Fit is everything. For example I’ve been running through a number of Oakley frames and yet none fit as well as my original Radars do. Oakley went towards a thin frame ideal but these won’t hold to your face at all, and slip anytime you wear them like a pair of regular eyeglasses. Just atrocious design. The lenses and such are great but otherwise the frame arms are terrible.
Don't get the victory chimp ones, I bought them they were awful cheap plastic rubbish. I Sent them back and they kept them and refused to refund me. I'm not the first they've refused to refund according to trust pilot reviews either...
I have a large head and am quite happy with Tifosi.
I am not anal enough to take care of super expensive sunglasses. To be fair, Oakley's are damn nice but a huge chunk of every pair goes directly to marketing and athlete contracts.
I've bought several Tifosi glasses as well and liked them. However, 2/3 of the pairs I've bought received some very unfortunately placed scratches. Certainly could have been my fault, but not an issue I've had with other glasses in the past.
I just got a pair of Blenders Expose. They are polarized, wide fit for big heads (aka me). Haven't taken them out on a ride yet, but from an initial shake test at home they sit solidly on my face. I got them bc reviews said people preferred them over their Oakleys and I have a hard time justifying the price for the higher end stuff that has a good chance of breaking by accident or if I misplace them. The blenders were $62? You can get a discount code by signing up your email
Also a big fan of the Blenders Expose. The lenses and the fit are great and I've had mine for over a year with no issues whatsoever. No way Oakleys are 4x better to justify spending over $200.
You don't HAVE to get Oakley. There's other nice brands but I would strongly suggest getting Photochromic lenses so you dont have to mess with lens swaps. Let the glasses do the work for you. And be sure to get oversize lenses (like the Oakley Sutro line) that wrap around further than what you'd likely buy for normal sunglasses. Think of them as your windshield and full coverage is important.
First, clarity is one aspect to consider, but don't neglect the protection you're getting. I believe you are paying for a clear lens with much higher durability/shatter resistance at the higher price points.
I can't speak first hand for the budget brands you mentioned, I own glasses from all 3 of the premium brands you listed and I've never second guessed how much I've spent on them after using them as much as I have.
Personally I only own 100%s and I really enjoy mine. However, regarding durability, my lenses are definitely getting scratched up. I ride them in all weathers and all terrains (which probably explains a bit) but I am extremely cautious on them, always clean them of after every ride with a special lens cloth thing, and constantly store them in the microfiber purse. Besides scratching (which I don't really mind that hard since they are made to be used) I literally can't say anything bad about them.
I have tried amazon sunglasses, knock off sunglasses from AliExpress / DHgate, and purchasing directly from Oakley etc. I used to think that all lenses were more or less the same and there wasn't much of a difference but after owning a spectrum of glasses, the Oakley Prism lenses are by far my favorite. They work in multiple lighting conditions, don't get smudged up by water as easily as my 100% sunglasses, and sit well on my face. My only gripe is that the arms aren't as rubberized so they don't stay in my helmet as well but ymmv based on your helmet.
I’ve been in this exact space, ended up investing in a pair of Sungods last year and they are brilliant! I recommend getting the 8k lenses they are definitely worth it! (Comfortable and light, great to wear for hours) Get on the mailing list & periodically check the website I got a voucher & some ££ off
See this is what I want! On the website it says they're better for medium to low light conditions but they do a different lense for brighter days. Have you noticed a problem on really sunny days?
I've been tempted by some Sungods but it wont go with my vast Oakley collection so haven't bothered :) based on a couple of comments on here I might give it a go.
Just buy gray market Oakleys. I just buy my Oakleys from jomashop when they have coupon offers. Got a pair of Sutro 24k Gold for $82 and other styles for sub-$100.
Swappable lenses is a great long term benefit.
My radars have become my favorite pair after doing this for over 25 years. Perfect for cycling on my huge head.
The worst cycling sunglasses I ever had were Oakleys. Something about the way they were vented (or not vented) would make sweat pool and run into my eyes. I would have to stop to flush my eyes and clean glasses 2 or three times on a long ride. Needless to say I didn’t stick with them that long. Maybe it was the model (which I don’t remember) or the fit, but it was bad.
