Best cycling glasses 2024: top models reviewed across all price points

Cycling sunglasses are not just an expensive fashion accessory; the best cycling sunglasses perform the vital function of allowing you to see the road ahead clearly at speed by protecting your eyes from insects and grit. They also provide protection against harmful UV light, wind and rain and must do so without fogging up. 

Just like the best road bike helmets, to work they must fit securely without slipping down on rough surfaces, no matter how much you sweat, and be comfortable to wear for hours on end. 

Plus, it helps if they look cool at the cafe too.

We've tested lots of sunglasses over many miles of riding to bring you this list of the best cycling sunglasses from a number of brands and at a range of prices.

The quick list

Best overall cycling sunglasses

If the futuristic look is for you, the Oakley Encoders offer a high-quality feel and fit securely thanks to the frameless design and jaunty cut of the lens which plays nicely with helmets and high cheekbones. 

Although the Prizm lens cannot be changed on this model, the wraparound coverage also delivers incredible contrast and excellent clarity, ensuring improved vision to help clearly navigate road surface changes and objects within the surrounding environment. On test, we also loved the protection that the large lens provides, from the elements and from airborne objects like insects and grit.

Read more: Oakley Encoder sunglasses full review

Best budget sunglasses

The Tifosi Rail is a large lens rimless design with good wraparound protection. We reviewed the Clarion Fototec lens version with a light-sensitive lens with between 14% and 74% light transmission, so it will handle the full range of daytime conditions.

We found the fit to be good, with no tendency to slip when riding and there's little misting. The Rail is a good alternative to pricier photochromatic glasses from other brands, even if the response to changes in light conditions isn't quite as fast as it doesn't go quite as clear as some of the pricier alternatives

Read more: Tifosi Rail Clarion Fototec cycling sunglasses full review

Best for multi-discipline

I fell in love with the Velans because of how versatile they are. When dealing with a variety of light conditions on all-day rides, you want to be wearing something that keeps your eyes comfortable and protected. The Velans with their Iris HV Blue lens, do just that. The polarization keeps everything as sharp as can be, and the photochromic has you covered from the darker light of the forest to the open road with full, direct sun.

The transition is quick in the open sun, and they tend to lighten up surprisingly fast when that sunlight goes away. I spent many miles in the trees with the Velans, and they tend to stay in their lighter transition throughout. It was only on meadow sections with strong direct sun that they would begin to transition. On long road sections pedalling into the sun, I could’ve done with a bit darker shade. If you’re looking for a bit more shade, but still want the versatility of the photochromic lens, they offer the Iris Smoke, which is a tad darker than the HV Blue.

These frames fit securely. I would say that they are tighter than most of the other frames I reviewed. If you have a wider head (I am 7 ⅝”) or are sensitive to pressure, these might be a little too tight for you — the half frames might have a bit less rigidity. The four included nose pads allow you to dial in the fit, and the ear socks have a lovely rubber feel that stays in place even when you’re pouring sweat. Hinges snap into place nicely and stay closed when you’re hanging them on your shirt/helmet/bike.

I was a little bummed to find out that clear lenses were not included. You can purchase spares on the site, but clear lenses are $60 which is an outrageous price for a clear piece of plastic. During our long, dark, and muddy winters, it is essential to have cheap clear lenses to keep your eyes protected. No one wants to ruin their fancy polarized photochromic lenses with a day in the slop, but if you get the Velans, you’ll want to consider some hardware store safety goggles for your winter setup.

When ordering, you’ll have all the options at your fingertips. Do you prefer the rigidity of the full frame or the lightness of half frames — or why not both?  You can grab one of their stock colourways or customize your own. Sungod has an excellent website and ordering process, and it is awesome to see that they are a certified B corp. They give 1% for the planet and have a wonderfully illustrated impact report available. On top of that, they offer a lifetime warranty on all their products. All of this adds up to a purchase that you can feel good about.

If Sungod included a case, and a pair of clear lenses these would be contending for my all-time favourite pair of cycling glasses.

Best photochromic sunglasses

There’s very little to be critical of with the Oakley EV Zero Blades. The photochromic version -  there are six colorways in total - is an excellent shoulder season and winter pair of sunglasses that not only keep the dust and grit out of your eyes, but also offer unobstructed viewing, and clarity that is so good it took us a while to believe it.

