CyclistBest cycling sunglasses reviewed 2024The best cycling sunglasses are more than just for protecting your eyes from the sun or even looking cool at the cafe stop.Given the speeds that cyclists can get to, especially on downhills, they are also vital to protect your eyes from any items that may flick up off the road as well as dirt and bugs especially useful for gravel cycling and mountain biking.Lenses are the key part of any pair of sunglasses. Most are made of impact-resistant polycarbonate or nylon to provide better protection. Some have polarised lenses, while other brands use proprietary technology to enhance contrasts and make obstacles or flaws on the tarmac or trail more visible. Photochromic lenses can also be used for changing light conditions based on the weather or riding under tree cover.Lenses can feature hydrophobic or oleophobic treatments to prevent liquids or fingerprints from marking and obscuring vision, while scratch protective coatings can improve longevity.Practical features to look out for are the ability to change lenses for different weather conditions, as well as buying replacement lenses rather than a new pair of glasses if needed. Adjustable or multiple nosepieces are useful to tailor fit given people will have different nose shapes.Non-slip coatings on the arms are vital and hydrophilic ones that keep glasses secure even when sweaty are especially useful. Finally, some level of ventilation is useful especially around the brow to prevent your face getting too warm and also reducing the chance of fogging in wet or humid conditions.Reviews of the best cycling sunglasses100% Aerocraft: RRP 175 read our full review100% Slendale: RRP 100 read our full reviewBBB Chester: RRP 54.99 read our full reviewKoo Demos: RRP 180 read our full reviewMadison Code Breaker II: RRP 40 read our full reviewOakley Encoder Strike: RRP 228 read our full reviewOakley Sutro Lite Sweep Vent: RRP 168 read our full reviewOakley Spherea: RRP 231 read our full reviewRoka Matador Air: RRP 220 read our full reviewScicon Aeroscope: RRP 195 read our full reviewScicon Aeroshade Kunken: RRP 175 read our full reviewSunGod Airas: RRP 140-180 read our full reviewSunGod Vulcans: RRP 140-180 read our full reviewHow do we test and why trust Cyclists advice?Lizzie CrabbAll of our product reviewers are avid cyclists who have been cycling for many years. They have all built up a huge array of experience from riding in various conditions and testing what kit works and doesnt work.These sunglasses were tested between March and June, in a range of different weather conditions. These varied from bright sunny days, to early mornings and late evenings with low sunlight and varying light conditions to rainy days to test fogging and hydrophobic properties.They were also tested with multiple different helmets to ensure helmet docking and compatibility with different cradles and retention systems was thoroughly tested. Related Posts Best cycling jerseys for summer reviewed and how to choose one Best cycling helmet: Road and gravel bike helmets from under 100 reviewed Best aero road cycling helmets reviewed 2024 Oakley HQ : factory visit Best cycling sunglasses 2024100% AerocraftPrice 174.99 / $189 / 199Brilliant field of viewSuperb lensSome distortion around the edgesThe 100% Aerocraft are 100%s new top-of-the-line cycling sunglasses. They feature the new 3DPlane Molded Lens technology, which allows the lens to blend seamlessly into the frame of the glasses. It also means the lens can be shaped differently to standard cylindrical lenses, with folded edges to improve both field of view and protection. It works well in practice, but there is some distortion around the edges and sweat can pool at the bottom.The lens also uses 100%s HiPER technology, which is designed to improve contrast of certain light wavelengths, similar to Oakleys Prizm lens. This technology works brilliantly, helping highlight potholes and obstacles on the tarmac.The Purple Multilayer Mirror lens is superb across a range of conditions thanks to the 29% light transmission. This means it protects nicely against bright sunlight but is not so dark that it cant be used in lower light conditions.It isnt all rosy though, as the protective brow pad along the top of the lens reduces airflow to the brow, and means your face can get a little warm in hotter weather. Additionally, although it comes with a hard and soft case, there are no replacement lens options available, even though the lens is actually very easy to remove.The price is also high at 174.99 and 100% doesnt offer the lens guarantees found on some similarly priced glasses.Read our full 100% Aerocraft sunglasses review100% SlendalePrice: 99.99 / $119 / 129Superb lensGreat valuePractical frameThe 100% Slendale glasses are 100%s cheapest sport model to use its HiPER lens technology, designed to enhance the contrast and enhance details and colours. This improves the detail of the terrain where youre riding and in practice works brilliantly for picking up on potholes and over obstacles or imperfections on the road.The lens is also hydrophobic, oleophobic and scratch resistant, and although I havent tested the scratch resistance directly, the other features work very well.The frame is a TR90 plastic and extends