I love sunglasses, both on and off the bike, so testing over 35 pairs over the last year or more hasn’t been a chore. While they’re undoubtedly a style choice first and foremost for a lot of us, or a cheap way to emulate our favourite pros, the differences between an average pair and something truly great can be stark. I’ve been hunting through the best pairs on the market across a range of price points to find pairs that are comfortable, have fantastic optics, don’t fall off, don’t fog up, and keep the wind out of my eyes. Most pairs tick a couple of these boxes without breaking a sweat, but only a very select few get close to the full set.
For the full rundown of my favourite pairs on the market you can of course head to my guide to the best cycling glasses and pick something that fits your particular bill, but in this segment, there was a clear winner: The Oakley Encoder. While many pairs came close, none offered up the optical clarity, retention, comfort, and wind protection. It helps that they look good too, but that’s honestly a secondary consideration.
