Getting into cycling as an adult is no easy task. Gone are the days of lopsided helmets, loose chains, dodgy air pressure and exclamations of “look mum, no hands!” before charging headfirst into a hedgerow.
The two-wheeled sport requires a whole lot more gear and more of an idea when taken seriously in adult life. From one-piece cycling suits to aerodynamic helmets and clip-in shoes, mastering the sport can require a lot of stuff. That’s not to say that you need all the equipment in order to become a better cyclist, but hi-tech bits and bobs certainly help with performance.
As a result, when it comes to picking the right pair of glasses for cycling, there’s a reason your well-loved RayBan Aviators won’t do. “But Tom Cruise wears them in Top Gun!” we hear you cry. Sadly, being good at a sport in the real world doesn’t always mean you can dress like a movie star while engaging in it. You’ll need a pair of sunnies that allow for a high-performance cycling experience come rain, shine or snowstorm – all the while balancing style and practicality.
Whether you’ve opened this article because you’re just getting into the sport and are researching exactly what you’ll need to become a pro cycling afficionado, or you’ve already well and truly joined the lycra-clad cult, you’re probably looking for a no-nonsense guide to cycling glasses. We’ve got you covered.
What should I look for in a pair of cycling glasses?
Firstly, think about what kind of cyclist you are. Protecting your peepers from extensive UV exposure and flying bits of debris is always important. Nevertheless, depending on where you’re cycling and how aggressive your trails are, you’ll need to think about key factors such as air resistance, peripheral vision, coverage, breathability and shape.
Let us break down what kind of cycling glasses you need for different terrains and climates.
Road
No matter the weather, you’ll need some protective eyewear while road biking. Aside from the unpredictability of the elements, cycling on road trails kicks up more than a little bit of debris. In the warmer months, you’ll also have to worry about dust and bugs – just like you would for a car windshield.
Whether you choose to cycle in the summer alone, or are an all-seasons, all-terrain type of road cyclist – you should look for a pair of sunnies with replacement lenses that can be switched out depending on the conditions.
Road cyclists will also need to rely heavily on their peripheral vision, so glasses with wide lenses and a strong, grippable rubber base are a go-to option.
Mountain
Snow is incredibly reflective and the air is thinner in higher altitudes, meaning that there is far less protection from UV rays and a high-chance you could be affected by snow blindness if not equipped with proper eyewear. When cycling in the mountains, you’ll want a pair of glasses with photochromatic lenses, good coverage and a tough outer shell.
City
For the casual city cyclist, the sole factor you should be focusing on when it comes to sunnies is pure and simple visibility. Focus on finding a decent pair of glasses that will stay on your face, protect your eyes and allow you to see in a variety of different lights.
Without further ado, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best cycling glasses on the market.
Best cycling glasses at a glance:
- Best for road cycling: SunGod Airas zero & base frame - £180, SunGod
- Best for coverage: Bollé Shifer - £155, Bollé
- Best for expert approved: Mathieu Van Der Poel Signature Series Sutro Lite Sweep - £152, Oakley
- Best for value for money: ROCKBROS Polarized Cycling Sunglasses - £15.29, Amazon
- Best for peripheral vision: Oakley Kato Cavendish Edition - £265, Oakley
- Best for classic alpine design: Heron Mountain - £77, Vallon
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SunGod Airas zero & base frame
Best for: road cycling
Interchangeable lens: yes
A favourite of professional cyclists and F1 drivers who enjoy a good cycling trail for their daily training (Lando Norris, we’re looking at you) – SunGod cycling glasses are top of the range for a myriad of reasons.
First and foremost, they’re incredibly customisable. Though technically part of the brand’s road cycling range, the Airas glasses by SunGod can be customised to suit all your cycling needs. Choose the Zero Frame option for unobstructed peripheral vision, a base frame for extra grip or the option to switch between both for the utmost versatility.
You can also peruse a whopping eight different 8KO refined lens tints and two photochromatic lens styles while utilising the website’s handy lens guide to figure out which works best for you. If you simply can’t decide, you can purchase a few options to suit all your needs – for the Airas lenses can be changed-out in just 15 seconds. All of SunGod’s lenses also have an abbe value of 45 and 100 per cent UV protection.
