bit and look over the top of the lens if I get home lade and it’s dusk / time for needing lights.
They are what I’m using for races and most other ride for prob 3 years now.
And not ludicrous £££
The Oakleys. Bleedin’ pricey. BUT…the optics / lack of distortion are the best.
Being in the UK we have rather ‘variable’ weather even in half a day so the photochromic changing is well worth it for me.
Check out Smith’s photo chromatic options. I find them to be really good and truly responsive. I always start my rides in the dark and ride into sunrise glare and these do really well. Don’t ever need to bring a second pair.
Progressive lenses have two prescriptions built into them.
One for distance and one for closeup. The prescription progresses from one to the other (top to bottom).
I put the best progressive trifocal + transition lenses I could, into a $5.99 Zenni frame. Instant love. Light as a feather. Pliable and indestructible. They instantly became my all day every day glasses, my workout glasses, as well as running and riding glasses. They have been through an IM, my local tris, a couple marathons, and all my training. 2 years and still going strong. I’m due for a new prescription, and will do the exact same thing.
What Jim said above. Looking for progressive lenses that have 2 prescriptions (one for closeup and one for distance).
I would look into Roka.
I love Zenni!
I just got some Oakley frames with polarized photosensitive progressive lenses from Costco. So far so good.
ETA: I think that they are Transitions Driverware lenses.
I put the best progressive trifocal + transition lenses I could, into a $5.99 Zenni frame. Instant love. Light as a feather. Pliable and indestructible. They instantly became my all day every day glasses, my workout glasses, as well as running and riding glasses. They have been through an IM, my local tris, a couple marathons, and all my training. 2 years and still going strong. I’m due for a new prescription, and will do the exact same thing.
I am a Zenni wearer as well ; progressive + Transition lenses
Believe it or not, I discovered Zenni through the Professor of Rock YouTube channel
Oakley Portal.
I was just on this exhausting quest. Partly depends on her prescription - one of my factors was +2.5 in my right eye and a lot of wrap around or single-body (1 giant lens across the frame rather than 2 individual lenses for each eye) limit the available rx at 2.
Also keep in mind to put rx in a wraparound lens they carve out separate “lenses†in each eye, kind of defeating the wrap around.
The Portal was designed by Oakley to be a framed version of their more ski-goggle-like Sutro. Don’t know what kind of riding your mom does but a huge issue with my previous glasses was the top of the frame got in the way in the aero position. The Portals solve that. They’re pretty huge, lots of coverage, but they’re one of the best purchases I’ve made.
Good luck to you and her.
Thank you. I don’t know much about eye vision as I have never worn glasses or contacts. Trying to help her out the best I can.
She does road riding on her road bike(she’s in her mid/late 60s). Her script needs are +2.5 in both eyes for near vision. For distance, 0.5, though its minimal need. Is she better off finding wraparounds with bifocal lenses?
Does she use a computer that she likes to look at?
Not in my experience - I’ve had to return 2 pairs I’ve purchased from Oakley because they couldn’t manage to get the rx right when planting them into wrap arounds.
I expect she should have no problems putting progressive lenses into normal 2-lenses sunglasses.
Yes she has a Garmin Edge 520.
I’m back to wearing glasses after having PRK done 16 years ago. Similar situation, it took me quite a bit to find some good progressive glasses for riding.
The pain in the butt was the transition area of the lens from near to far. I tried Roka, twice but ended up with headaches and just taking them off wearing my Wayfarers instead.
I ended up going with Jawbreakers, which fit my big, 6’1 head with minimal curve or wrap.
The curved wrap around lens for me felt like I was in a fish bowl, especially while riding and having to feel your head on a swivel. For a smaller face something like Flak Jacket XLJ would be pretty protective with minimal curve.