Best cycling glasses 2024: top models reviewed across all price points
With such a wide range of styles, brands and price points available, we guide you through the best cycling sunglasses and look at how to choose what is right for you
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.
And 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.
Great coverage and striking aesthetics ensure that the Encoder is a favorite amongst riders. Oakley's Prizm lens provides outstanding clarity which genuinely makes a difference, but the lens isn't interchangeable for a darker or lighter option.
POC make (modest) aerodynamic claims for the Propel, but even without those, they are a great pair of riding glasses. Protection from the large blade lens is great, but this coverage can lead to fogging in humid conditions. Fit is excellent thanks to a high degree of adjustability.
Despite its affordable price point, the Tifosi Rail impressed us, even when compared to the bigger brands. The Photochromatic lens worked well within its slightly limited range and the fit was comfortable and secure.
The dhb Vector certainly looks the part, with an on-trend oversized aesthetic. The photochromatic lens backed up the visuals by performing excellently in changing light conditions and offered great clarity of vision at all times.
Oakley's EV Zero Blades continue the brand's enviable run of producing some of the finest eyewear available. Secure and comfortable, they resisted fogging up and reacted quickly to changes in light so that vision remained superbly clear at all times.
Italian brand Salice is a lower-cost alternative that performed very well on test. The optics were impressive and the frame proved itself to be very comfortable. Furthermore, with a huge number of colour options available matching your kit or your frame colour should be easy.
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.
Modularity: Adjustable side arms, three nose bridge sizes, clear lens includes
Weight: 33g
Colors: 6
Reasons to buy
+
Massive field of vision
+
Excellent lens clarity
+
Size adjustable
+
Modelled aerodynamic efficiency
Reasons to avoid
-
Cost
-
Liable to steam up
-
Improvement in aerodynamics is very modest
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.
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
The photochromatic version of dhb's Vector is roughly half the price of the Oakley EV Zero Blades, and the outcome is just as good. Depending on your preference, you might even say the Vectors are more beautiful too - they certainly are more in-touch with today’s full-face trend.
dhb has produced a series of oversized sunglasses that are not only stylish but offer excellent clarity, brilliant ventilation and a rigid, sturdy frame that never looks like it will snap and break. The way the lens adapted to the changing light conditions impressed us immensely whilst testing.
The added weight did cause a bit of pressure on the nose at times, but the soft nose pad and extendable arm all add up to a pair of glasses that are designed to ensure a secure, comforting fit.
More expensive than other models that are a similar spec
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anna's been hooked on bikes ever since her first lap of the Hillingdon Cycle Circuit at age 12. For a time, her cycling life centred around racing road and track but has since broadened to include multi-day two-wheeled, one-sleeping-bag adventures over whatever terrain she happens to meet. However, she still enjoys racing and recently competed in the British Gravel Championships and Gritfest 2022, where she made the podium.
Chris Marshall-Bell
Chris first started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2013 and has since become a regular name in the magazine and on the website ever since. Obsessed with mountains, he was previously found playing and guiding in the Canadian Rockies, and now mostly lives in the Val d’Aran in the Spanish Pyrenees where he’s a ski instructor in the winter and cycling guide in the summer.
Charlotte Broughton
Charlotte is a British rider, racing for the AWOL O’Shea UCI women's cycling team. An accomplished writer, she is a regular on the pages of Cycling Weekly magazine and also contributes to The British Continental.
The best cycling glasses: what to look for
Interchangeable lenses can help fine-tune for different light conditions
What are the best lens options for cycling glasses?
The most important part of any pair of the best cycling glasses is their lenses, as the tint of the lenses will dictate what conditions you can wear them in.
Many more expensive glasses have lenses that are suited to a range of light conditions. The Oakley Prizm lens, for example, excels across a range of weather.
However, you don't have to spend a huge amount of money to get a pair of glasses with interchangeable lenses which can be swapped out according to the weather.
Most of the best cycling glasses that come with interchangeable lenses will come with three different options. First up you should have a standard shaded lens that will provide 100% UV protection and help to dim bright sunshine when riding in the height of summer. However, they shouldn't be so dark that you're struggling to pick out the road surface if you find yourself descending down a heavily wooded lane.
The second lens should have a yellow tinge, which will be great for brightening things up when riding in overcast conditions, making it easier to spot rough road surfaces in flat light. And finally, they should come with a clear lens that is there for when you're riding after dark.
Depending on the design, changing lenses can be fiddly though and, unless you're careful, often results in thumbprints on the lenses that need to be cleaned off.
What are photochromatic lenses?
The other option for riding in changeable conditions is photochromic or photochromatic lenses which will change their lightness and darkness depending on the conditions. Back in the day, these might not have been great for cycling as they would not change fast enough if you were riding in and out of shade.
