Best Cycling Sunglasses for Road Cycling, MTB, and Bike Touring

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Best Cycling Sunglasses

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This is a review of the Best Cycling Sunglasses 2024.

The best biking sunglasses aren’t just about shielding your eyes from the sun, they have so many other useful purposes. This includes protecting your eyes from hazards like bugs or insects.

While also, cycling glasses can protect your eyes from the elements as well. This is important if you are riding through muddy, sandy, or gritty terrain.

A good pair of sunglasses for cycling needs to not only be comfortable for you to wear for long periods of time, but they need to be durable and for some people, fashionable.

Due to there being so many different cycling sunglasses on the market, it can be overwhelming knowing which ones you should be buying. I have researched and taken a look at hundreds of different cycling sunglasses. In this article, I have put together my list of the best cycling sunglasses on the market in 2024.

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How We Tested

All the Cycling Sunglasses in this review have been extensively evaluated and researched by the expert author who has many years of experience in Bike Touring and Bikepacking. He has cycled more than 30,000 miles through more than 20 countries around the world. The research, testing, and experience of the author have combined to come up with the best Sunglasses for Cycling for 2024. Read the Review Policy for further details.


Best Sunglasses for Cycling

The Best Sunglasses for cycling are:

Best Cycling Sunglasses – Overall

Oakley Jawbreaker Shield Sunglasses

Oakley Men's OO9290 Jawbreaker Shield Cycling Sunglasses

Pros:

> Interchangeable Lenses
> The arms are easily adjustable so that you can get a good fit for your head and face.
> Soft Nose Piece
> The lenses are quite wide, which helps to provide you with greater peripheral vision

Cons:
> For some people, these sunglasses are far too big

The Oakley Jawbreaker cycling sunglasses were developed in partnership with renowned British sprinter Mark Cavendish.

There are multiple lens options and seven different color schemes. Although they might appear a little odd off the bike, broad lenses ensure that you have excellent peripheral vision while riding.

Since the arms are adjustable, you can acquire a nice fit and eliminate any worry that your expensive frame glasses will fall to the ground. Even after spending several hours on the saddle, you won’t even notice you are wearing them thanks to the soft nose piece.

The revolutionary Switchlock interchangeable lens system from Oakley is what actually distinguishes the Jawbreakers from the competition and gives them their name. So you could consider buying a couple of different lenses for these glasses and swapping them out to have the best lenses for the conditions you are in. You may adjust your lenses according to the riding conditions by pulling down the nosepiece.

Overall, the Oakley Jawbreakers are one of the best cycling sunglasses on the market and best suited to anyone wanting a top-tier model with easily interchangeable lenses.

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Best Budget Sunglasses for Cycling

Tifosi Sledge Sunglasses

Tifosi Sledge Cycling Sunglasses

Pros:

> Strong and durable frame
> The silicone grippers on the arm pieces and nose prevents these sunglasses from falling off your face.
> Good choice of Interchangeable Lenses
> There are a lot of different designs available for you to choose from.

Cons:
> On their website, it is said that the arms and nose piece is adjustable. Unfortunately, the nose piece isn’t adjustable. This isn’t a huge issue but is something to be aware of. 

For those with medium to large face sizes, Tifosi advises the Sledge sunglasses. The lenses have been constructed with vents to prevent them from steaming up.

Although, there is no problem with winds blowing around your eyes when wearing these sunglasses because they provide excellent coverage.

You can be a little rough with these because these frame glasses are made of flexible Grilamid TR-90 thermoplastic, and should you drop them, the lenses have withstood any damage.

The silicone grippers on the arms and nose section, combined with the matte surface, help these sunglasses to adhere to your skin and prevent sliding.

You can change the lenses with these sunglasses, which at first can seem a bit daunting.

Overall, the Tifosi Sledge Sunglasses are the best budget cycling sunglasses. They are a great choice for cyclists who want a stylish and affordable pair of shades that provide protection and performance.

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Best Sunglasses for MTB

Smith Parallel 2 Max Polarized Sunglasses

Pros:

> These sunglasses only weigh around 22 grams, making them quite lightweight.
> This design can be worn while cycling or when strolling around town.
> Comfortable to wear thanks to the rubber arms and nosepiece.

Cons:
> The lenses on these sunglasses are slightly smaller, so they don’t cover as much of your face.
> Not as durable as some cycling sunglasses on this list.

Smith is known for making great sunglasses for cycling or running. The Smith Parallel Polarized sunglasses are known for their comfort. This is thanks to the rubber nose piece and arms.