It didn’t matter if we were riding on a bumpy or smooth piece of road, the glasses stayed in place. Neither was it a concern that they would fog up, ensuring that perfect clarity and vision were available at all times.

They’re not the cheapest on the market - this is Oakley, after all - but they are a guarantee of excellent fit and vision with a big tick in the stylishness box too.

Read more: Oakley EV Zero Blades photochromic full review

Best aero cycling sunglasses

POCs Propel sunglasses were first spotted upon the faces of EF team racing at the 2023 Tour Down Under. It's not just the aesthetics that make them look fast, POC has designed these glasses to improve aerodynamics around the sides of a rider's face. The actual gain in watts isn't that clear and - even by POC's claims - likely to be extremely modest but every little helps, aye? 

Away from the aerodynamics, the Propels provide an absolutely outstanding view of the road. The massive lens allows a huge uninterrupted field and the Clarity lens really does what it's named to do. As the Propel has such good close coverage then they do tend to fog so they're not ideal for moist days or sweaty riders. You can adjust the fit of the Propels though, with a choice of three nose bridges and sliding arms - something that isn't seen on many cycling glasses. 

At $275 / £230 they're not going to work out well on any cost-per-watt ratio, but we were very impressed with the fit, and their adjustability means that this should be the case for pretty much everyone.

Read more: POC Propel sunglasses full review

Best retro look

The Salice 022 sunglasses go large with the retro visor look, allowing them to rival many of the highly desirable brands for looks and, thanks to their simple yet effective design, performance.

We liked that the minimalist wraparound lens coverage kept the weight low and, with their forward-angled design, they were better at keeping the lenses free of sweat streaks than glasses that sit closer to your face.

With the fact that they’re made in Italy and of course that they have the bold looks of the Oakley Sutro, the Salice 022 sunglasses are a great lower-cost alternative to the premium cycling sunglasses brands.

Read more: Salice 022 sunglasses full review

Best for aesthetics

With the aim of disrupting the likes of Oakley's market share, the Rapha Pro Team Full Frame glasses arrived with a surprisingly more accessible price tag than expected.

The road-riding wrap-around sunglasses pack some well-considered touches, such as the light-reactive lenses, into a stylish package. They're high performing, especially when riding in dappled or changing light conditions, which is on par with both Oakley's Prism and 100%'s HiPER lens.

The overall fit is snug and secure, but our tester was aware of the side venting, which did take a little getting used to.

Cheaper than a lot of the staple cycling brands make these great cycling sunglasses for anyone wanting labels for less, without sacrificing performance.

Read more: Rapha Pro Team Full Frame sunglasses full review

Best for smaller faces

Designed with the Trek-Segafredo pro teams in mind, it's no wonder that the Koo Demos hit the target when it comes to performance.

Our small-faced rider found that the one-sized (medium) glasses fitted comfortably straight out of the bag, although it's worth noting that they do come with an interchangeable nose piece to ensure a perfect fit.

Thanks to the Zeiss polycarbonate lens, the glasses provided excellent clarity;  four effective ventilation ports prevented fogging even on heavy-breathing rides on cold winter days.

They are priced well against their peers, undercutting similar options on the market by a fair margin in some cases, making these a great pro-level option for many riders.

You can read the full review of the Koo Demos glasses here. We've also reviewed the Koo Spectro and Koo Supernova if you fancy something Koo but don't fancy the Demos.

Read more: Koo Demos Sunglasses full review

Best classic cycling sunglasses

They might be oldies, but they're goodies, and no "best of" guide would be complete without their inclusion.

Still one of the most popular cycling sunglasses across the board, the Oakley Jawbreakers provide a great fit, managing to stand the test of time in terms of looks and performance as we've found on many tests.

The large frames might not be the best for those with small faces, but there is an element of adjustability of the arms to help obtain a good fit.

There's a wide choice of frame and photochromatic HDO optic lens colors to choose from. All come with their own protective lens cleaning bag and hard case for protection when not wearing.