However, those on the latest and best cycling glasses are much better, offering quick changes in tint from almost clear through to dark enough for bright summer riding. Pick these if you want to ride in different conditions, but don't want the faff of having to change lenses.
They're especially useful if your ride takes you from bright sunlight to heavy shade.
Cycling sunglass lenses are getting larger and larger
What lens size and shape are best for cycling sunglasses?
Aside from the color of the lens, there are a number of other things to look for when picking your pair of the best cycling glasses.
First of all, you want decent coverage. As well as sunshine, you want your lenses to keep bugs, water, and wind out of your eyes (with the latter being particularly important for those wearing contact lenses). One-piece lenses are usually the best for this.
Peripheral coverage to the sides and bottom of the lenses is important, as glare that creeps in here can be distracting. You also want to make sure that the frames are, as much as possible, out of your field of vision as they can obscure obstacles - hence the current trend to larger and larger lenses. Frameless designs are useful in this respect.
What are the best cycling glasses for riding in the rain?
The best cycling glasses might come with lenses that have a hydrophobic coating. When combined with a cycling cap, the best cycling glasses are very useful when riding in the rain, and a hydrophobic coating will make sure that water doesn't stay on the lenses impeding your vision.
Misting can be a problem when riding in damp conditions, when it's cold or just when you get a sweat up tackling a hill. Some of the best cycling glasses come with venting slots or other features to help guard against this. For example, the Oakley Flight Jacket glasses have an adjustable nose piece to help airflow and aid moisture dissipation. However, we didn't rate this solution so well, finding it created a bottom-heavy pair of shades with a tendency to slip down the face.
Finally, at some point, your sunglasses are going to be knocked off a cafe table, so an anti-scratch coating is an important consideration especially if you've invested heavily.
How do I choose the best frames for my cycling sunglasses?
When you pay for your new cycling glasses, most of the money will probably go towards buying the frame rather than the lenses, so you want to make sure that you're getting good value in this area too.
The most important thing is that the frame fits well. The tips of the arms should fit snugly around your temple just above your ears, holding them securely in place even when you're looking down or swinging your head from side to side when sprinting out of the saddle. However, you don't want them to be too tight otherwise they will quickly become uncomfortable.
Again, the best cycling glasses have rubber pads that grip the side of your head to hold them securely in place without needing tight arms and so that they're not relying on hooking over your ears. There are also a few with adjustable or bendable arms to ensure a good fit.
Another important area to look at to ensure the frame fits properly is the nosepiece. Most cycling glasses have adjustable or swappable rubber nosepieces that can be shaped depending on the dimensions of your nose. That's crucial, as you don't want the glasses slipping down your face if the nosepiece is too wide, or sitting too high and falling off completely if it's too narrow.
It's also crucial to ensure that the frame and fit work well with your helmet. Our guide to the best bike helmets talks a little about some nice touches some brands have deployed to ensure helmet and glasses harmony, when on and off your face. Brands that sell both helmets and sunglasses like Oakley, Kask/Koo and Rudy Project have often specifically designed their glasses and helmets to work together.
Frame-wise, broadly there are three different styles of design: full frame, half frame and frameless.
All offer similar function (although some full-frame cycling glasses might have a problem if the upper or lower part of the frame is in your eye line), so which variety you decide to go for depends on the look that suits you, and the priority you give to weight and of course, what fits.
Many road riders choose frameless or half-frame glasses, but bear in mind that in a crash they provide less protection for your face from the sharp edges of the lens.
Adjustable nosepieces can help fine-tune the fit
Can I buy prescription cycling glasses?
If you wear prescription glasses, you may want to look into getting prescription lenses for your cycling glasses too.
Some of the best cycling glasses brands - for example, Oakley and Bollé - can supply prescription versions of most lens styles. Other brands provide clip-in inserts which can sit behind your sunglass lenses, although this tends to reduce your in-focus field of vision. Both options do come at extra expense and can be ordered via opticians.
The alternative is wearing contact lenses underneath your normal cycling glasses.
If you're paying a lot of money for your new cycling glasses, then you should hope they come with a hard case to keep them safe
(Image credit: mike prior)
Are there any other features to look for in the best cycling glasses?
Aside from the glasses themselves, there are several other little things you should be looking for when buying your cycling glasses.
First off, it's nice to have a hardshell case that will be useful if you're throwing the sunglasses in a bag and travelling with them. Second, you should hope for a soft microfibre cloth to help keep the lenses clean. You might also find a lens cleaning cloth or even a kit with a spray. Other brands have a soft case that can double as a lens cloth.
Finally, always check out the color options; some of the brands offer a huge choice in frames, arms, and lenses. This allows you to ensure the all-important matching with kit when come to outfit planning.
Another trend is complete frame customisation. It's an option that Ekoi and Oakley offer, among others.
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.
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After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back.
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