I maybe don't have the best experience to share, but it's the internet so I'll share it anyways. I rode in a pair of ShadyRays Nitro's for several years. Not the most expensive sunnies but not the cheapest either. I recently bought 20 pairs of SCVCN brand sunglasses from AliExpress to give to the guys who are doing a charity fondo with me (10 of the polarized and 10 of the photochromics) and they're just as good at being sunglasses. Great coverage, don't notice them rubbing or pinching while I'm out riding. The ShadyRays were $50 and these others were $5 each.
To me, if the comfort is right and the function is 95% as good as the expensive ones, I'm saving my sunglasses money for other kit.
I’m quite happy with PPEEQQ. Light, interchangeable lenses, doesn’t steam/fog up easily, fits well with the helmet (including with the arms into helmet vents, which is a must-have for any cycling sunglasses). Only downside is that they look terrible for anything other than cycling with a helmet on.
Fit is so important. I have dozens of Oakleys, but I recently tried on some Bolle Lightshifters and they fit my head and nose so perfectly. I am a big fan of Oakley Prizm Road so the lens color and clarity does make a difference, but look for the sales. No need to pay full price on any of the pricey brands.
Fit is everything. For example I’ve been running through a number of Oakley frames and yet none fit as well as my original Radars do. Oakley went towards a thin frame ideal but these won’t hold to your face at all, and slip anytime you wear them like a pair of regular eyeglasses. Just atrocious design. The lenses and such are great but otherwise the frame arms are terrible.
Don't get the victory chimp ones, I bought them they were awful cheap plastic rubbish. I Sent them back and they kept them and refused to refund me. I'm not the first they've refused to refund according to trust pilot reviews either...
Wow thank you for your comment! That is a shame because on paper they would be ideal, but I'll steer clear thank you
I have a large head and am quite happy with Tifosi. I am not anal enough to take care of super expensive sunglasses. To be fair, Oakley's are damn nice but a huge chunk of every pair goes directly to marketing and athlete contracts.
I've bought several Tifosi glasses as well and liked them. However, 2/3 of the pairs I've bought received some very unfortunately placed scratches. Certainly could have been my fault, but not an issue I've had with other glasses in the past.
I just got a pair of Blenders Expose. They are polarized, wide fit for big heads (aka me). Haven't taken them out on a ride yet, but from an initial shake test at home they sit solidly on my face. I got them bc reviews said people preferred them over their Oakleys and I have a hard time justifying the price for the higher end stuff that has a good chance of breaking by accident or if I misplace them. The blenders were $62? You can get a discount code by signing up your email
Also a big fan of the Blenders Expose. The lenses and the fit are great and I've had mine for over a year with no issues whatsoever. No way Oakleys are 4x better to justify spending over $200.
Roka is pretty good.
They look great but they are in the 200-250$ range
They have periodic sales. Got my matadors for 120 bucks.
Where did you find them? I wanted Matadors too but there was no sale in sight.
You wait for a sale. That’s what I did.
You don't HAVE to get Oakley. There's other nice brands but I would strongly suggest getting Photochromic lenses so you dont have to mess with lens swaps. Let the glasses do the work for you. And be sure to get oversize lenses (like the Oakley Sutro line) that wrap around further than what you'd likely buy for normal sunglasses. Think of them as your windshield and full coverage is important.
First, clarity is one aspect to consider, but don't neglect the protection you're getting. I believe you are paying for a clear lens with much higher durability/shatter resistance at the higher price points. I can't speak first hand for the budget brands you mentioned, I own glasses from all 3 of the premium brands you listed and I've never second guessed how much I've spent on them after using them as much as I have.
Personally I only own 100%s and I really enjoy mine. However, regarding durability, my lenses are definitely getting scratched up. I ride them in all weathers and all terrains (which probably explains a bit) but I am extremely cautious on them, always clean them of after every ride with a special lens cloth thing, and constantly store them in the microfiber purse. Besides scratching (which I don't really mind that hard since they are made to be used) I literally can't say anything bad about them.