In addition to that, these cycling sunglasses are so light, many have said, that you forget they are on your head. You could easily wear the Smith Parallel 2 Max Polarized Sunglasses on your bike or just walk around town with them on.

Hence, they are a really versatile pair of sunglasses that will fit all your needs. The lenses on this pair of sunglasses will keep your eyes protected, but they do not cover as much of your face compared to some other sunglasses on this list.

Hence, there is a small gap which dust could reach into. The Smith Parallel 2 Max does a good job of blocking out sunlight and comes with a solid case to keep the sunglasses safe when not being worn.

Overall, these glasses are versatile and are the best sunglasses for biking and running.

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Best Lightweight Cycling Sunglasses

Oakley Evzero Blades

Pros:

> Lightweight
> The lack of frame allows you to have an unrestricted view.
> The Prizm Ruby lenses offer you a clear view that also adds a pretty tint but no distortion. 

Cons:
> Due to this being a frameless pair of sunglasses, some cyclists have noticed that the sunglasses don’t offer the same amount of pressure or resistance.

The lightweight Oakley EVZero Blades sunglasses have a ‘barely there’ feel and great clarity in harsh light. The lack of a frame over the top of the lens provides unrestricted vision. They weigh only 22g thanks to their frameless and slender arm construction.

The Prizm Ruby lens is beautiful and offers excellent clarity without any distortion. It gives the road a really attractive tint that is easy on the eyes and enhances visibility.

Wearing the Oakley Men’s Evzero Blades Rectangular Sunglasses results in little distortion, and the hydrophobic coating performs a decent job of keeping perspiration and rain off the lens.

These are a much more affordable option if you are not able to spend hundreds on sunglasses. You must try on these sunglasses before you buy. Since, they don’t fit everyone, especially if you naturally have a smaller face.

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More Cycling Sunglasses

Rapha Pro Team Full Frame Cycling Glasses

Rapha Pro Team Full Frame Cycling Glasses

Pros:

> Good Ventilation
> These bigger lenses ensure your view isn’t restricted and is much clearer.
> The nose piece is adjustable to help you create the right fit for your head.
> Clear visibility in most light conditions

Cons:
> Some people will have issues with adjusting the vents on the side of the cycling glasses. However, with practice, this will become easier.

While practicing and racing, the Rapha Pro Team Full Frame is designed to provide complete protection and unobstructed vision.

The Rapha Pro Teams’ slightly larger lenses are the perfect size for complete coverage without any unwelcome intrusions beneath your eyeline.

Since the lenses themselves have Rider Optimized Surface Enhancement lens technology, you can see the road more clearly in wooded regions or areas with scattered light. This technology offers enhanced contrast between light and dark.

The nose piece on the Rapha Pro Team Full Frame Cycling Glasses is easily adjustable to achieve the right fit for you, even though they sit pretty high by default.

Finally, Rapha Pro Team Full Frame Cycling Glasses have been created with military-grade anti-fogging protection. To help prevent fogging, the lens has two small horizontal vents at the top and two much broader vertical vents at either end.

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Protective Lenses

Protective Lenses are one of the more important features you need to consider when purchasing a pair of cycling sunglasses. Most bike glasses will offer defense against mud, wind, and other flying debris. Special coatings protect the whole spectrum of UV rays (UVA, UVB, and UVC).

As the quality of your lenses increases, so does the protection the lenses can offer you. This includes other hazardous radiation (HEV or “blue light” rays). You want to ensure that your lenses offer you as much UV protection as possible.

The lens on the cycling glasses also protects your eyes if you are wearing contact lenses underneath your cycling glasses.


Frame Design And Fit

Another crucial factor to take into account when choosing a frame is how to strike a balance between a secure fit, an unobstructed field of vision, and sufficient ventilation to avoid fogging. Some riders choose a more substantial frame for a secure feeling.

One thing that makes cycling sunglasses different from other glasses is the higher section above your eyes. This is to allow you to look ahead at the road when in a more aggressive cycling position. This is more important for road cyclists or triathletes and less so for mountain bike riders or bike touring.

While others seek out a “semi-frameless” style, in which the lens is only attached to the frame at the top or bottom. However, for riders with larger or smaller faces, a lot may depend on rider taste.

Most sunglasses are adjustable through replaceable nose pads to enable the fit to be “tuned.” The fit of your sunglasses is vital. You want to ensure they fit comfortably on your face and won’t slip off while you are riding.


Durability

Durability is an important aspect to consider when purchasing cycling sunglasses. This is because you want to be certain that your sunglasses can deal with whatever you throw at them.

