They can make or break your style, but cycling sunglasses – clear or shaded – have a much greater impact than just making you look good on the bike. They prevent dirt, gravel and insects from getting into your eyes, as well as shielding them from the sun and high winds.
Cycling sunglasses have come a long way since the bug-eyed goggles that were invented for the pros back in the 40s, and today sunglasses are durable, comfortable and versatile, coming in all shapes and sizes (meaning you should have no problem matching them to your helmet).
If you're all about aero-gains then there are plenty of high-performance sunglasses on the market. But if you're just a casual cyclist looking for something with more style, there's plenty for you too.
To help you find your perfect pair, wherever you're heading, we’ve put together a guide of the best cycling sunglasses, each of which has been tried, tested and reviewed by a member of the Rouleur team.
In some of our articles you will find links to buy products from various external retailers. These links contain an affiliate code, and it means that Rouleur may receive a small percentage of the money you spend if you choose to buy that product via the link. This does not affect the amount you pay. All products are independently reviewed and selected on our judgement of them, not on whether they offer us affiliate revenue.
Bollé C-Shifter
Stylish and high-performance sunglasses which will be ideal if you struggle with finding the perfect fit for your face.
French brand Bollé might not be one that immediately comes to mind when searching for some new shades, but the performance of these glasses really does match up to some of the better known options on the market. Also makers of snow goggles and helmets, Bollé knows a thing or two about creating lenses for high-adrenaline sports which puts kit to the test against the elements.
The Bollé C-Shifters are dubbed as the brand’s ‘performance’ sunglasses and feature Bollé’s patented Thermogrip temple tips which I found gave a strong grip across the head, ensuring that the glasses didn’t slip down. The adjustable nose piece was also a big help to ensure I could get my perfect fit.
I tested the C-Shifters with Bollé’s new Volt+ lens, said to be “the first sunglass lens ever created using Artificial Intelligence.” This means that all colours were enhanced when wearing the glasses and they gave improved depth perception as well as reduced glare, so I could see more while out on the road. The glasses didn’t steam up when stationary at traffic lights thanks to the vented lens, either.
The frames felt sturdy and durable but the glasses maintain a light weight which aids comfort. This, combined with the tight fit that can be created with the nose piece, means that the C-Shifters have an impressive, barely-there feel. The cylindrical lens shape helped too – I didn’t have the frame of the glasses in my field of vision at all while riding.
Retailing at £135, these are cheaper than some other high-performance glasses available and are a great option if you want to stand out from the crowd in a lesser known brand.
Pros:
- Great performance in bright conditions
- Tight fit across the nose
- Adjustable nose piece
Cons:
- Shape may not suit everyone
- Does not come with a clear lens
Buy now at Bollé
Reviewed by: Rachel Jary
Alba Optics Stratos
Quite the fashion statement, but these glasses are great in low light conditions and have adjustable arms to help achieve the right fit.
Photo by Alessandra Bucci
Italian brand Alba Optics says its aim is to ‘bring iconic sunglass shapes of the past back to life’ and the Stratos model certainly fits this bill.
The wide lens has a unique and retro look, in keeping with the trend of bigger glasses which seem to be a favourite among the modern cyclist. From a technical standpoint, the standout feature of these sunglasses is the VZUM lens, which Alba Optics says should enhance colour saturation and balance visual contrasts. I found this lens to give an extremely clear view and the photochromatic qualities meant that the glasses could be used in a variety of light conditions.
The central vertical vent in the lens also works well to let steam out of the glasses, ensuring that they don’t mist over when stopped at traffic lights. I also liked the light weight of the Stratos glasses, their minimalist construction means that they have a ‘barely there’ feel when on. While the glasses only come with one lens out of the box, if you do purchase another one off the Alba Optics website, the system for switching lenses is easy and quick. As a rider who sometimes struggles to find the right fit of glasses for my face shape, the adjustable arms on the Stratos glasses were a huge plus, helping to keep the glasses in shape and ensuring they were firmly hooked around my ear.
There is no option to adjust the nosepiece of the glasses, though, and this would help even further with getting the right fit and ensuring that they stay firmly in place when riding.
The larger size of these glasses won’t be for everyone, and while the wide lens does give added wind protection, it takes some getting used to for the first couple of rides.
Retailing at £137.17, these are a premium pair of shades, so I would have liked a hard case to come with the Stratos glasses to ensure they are protected while not in use.
Pros:
- Easy interchangeable lens
- Adjustable arms
- Work well in low light conditions
Cons:
- The style will not suit smaller face shapes
- Don’t come with a hard case
- No adjustment options on the nose piece
Buy now at the Rouleur Emporium
Reviewed by: Rachel Jary
Oakley Jawbreaker Prizm Road sunglasses
A now constant in Oakley's cycling line-up, the Jawbreakers are some of the best fitting and versatile glasses around, but the clarity of the Prizm lens is the standout feature.
