The Best Cycling Glasses

Our testers spent hours riding hundreds of miles through all sorts of weather conditions testing every aspect of what makes for a good pair of cycling glasses.While cycling glasses are an obvious need when it’s bright out, they are also extremely important on non-sunny days. A good pair of glasses will protect the eyes while riding in the rain or falling snow, making for a safe ride home.

Our testers dug into five key criteria to determine the best pair of cycling glasses available. Those criteria include Lens Clarity, Helmet Compatibility, Coverage (wind resistance), Fit/Comfort, and Overall Performance.

Scroll through our test grid below and check out the criteria scores and the pros and cons to see what matters to you most. Then click on the review to dig into the specifics to see if those glasses are a good fit for your riding style and needs.

Review Year
Best in Class
Overall Rating
Price
Name Overall Rating Ratings The Good The Bad Price
Kaenon Soft Kore
93
Lens Clarity 9
Helmet Compatability 8
Coverage / Wind Resi... 8
Fit / Comfort 9
Overall Performance 10
Value 9

Outstanding polarized optics.

A lens that is durable, scratch resistant, and impact resistant.

Good looks with a sculpted, style-driven silhouette.

Women’s-specific design that provides a good fit.

This style is lacking nosepad and/or temple adjustability.

MSRP
$239.00
BEST DEAL
N/A
Rudy Project Hypermask Performance
92
Lens Clarity 8
Helmet Compatability 9
Coverage / Wind Resi... 9
Fit / Comfort 9
Overall Performance 9
Value 8

Impressive lightness of being at just 28 grams.

Comfort.

Extreme wraparound design with excellent protective coverage and wind resistance.

Great optics with a wide-open field of vision.

Simple-to-use lens changing technology plus a wide variety of lens tint and performance options.

The Brow Interface piece running across the top of the lens caused some visual disturbance.

This sunglass’s size is on-target for average and larger face shapes; it runs big for smaller faces.

MSRP
$199.99
BEST DEAL
N/A
Smith Pivlock V90
92
Lens Clarity 9
Helmet Compatability 9
Coverage / Wind Resi... 9
Fit / Comfort 8
Overall Performance 8
Value 9

Lightweight and comfortable, even under a helmet.

Wrap design with an open visual field and solid coverage.

Excellent optics.

Convenient lens-changing technology.

Excellent value with three lens colors included in package.

The bronze mirror lens tested became easily smudged.

The nosepad piece in the Pearl color tested caused some visual disturbance.

MSRP
$159.00
BEST DEAL
N/A
Zeal Equinox
91
Lens Clarity 8
Helmet Compatability 8
Coverage / Wind Resi... 9
Fit / Comfort 8
Overall Performance 9
Value 9

Really good optics, especially at this pricepoint.

Polarized technology.

Frame adjustability, allowing for a more customized fit.

Some reflection on the lens when looking in the direction of the sun.

Despite its functional adjustability, the frame was slightly uncomfortable when worn under a winter hat.

MSRP
$139.00
BEST DEAL
N/A
Rudy Project Gozen
91
Lens Clarity 9
Scratch Resistance 9
Coverage / Wind Resi... 9
Fit / Comfort 5
Overall Performance 9

Optics are picture perfect in a variety of light conditions.

Lightweight wrap design keeps out the elements, including wind.

Adjustable temples enable a more customized fit.

Helmet compatibility is spot on.

Interchangeable lens system is a little difficult to maneuver at first.

It also requires the user to touch and handle the lenses, meaning they can become significantly smudged.

MSRP
$204.99
BEST DEAL
N/A
Nike Vomero12
89
Lens Clarity 8
Helmet Compatability 9
Coverage / Wind Resi... 8
Fit / Comfort 7
Overall Performance 8
Value 9

Lightweight and comfortable.

Excellent optics with a lens that moves well from low light to bright light.

Impressive open field of vision from Nike’s wraparound sport wrap shield design.

A balanced frame design that minimizes movement on the face.

The sunglass’ ventilated rubber nose bridge kept coming off when we cleaned the lens.

The nose bridge also caused a very minimal amount of glare on the back of the lenses at certain angles.

MSRP
$145.00
BEST DEAL
N/A
Bolle Python Polarized
89
Lens Clarity 8
Helmet Compatability 8
Coverage / Wind Resi... 9
Fit / Comfort 8
Overall Performance 9
Value 7

Optics are excellent and the polarized lens squashes glare.

More substantial wrap design keeps out the elements.

Appealing design for style-conscious riders.

Hydrophilic nose pads grip nicely, even when sweat is part of the picture.

Full rim design can get a bit toasty in hot riding conditions.

MSRP
$99.99
BEST DEAL
N/A
Native Trango Polarized
89
Lens Clarity 9
Helmet Compatability 9
Coverage / Wind Resi... 9
Fit / Comfort 5
Overall Performance 9
Value 8

Highly lightweight and comfortable.

Optics are solid; polarization truly cut annoying glare.

Frame’s full-rim wrap design delivers good wind resistance and element protection.

Style-focused design is a refreshing change from tech-y shields.

Gripping material integrated into the frame works well.

Frame does feel hotter than rimless or half-rim sunglasses in warmer conditions.

MSRP
$149.00
BEST DEAL
N/A
Adidas Evil Eye Half Rim Pro
88
Lens Clarity 8
Helmet Compatability 6
Coverage / Wind Resi... 9
Fit / Comfort 8
Overall Performance 9
Value 8

Wraparound design with 10-base lens curve (read: an extreme wrap with excellent coverage) has solid wind resistance and large field of vision

Great optics and contrast-enhancing lens

Good helmet compatibility via adjustable temples and nosepads

Slightly bulky compared to other lightweight performance sunglasses

Slightly uncomfortable for very long rides (over 2-3 hours)

MSRP
$230.00
BEST DEAL
N/A
Nike Show X2 with MAX Transitions Lens
86
Lens Clarity 8
Helmet Compatability 8
Coverage / Wind Resi... 8
Fit / Comfort 5
Overall Performance 9
Value 8

Highly convenient photochromic lens feature really does work.

Very comfortable for a variety of face shapes.

Stable on the face.

Fits nicely under a variety of helmets.

Move from a light tint indoors to bright, sunny conditions took slightly longer than preferred.

Classic performance shield design is noticeably conservative.

MSRP
N/A
BEST DEAL
N/A
Oakley RadarLock
84
Lens Clarity 8
Helmet Compatability 8
Coverage / Wind Resi... 8
Fit / Comfort 5
Overall Performance 8
Value 7

The interchangeable lens system is smooth and easy to maneuver.

The minimal wrap design has a wide visual field with good peripheral vision.

Gripping temples and nose pads.

Each sunglass comes with two lenses.

Helmet compatibility and, thus, long-term comfort, is limited.

MSRP
$220.00
BEST DEAL