What’s everyone using for sunglasses for riding (assuming you are not wearing a TT helmet with a visor)?
I am in the market and have the following kind of shortlisted:
Any thoughts? Feedback? Other recommendations?
Gas station Sunnies rule!!! Yes I am cheap.
1 Like
Outside of my TT visor, I just use $20-$30 sunglasses from Amazon that have almost the same shape as many of the ones you linked to. I find it quite insane that companies can charge $250-$500 for sunglasses that perform marginally (if even that) better than the cheap ones, if even that. I had a pair of Oakleys once and was really underwhelmed given the price.
4 Likes
I’ve got a pair of brand new Julbo Frequencies waiting for me to get home. I like their polychromatic lenses. They also look less Terminator on me than a lot of the Oakley (and Goodr) options.
I’ve always found that nice sunglasses are absolutely nicer than cheap ones. My Ray-Bans are vastly better than the knock off ones I’ve had. Also, I buy them once or twice a decade.
1 Like
I agree - after a few years running with a new pair of Goodrs every few months, I splurged on a nice Roka set and it’s a world of difference
Sutros are my favorite, they fit me perfectly and the optics are great.
I have a few pairs of Roka and I love them for casual use and running. Unfortunately they haven’t updated their cycling models or come out with anything new in years. But the quality is awesome and they often have discount codes through Strava challenges, etc.
Last season I picked up a pair of Glade Rambles with photochromic lenses. Not as nice as those others but pretty good and a lot cheaper.
Rudy Spinshields do not work for me. I love the shape but the frame is deep and constantly touches my forehead, which causes sweat to drip down the inside of the lenses. I’m sure that’s an individual thing so YMMV.
Oakley plasma. I got prescription lenses and they are perfect replacement for my face for the Radars I’d used for the previous 20 years.
Oh, and they fit under my visor on my LG aero helmet with no issues fogging or with being too dark.
Check out 100%
Sutro Lite (Prism Road). Not having the lower frame makes it easier to look over my shoulder for passing traffic without the frame obstructing.
Great coverage, great comfort, great optics, lenses that won’t leave the frame or shatter if you crash. They are a bit big/bulky for running; so I prefer the frameless EVZero for that.
You can get them for <$100 online: https://www.jomashop.com/oakley-sutro-lite-prizm-ruby-rectangular-mens-sunglasses-oo9463-946318-39.html
There is also the Sutro Lite Sweep for a more 90s retro look (same frame just drfferent lens shape). This is what WVA and MVDP have been wearing all cyclocross season.
None
I am not convinced that sunglasses offer protection commensurate with the hassle, sun tan lotion pain, and inconvenience.
But name brand sunglasses vs the $1.00 pair???
Might as well set your money on fire…
Actually…
Setting money on fire is probably a healthier financial practice.
Keep you from taking money too seriously.
Ok man.
two dollar shop do a decent dark lense black frame sun glasses imo. its always the way, you buy something dear and its busted in 2 weeks bcause someone sits on it or drops it. buy something from the servo and it lasts you 3 years
1 Like
Something to consider is whether the glasses are impact resistant. I used to wear inexpensive no-name glasses. 2 years ago, I had a run-in with a car on a training ride, and those glasses did a number on my face. They basically disintegrated, and I wound up with several dozen stitches in my face…
I’ve got pretty light eyes, they’re pretty much non-negotiable. They’re going to spend a couple hundred hours on my face through training and racing this year.
I’ve decided that not chasing race to the bottom pricing is important to me. I may buy less for my hobbies but I’ll try to do it with quality products, from companies that support those hobbies.
If you’re happy with whatever level of sunglasses you’re rocking than good on you and enjoy, my girlfriend loves her $50 pair of Tifosi an insane amount.
1 Like
Yep…I have gotten that way with almost everything Tri/Bikepacking related.Everything from (all Aussie dollars) $15 tents to $2 flashing bike lights to $5 bike pants to $8 completely reflective Gliet. The Temu list goes on and on and on…
My new $699AUD Cross Bike from Reid Cycles here in Oz is the cheapness cherry on top. Just trying to show people,especially beginners that you don’t need to spend a fortune on gear for long bike tours or Triathlon’s for that matter.
I’ve found zero difference between the $25-30 range and the Tifosis. Oakleys do have more premium build and lenses for sure, but again, once you’re sweating all over it, it’s just the same as the other ones. I was hoping Tifosis and up would be stronger and last longer, but seems they’re mostly similar in design, probably due to the lightweight factor, and thus all of the ones I’ve used have been prone to lens cracks (esp after changing lenses), arm cracks, etc. But for sure, the biggest problem for me is losing them after some point!
In addition to their obvious use for sun glare, I also use them to for protection - wind, debris, bugs. So I go with the lenses that adjust to lighting conditions which allows me to wear them on all rides, all conditions. Tifosi has a few styles w/these kinds of lenses and I like their price points.
I’m a big fan of what’s right for one person isn’t right for someone else. Ie, you do you. And equally I have no issues with anyone spending big $ or tiny $ and we all enjoy doing what we do.
But. For a long time I used the cheap ‘disposable?’ bike glasses. They’d last a year or so before being replaced when the lenses cracked, were too scratched or the nose pads fell off.
And then one day I got some Oakleys. I used to commute everyday, and so in rain, sun, night, all of it and previously struggled with them fogging or sweat on them. The Oakleys just didn’t. Now in fairness, I don’t think the lenses today are as good as the 2005 hydrophobic coatings, but the safety and comfort was a huge step up.
Today, the road Prism lenses is fantastic at really highlighting potholes / other surface changes in tarmac, car indicators, and cutting down glare.
For me it’s like a saddle - you can make do with the stock ones, but I’d prefer to ride on a quality saddle on a cheap frame rather than a cheap saddle on a flash frame. Like shorts, gloves saddles and shoes - get them right you’ll enjoy riding, scrimp on those and no matter what you’ll not have much fun.
Caveat to this, I’ve naturally had eyes that are on the more sensitive to wind, ride in a wide range of less than perfect weather, and nowadays have ageing eyesight that makes any further loss of vision from sun glare, fogging, general lens distortion more impactful. But as I said, in my teens to late 20s then I used the plastic fantastic and I didn’t die or get put off cycling. Still, no way I’m giving you my prescription Oakley Plasmas for even twice what I paid…
I’m only just now on my 3rd pair of Tifosi, the previous two pairs lasted 5-6 years each (maybe more). To me they hit the sweet spot of price, fit and performance. As others have noted, to each their own. I’m sure an equal number of people would be astonished at what I will pay up for as would be astonished at what I refuse to pay up for; Tifosi fit somewhere in between.
1 Like
I had a pair of Bliz sunglasses and they were very good. Good quality but no Oackley prices. I now have a pair of Oackley but would not spend so much again and go back to something like Bliz.