slightly outwards beyond the lens, more so than many other brands. This has a brilliant practical benefit of preventing the lenses hitting the ground in the event of being dropped, as I accidentally tested. The frame is slightly visible around the nosepiece, and although not enough to be a true obstruction, it can sometimes detract from an otherwise broad field of view. The lens is large enough that the top of the frame is not visible when riding, even in a more aggressive position.The Slendales dont come with a dedicated case, just a cardboard box, but it does come at a very reasonable price. At 99.99 it is easily one of the best lenses available for under 100, whereas many competitors are significantly more expensive, making this great value.Read our full 100% Slendale sunglasses reviewBBB ChesterAndy TurnerPrice:54.99Very good value for moneyMade from bio-based materialLens can experience glareThe BBB Chester glasses utilise a bio-based polyamide frame made up of 45% castor bean-derived carbon, while rubber is used for the arms and the adjustable nosepiece. The frame feels good quality, and while the glasses are heavier than some higher-end competitors, it isnt noticeable.The lens is impressive, with great hydro and oleophobic properties, while the performance in sunny conditions is good except for glare in direct sunlight and dappled conditions. The lens cant be changed, but at 54.99 a replacement pair of glasses is cheaper than some replacement lenses on this list.Even with this great value though, some fit elements do let the BBB Chesters down. The arms can slip down the face when sweaty, and the nosepiece is not the most comfortable, with the glasses either sitting too close to the face with the frame in contact with the nose, or air flowing straight into the eyes. But I do like a pair of glasses that sits a little away from my face and has a deep and narrow nosepiece. The BBB Chesters fit the bill on both counts.Read our full BBB Chester sunglasses reviewKoo DemosPrice:180 / $210 / 210Amazing photochromic lensAdjustable nosepieceSit quite close to the browThe Koo Demos are a full frame pair of glasses made from a high-impact-resistant Grilamid frame with Megol inserts in the arms to provide ample grip even when sweaty. In practice, they work very well.Although a full frame design, the lower section of the frame is particularly thin so that even when looking behind, peripheral vision is not impaired. At 31g they are also impressively lightweight, and for added fit adjustment they feature both an adjustable nosepiece and a spare one. These are quite tough to change out however.The lens is made in conjunction with Zeiss and features great clarity and contrast, while anti-reflective treatments internally and externally prevent any glare. The photochromic lens changes light transmission from between 12% and 75% and reacts very quickly better than any lens Ive used before. An option to use a clip-in insert also accommodates prescription lenses.Unfortunately though the glasses sit very close to the forehead, with no real way to adjust it. That means in warm weather sweat from the brow can easily get onto the lens. At 180 the Koo Demos glasses are also not cheap, but that price is inflated by the inclusion of the photochromic lens.Read our full Koo Demos sunglasses reviewMadison Code Breaker IIAndy TurnerPrice:39.99Incredible value for moneyTwo spare lenses suppliedRubber grips arent the bestThe Madison Code Breaker II glasses share a very similar profile to the popular Oakley Jawbreakers and use a full frame made of TR-90 material to offer shatter resistance and flexibility to protect the riders face.The lens is spherical in design, which helps in offering a large field of view, as well as featuring very effective vent holes. The lens can be switched out and three are included with the Codebreakers: a Cat 3 lens for brighter sun, and a Cat 1 and Cat 0 for rainy or darker conditions. The Cat 3 lens works well in most light but can experience glare in direct bright sunlight.The rubber grips on the arms of the glasses are effective until sweat builds up, but then they can be slippery. The nosepiece is adjustable but, when you make it narrower, air can get behind the lens and into the eyes. Small niggles aside though, the performance is really good, and for 39.99 these are the cheapest glasses on test, in some cases around a fifth the price of others.Read our full Madison Code Breaker II sunglasses reviewOakley Encoder StrikeAndy TurnerPrice:228 / $264 / 245Great wraparound lensHuge field of viewCant change lensThe Oakley Encoder Strike sunglasses feature Oakleys signature O-Matter impact-resistant frame and Unobtainium rubber arms and nosepiece for added grip when sweating.The Prizm lens is fantastic across a range of light conditions and really does improve contrast on road surfaces to highlight any imperfections or holes.PhysioMorphic technology is used in the lens to allow a greater wrap around the face and improve field of view while vents have been added to the top to aid brow ventilation. The only downsides are that lens cannot be changed out, and at 228 the Encoders are quite expensive. However they really are a superb pair of sunglasses.Read our full Oakley Encoder Strike sunglasses reviewOakley