How to Choose the Right Cycling Sunglasses for You

Cyclists of all kinds pour hours into their sport, improving times, boosting speed, and practicing tactical skills. Whether you’re winding your way through a gnarly single track or tackling a century ride, there’s one item your kit might be missing.

That item is cycling sunglasses. Just as cycling is becoming more popular, so are the sunglasses.

You may have a pair you grabbed off the rack you wear for sunny rides but do enjoy wearing them? Do they fit comfortably and allow you to see clearly? If your answer isn’t a resounding yes, you need better quality cycling sunglasses for your next ride.

Cycling sunglasses come in a nearly endless range of styles, sizes, and uses to fit any type of cyclist. Are you tired of your current sunglasses or going blind from the sun while you ride? Here’s how you can choose the right cycling sunglasses for you!

Sunglasses Rims, No, Not Bike Rims

Like your bike’s wheels, some cycling sunglasses also have rims. The rims are simply the frame that wraps around the lenses and holds the sunglasses on your face. The frame, whether it’s rimmed, rimless, or half-rimmed is one of the most important features to look for in quality sunglasses.

Look for frames that are comfortable and durable as in most cases; you’ll be replacing the lenses, not the frames. The arms of the frame should fit comfortably but securely around your temples and above the ears. They should remain in place as you move your head up, down, or side-to-side.

Some of the best cycling sunglasses have small rubber pads along the arms to help keep the sunglasses in place. Others may have adjustable arms allowing you to dial in on the perfect fit.

The nosepiece is an equally important part of the frame. Look for sunglasses with a rubber or adjustable nosepiece. This will prevent them from sliding down your face as you ride.

Most cyclists do just fine with a pair of rimmed or half-rimmed glasses. This includes road and mountain cyclists.

If you’re into mountain, road, or triathlon racing, you should consider half-rimmed or rimless sunglasses. The advantage is the absence of a frame improves overall visibility. Some cyclists find rimless glasses promote aerodynamics as there’s no frame causing drag.

Get to Know Your Cycling Lenses

Cycling sunglasses come in a variety of different lenses. Sun protection is the most obvious, but did you know there are many more lenses designed for every riding condition you face?

You’ll find many quality brands offer interchangeable lenses designed to block out different levels of light. Some will work best for bright sunny days. Others will keep the wind and rain out of your eyes as your ride in rainy weather.

Let’s breakdown the different lenses available to make your ride better!

Mirrored Lenses

Mirrored lenses are fun and colorful. Many cyclists love them because they effectively block out the sunlight while letting you pick a lens color that matches your kit. How cool is that?

This type of lens also hides your eyes. This is a great feature for cyclists who ride in bright sunny areas or push themselves to the brink of pain-induced tears. You can find mirrored lenses for almost any style of sunglasses.

Clear Lenses For Cycling

As the name suggests, clear lenses are transparent, making them ideal for riding at night or in rainy weather. They don’t block out the sunlight, but they will help block debris such as pesky bugs and dust. If it’s dark out or about to rain, opt for a pair of clear lenses for your ride.

Yellow and Orange Lenses

Yellow and orange lenses are the middle-ground between mirrored and clear lenses. They’re ideal for low-lighting conditions that you’d find at dusk, dawn, or on a cloudy day.

The warm color of these lenses enhances low-lighting by brightening the road, trail, and anything on it. These lenses are translucent meaning they don’t block a lot of sunlight and your eyes will show through.

Photochromic Lenses

Don’t like the idea of having to mess around with multiple types of lenses? The photochromic or photochromatic lenses may be the perfect solution for your cycling needs.

This type of lens will automatically adjust the tint with changing lighting. Several years ago many cyclists hesitated at the idea of these lenses as they were too slow to change tine. With recent technological advances, they change much faster, making them safer and more convenient to wear while cycling.

If you’re an all-day or all-weather cyclist, these lenses will keep up with you.

Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses reduce light glare making it easier for cyclists to see in bright sunny conditions. The chemical applied to the lenses blocks horizontal light reflected from car hoods or water. Objects may appear slightly darker, but the polarization will make them clearer and crisper.

Lens Coatings

Do often ride in the rain? While this isn’t technically a type of lens, a hydrophobic coating makes riding in the rain much easier.

Its purpose is to prevent water from sticking and accumulating on your lenses. This will help you see better when it’s raining, misting, or when humidity builds up in your glasses.

You may also want to check out anti-scratch coatings. You may accidentally knock your cycling sunglasses off a table or take a tumble off your bike. In either case, an anti-scratch coating will help protect your quality lenses.

The Lens Shape

The purpose of your cycling sunglasses is to block out the sun and elements, right? Look for glasses offering plenty of coverage to protect the areas around your eyes. One-piece lenses work best for protecting your eyes from the sun along with debris.

Make sure the sunglasses you choose have the right lenses to fit your face and protect your eyes. Vuarnet eyewear offers great-looking sunglasses with all the functionality a cyclist could dream of!

Start Riding With the Best Cycling Sunglasses Today!

Do you want to make your next ride better and safer? It’s time you invest in a pair of quality cycling sunglasses. You’ll love how much more you can see and how better your eyes will feel!

Have questions or want to learn more? Let’s get in touch, and we’ll help you find the perfect glasses for your next adventure!