Planemaker

Ok, so I had to abandon persecution sunglasses because they would be too thick. My eye doctor has given me some daily contacts to try out and I can see fine (except very close up) so, I have decided to try contacts this year for cycling. The options seem seem plentiful but, I think I have decided on frames with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions. My only other thought is whether to get polarized lenses so, what the thoughts on polarized sunglasses?

Oh and,

I know brand and style has been beat to death on this forum but, if any of you would like to make recommendations that would be great (I am leaning toward Tifosi Tyrant or Slip).

fietsbob

I thought round lenses and using a polarizing filter you could rotate (camera lens filter)
would be a Cool Thing..
since polarizing is all about the parallel lines so light waves are only coming through on one axis

and you would choose the axis.. rather than the maker of the glasses ..

Mvcrash

I use polarized glasses since they were recommended by my doctor. The big difference is they reduce glare and reflection which makes it easier on the eye. I also need to carry regular reading glasses.

John_V 

I wear Tifosi Slips with the photo chromatic lens and I absolutely love them. While I can use several lenses, I don't really need them with the photo chromatic lenses.

Shimagnolo

I use the Tifosi Tyrant with the "Light Night Fototec" lens.
It has a wide enough range that I can start a ride in bright sunlight, and finish well after dark, running lights, and I don't need to change glasses.

My past experience with interchangeable lenses was:
1. Every time you change lenses on the road, you have newly installed lenses with fingerprint smudges.
2. The flexing of lens and/or frame to make the change will soon result in one of them breaking.

BTW LCD screens (e.g. Garmin Edge) are polarized, so if the sunglasses have polarization that does not match the device, you have not be able to read it unless you turn it sideways. Cellphones normally use OLED screens, so they do not have the issue.

JohnDThompson 

I just use clip-on polarized shades with my regular bifocals.

gary245

I have a pair of Ray Ban prescription sunglasses that are great - except the polarized element - can't read the car digital display... great for biking, bad for car driving.

rm -rf

My Rudy Project Rydons have polarized lenses. They are really good when the setting sun is glaring off the road, and useful whenever it's sunny. I don't have any problem seeing my Garmin, or my older Sigma bike computer, but I've seen others complain that their polarized lenses blocked the display. I've seen posters on BF say that polarized lenses make it hard to see wet spots on the pavement, but it seems okay to me.

tsl

My prescription sunnies are polarized. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Don't dither, just do it.

rydabent

I prefer Polarized Blue Block sun glasses.

Kai Winters

I have been very happy with the polarized glasses I recently bought at Gander Mtn...they were around $25, fit very well, comfortable and light weight.
I'm an Oakley fan boy and have been since their Factory Pilots a long time ago...but there are some very nice glasses out there at very good prices.

crazyb

+1 Bought some polarized glasses at Bass Pro for under 25, (I fish also) and they are very adequate for cycling also.

leob1

I have the same issue with reading the screen of my cat eye with polarized lenses. Something the op may want to consider.

BigBlueToe

Back in the day I used to choose polarized sunglasses over others. On a recent tour I did what I often do - broke or lost my sunglasses. I stopped at Fred Meyer for provisions, including a replacement pair. I saw some polarized ones that looked good. I bought some. It turned out the plastic face on my bike computer was also polarized and the combination meant that I couldn't read the numbers - unacceptable. I stopped again and bought another, unpolarized pair.

My 2 cents is that before buying polarized you should check them out with your bike computer, gps, and any other device you might be reading as you're riding along.

rtool

I had cataracts removed recently and my doctor highly recommended polarized sunglasses. I got mine from Oakley with three sets of lenses (gray for bright light/amber for cloudy days/clear for night riding) for $425.

Black Beer

I was using some Costa Del Mars on the bike. Could barely see my computer with deep water blue lenses. Back water green lenses were better, but not much. I broke down and got some sunglasses to just use on the bike. Ended up getting Oakley half jackets because of the fit. Had to have the girl at the store come outside with me to look at my computer before I would buy them.

They came with the iridium black polarized lenses and I've had no issue with my bike computer. They fit pretty tight on my face so they are good with the wind. I wear one contact lens, so that was pretty important. The lenses change pretty easily and after changing them out for almost a year now, zero problems. I have two sets of the OEM Oakley lenses and three sets of the cheap copies, all polarized, and I can't tell the difference, except for the price.

Clawed

Where do you get cheap copies of Oakley lenses? I really want some.

Black Beer

I got mine on e-bay. It was quite a while ago, but I think it was three pair for around $50. I can't tell them from the originals.

Recently heard of a company named Revant that does the replacement lenses. They have a photochromic lens that goes from yellow to smoke that I'm thinking of trying out.

tarwheel 

I would not recommend Polarized sunglasses for cycling. The polarization makes it difficult to read your computer and doesn't help enough glare to make them worth the extra cost. A better upgrade, IMHO, is Transition lenses -- which are clear in low light and turn darker as it brightens. I ride a lot in the dark while commuting, and Transition lenses are a real benefit.

Cougrrcj

I had Lasik surgery almost 15 years ago went from 20/575 to 20/18. Fantastic. BUT now I have the sunglasses issue. I prefer a brown/orange lens to gray or green. I have several pairs of sunglasses - one in each car and one in my helmet that is strapped to the bike. And yes - get polarized. Then again, I don't have a computer on my bike. I even found a pair of polarized sun readers - polarized sunglasses with a reading 'bifocal' part.