Photo by Alessandra Bucci
The current iteration of the Oakley jawbreakers have been around since 2015, and have remained a pro and amateur rider stalwart despite a proliferated cycling sunglasses market.
The shape and height of the frames is one of the best all round offerings for vision and protection that I’ve used, particularly front-facing in the drops, save for the slightly annoying O logo on each side which occasionally invades your peripherals.
It’s the fit and the lens of the Jawbreakers that have kept me coming back though. They’re one of the best fitting cycling sunglasses I’ve used, sitting firmly in position on the nose thanks to the interchangeable nosepiece and adjustable arms.
The Prizm Road lenses are the standout feature here though (available across Oakley’s road range), offering sharp, crisp clarity that helps you pick out hazards in the road as well as offering protection.
Interchanging the lenses is also one of the Jawbreaker’s key selling points, with Oakley’s Switchlock system useful in not making it feel like you’ll break your glasses every time you want to change the lens.
They’re still fairly pricey considering how long they’ve been around, but having used a pair for the best part of six years, they’d certainly be a lasting investment.
Pros
- Exceptional lens
- Secure fit
- Easy lens switching
Cons
- Logo disrupting peripheral vision
Buy now at Wiggle
Reviewed by: Richard Windsor
Rapha Pro Team Full Frame sunglasses
Rapha's full frame glasses look sleek and have an excellent fit, while the lens performs particularly well in dappled light
Released in 2020, Rapha’s Pro Team Full Frame sunglasses are geared towards racing and training – essentially, road cycling glasses for every occasion. And that’s what they are, a solid all rounder. While they may not have the statement style of some of the other brands’ glasses, they look sleek and pair well with most helmets.
In terms of performance, I found they sat quite high on my nose but gripped well with the adjustable nose piece. I especially like the rubber grippers on the arms, which kept the glasses solidly in place. They’re a tad bigger than other full frame glasses like the Jawbreakers, but I was impressed with the fit.
The lenses themselves (I used the pink/blue lenses), feature something called Rider Optimised Surface Enhancement (ROSE), according to Rapha, which is meant to enhance the contrast between light and dark. I thought these worked really well throughout my rides, but especially thought they thrived in those dappled light areas under trees which can often prove a problem.
They’re pretty fog resistant too thanks to the vertical vents on either side of the lenses, but I did find these intruded on my peripheral vision quite a bit when I first started using them. Like with every set of sunglasses, you eventually adjust to these bugbears, and while they performed well, it’s something for Rapha to consider adjusting in any next iterations.
Pros
- Good ventilation
- Secure fit
- Lens performs well
Cons
- Vents intrude peripheral vision
Buy now at Rapha
Reviewed by: Richard Windsor
Oakley Encoder sunglasses
The Encoder glasses are a daring and forward thinking development in Oakley’s cycling range. They fit well, look cool, and are close to being perfect save for one annoyance.
Photo by Alessandra Bucci
The Oakley Encoder sunglasses aim to do what most other frameless sunglasses do not – provide a clear, wide field of view without being flimsy or easily breakable. For the most part, they achieve this exceptionally. They feel just as strong as framed glasses, and the lens is as good as you’d expect from Oakley.
To create this strength without a frame, firstly the top of the Oakley Encoder lens is curved and reinforced. That works in strengthening them, but it doesn’t really add to the visibility, so essentially defeats the purpose. Still, it looks cool and retains the frameless vibe.
The second point of development is around the nose, where the lens is reinforced and flared outwards. To avoid any distorted vision, this area has been blocked off by an extended nose pad, creating the most aggravating feature of these glasses. It’s difficult not to notice this in the centre of your vision, and I’ve had a hard time forgetting it’s there.
It’s a shame because I like everything about these sunglasses; they fit securely and look good with any helmet I’ve used, plus the arms have been designed to not interfere with your helmet or hat, which worked.
I used the Prizm Road black lens and the Prizm Trail lens versions. The former is great for very sunny, clear days, although I’m not a huge fan of the look of the all black lens. The latter though was super impressive and I love these low light lenses for increased visibility during off-road riding and road riding in gloomy conditions.
The Encoders retail for more than many of their competitors. At an RRP of £210 they’re a significant investment. If you can get past the nose pad though, you’ll have an exceptional and versatile set of cycling sunglasses.