The frame needs to be rigid to feel secure on your head, yet it is easy for them to be dropped when cycling. As a result, you don’t want sunglasses that feel flimsy and won’t keep your eyes protected.

Most of the sunglasses I have mentioned above are very durable. Thus, you can be sure that they won’t let you down.


Interchangeable Lenses

Most of the best cycling glasses in this review have a variety of different-colored lenses that can be snapped into and out of the frame. Polarized lenses are best but so are clear lenses. These are frequently used in low-light situations for overcast weather, winter rides, and dense forests.

Dark lenses are frequently used in bright sunlight and intermediate tints are frequently utilized in a range of situations in between.

Manufacturers will use a variety of tint colors, but the colors you choose to wear are usually down to personal preference. With that being said, it is important to choose tints that will offer you the most eye protection while you are cycling.

While most of us will not be bothered buying two or more lenses for our glasses it is good to know that you could change them if needed. Many of the cycling glasses in this review will also have a prescription lenses option.


Photochromic Lenses

While most high-end cycling sunglasses have some form of interchangeable lenses, you could consider having sunglasses with a photochromic lens.

Photochromic lenses are a special type of lens that will automatically change the tint of your sunglasses depending on the levels of light exposure they receive. If you happen to cycle through changeable conditions such as through woods or forests, then these glasses would be ideal for you.

Usually, these sunglasses can be quite pricey, but the price is worth it as you don’t have to deal with the hassle of carrying around extra lenses.

I have tried prescription lenses in cycling glasses with photochromatic lenses and I found they work great but in very bright light my experience is the lens does not get dark enough for me. But my eyes are very sensitive to bright light, so it could be just me, and these lenses could be great for most cyclists on cloudy or partly sunny days.


Anti-Fogging Technology

A feature that a lot of people sometimes forget or overlook is anti-fogging. The last thing you want is to start getting hot and sweaty and your glasses start to fog up. Fogging is also an issue that happens a lot during colder weather.

Not all sunglasses provide you with an anti-fogging solution. Some of the more common anti-fogging features found on cycling sunglasses include an anti-fogging coating that is applied to the lenses.

On the other hand, your sunglasses may be created with vents that ensure that fresh air can remove any fog that may be building up on your glasses.


Price

It could be said that most cycling sunglasses are not cheap, at least high-end sunglasses. While you can pick up a pair of cheap sunglasses you will likely be disappointed. I know I have been every time I bought cheap ones. The sunglasses for cyclists on this list are all high quality from well-known brands.

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Conclusion

The Best Cycling Sunglasses for 2024 are:

Another one of the Best Cycling Gear Reviews from BikeHikeSafari.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bigger lenses better for cycling sunglasses?

Almost all the best cycling sunglasses have quite big lenses. This is because the bigger the lenses are, the more protection they offer you. In addition to that, these bigger lenses provide you with a larger field of vision.

Hence, you will be able to see a lot more without being restricted by the frame. This is important when you are cycling at high speeds, as it means you are more aware of what is going on around you. You will be able to see more and have a clearer vision.

What Type Of Frame Should You Have?

When it comes to cycling sunglasses, there are three types of frames. This includes full frame, partial frame, and frameless. The most unobstructed view is provided by frameless cycling glasses.

While frameless glasses lack a frame, they are less sturdy and can’t grasp your temples as tightly. Half-frames provide a compromise by providing stability to the top of the lens without increasing the bulk of a complete frame. Ultimately, everything comes down to personal preference.

Do Darker Lenses Provide You With More UV Protection?

Any set of sunglasses should shield your eyes from UV radiation as stated by law. While different tints of lenses may let through different amounts of visible light, darker lenses don’t always provide more UV protection.

All sunglasses will provide you with a minimal amount of protection, but it is always wise to wear lenses that will keep you safe compared to the UV rays you will be exposed to. Therefore, if you’re worried, check the producers’ specifications for further information.

Best Sunglasses for cyclists

BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Process

The author, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small independent adventurer and outdoor gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.

BikeHikeSafari is not part of a large blog network and is proudly independent. All reviews on this site are independent and honest gear reviews of outdoor products by the author.

The author, Brad McCartney is a very experienced triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read more). He was a manager of an outdoor retail store and is very experienced in what is important when using and testing gear for reviews like this.

BikeHikeSafari will never receive any money for reviews and they do not accept sponsored reviews on this website. All the comments about the gear reviews are from the author based on his years of experience. Hope this independent review was helpful for you.

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Photo of author
About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

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