Best Cycling Glasses

Cycling, by its very nature, is an outdoor sport. This means that having the proper eyewear when touring around on your bike is essential. Not all shades are created equal, and finding the best cycling glasses to fit your specific needs can be a bit daunting. Fortunately, we’ve assembled a selection of the best on the market, along with a guide to the specs you should look for.

5 Best Cycling Glasses

There are a great number of sporting glasses available, many of which are suited to different levels of activity. Here we present some of the highest rated pairs available. Read the reviews to find the perfect match for you.

HULISLEM S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses

Made with a lightweight polycarbonate frame, these sunglasses were made to be worn for long periods of time. Those who aren’t used to wearing glasses will be surprised at how comfortable the HULISLEM S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses can be.

The frames themselves are a product of state-of-the-art Italian engineering, while the material was perfected in Switzerland. This is no simple set of cycling glasses; they were designed to perform well in the most challenging conditions. The snug three-point fit construction ensures that the lenses remain level even during rough riding. Made to withstand impacts, these sunglasses were created to last a long time.

They’re available in several styles, and in different colors. The lenses themselves employ Dual Lens Polaric Ellipsoid Geometry, sharpening the color contrasts of your surroundings, and offering great clarity. Your sense of depth perception, which is important when traveling at speed, is also enhanced by such advanced eyewear.

One of the few criticisms of the HULISLEM S1 is that they may sometimes prove too dark during cloudy weather. Other than that, if you want UV protection from one of the best cycling glasses around, then this product is sure to impress.

X-TIGER Polarized Sports Sunglasses

Not many people expect great performance from an inexpensive pair of sunglasses, but the X-TIGER Polarized Sports Sunglasses are a cut above the rest. They’re sure to surprise even the most critical of enthusiasts, as this great pair of sports glasses are designed to perform just as well, or better than more expensive pairs.

The frames of the X-TIGER are quite pliable, providing comfort even when used over a prolonged period. Although the rubber nose pads aren’t adjustable, their neutral fit gives them enough of a grip that they remain securely in place.

Weighing in at an ultra-light 19 grams, you’d probably forget that you were even wearing them if not for the UV reflective lenses. Both these frames and lenses were designed to endure the rough handling that one would expect from a biking adventure.

In terms of style, these sunglasses can hold their own, boasting an array of colors that’s sure to fit any type of mood. The sporty design makes it hard to believe that these are one of the more inexpensive glasses on the market.

Although changing the lenses isn’t complicated, it can be a bit finicky, and is sure to leave fingerprints on the lenses themselves. Also, these lenses don’t have the high contrast of the more expensive competition, but at the price they’re still one of the best cycling glasses around.

HTTOAR Cycling Glasses Sports Sunglasses

Large and with sleek construction, the HTTOAR Cycling Glasses are one of the few models that can actually be worn over prescription eyewear. This is great for biking enthusiasts that need eyeglasses, but still want the protection that dark lenses provide.

These very durable specs come with three interchangeable lenses that are made of extremely strong Triacetate Cellulose, or TAC material. These lenses not only provide UV protection, they’re shatterproof for your safety. Built to withstand the rigors of off-road biking, they’ll surely stand up to any harsh conditions you can subject them to.

The lenses are covered in a UV400 protective coating that blocks both UVA and UVB lights. Those who enjoy long trips will appreciate the amount of defense they provide against harsh rays of sun. The soft, nonslip rubber nose pad keeps these glasses in place even when encountering rough terrain.

Though large in size, these are perfect for those who want to wear them over their glasses; however, they can be a bit too big for other people’s tastes. The sunglasses themselves were designed to be flexible, but some don’t like the feel of bendy eyewear. These are more matters of taste, and for the relatively low price of these glasses, can be easily overlooked. They’re one of the best cycling glasses at this price point, and offer great value for money.

Mamjoin Polarized Sports Sunglasses for Men Women UV400 Protection

The Mamjoin Polarized Sports Sunglasses are made for the active rider, providing 100% UVA and UVB protection. The multi-layer lens reduces the glare from any reflective surfaces, increasing safety when riding under the harsh rays of the sun. The anti-slip nose and temple pads keep these glasses securely in place even during rough riding, or harsh weather. Both the frame and nose pieces can be bent, allowing the user to adjust them for a better fit.

The true color HD lens reduces, if not eliminates any optical distortion, providing adequate protection without any eye strain or headaches. It sharpens optical clarity giving the user a clearer view of their surroundings even when exposed to bright light; they’re perfect for prolonged outdoor riding.