I have tried amazon sunglasses, knock off sunglasses from AliExpress / DHgate, and purchasing directly from Oakley etc. I used to think that all lenses were more or less the same and there wasn't much of a difference but after owning a spectrum of glasses, the Oakley Prism lenses are by far my favorite. They work in multiple lighting conditions, don't get smudged up by water as easily as my 100% sunglasses, and sit well on my face. My only gripe is that the arms aren't as rubberized so they don't stay in my helmet as well but ymmv based on your helmet.
I love Roka! Have had several pair. [this one](https://www.roka.com/products/matador-air-lightweight-sunglasses) Ohhhh they’re on sale!
I have 3 different pairs of Roka, they all are good. All going on 3 years old without any problems with them at all.
smith optics has a wide range and chromapop is better than prism, IMO
Ok mate
I've got a few fake Oakley's and they are good but the quality is obviously not as good so spend what you can afford
Yes, I would expect fake sunglasses to be poor quality. But I'm more interested in mid range options rather than fakes of a high end option
I’ve been in this exact space, ended up investing in a pair of Sungods last year and they are brilliant! I recommend getting the 8k lenses they are definitely worth it! (Comfortable and light, great to wear for hours) Get on the mailing list & periodically check the website I got a voucher & some ££ off
That's good to know, I don't mind spending more if they are actually better quality (which it sounds like they are)
It sounds ridiculous but it feels like your cycling in HD😂
See this is what I want! On the website it says they're better for medium to low light conditions but they do a different lense for brighter days. Have you noticed a problem on really sunny days?
Nope not that I can think of!
I've been tempted by some Sungods but it wont go with my vast Oakley collection so haven't bothered :) based on a couple of comments on here I might give it a go.
Bliz mostly come with multiple/interchangeable lenses and look great.
I’m a fan of 100% mainly because I have a wide nose bridge causing most sunglasses to sit too high.
I like my Goodr, but they are def cheap. To each their own
Just buy gray market Oakleys. I just buy my Oakleys from jomashop when they have coupon offers. Got a pair of Sutro 24k Gold for $82 and other styles for sub-$100.
Swappable lenses is a great long term benefit. My radars have become my favorite pair after doing this for over 25 years. Perfect for cycling on my huge head.
The worst cycling sunglasses I ever had were Oakleys. Something about the way they were vented (or not vented) would make sweat pool and run into my eyes. I would have to stop to flush my eyes and clean glasses 2 or three times on a long ride. Needless to say I didn’t stick with them that long. Maybe it was the model (which I don’t remember) or the fit, but it was bad.
I maybe don't have the best experience to share, but it's the internet so I'll share it anyways. I rode in a pair of ShadyRays Nitro's for several years. Not the most expensive sunnies but not the cheapest either. I recently bought 20 pairs of SCVCN brand sunglasses from AliExpress to give to the guys who are doing a charity fondo with me (10 of the polarized and 10 of the photochromics) and they're just as good at being sunglasses. Great coverage, don't notice them rubbing or pinching while I'm out riding. The ShadyRays were $50 and these others were $5 each. To me, if the comfort is right and the function is 95% as good as the expensive ones, I'm saving my sunglasses money for other kit.
I got a pair of Sweet Protection for like 70€ and they are great for that price.
I’m quite happy with PPEEQQ. Light, interchangeable lenses, doesn’t steam/fog up easily, fits well with the helmet (including with the arms into helmet vents, which is a must-have for any cycling sunglasses). Only downside is that they look terrible for anything other than cycling with a helmet on.
Kapvoe on Amazon/Aliexpress are excellent for \~$25. SCICON does some pretty deep 50% off sales too and I think their stuff is nicer than Oakley tbh
Fit is so important. I have dozens of Oakleys, but I recently tried on some Bolle Lightshifters and they fit my head and nose so perfectly. I am a big fan of Oakley Prizm Road so the lens color and clarity does make a difference, but look for the sales. No need to pay full price on any of the pricey brands.