I'm finding recently that riding without any eye protection is a bad idea. I don't seem to have a problem with dirt or bugs. I think it's just the sun and the wind. So I really do need to wear something even though I hate glasses/ sunglasses.

Can anyone recommend a pair of shades or wraparounds that aren't like massive goggles? and that keep at least some of the wind out of my eyes.

Thanks

BadBreaks (who's already gone on a bit of a bike accessory splurge this week)

I like Rudy Projects the best. The rydon model lets the user adjust the nosepads, which makes for a great fit. I used to use Oakleys, but after trying the Rudy Projects, I can't go back unless Oakley makes something with some adjustable nosepads. I'm a big fan of adjustable nosepads. I think Smith makes a model called the Frontline or something like that which also has adjustable nosepads, but I haven't tried those on yet. I'd imagine they'd be pretty good because of the adjustable nosepads. I don't know if I said it or not, but I'm a big fan of adjustable nosepads.

Oh yeah, me again. The guy that likes adjustable nosepads. You know what else is really cool in the sunglass/sports eyewear world. Specialized makes a cool pair of lenses that automatically darken in brighter conditions and automatically lighten in darker conditions. I think the lenses are photochromatic or something. Awesome idea for cyclists since many of us are on the bike for hours at a time. A ride might start in the daytime and end at night, so the Specialized photochromatic lenses seems like a cool thing to get. But alas, Specialized eyewear doesn't have adjustable nosepads.

I have a pair of Oakleys that I mangled in the rear hatch of a rental SUV. I bent them back into shape (you can't even tell by looking at them) but they are much tighter now on my head which is actually better for cycling because they don't slide down my nose at all. I rode the other day with my polarized Ray Bans but they kept sliding down my face so I was constantly pushing them back up which is really annoying.

I've been riding long relatively flat rides so my max sustained speed is around 20mph. I have no problems with wind at that speed.

Oakleys work great for me. They block the wind, dirt, and bugs. And they don't block your peripheral vision. You can also get different lenses for different light conditions.

Make sure you use plastic lenses, not glass.

I like Bolle Rogue, they are on sale for $39.99 at Performance. Interchangeable lenses, don't block peripheral vision, relatively light.

I have the last generation Oakley Zero w/ G30. The lens isn't too dark and the glasses are light. It's frameless.

I'll probably buy Oakley Zeros for my next pair, but right now I wear Wiley SG-1. They're convertible to goggles and come with clear lenses. You can pick up a pair cheap on Ebay.

https://www.wileyx.com/sg1.php

I just got the Specialized San Remo glasses brand new on eBay for $60. I'd had my eye on them for a while. I've been using for about 3 weeks now and really like them. I can wear them at first sunlight and still see, and they do a good job as it gets brighter out. I used to not wear glasses in the early morning because I hated switching out the lenses, but I was getting pelted by insects and crap. I give these a thumbs up, they aren't the best looking glasses, but they do their job well.

Rudys......

Another vote for the Rudy Project Rydons. They have excellent ergonomics: adjustable nose pieces and temples. A bit pricey, however - probably around $120 and then $40 or so for spare lenses.

Which lens do your Rudy wearers recommend?

I like Rudy Project Kerosene Premiums, the kind with the rounded corners, same lenses used in their Skyy Unos. I mostly use the smokey gray lenses except when it's really cloudy, then I use the light yellow lenses.
I tried Oakleys, they were very comfortable but the sweat from my head totally destroyed the lenses on two pair of Oakleys so I gave up on them.

Al

ekynox sx or rydon sx with racing red, both have adjustable nose thingys, i like my ekynoxs better for riding than my rydons

I found smoke the best for daytime riding. I have ordered clear lenses for night riding.

I tried the Bolle Rogue (too big) and the Rudy Project Ekynox SX (too small -- and perfectly engineered to block my peripheral vision). After more research I picked up a pair of Oakley Half Jackets with the XLJ Gold Iridium lens this weekend and have found them Just Right. The lens coating is fabulous. I've heard a lot of good things about the Rudy Project Rydon and the Smith Frontline, too.

