Glasses. Where do I even start?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Glasses. Where do I even start?
So I’ve been riding with a pair of Maui Jim’s since I started cycling. I feel like it’s time to get a pair of cycling glasses. I’m really not into the huge Oakley style of glasses and would love something more subtle and less loud, but I want a good pair of glasses. What should I look for and where should I start?
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
www.mp-aviation.com
#4
Full Member
Thread Starter
Well I realize they all tend to sorta look like Oakley blades. Is what it is I guess.
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
www.mp-aviation.com
#5
Enthusiastic Sufferer
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 229
Bikes: 2015 Specialized Roubaix, 2014 Salsa Fargo, 2013 Trek Remedy, 2014 Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 311 Times
in
107 Posts
Polarized safety glasses from your local hardware store are awesome
Your local REI will have an in-house brand with neat all-rounder outdoor sunglasses.
I'm personally a big fan of the Speedcraft sunglasses, but I buy knock-offs from Amazon. They work great for me! Multiple lenses, replaceable / interchangeable everything... $30 shipped with 3 lenses, a case and a microfiber pouch.
https://www.amazon.com/ROCK-BROS-Pol...9225206&sr=8-1
Your local REI will have an in-house brand with neat all-rounder outdoor sunglasses.
I'm personally a big fan of the Speedcraft sunglasses, but I buy knock-offs from Amazon. They work great for me! Multiple lenses, replaceable / interchangeable everything... $30 shipped with 3 lenses, a case and a microfiber pouch.
https://www.amazon.com/ROCK-BROS-Pol...9225206&sr=8-1
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
Glasses aimed at road cyclists tend to be big and huge because of the field of view/sightlines, particularly with the high brow for when you're low and still want to see down the road in front of you. If this doesn't particularly concern you, just go with whatever you like the looks of as long as they provide adequate protection from wind and debris. I have some Oakleys, but I probably wear my non-sporty Ray-Bans more frequently.
#7
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,268
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 561 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22771 Post(s)
Liked 9,169 Times
in
4,253 Posts
Comfort. Eye protection. Good field of view. U-V protection. Style. Price.
All these are factors to consider, and as above if you are on a budget the safety glasses section at Home Depot/Lowes is worth considering.
Realize cycling-centric glasses may be better for cycling in some ways, but the cost may be disproportionately high.
All these are factors to consider, and as above if you are on a budget the safety glasses section at Home Depot/Lowes is worth considering.
Realize cycling-centric glasses may be better for cycling in some ways, but the cost may be disproportionately high.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,573
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3261 Post(s)
Liked 2,583 Times
in
1,535 Posts
I'd go with these. How can you go wrong after watching the commercial?
Likes For seypat:
#9
Newbie
Likes For dilbert2000:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 8,174
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7163 Post(s)
Liked 11,368 Times
in
4,858 Posts
Oakley Flak 2.0
Not that large, not a blade lens.
Not that large, not a blade lens.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,573
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3261 Post(s)
Liked 2,583 Times
in
1,535 Posts
In all seriousness, I would probably hit the outdoor/sunglass sections at the sporting goods/dept. stores and find a cheap pair that you like the look of first. Wear those around first to see if you take care of them or how long it takes to lose them. Then invest in a more expensive pair with the look you like. I buy gym locks 3 at a time so when I lose one I don't have to learn a new combination.
On the other hand, I have to wear prescription bifocals. The last time I got a new set of glasses, I also got a set of sport sunglasses as well. I wear them for everything. I haven't lost/broken them yet 5 years in.
Most power/pneumatic tools come with safety glasses. I have some customers that say they make great sunglasses. The customers scoop up any extras I might have. It's hard to beat free.
On the other hand, I have to wear prescription bifocals. The last time I got a new set of glasses, I also got a set of sport sunglasses as well. I wear them for everything. I haven't lost/broken them yet 5 years in.
Most power/pneumatic tools come with safety glasses. I have some customers that say they make great sunglasses. The customers scoop up any extras I might have. It's hard to beat free.
Last edited by seypat; 12-29-20 at 08:13 AM.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
Many polarized items have an orientation and can work against each other if you're using more than one; if your screen is passing only vertical waves and your glasses are passing only horizontal waves, you'll get a black screen. Rotating either, so that the two polarizers are in alignment, will solve the problem, but that's typically not practical in this case.
Likes For WhyFi:
#13
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,778
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11100 Post(s)
Liked 7,704 Times
in
4,290 Posts
Start with Tifosi. They are relatively inexpensive, well made/reliable for beyond the price, durable, and have a wide range of designs.
I have a pair that are fototec, so the lenses adjust based on light and a few pairs of mirrored that are a more traditional all around design. The fototec were $65 and the general glasses were $25 each. All I need really are glasses that wont fog and wont slip. The $25 glasses have rubber grips on the nose and enough tension on the arms to keep the glasses in place.
I like that there are a lot of designs as I dont need or want a shield for the upper half of my face, which is what a lot of cycling glasses seem to be.
If you then want to spend more for different designs, different materials, or a trendy name- then you havent spent much already.