Pros
- Superb fit
- Great coverage
- Stiff and sturdy frameless sunglasses
- Plenty of lens choices
Cons
- Nose pad in centre of vision
- Expensive
Buy now at Sigma Sports
Reviewed by Richard Windsor
SunGod Airas
It's no surprise that SunGod is rapidly rising to fame in the cycling sunglasses world; the Airas are comfortable, have a great field of vision and, best of all, can be fully customised free of charge
Photo by Alessandra Bucci
SunGod is a brand which recently shot to fame after it took the top spot from Oakley as sponsors of British WorldTour team, Ineos Grenadiers. The company has invested a huge amount of money in its marketing, asserting itself as a big player in the sunglasses industry. SunGod makes glasses for both running and snow sports, but the Airas are the model which the brand recommends specifically for cycling, and these will be worn in the WorldTour this year.
The process of ordering a pair of SunGod glasses is an exciting one from start to finish; the glasses are fully customisable in terms of colour. You can pick your frame, lenses, icons and ear socks free of charge, but an upgrade to have both the Zero and Base frame options is an additional cost of £45. The glasses come with four nose piece sizes making it easy to adjust them to your preferred fit, although I did still find that the Airas sat slightly further away from my face than I would have liked meaning wind can go over the top of the lens and into my eyes on fast descents. The nosepiece does ensure they stay firmly in pace, though.
I went for clear 8KO lenses which offered great clarity and a super wide field of view, and they didn’t obstruct my peripheral vision at all, even with the bottom of the frame attached too. It would be nice if SunGod offered the clear lens in the box with a coloured one as standard, but the customisation options make up for this misgiving. At £105 for the most basic option (but still with fully custom colour options), the SunGod Airas come at a really reasonable price for unique glasses with the performance levels that fit in with the WorldTour.
Pros:
Cons:
Buy now at SunGod
Reviewed by: Rachel Jary
100% S3
Endorsed by Peter Sagan himself, the 100% S3 glasses are loud and proud, coming in a range of wacky colour options. It’s not just about the look though, they also have a great fit and lens
100% is a brand which has always been synonymous with motocross, but more recently it has forayed into BMX, downhill and road cycling. Its key prevalence in the road scene occurred when three-time world champion Peter Sagan wore 100% glasses to Tour de France stage wins and a Paris-Roubaix victory. Today, the Slovakian rider still collaborates with the brand, producing wacky and wonderful limited edition colour runs of the S3 model, which sits as 100%’s current flagship road cycling sunglasses model.
The 100% S3 sunglasses feature a fashionably wide Ultra HD lens which gives great clarity and a wide field of view thanks to its oversized nature. The lens is hard-coated to be scratch resistant, but a spare lens also comes in the box if it does incur any damage. Also in the box is an alternative fit nose pad, but I found the glasses to be extremely secure and comfortable with the nose piece they came with, likely thanks to the grippy material on the nose and temple tips. The lower air scoops on the glasses help to increase ventilation while reducing moisture on the lens, meaning that they don’t steam up when riding and are well-ventilated. The lens sits close to the forehead, which is great when you are riding in a forward, aero position, but it does mean that sweat is more likely to drip onto the lens when riding. This is exacerbated by the fact that mirrored lenses are tricky to keep clean, but 100% does send the glasses with a microfibre cleaning bag.
The 100% S3 glasses are priced at £199, which is more expensive than others which offer a similar performance. However, 100% is an iconic brand and the cost comes with the logo and unique colour combinations which can’t be replicated elsewhere. They are glasses which are about more than just the look too, with great clarity and ventilation.
Pros:
- Lots of unique design options
- Huge amount of coverage and protection
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Difficult to keep clean
- Sweat drips onto lens
Reviewed by Rachel Jary
Buy now at Sigma Sports
Rapha Explore Sunglasses
With features specifically designed for riding off-road, these are a great pair of sunglasses for gravel riding and have plenty of accessories to help find the perfect fit and style
It’s fair to say that Rapha is a brand which has embraced the world of gravel riding with serious enthusiasm. So much so that it has even created specific eyewear for the discipline, with the Rapha Explore glasses now sitting above the Pro Team glasses in the brand’s range of eyewear. The Explore glasses feature Rapha’s own proprietary, interchangeable lens, megol grippers on the arms and an adjustable nose piece, all of which are said to be optimised for riding on the rough stuff, but also suitable for road riding too.
Perhaps the most important feature in a pair of sunglasses is the lens, and Rapha’s Explore glasses excel in this area. They don’t steam up when riding, are extremely clear and the lack of a lower frame means that peripheral vision isn’t obstructed when riding. Rapha describes the glasses as having Rider Optimised Surface Enhancement, which they say helps spot hazards sooner. This is hard to quantify, but the lens does highlight particular colours and contrasts between different surfaces, ensuring that you have optimum clarity on the trails. The holes at the top of the glasses help to ensure that they don’t steam up, but I did find them a little bit distracting as light seeped through them when riding along.