Read more: Oakley Jawbreaker sunglasses full review

Best coverage

The POC AIM are an excellent choice for anyone running a POC helmet, or folks who like the clean, big-lens look. They are easy to get along with, offering plenty of coverage and adequate venting. The frames don’t have as secure a fit as some of the other options, so they aren’t ideal for really rough terrain. Lenses are easy to switch out, with great clarity across the board. Mirror options are great for direct sunlight.

I found myself frustrated with the fit of the POC AIM. They are comfortable until things get bumpy. On my mountain bike, when pushing through the rough stuff, the glasses were so unstable that at one point I had them bounce off my nose. I almost lost them, but they got hung up in my helmet straps (thank heavens). I had better luck when using them with a croakie, but if you’re having to run a strap it would be better to just snag a pair of Ombraz.

For me, a pair of cycling glasses has to work both on and off-road, so the fit and security are deal breakers on the POC AIM. If I were primarily riding on the road or light gravel, these would be at the top of my list because of how comfortable and stylish they are. The mirrored lenses look stunning and the clarity is top-notch. The field of view is massive and they offer loads of protection for your eyes. The adjustable nose pad helps dial in the fit. The lenses don't have any built-in vents, but the lenses sit far enough off your face that I never ran into fogging issues.

The included case is trying a bit too hard to be POC and not all that useful. It is a plastic pod that snaps together in the middle, but with any pressure, the two halves come apart and your $240 glasses become vulnerable. Anytime I put these glasses in their case then into a bag, or a pack, when I went to grab the glasses, the case had come apart in every instance. Luckily the lenses are bomber and didn’t get too scratched up. This could be an issue if they were to run into keys, or bike tools in your fanny pack tho. You could probably remedy this with a Voile strap, but for $240, I expect a well-crafted case for my glasses (like the ones you get when you purchase anything from Smith).

All in all, these are a rad set of glasses with a few minor setbacks. The security of the fit is something to look out for, and the price tag is high, but as soon as you put these on you feel faster. I would wager that the mirrored lenses add at least 20 watts to your output, and that alone is worth the entry price.

Best for comfort

I rolled my eyes at the design of the KATO, but after a few hours of wearing them, I was sold. The optics are incredible, and so is the fit. They feel like nothing is on your face, and they stay in place regardless of how bumpy things get. The lower height of the glasses also means they won’t bang into your helmet at all. The price and the fact that you can’t change lenses kept them from being a 5/5.

After about 10 minutes of wearing the KATO, you forget that they are even there. This pair of glasses is so incredibly light on the face. It’s like wearing nothing at all. The hinges have a wonderful amount of engineered flex built in, which means they are very forgiving of asymmetry of faces. It also means that they stick to your face like glue. Especially combined with their sticky rubber Unobtainium™ nose pads. I feel like I could go cliff jumping and these would stay on my face. The security on these is unmatched, and one of my favourite parts about the glasses.

The Oakley PRIZM lenses do a great job of providing protection and enhancing contrast. Their polarization is top-notch and gives you incredible clarity out on the road. The 3D-formed construction on the wrap-around lens gives the glasses a rigid feel that you won’t get from other frameless designs. They might even be more rigid than some of the full-frame designs. I would wholeheartedly trust these to protect my eyes in the event of an impact. They have excellent coverage and fit very close to your face. This gives you noticeable protection from wind, which is great right now as the air is chalked full of pollen and all the allergens. The top of the lens sits lower than most of the frame lenses, which is great for preventing any sunglass-to-helmet contact.

The beak design turned me off at first, but I have come to love how they look. A proper mix of nostalgia and future tech. Props to Oakley for always pushing the envelope. I would say that these and the POC AIM are on opposite sides of the spectrum. POC went safe and Oakley took a risk. I think it paid off, but… the design does come with a pretty major limitation that might be a deal breaker for some. The one-piece design means that the lens is glued to the arms, making it impossible to swap lenses. I am great at scratching lenses, from riding in terribly wet and muddy conditions to transportation & storage, there’s always something trying to scratch my glasses.

Another thing we can’t ignore is the price tag. At $328, these glasses are hilariously expensive. If you’re an avid cyclist, there are a lot of parts vying for your funds, and $328 could be put toward a lot of different stuff. If money is no object, and you can get stoked on the design, these KATOs are an amazing pair of glasses. They lose one star simply for the outlandish price tag. Hey, at least you get a rad case with your purchase.

