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Things to look for in sunglasses

Old 04-09-18, 01:23 PM
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Things to look for in sunglasses

Currently using a cheap decathlon (5 euros). Did the job but a replacement in a shopping cart somewhere as my current lenses are scratched. Before I pull the trigger, and in order to avoid buyer remorse -- what to look for?

Looks like most glasses have a curved shape that isn't folding flat. Makes lenses more exposed in storage unless you are very careful (I am not). So I've shopped for a frame with interchangeable polycarbonate lenses.

Over the years I've tried prescription (Adidas Elevation system), and non prescription (Bolle). Felt like high priced consumables.
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Old 04-09-18, 01:45 PM
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IDK. Women in bikinis?
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Old 04-09-18, 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by gauvins
Felt like high priced consumables.
Try $9 safety sun glasses at home depot.

I've used them for touring since 2012.

Indestructible.

Last edited by boomhauer; 04-09-18 at 08:33 PM.
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Old 04-09-18, 03:17 PM
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One feature I look for is photochromic lenses, so one pair works in all light conditions. I use the same pair on tour and commuting and don't store them. I hang my helmet on my handlebar when parked and put the glasses in the helmet. Been doing this three years with one pair. Got mine from Nashbar for about $25 if I remember right.
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Old 04-09-18, 03:55 PM
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Cycling specific glasses can be $$ but tend to fit the best (and look the coolest). Make sure you get UV protection. Bring a cheap lens case when not in use...
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Old 04-09-18, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by boomhauer
Try $9 safety sun glasses at home depot.

I've used them for since 2012.

Indestructible.
I've done the same from Lowes, also have a pair I got from WalMart fishing section, both do a fine job. If something happens to them, (I still use both since 2015) I'm not going to shed a tear.... If you are wondering, I forgot mine at home, stopped at Walmart along the way.
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Old 04-09-18, 04:52 PM
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I have $20usd sunglasses that ive used for 3 years now and continue to want to get something better/nicer, but havent yet.
My browser has 4 sunglasses that im considering...and the pages just sit there waiting for me to decide my old $20 pair isnt good enough.

You dont need anything fancy or expensive.

1- get polycarbonate lenses at cheapest. There is a cheaper material that scratches easier.
2- get uv blocking. Anything worth half a damn will have this.
3- get polarized if you want. It removes more harmful whatevers from the sun, but makes lcd screens tohgh to read at angles.
4- if you get photochromatic lenses, make sure they hace a wide range of change. Getting ones thst start dark and get darker isnt ideal if you want them for night riding.
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Old 04-09-18, 05:05 PM
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I bought a pair of Wiley-X prescription sunglasses. They are sweet. They are aero - but not lameass futuristic-looking. They work great to keep the wind from my eyes. I like them for this because my eyes tear up really easily when I'm riding. Always have a wet eye and its irritating as he::.

I'm going to buy another pair just like the ones I have, but with clear lenses. Should handle anything a cloudy day or night-riding has to offer.
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Old 04-09-18, 06:30 PM
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I have used reasonably priced MEC models for ages now, and they tend to last me a long time, sometimes so long that the models change and my clear lenses that can take the place of dark ones no longer fit the new models.

I dont like spending more than 30 40 bucks for glasses, but find that many of the models in this range are nicer than the cheapest ones, probably have better uv protection, and I look for fit and darkness level of the tinting as my criteria.

I'd recommend going to a store and trying on diff models to see how tint darkness affect how you can see things in shadowy areas. I had a new pair of dark glasses a few years ago and just didnt like how the colour (more browny warm tone) and the darkness made it harder to see stuff in sun/shadow/sun/shadow situations.
After using these for a while, I ended up getting fed up and tried diff models and found one that for me, has a better balance of tint and darkness, and works better in mixed conditions, not to mention cloudy where I find I see detail much better than the other model.

I also recommend a light but stiff case for them for packing, or at least a fabric bag, the ones made for them, as I am very picky about taking care of my glasses simply because I have always put a great deal of importance on no scratches or whatever. When descending very fast, I don't want any scratches or blemishes, and this goes back to my motorcycle days. Riding fast is always safer with very good vision, and in all riding, its just nicer, but then thats me and being picky for that side of things.
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Old 04-09-18, 07:46 PM
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Once had $10 safety-style glasses from LBS that worked fine & were somehow impossible to lose. Ever since Oakley ditched the Pilot I haven't been crazy about the high-priced glasses, style seems to go before function. Now I use amber $50 Tifosi Vogels. They are rimless so when riding in drops vision is unimpeded, also it prevents top of glasses bumping into helmet. I never liked the lens-switching deal, it can be a bit inconvenient when one is tired & has sweaty fingers & it's getting dark. Easier to tote a separate clear pair.

Pollen season is coming, that stuff can blow into eyes even with shades--I've thought about goggles but OTOH only a few days a year it's bad.
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Old 04-09-18, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by DropBarFan
Once had $10 safety-style glasses from LBS that worked fine & were somehow impossible to lose. Ever since Oakley ditched the Pilot I haven't been crazy about the high-priced glasses, style seems to go before function. Now I use amber $50 Tifosi Vogels. They are rimless so when riding in drops vision is unimpeded, also it prevents top of glasses bumping into helmet. I never liked the lens-switching deal, it can be a bit inconvenient when one is tired & has sweaty fingers & it's getting dark. Easier to tote a separate clear pair.

Pollen season is coming, that stuff can blow into eyes even with shades--I've thought about goggles but OTOH only a few days a year it's bad.
I used to do teh switch thing, a bit of a pain commuting as I often ride in the dark at end of day. Since having newer dark ones, I just use my old pair as clears, and the other ones as darks, and have a light rigid case that I keep one or the other in, and the case gets thrown in my bag of stuff in my pannier along with wallet and all that junk I keep in a netbag.
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Old 04-09-18, 08:54 PM
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I've become a fan of gradient tint lenses for cycling. Dark on the top fading to nearly clear at the bottom. All the bright is up high anyway and things I need to really see are down on the street. I happen to have Brown tint Tifosi brand.



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Old 04-10-18, 08:29 AM
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I look to avoid rocks and such on the trails? Or dark amber, and put them with your gloves in the helmet so they don't get scratched.
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Old 04-10-18, 11:50 AM
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Oakley M frames of some sort, medium tint, not polarized. Keeps the wind and bugs out, but still vents and they are good for most conditions. On a darker day you might want something like the prizm road lens, but I've never considered carrying two sets of glasses while on tour.

The regular ones are impact resistant (whatever iso 903401 number that is?) and they are pretty scratch resistant as well. Optical quality is excellent, which for me is important because I am sensitive to that and if there is distortion I end up getting dizzy.
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