The grippers on the arms ensure the glasses stay in place while slotted on the helmet, and a strap to wear them around the neck is a really nice option to have on long endurance rides. The glasses also come with a clear lens and different nose piece which allows customisation, and are extremely lightweight. At £140 per pair, the Rapha Explore glasses are more expensive than other options, but they do come with plenty of accessories and an undeniably premium feel.
Pros:
- Good range of accessories
- Clear lens option
- Nice packaging and hard case
Cons:
- Holes at the top of lens are distracting
- Shape will not be to everyone’s taste
Reviewed by Rachel Jary
Buy now at Rapha
KOO Spectro Sunglasses
KOO’s full frame, high-performing Spectro sunglasses not only have a great field of vision but also look sleek.
Photo by Alessandra Bucci
KOO is an Italian eyewear brand that specialises in high-performing, technical eyewear for skiing, running and cycling. The brand’s mission is to find the perfect balance between technicality, safety, functionality and design, and the Spectro road cycling sunglasses have done just that.
At first glance the Spectro glasses are quite a dramatic shape with very pointed frames. While this did take some time to get used to in terms of look, this was one of the aspects I liked the most when using them out on the road. The large frames when I was looking ahead did not block any of my view or distract me. It was only when I turned to look over my shoulder that the sides of the frames did make it difficult to see fully behind, instead I had to make a conscious effort to turn to head to properly look over my shoulder.
Despite this, the lens clarity was excellent thanks to KOO’s Zeiss polycarbonate lens, which is one of the brand’s unique features across all its products. I opted for the bronze and black Spectro sunglasses, and the bronze lens, with 12% visible light transmission (VLT), worked particularly well when I was out riding when the sun was low in the sky, stopping any puddles or wet roads from being blindingly bright.
Four vents that sit at the top and bottom of the frames prevent any fogging, while also adding another element of the sunglasses design. Grippers on the bridge of the nose and on the frame arms also kept the sunglasses in place throughout my rides. The sunglasses light weight and secure fit often made it feel like I had no glasses actually on my face.
The Spectro’s do perform very well and have a unique but sleek design. You are also able to change the lenses depending on whether you would like more or less light being let in, but these additional lenses do come at a cost on top of the already £170 price point for the glasses. However, KOO has produced the Spectro’s in 10 different colours and varieties, so there are plenty of options to pick from to perfectly match every cycling outfit in your wardrobe.
Pros
- Secure fit
- Great ventilation
- Brilliant clarity
- Great range of colours
Cons
- Only come with one lens and no case
- Maybe too dramatic shape for some face shapes
Reviewed by India Paine
Buy now at KOO
Oakley Radar EV Path
Understated, safe and comfortable, these are some of the most popular Oakley sunglasses on the market and are great for a range of riding conditions
Photo: Alessandra Bucci
Oakley’s Radar glasses certainly aren’t new to the market, the American brand first released Radars way back in 2006. The latest iteration of the glasses is the Radar EV Path model, with EV standing for ‘extended view’, as the lens is slightly wider than the previous version. The 'Path' part of the name refers to the lens shape of the glasses, the bottom edge is a concave curve whereas Oakley's Pitch lens has a very slightly convex curve. Radar EV Path and Pitch lenses are interchangeable which gives a couple of different options when it comes to the shape.
The EV feature means that the Radar EV Path glasses give a nice, wide field of view, even when in a low riding position. This means light doesn’t seep through the top of the glasses and isn’t distracting when riding along. Although the lens does curve around the face, this doesn’t impact the optics of the glasses at all, making Oakley’s Radar some of the best on the market when it comes to field of vision. There are multiple options of Prizm lenses to choose from depending on what conditions you will be riding in – my glasses have the Ruby lens which is great for bright sunlight. The vents across the top of the glasses ensure that they don’t steam up when riding, and if they do when stopped, they clear quickly once you’re on the move again.
The Oakley Radar EV glasses slot nicely into the helmet and stay secure thanks to the grippy socks on the end of the arms. The arms aren’t adjustable which does mean there are limitations in terms of fit customisation, but I’ve always found them flexible and comfortable enough to work with any helmet I’ve worn. The grippy fabric is also used on the nose piece which ensures that the glasses stay firmly in place even when things get sweaty. At £113, these are a great pair of sunglasses which are at home in races and training at a reasonable price.
Pros:
Cons:
Buy now at Sigma Sports
Reviewed by: Rachel Jary