Also, polarized is annoying for cycling. At least thats the case for me.
I have a pair that are fototec, so the lenses adjust based on light and a few pairs of mirrored that are a more traditional all around design. The fototec were $65 and the general glasses were $25 each. All I need really are glasses that wont fog and wont slip. The $25 glasses have rubber grips on the nose and enough tension on the arms to keep the glasses in place.
I like that there are a lot of designs as I dont need or want a shield for the upper half of my face, which is what a lot of cycling glasses seem to be.
If you then want to spend more for different designs, different materials, or a trendy name- then you havent spent much already.
Also, polarized is annoying for cycling. At least thats the case for me.
Likes For mstateglfr:
#14
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,944
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3817 Post(s)
Liked 5,840 Times
in
2,952 Posts
I have some inexpensive cycling glasses (Tifosi?) with the interchangeable lenses. I rarely use them. They seem bulky on my face and don't fold flat to fit neatly in a pocket. I'm too much of a klutz to properly stick them in my helmet. Plus I'm too Fred-ish for that pro look. I generally wear Ray Bans with an amber tint. My favorites were some wire frame, round lens "Blind Boy Bluesman" style. Sadly they didn't survive a crash and took a chunk of my cheek on the way out.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 8,174
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7163 Post(s)
Liked 11,368 Times
in
4,858 Posts
I have some inexpensive cycling glasses (Tifosi?) with the interchangeable lenses. I rarely use them. They seem bulky on my face and don't fold flat to fit neatly in a pocket. I'm too much of a klutz to properly stick them in my helmet. Plus I'm too Fred-ish for that pro look. I generally wear Ray Bans with an amber tint. My favorites were some wire frame, round lens "Blind Boy Bluesman" style. Sadly they didn't survive a crash and took a chunk of my cheek on the way out.
tldr: don't wear metal-framed glasses on a bike.
#16
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ocean Co., NJ
Posts: 44
Bikes: Musseuw MFC 01,'93 Mongoose Rockadile,'14 CAAD 10, '81 Panasonic DX4000, '91 PDG 90, Raleigh Retro Cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Check out the brand Torege on Amazon. I have a couple of pairs. Inexpensive, good optics, different styles to choose from. Some come with multiple lenses, case, bag, etc.
#17
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,722
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4822 Post(s)
Liked 1,557 Times
in
1,021 Posts
Something non-Cycling geeky, but still with sport nosepad and larger coverage would be something like the Smith Pathway. I'm sure Oakley would have something comparable.
https://www.smithoptics.com/en_US/su...UNGLASSES.html
https://www.smithoptics.com/en_US/su...UNGLASSES.html
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,611
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1816 Post(s)
Liked 1,346 Times
in
781 Posts
You could check out Tifosi here...https://www.tifosioptics.com/cycling-sunglasses/
I like them and they are a good bang for the buck. I wear Maui Jim daily but have taken to Oakley's because smaller glasses were allowing air into my eyes and I lost a couple contact lenses. IMO the Oakley lenses are every bit as good as my Maui Jim's.
I like them and they are a good bang for the buck. I wear Maui Jim daily but have taken to Oakley's because smaller glasses were allowing air into my eyes and I lost a couple contact lenses. IMO the Oakley lenses are every bit as good as my Maui Jim's.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2953 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I am a fan of Smith. They have lots of styles and you can often find a deal on their website for last season’s models.
#20
Full Member
Thread Starter
You could check out Tifosi here...https://www.tifosioptics.com/cycling-sunglasses/
I like them and they are a good bang for the buck. I wear Maui Jim daily but have taken to Oakley's because smaller glasses were allowing air into my eyes and I lost a couple contact lenses. IMO the Oakley lenses are every bit as good as my Maui Jim's.
I like them and they are a good bang for the buck. I wear Maui Jim daily but have taken to Oakley's because smaller glasses were allowing air into my eyes and I lost a couple contact lenses. IMO the Oakley lenses are every bit as good as my Maui Jim's.
__________________
www.mp-aviation.com
www.mp-aviation.com
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,611
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1816 Post(s)
Liked 1,346 Times
in
781 Posts
Likes For Greatestalltime:
#23
Full Member
Thread Starter
Likes For InvertedMP:
#24
Senior Member
Tifosi. I picked up a pair of Tifosi sunglasses 10 years ago and have been using them since. Bought a second pair two years ago so I could have a pair for brazing. I did not want they typical ugly sport sunglass, and Tifosi has several models available that don't meld into the mold of sport sunglasses. I use them while riding my motorcycle and bicycle. Can't go wrong with Tifosi.
Likes For TiHabanero:
#25
Full Member
It may be too late but if you have need for glasses already I suggest if you have extra FSA money to spend, you spend it on prescription sunglasses.
Just got a pair of RecSpecs as we needed to spend FSA money that was going to be wasted after 12/31
not for everyone but will be nice to ride with better vision.
Just got a pair of RecSpecs as we needed to spend FSA money that was going to be wasted after 12/31
not for everyone but will be nice to ride with better vision.