Cycling Weekly

Sunglasses

Sunglasses, sunnies, shades; call them what you will, but when it comes to cycling they should certainly be classed as an essential rather than a fashion accessory.

Cycling glasses are used to shield your delicate eyes from potentially damaging sunlight, as well as grit and road debris.

Most of us rely on our vision to keep us safe on the roads. Whether it is being able to discern imperfections in road surfaces, judging corners or being aware of potential hazards, so much information has to be processed that there is almost no time to blink. Factor in ever-changing light and weather conditions and it’s no wonder our eyes can have a hard time.

Cycling glasses need to fit to ensure the best level of protection. Your face shape and size will determine the best style or brand for you and it’s good to see some brands do produce models in differing sizes to suit more riders.

The other critical factor to consider is the lens technology, tint or light levels a lens is designed to cope with.

Lenses that change under sunlight, called photochromic or light adapting lenses, can suit rides when you know the light levels will change. However, they don’t provide the same wide spread of ideal operating conditions as a set of glasses that come shipped with multiple swappable lenses.

“So much information is processed there is no time to blink”

A set with swappable lenses will cope with everything from bright sunshine through to night time use, dependent upon lens fitted (or supplied), but you’ll

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Cycling Weekly

Cycling Weekly1 min read
'Coverage Is Key'
Harry Tanfield, 29, competed in the World-Tour, first with Katusha in 2019, then with AG2R La Mondiale in 2020 and Qhubeka NextHash in 2021. He’s now back in Britain riding for Saint Piran. CW: Assessment of the current UK scene? HT: With the lack of
Cycling Weekly7 min read
7 Things I Learned From Breaking My Face
Earlier this year, I lived out one of my mum’s worst nightmares. It happened in an instant. I had cycled to the cinema to meet a friend, and while we were watching the film, the weather outside turned stormy. The wind gusts, I thought, would blow me
Cycling Weekly2 min read
Cavendish Officially Best Male Sprinter Of All Time
Mark Cavendish is now officially the greatest male sprinter of all time, after taking his 164th career win at the Tour of Hungary last Thursday. The second win of his final season took him to second place in cycling’s male alltime wins ranking behind

Related Books & Audiobooks