Best case

The Ruckus is my favourite pair of glasses from my testing period. They have a simple design, ample coverage, and great fit. They feel light but secure on your face while staying put in rough terrain. The photochromic is the best of the bunch, the clear works fantastic in dark woods, while the dark is great in open sun. Smith sells their glasses in an amazing hard case and offers a lifetime warranty.

I really enjoyed my time with the Ruckus. These glasses are just easy to live with. They are simple, comfortable, functional, and durable. They are in-between a frameless, and ½ frame design. There’s a piece of plastic along the top of the lens that adds extra rigidity but allows enough flex to fit different head shapes & sizes. The nose & ear pads are almost as comfortable as the Oakley Unobtainium™, but slightly less squishy. Both do an excellent job of holding on even when covered in sweat. Oakley has the edge when things get exceptionally wet. I found myself wiping the nose pads on the Ruckus before dropping them to make sure they stayed in place.

The photochromic lens on the ruckus was also my favourite on test. From clear to grey, this is essentially the perfect lens for the PNW. Rides in the northwest generally include a variety of light conditions. One moment you can be deep in a dark forest with almost no sunlight then turn a corner and pop out into a clearcut that has unobstructed sun. The transition of the lens is quick, I feel like it is under a minute as soon as you’re hitting the direct sun. Transition back to clear is a bit slower, which can be an issue in the deepest, darkest woods. A little break before charging into the dark is helpful. Smith also includes a low-light rose lens that is great for cloudy days, but isn’t quite as good as a simple clear lens when things get wintery dark, or for nighttime rides. Including a second lens is a huge bonus, and something that Smith does on most of their offerings. Extends the life of your glasses by 200%!

The styling of the glasses means that you can use them for anything. Hiking, biking, climbing, rafting, these will look right at home pretty much anywhere. They aren’t going to turn heads like the Oakley KATO, or the POC AIM, but they will probably still look relevant in 2030. A classic mix of high-quality safety glasses meets an activewear look.  

Smith also nails it with their included extras. Their glasses come in a hard case with ample space for the glasses, an extra lens, and a soft bag. I have been rocking the Smith Wildcat as my regular glasses for many years, and the included case helps keep your glasses safe. Easy to throw in a gear bag and know your investment will be safe. Plus you know there are two lens options when you unload at the trailhead and the weather isn’t quite what you expected.

The Ruckus are a no brainer. If you want a functional pair of glasses that work really well in any condition, these are the jam. They might not win you a bunch of cool points, but they won’t trigger anyone either. The lifetime warranty and included accessories make the $225 price tag a lot easier to swallow. Well worth a try.

Best design

The Tifosi Rail has adjustable arms and a nose pad, offering plenty of fit options. They are light and fit securely without adding too much pressure. Their lenses are slightly less rigid than other options, which makes the whole unit feel a bit flimsier. This won’t be much of an issue if you’re careful with your glasses, but if you’re rough with your stuff you might need to take extra care when handling the rail. This is a great option for folks who want a more subtle look but don’t want to sacrifice coverage. Plenty of lens options are available.

I was bummed to see that the Rail didn’t include any other lens options in the box. Compared to the three that come with the Sledge. Both glasses at $80, but one comes with three lenses and the other comes with a single lens. Even if the rail includes a photochromic, it would be nice to see at least a clear lens in the kit. 

I will say that I appreciate how light the glasses are. They feel great on your face. Very little pressure, but just enough to keep the glasses firmly on your face. This becomes a bit more of an issue on rougher rides, or when on your mountain bike. On bigger landings and impacts, I found that these glasses liked to bounce around more than some of the more rigid offerings. Tifosi does offer two other variations of the Rail — Race & XC. They might offer a bit more rigidity.

The optics are great. I tested the blue clarion Fototec lens, and it performed well in the majority of conditions. The base tint is greater than the clear of the Smith Photochromic, which means I liked these less in the deep dark forest. In the direct sun, they offer great protection. They wouldn’t be my first choice for a long day with direct sun, but that’s not what transition lenses are for!

