Cars have windshields. Windshields have wipers. What do cycles and cyclists have? Probably dust, water & street muck in their eyes.
Helmets with visors are certainly an option, but what about when the sun beats down directly on your eyes? A pair of well-built sunglasses will do the trick.
How are we judging these glasses?
Regardless of price, we expect the following from every pair of sunglasses:
UV Protection - We understand that a formal certification may not be available in the ultra-affordable sub-$50 category. However, we expect recognized certifications like UV400 to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB radiation, especially on elevated rides.
Weight & Stability - Heavy frames bounce around on your face and pinch you behind the ears. Our ideal pair of sunglasses is under 30 g. High-grip rubberized touchpoints are a huge bonus, and low-weight, high-strength materials are another.
Optics & Contrast - A good lens tint doesn’t just generally dim everything; it actively filters out certain wavelengths to boost visibility of certain colors and textures, like road, gravel, shadows, and fellow riders.
Anti-Fog & Airflow - Fogging usually happens right as you’re pushing the hardest and burning the most calories or covering the most distance. Stopping your ascent or ride to clean your lenses is pain we don’t want you to have. Anti-fog coatings aren't available at every price point, but when they are, they're a necessity.
With the rules established, here are all the glasses we’ve found, categorized by price range: luxury, mid-range, and budget-friendly.
Tier 1: The Luxury Class
For those who demand uncompromising clarity, design, and frame materials without compromise.
Option 1
The Oakley Kato Sunglasses cost $374, weigh less than 30g, and feature a frameless wrap design with Prizm lens technology. The innovative wraparound design conforms closely to your face. By extending the lens wrap over the bridge of the nose, it delivers an unencumbered, mask-like field of view. Fitted with Oakley's industry-leading Prizm Road or Prizm Trail lenses, the optical contrast is unmatched, allowing you to spot potholes or loose gravel instantly. The adjustable rake system lets you tilt the lens to match your helmet brow perfectly. However, the frameless design means you cannot swap lenses, so be sure to buy a color you like, because it's an eternal commitment.
Option 2
The Smith Wildcat Sunglasses cost $247, but are usually marked down to $217. These 32 g sunglasses resemble swimming goggles with their wraparound coverage. The glasses also feature ChromaPop Photochromatic lenses that adapt to lighting conditions as you ride through canopy cover. The TR90 and flexible TPU frame wraps comfortably around the face without creating pressure points. It also ships with an interchangeable clear lens for dark morning starts or deep-woods singletrack.
Option 3
The Rudy Project Rydon Sunglasses cost $299 and weigh 36 grams. This pair features two distinct, photochromic transition lenses. You can bend the temple tips and nose bridge in any direction to achieve a fully custom fit. Its ImpactX photochromic lenses are legendary: they transition from clear to dark in seconds, offering crystal-clear definition with virtually zero optical distortion.
Tier 2: The Mid-Range Sweet Spot
This pricing tier balances professional-grade construction with sensible pricing. Essentially, they’re the workhorses.
Option 1
The 100% S2 glasses cost $119.95 and weigh 28g. Its cylindrical shield and laser-etched, rimless design are excellent for ventilation and help prevent fogging. This pair of glasses also offers 360-degree visibility. Furthermore, the S2 ships with 2 pairs of interchangeable lenses so you can ride in any condition, and both pairs are UV400-certified. It features cooling vents in the lower lens profile to draw in air and actively push moisture out, keeping fog at bay during steep climbs.
Option 2
Priced at $129.99, the Pit Viper Original 2.0 sunglasses are the brand’s bestselling set of glasses. The ScaleX Polycarbonate lenses make for a durable, sleek, and stylish pair. The brand claims that the shatterproof lenses are also 100% UVA/UVB resistant. The pair also features adjustable lens angles to keep you seeing clearly and comfortably. The lenses also block between 82% and 92% of light, making them ideal for bright sunny riding situations.
Option 3
The Arena Saetta Sport Sunglasses cost $110 and are available in a range of colors. These Italian-made polycarbonate lenses deliver crystal-clear visuals. When combined with the hydrophobic treatment, the glasses are suitable for use in any weather. The glasses are also UV400-certified to protect against UVA and UVB light. The bike’s construction ensures no bounce or slip. The pair is helmet-compatible, with rubberized tips and nosepads, so it stays in place.
Tier 3: The Budget-Friendly Performers
Proof that you don’t need to spend a week’s rent on a pair of sunglasses, these pairs will give you all you need without breaking the bank.
Option 1
Tifosi is a mainstay in the affordable cycling accessories space. Their sunglasses are no different. The Tifosi Vogel SL costs $39.95, weighs 26g, and is available in clear or smoky lenses. These lenses are neither photochromatic nor UV-certified. However, its single-piece lens construction makes for a wide viewing angle. The rubber grippers help situate the glasses snugly on your ears.
Option 2
The Blenders Eyewear Eclipse sunglasses weigh under 30g and cost $69. If you want that futuristic, full-shield aesthetic without paying Oakley prices, the Blenders Eclipse is your ticket. It provides a massive field of view, keeping wind out of your eyes during descents. The nosepiece is comfortably rubberized, and the frames are surprisingly durable.
Option 3
The Rockbros Photochromatic Safety Sunglasses cost $26.99. For that price, you get a 24g wraparound pair of glasses. The design seals out water, dust, snow, and all other debris. Despite its hyper-affordable price, this pair of glasses is UV400-certified and blocks 100% of harmful UV radiation. The glasses feature a fast 5-second transition time due to their photochromic coating, so glare can’t slow you down on the sunniest of days.
What’s The Verdict?
If you are a dedicated performance rider looking for the ultimate mix of weight, price, and functional versatility, the Arena Saetta offers a brilliant, featherweight Italian package that is hard to beat. For those who want to set the pace and turn heads on the local group ride, the Oakley Kato offers a glimpse into the future of sports optics. And if you are simply looking for an affordable, set-and-forget pair that can handle dawn-to-dusk gravel epics on a budget, the photochromic Tifosi Vogel or Rockbros is the smartest money you can spend.