SphaeraPrice:231 / $255 / 271Polarised lens is superbArm grips are a useful featureSpherical lens offers great field of viewThe Oakley Sphaera glasses are the successor to the longstanding Radar range as Oakleys do-it-all multisports glasses but equally are ideal for cyclists.The Unobtanium arm grippers and nosepiece stay securely on your face even during higher intensity efforts in the heat where sweat accumulates. The polarised Prizm lens makes for the best optical experience of any cycling glasses Ive reviewed, with superb clarity and contrast to shield your eyes from the sun and pick up any imperfections or obstacles on the road.The new arm grips are also brilliant for easy removal and placement of the glasses even when wearing a helmet or with longer hair, while also making the glasses feel more secure. This is especially useful given the 231 pricetag the most expensive pair of glasses on test.However, the performance and practical features of these glasses, along with hard and soft cases being supplied, do go a long way to justify that price. A spare clear lens wouldnt go amiss though.Read our full Oakley Sphaera sunglasses reviewOakley Sutro Lite Sweep VentPrice:168 / $194 / 180Great brow ventilationPrizm lens is superbVery lightweightThe Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep Vent sunglasses feature all the signature trademarks of high-end Oakley sunglasses with Unobtanium hydrophilic grippers, an O-Matter impact-resistant frame, and Prizm lens technology.The grippers help keep the glasses securely on your face even when sweating, while the Prizm lens has superb performance in bright weather and features good hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.At 28g the glasses are also exceptionally lightweight and, paired with the swept lenses and vent holes, are brilliant for hot weather riding. Coming with a hard and soft case with this level of performance makes them decent value at 168.Although a spare lens isnt supplied they are available. The only things stopping these from being perfect are the arms interfering with some helmet cradles, and being able to see through the vent holes slightly.Read our full Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep Vent sunglasses reviewRoka Matador AirAndy TurnerPrice: 220 / $240 / 250Unique arm style works wellSuperb field of viewVery expensiveThe Roka Matador Air sunglasses use a TR-90 frame to offer impact protection while Megol grips are used on the arms to offer a very secure fit event when sweaty or travelling over rougher terrain.The arms also sprout from the base of the glasses rather than the top and are quite short, meaning they dont interfere with helmet strap or cradle interfaces. Multiple nosepieces are supplied to tailor the fit, however they dont feature the same level of grip as other brands, so on bumpy surfaces the glasses can move on the face.The lens is superb with great light transmission and contrast while featuring anti-fog tech and sweat and fingerprint resistance. In practice the fingerprint resistance wasnt the best, but marks were easy to clean off. The glasses also offer a superb field of view, thanks to the high top frame and no base frame, while vents along the brow work well for ventilation. Both hard and soft cases are supplied, but 220 is still a lot of money for a pair of glasses.Read our fullRoka Matador Air sunglasses reviewBuy the Roka Matador Air sunglasses from Roka (220)Scicon AeroscopePrice:195 / $230 / 220Lots of adjustabilityGreat venting to the browCome with spare lensThe Scicon Aeroscope is made using a high impact-resistant Grilamid TR90 frame, while the FlexiFit 2.0 nosepiece, horizon adjustment and flexible and length-adjustable temples allow great customisation for personal fit.The Multimirror lens works brilliantly across a wide range of light conditions, while the supplied clear lens works very well in low light. They are however prone to smudging with fingerprints, although they can be cleaned easily.The new VenteX port boosts ventilation to the face massively in warm weather, without directing any air into your eyes.The price may be high, but the performance is superb while lifetime lens guarantees and the supplied extras boost the value nicely.Read our full Scicon Aeroscope sunglasses reviewScicon Aeroshade KunkenAndy TurnerPrice: 175/ $210 / 200Huge range of adjustabilityBrilliant lensSpare lens as standardThe Scicon Aeroshade Kunken sunglasses can often be seen on the face of Tadej Pogaar, normally winning races. They are made entirely in Italy using an impact resistant Grilamid frame with a Panorama arch to aid visibility while riding in an aggressive position.Both the arms and the nosepiece feature adjustability to suit different sizes and shapes, while also tailoring how far the lens sits from the face. The nosepiece can also be lowered to improve the field of view.The lens works brilliantly in bright sunlight and is nicely hydrophobic in the rain, while a clear lens is supplied for dark or dull days. The inclusion of the spare lens, a case, and a lifetime lens guarantee aids in them being pretty good value at 175 while performing exceptionally well.Read our full Scicon Aeroshade Kunken sunglasses reviewSunGod AirasPrice:140-180 / $170-210 / 170-210Wide range of