Another vote for Rudy Project. I use Rydons - had them almost 2 years now, and even with a bit of abuse they're still in almost perfect condition. I love the adjustability.

I use Laser Bronze lenses in sunlight, yellow lenses in low light conditions, and clear lenses at night time. Very simple to change the lenses.

I wear the Oakley Plates on nice sunny days and my Rudy taos on cloudy days.. Both are great!!! I also like the Oakley Racing jackets but they are quite buggy.

uhh i bought some 9.99s from nashbar nashbars own there frameless and orange light come with a bag and the orange acts liek their polarized

I bought some Tifosi Slips from my LBS for about $50. They have consistant good ventilation but my contacts don't dry up and fall out like they used to with my no frame safety glasses I used to use. The Tifosi Slip set includes a nice case, bag that doubles as a cleaning rag and 3 lenses. There are soft "folders" in the case for each lens. The amber lenses really bring out contrast in your view on cloudy days. I was surprised. I am spoiled by the optics and won't wear any of my $10 sunglasses anymore even if I have no other alternative.

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

www.tifosioptics.com

I found some pretty cool looking sports shades from a new manufacturer called Axley. They sponsored a few riders at the Tour this year. I can't tell if the nose pad thingys are adjustable like the Rudy Projects.
www.axleyusa.com

The Tifosi Kilo & Stelvio lenses I just found on Nashbar are pretty sweet looking. Kudos to the guy that posted the Nashbar tip about that one. It appears that they have adjustable nose pads also. Big thumbs up on that feature. Too bad there isn't a bike shop near me that has these so I can try them on.

Go to your local Stihl chainsaw dealer and check out their line of safety glasses. Clear, tinted, various frames, UV protection and remarkably similar to many cycling glasses. Oh, at $10/pr. you won't be pissed when they fly off into the bushes when taking them off in a violent storm.....

Another satisfied Rudy Project Rydon user here.

I have an insert for them which has bifocals (I could have gotten by without these, but they're good for reading tiny print on maps, etc.). I use the yellow (early morning or evening), racing red (cloudy), or polarized brown (bright sunlight) lenses.

They are very pricey, but work perfectly for me.

I have a 'try them before you buy them agreement with my LBS', and I also don't mind paying the return shipping in order to do trials if need be. So basically, I have worn just about everything you can get, including the stupid expensive Specialized Arc adjusto's.

Best dirt cheap wrap-arounds - Performance Radial II Multi-lens. For $22.48 you get cycling specific features (vented lenses, eyebrow sweat protection, rubber grip nose and temples) that safety glasses won't give you, 100% UVA/UVB protection which a lot of cheap glasses won't give you, Grey/Orange/Clear interchangable lenses that actually work, Rx Adapter, hard all-in-one organizer case with cleaning cloth. They fit well and stay put on the road.

Best high-end cycling specific - Rudy Rydons. They give you all of the above with a cut better optics, frames and nose pieces that can be shaped to your face, and interchangable lenses that work well and still hold their fit after years of use. They are sturdy and deliver you plenty of value for what they will run you in ducats.

Best mid-range cycling specific - Tifosi Stelvio multi-lens All of the above applies again to these. I like their style on my face a bit better than that of the Slip, and I believe that they are a tad lighter. The glare guard treatment on the lenses really works in tandem with the quality of the optics. I would consider these to be just about perfect on the price/performance/features curve. They are damn near indestructable and give you great impact protection.


The Specialized adjustos are really cool but if you are willing to spend $300 on a pair of frikkin cycling glasses I figure you aren't reading these recommendation threads anyway. You just buy what the LBS guy tells you makes you look the fastest.

As for Oakleys...my experience over the years is that you pay tip top dollar for glasses that won't hold up in the long run. I have one pair of Zeros that is the sole, albeit slight, exception, but they really don't offer anything in the way of cycling specific features or flexibilty for the price.

Results may vary. Hope this helps.

Hey rule,
Did you try on the Smith Frontline's? How did they compare to the Rudy's?