General Cycling Discussion - Which sunglasses for biking?

Ok, I'm at a crossroads, which ones would you guys prefer for biking?

http://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=26047
http://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=14736
http://www.peepers.com/detail.asp?PID=14640
http://native.greatsunglasses.com/store.cfm?ProductID=15500000000016391&do=detail

The native glasses come with 4 sets of lenses, are polarized, and they have a no-questions asked lifetime warranty on both frame and lens. The rudy projects are lens only.

I have a pair of native Hexx's and my dad has the RP Freeon.

I like my glasses because of the polarization and I have already used the lifetime warranty to replace the lenses. Native has pretty good service, replaced my glasses with no q's asked but it did take them 2 weeks to ship them to me.

The freeon's look better and fit my head better, but were way to expensive for me to buy. The frame seems durable and the lenses are pretty high quality. I also liked the adjustable nose pieces taht my natives don't have.

All in all, The RP freeon fit my lumpy head better but I liked the polarized lenses on the natives.

Polarized lenses let me see inside cars I normally wouldn't be able to see to spot drivers about to come out but for some reason they make certain road imperfections kind of "muted".

Yeah I got some Native Dash SS' with 3 interchangable lenses. I like em. Pretty good quality for the money, and they have a good replacement policy.

Rudy's are certainly nice, but I don't know if the increased quality justifies the price. Also the Rudy warrantee policy is a little deceiving. They say "lifetime" replacement lenses, but what they really mean is lifetime while that lens is still being produced. So if they change models, you're screwed.

Why not try looking for the same or similar sunglasses at Nashbar or Performance? The prices will probably be much better.

I use tinted safety glasses, the smaller more modern looking ones, not the big bulkly ones w/sideshields. They wrap around the face in one piece, just like sunglasses. But these cover the eye more completely blocking out light and wind alike. I found with regular sunglasses my contacts would still dry out on a long ride from the wind. Plus I picked these up from work for nothing. I've seen similar ones in industrial catalogs for about $10.

Mark
'03 Litespeed Blue Ridge
'01 GF Tassajara

I use tinted safety glasses, the smaller more modern looking ones, not the big bulkly ones w/sideshields. They wrap around the face in one piece, just like sunglasses. But these cover the eye more completely blocking out light and wind alike. I found with regular sunglasses my contacts would still dry out on a long ride from the wind. Plus I picked these up from work for nothing. I've seen similar ones in industrial catalogs for about $10.

Make sure that they block UVA and UVB or they could ultimately be worse than not wearing sunglasses at all. This is caused by the pupil dialating more fully to let more light in. In this condition the pupil then is more susceptible to UVA/UVB damage.

slvoid, another piece of advice is to go and try on the glasses you're thinking about ordering for the fit. I'm an Optometrist, but I have no interest selling sunglasses to you. ;) Go mail order! I don't think you can go wrong with either the Native or RP. You get what you pay for in the quality of sunglasses. The variables are in the quality and durability of the construction, the optical quality of the lens, the quality of the optical coating on the lenses, and the replacement policy.

Almost all sunglasses are sufficiently UVA/B blocking, even the 7-11 or Walmart type. "UV blocking" is a natural property of polycarbonate, which is used in almost all sunglasses these days. If they are made of ophthalmic crown glass, such as some of the high end botique glasses like Revo or Maui Jim, they have to have a secondary UV blocking layer. The pupil dilation thing is an urban myth about cheap sunglasses, although I would certainly look for the "100% UVA and B" label on any pair I bought. Even the cheapest lenses have this feature.

As far as Nashbar and Performance brand glasses, I think they make a sacrifice in quality in order to make the price point. If price is an issue, they do offer a good way to protect your eyes from the UV and the other elements. For me, I feel like my vision is worth the extra cost of more expensive glasses. Just my 2 cents.

I've been using Julbo's. They are meant for use on glaciers at high altitude but they seem to work good for biking. They come with leather side things and the lens block out 92% of sunlight. Due to my poor eyesight they are perscription. For more information www.opicusa.com

slvoid, another piece of advice is to go and try on the glasses you're thinking about ordering for the fit. I'm an Optometrist, but I have no interest selling sunglasses to you. ;) Go mail order! I don't think you can go wrong with either the Native or RP. You get what you pay for in the quality of sunglasses. The variables are in the quality and durability of the construction, the optical quality of the lens, the quality of the optical coating on the lenses, and the replacement policy.


I tried them on and was hoping I could blow off a refund I have on credit for it. The rudy's have these 2 metal nose pieces that stick out of a metal stalk that look like they'll jam into my eyeball in an accident. The native's slide down my face if I'm moving around a lot though I can tie it to my face with a strap. I gotta say, I'm a sucker for gadgets and the Native's feel flimsy with it's all plastic construction. The rudy feels light but extremely solid, quality. Though I can't imagine justifying twice the price over the Native's.

Why not try looking for the same or similar sunglasses at Nashbar or Performance? The prices will probably be much better.

I admit it... I'm vain and like flashy shiny objects :(

I use the RP Kerosene but that is an obscene price. Check out labicicletta.com.

Price: $ 79.00 USD

Great glasses.