The stylish design complements the durable construction, making these some of the best cycling glasses for those who want top performance without breaking the budget. One of the few things that most find lacking in the Mamjoin Polarized Sports Sunglasses are the limited color choices. Also, although they perform very well during bright sunlight, they may be a bit dark during cloudy weather.

RockBros Cycling Sunglasses Photochromic Bike Glasses

The RockBros Cycling Sunglasses were made specifically with biking in mind. The photochromatic lenses can go darker or brighter depending on the surrounding light. This provides adequate eye protection to the rider without having to change the lenses. For riders that prefer a no-hands solution for prolonged riding in contrasting light conditions, these may be some of the best cycling glasses to use.

The lightweight build and shatterproof and scratch resistant coating makes them great for bike enthusiasts that like to go off-roading. The rubber nose bridge is easily adjustable to fit your needs, and gives great grip for rough riding.

The frameless design gives users a wider degree of vision. With several styles and colors available, you can choose a model that fits your aesthetic tastes. Though not as expensive as high-end sunglasses, they can still be relatively pricey in comparison to others in this category.

Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the best cycling glasses for your needs requires a little homework on your behalf. There aren’t many specifications involved when buying cycling glasses, but it’s useful to know as much information as possible. Here we present some of the specs to take note of in order to guide you when choosing from the various models available.

Lens

One of the most important part of any form of eyewear, the lenses provide protection, and pretty much determine how and where you can use your sunglasses. Modern eyewear design has come up with a great variety of lens types:

Single or Double Lenses

Cycling glasses can come either as single or double lens types. Single type lenses give the wearer a wider field of view, and frameless cycling glasses are generally the single frame type. In contrast, double lens glasses offer better stability, and usually interchangeability.

Fixed Frame or Interchangeable Lenses

This specification is usually affected by the price of the glasses themselves. The more expensive the pair, the more lenses available. Interchangeability gives the user the option to choose the appropriate tint depending on the weather conditions during riding, not that single lens models are relegated to just having one tint. Photochromic lenses, for an additional expense, change their tint according to the surrounding light without having to change the lens itself.

Photochromic Lenses

A rather innovative though expensive option, photochromic lenses easily adapt to various weather and light conditions. This is a great choice for those that ride for prolonged periods and don’t want to stop to change their lenses. If you want cycling glasses that can adapt to any environment, then getting photochromic lenses are a perfect option.

Tinted vs. Polarized Lenses

Tinted lenses are covered with a coating that reduces reflected glare from surrounding light sources. Polarized lenses do the same, but without reducing contrast, allowing for better visibility. Polarized lenses are pretty much the better option, but they do add to the cost of the glasses themselves. If you’re ever given a choice between the two at the same, or similar price, always go with the polarized lenses.

Additional Lens Specs

A good deal of cycling glasses tout UV Protection, shatterproof design, and scratch-proof coatings. They’re great things to have, if and when they’re available, if not as important as the other specifications available. Majority of the sunglasses on the market offer UV protection, and any well-made eyewear should be both scratch-proof and shatterproof.

Frame

Frames are the second most important part of a good pair of sunglasses. Modern design usually means that any sporting or cycling glasses are made from plastic polymers. This ensures durability and allows the glasses themselves to bend according to the shape of one’s head.

The frame determines the width of your field of view. Full frames and half-frame varieties usually offer the same functionality, and the frameless types make it seem that you’re not wearing them at all.

A good deal of style can also be given to the frames, and those looking for a certain look may choose frames that fit their own tastes.

Arms

The arms of the cycling glasses matter when you’re choosing one that suits your head shape. Poorly fit glasses will cause strain on your ears, and ultimately lead to pain and discomfort. Prolonged riding will be torture with ill-fitting glasses.

Make sure that the cycling eyewear that you choose neither hang loose, nor grip too tightly between your ears. The arms should rest comfortably on your head, and shouldn’t fall off when you look down or from side to side.

Nose Bridge

Another potential source of strain, the nose bridge is what grips the glasses to your face. A good deal of cycling glasses come with adjustable nose bridges. But for those that don’t, make sure that they rest comfortably on top of your nose.

The pain caused by stiff eyewear nose bridges may not be noticeable at first, but prolonged strain can cause headaches to occur. Make sure that the materials the nose bridge are made of are soft, and comfortable to use.

Finding the Proper Eyewear

Choosing the best cycling glasses, especially with the number of options available, can be rather confusing at first. Hopefully, both our list of recommendations and buyer’s guide have given you an idea of what cycling glasses suit your needs best. Having proper eyewear when biking is always a good idea, and finding a pair that suits your riding style is easy if you know what to look for.