Lighter than industry-standard polycarbonate, fitted with secure pop-lock screwless hinges, an impact resistant frame, hydrolephobic and triple-later protected lenses as well as four different sizes of nosepads for the optimum fit – these are the cycling glasses of the future.
Buy now £180.00, SunGod
Bollé Shifter
Best for: coverage
Interchangeable lens: yes
With curved temples, a vented photochromatic lens and the option to upgrade the lens to prescription-level with your local optometrist, the Shifters are a top choice for both pro and casual cyclists.
Large TR90 Nylon frames and a thermogrip hydrophilic nosepiece ensure that these glasses will stay put, no matter how intense your session gets. The high contrast lens improves colour perception by up to 30 per cent and also allows for better depth perception, making these specs a fantastic option for high-altitude bikers who are constantly shifting between elevations and light conditions.
The lens is polarized, meaning it is protected against glare. For some road and mountain cyclists, this is an essential feature for preventing against snow blindness. On the other hand, mountain bikers who cycle on sheltered, forest terrains should avoid polarized lenses as they can prevent you from noticing obstacles in an already glare-free environment.
Buy now £155.00, Bollé
Mathieu Van Der Poel Signature Series Sutro Lite Sweep
Best for: expert approved
Interchangeable lens: yes
Designed alongside Dutch cycling star Mathieu Van Der Poel, this edition of Oakley’s Sutro Lite Sweep glasses are a fantastic choice for multi-disciplinary cyclists like Van Der Poel himself. The neon orange colour pays homage to Van Der Poel’s home nation, and the frame subtly features the cyclist’s initials.
Yet whether you’re a van of MVDP or not, the Sutro Lite Sweep cycling glasses are a top-quality choice for a functional and sleek design. The Prizm Road lenses are designed for use in medium-light conditions, providing 20 per cent light transmission and increased contrast. Meanwhile, the vented design ensures breathability alongside optimum coverage. The earsocks are also moulded to the temples to help provide all-day comfort and pro-grade retention.
Buy now £152.00, Oakley
Rockbros Polarized Cycling Sunglasses
Best for: value for money
Interchangeable lens: yes
At such an incredible price point, it’s hard to imagine that these budget-friendly cycling glasses can go the distance. Yet with over 7,000 positive reviews – Rockbros has made clear that it’s not always about the price tag.
Even the most expensive frames by top of the range brands don’t include multiple lens options – Rockbros does. With one pair of polarized lenses and four other interchangeable options to choose from depending on your activity, these glasses provide bang for your buck.
Made from ultra-strong and durable polycarbonate, these cycling glasses feature 100 per cent UV eye protection, as well as protection against wind and glare. The soft rubber nose bridge can be adjusted to suit the angle of your nose and there’s even an anti-sweat strip on the upper frame to prevent sweat irritation.
Buy now £15.29, Amazon
Oakley Kato Cavendish Edition
Best for: peripheral vision
Interchangeable lens: no
No, these aren’t the accessory of a washed-up 80s popstar. These futuristic-looking glasses by Oakley provide optimum vision for road and mountain bikers. Another pair of specs designed alongside a famed cyclist; Oakley celebrates British road cyclist Mike Cavendish with these beauties. Cavendish was actually one of the first pro cyclists to sport Oakley’s now wildly popular Kato frame, even wearing them during his 2021 Tour de France.
The Oakley Kato’s fit as close to the face as possible and were designed to mould to its natural contours. A particular highlight of these glasses is the adjustable rake – a mechanism which helps to tilt the lens at an angle which suits you. They also come with three nose pads of varying thicknesses and depths, making them some of the most adjustable cycling glasses available, despite their rigid appearance.
Buy now £265.00, Oakley
Heron Mountain
Best for: classic alpine design
Interchangeable lens: no
Designed with alpine adventures in mind, the Heron glasses by Vallon have a vintage feel with modern, category three lens technology. The Heron Mountain glasses let more light in than your classic mountaineering glasses, yet simultaneously prevent against glare. The polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof and mould seamlessly into the leather side shields – which will keep your specs nice and secure.
The detachable centrepiece blocks out dust, debris and wind, but can be removed for when you need a little bit more breathability. Uniquely, the Heron Mountain glasses feature adjustable temples, meaning that the earsocks can be shaped around your ears for maximum comfort.
Buy now £77.00, Vallon