I really appreciate the styling on these. They are simple and get the job done. The lens is big enough to offer all the protection you need, but not too big to where it looks forced. The arms are sleek, and the branding is subtle. The nose pad is adjustable, which helps dial in the fit. The rubber of the nose pad is noticeably less soft & sticky than the more expensive options — like the Ruckus and KATO. That being said, I didn’t ever have an issue with the nose pad slipping. All of the instances of the glasses unseating are likely due to the lack of rigidity in the frameless design.

At $80 these are a great buy. You won’t be out on your rent payment if you happen to lose them or run them over. They fit great, look good, and won’t offend anyone. If you are looking for a pair to wear while mountain biking I would test the fit to make sure they are snug on your face.

Best for style

I love these glasses. They are cheap, fit really well, and have solid polarized lenses for the price. The trouble is that style has crossed into function here. In the PNW we rarely see continuous bright sun. Most of the Goodr offerings are fully mirrored, dark lenses. When you put them on, it gets DARK. That becomes an issue here. We need more of a middle light option, and they don’t have many options for that.

The first pair I tried is known as Extreme Dumpster Diving, which comes with a very pink lens. It works in lower light situations, but the extreme pink polarization can be a bit much. It really transforms the colours and adds a ton of reflection on the edges, which can be awesome on super cloudy overcast days. I found it to be tough when the roads are wet. Water gave a strange reflection that strained my eyes.

The second pair I tried was the I Do My Own Stunts, which comes with a very mirrored lens. This lens is so dark that I would be afraid to ride it on anything but a fully sun-exposed route Which is very rare around these parts. Once you get out of the sun, the darkness envelopes you with these on, and I found myself pulling them off frequently.

I would love to see these glasses offered with an additional clear lens or possibly a photochromic variant. The lenses come out easily enough, but there’s only one in the box.

The coverage, fit, and feel are pretty awesome. The arms are incredibly long and curved so they go well beyond your ears. This gives the glasses a tight fit, but it also distributes pressure to a wider area so you’re not just relying on one spot about the ears. This meant that I felt great wearing these even on longer days. That being said, the extreme colouring on the lenses can strain your eyes quite a bit — especially the pink ones.

In the box, you get a 2nd nose pad that is slightly larger. I like seeing this, but really wish that they put a clear lens in the box as well. The glasses come in a nice cardboard box, with a microfiber bag for storage.

I think the Goodrs are a fun option, and they will be a great addition to anyone looking to add some whimsical vibes to their rides. The colourways are rad, give off a bunch of nostalgic vibes, and would be perfect for rides to the local music festival on the waterfront!

16.Best adjustability

Scicon has a reputation for designing high quality products. In the past, we've reviewed the Italian brand's bike bags such as Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Road Bike Travel Bag which scored well with us. Let's see how their sunglasses test...

The frames are made from Grilamid TR9 (a bio-based plastic polymer) which are durable and designed to flex a little—perfect for handling the rigors of cycling. Scion calls these XXL sunglasses and the lens height is 67mm. To put things into perspective, the Oakley Sutro Lites are just 55mm.

The Multimirror Bronze lens has a Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of 17%. We'd recommend these for those bright sunny days and not for dusk or night rides. But what makes these sunglasses unique is the customizability. You can adjust the nose piece simply by pushing it into the position that feels right for you. The arms can also be adjusted from 120mm to 130mm, too, by sliding the end of the arm in or pushing it out—depending on whether you need a smaller or larger gap between your face and ears. 

These sunglasses certainly come with a hefty price tag. That said, Scion throws in a a multi-use soft bag, a clear spare lens and a recycled microfibre eyewear pouch and a Lifetime Guarantee...

• Read our full Scion Aeroscope Sunglasses Review 

The best cycling glasses: what to look for

How we test

Where we've been able to link to a review, it means that we've put the eyewear through its paces. All of the members of the Cycling Weekly Tech Team have years of experience across all disciplines and have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to cycling sunglasses.

Our reviews mean we've tested the glasses in a range of conditions and over rides of varying lengths. We'll assess the performance and protection of the lens, the field of vision the glasses offer as well as other concerns such as comfort, adjustability and of course value for money.

Where we haven't yet had the chance to review an item, we're still confident in recommending it as one of the best, because we either know the brand really well, and have probably tested another product or the previous version and can still happily recommend it as one of the best.