customisation optionsWarranty on frame and lensVery lightweightThe SunGod Airas sunglasses feature a huge amount of customisation as standard while also having a lifetime warranty on the frame, with SunGod repairing the frame and replacing a scratched lens.The frame is a very lightweight plastic, while griplock hydrophilic material is used on the arms to keep them secure even when sweaty, which works really well. The lens is SunGods 8KO Nylon and works brilliantly in bright sunny conditions, without any glare. It uses a hydroleophobic coating to repel water and dirt, but fingerprints can stick to the lens easily and take a bit of effort to remove.The lens does not feature vents, but didnt fog up even in wet and humid weather, while multiple supplied nosepieces aid fit adjustment. The frame can also be tailored to use a half frame at the base, or remove that for a zero frame.I found the half frame obstructed vision when looking behind, it also adds to the overall price. Opt for both half and zero frames and the price gets quite high. But as just a zero frame the price drops a lot and the supplied warranties and customisation makes the SunGod Airas sunglasses great value.Read our full SunGod Airas sunglasses reviewBuy the SunGod Airas sunglasses from SunGod (from 140)Sungod VulcansPrice:140-180 / $170-$210 / 170-210Lots of customisationLifetime warrantyFull frame or half frameThe SunGod Vulcans feature the standard high level of customisation that has become the norm with the brand. Lenses, top frame, lower frame, logo and arms can all be customised to give a truly individual pair of glasses. The frame can also be run as a full frame option for full protection, or a half frame option for better field of view, and a slightly cheaper price.Grip-Lock hydrophilic grippers on the arms do a great job at keeping the glasses secure even when sweaty, while four nosepieces allow a more tailored fit.Theres a SunGod 8KO lens, made from 2mm nylon and brilliant in bright sunlight. It also features scratch protective and a hydroleophobic coating, which does a great job at dispatching everything other than fingerprints.The glasses feature a lifetime warranty on the frame and against lens scratches, while the company makes these glasses carbon neutral. The price can be high in certain specs, and the full frame can obscure peripheral vision when looking behind, but the performance and value, especially as a half frame, are brilliant.Read our full Sungod Vulcans sunglasses reviewBuy the SunGod Vulcans sunglasses from SunGod (from 140)How to choose the best cycling sunglasses for youJuan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistWhat are the differences between lenses?There are five different lens categories, which let in different amounts of light. Its useful to understand what they mean:Cat 0 is 80-100% light transmission with either no tint or a very light tint.Cat 1 is 43-80% light transmission and features a light tint, often pink, orange or yellow.Cat 2 is 18-43% light transmission with a medium tint.Cat 3 is 8-18% light transmission and has a darker tint, often coloured and mirrored.Cat 4 is 3-8% light transmission and features a very dark tint.Cat 2 and 3 are most common as standard cycling lenses, while Cat 0 is often used for darker conditions or in the rain. Cat 4 lenses arent generally useful for cycling, unless you are riding in bright sunshine in snow or across a desert.You can also buy photochromic lenses, which change their light transmission based on the sunlight they are exposed to.The best cycling sunglasses often feature lens technology that changes the highlights and contrasts of certain light wavelengths to make obstacles more visible on the road. These include Prizm in Oakley glasses, HiPER in 100%s and ChromaPop in Smiths.What should I look for in cycling glasses?A good-quality lens is the first thing to look for. Often hydro or oleophobic treatments can feature which reduce the chance of water or dirt sticking to the lens and impairing your vision.Other things to look for are the ability to change out the lens for different conditions, a fit that is comfortable yet secure and, ideally, low weight.Some riders may prefer a full frame for added protection, while others may prefer a half frame or even zero frame to enhance the field of view and peripheral vision.Why do I need cycling sunglasses?The main purpose of cycling sunglasses is to offer protection for the eyes both from the sun and objects. The ability to block the transmission of harmful UV rays is key, while high impact protection will protect the user in the event of stones, chips or tree branches impacting.What if I need prescription glasses?Unfortunately many sunglasses are not compatible with prescription lenses, so contact lenses may have to be worn. However, there are a few brands that either allow you to order custom prescription lenses or sell clip-in inserts that can allow prescription lenses to be fitted behind the main sunglass lens. Related Posts Best cycling jerseys for summer reviewed and how to choose one Best cycling helmet: Road and gravel bike helmets from under 100 reviewed Best aero road cycling helmets reviewed 2024 Oakley HQ : factory visit The post Best cycling sunglasses reviewed 2024 appeared first on Cyclist.