Best Prescription Sunglasses for Cycling
How to Choose Prescription Sports Sunglasses to Mountain Bike
Sep 29, 2009
Most cyclists like to ride in wrap around sunglasses which eliminate light from the sides and stop grit getting into the eyes from all directions. The problem with wrap around styles, however, is the high cost of making a prescription lens to fit directly into the frame, especially if a mirrored finish is required.
In recent years, manufacturers have developed alternative options for cycling so that road cyclists and mountain bikers do not have to wear contact lenses with their favorite wrap around sunglasses, just so they can see the trail. The cheapest option is to buy prescription inserts or optical adaptors which clip neatly inside the frame. The downside to inserts is that grime and sweat builds up quickly between insert and frame, requiring frequent removal for cleaning. This in turn weakens the clip-in insert and the life of the sunglasses.
The alternative is to invest in more expensive prescription lenses made specifically to fit a particular frame, otherwise known as in-frame lenses. Options are more limited as not all wrap around styles can take a prescription lens and many mirrored lenses have to be custom made which can double the already prohibitive price.
Popular Brands for Prescription Sports Sunglasses
There are many well-known brands offering sports prescription eyewear but Rudy Project, Oakley and Adidas are probably the most popular in the cycling world.
- Rudy Project - With a huge variety of styles, Rudy Project is much loved by cyclists and outdoor sports enthusiasts alike. Directly glazed in-frame sunglasses are the most stylish and costly although cheaper options are available with clip-in prescription inserts. Popular models include Apache, Exowind and Rydon II.
- Oakley - Equally popular is the Oakley brand and the special mirrored finishes on offer. With options specifically for both men and women, sunglasses are available with in-frame lenses but at a hefty price.
- Adidas – An affordable branded option, Adidas have invested much into their Evil Eye range of prescription insert sunglasses. Stylish and functional, the Evil Eye range starts from just £150/$240 and is available both with and without a prescription lens. The sunglasses are equally good to wear off the bike with contact lenses too.
Cost of Prescription Cycling Sunglasses
Expect to pay around £170/$270 for branded wrap around sunglasses with a prescription insert and £240/$385 for in-frame prescription sunglasses from brands like Rudy Project.
Prices are usually cheaper from online retailers so it is worth shopping around.
Cheap Prescription Sunglasses for Cycling
Those on a tight budget may want to forget the branded option and go direct to an optical laboratory that supplies opticians and many online optical retailers. Optilabs, based in the UK, manufactures a large range of in-frame prescription and non-prescription sunglasses and specializes in sports eyewear.
With over 25 years experience, they make lenses to the highest specification in both single vision and varifocal options and offer great wrap around styling for half the cost of the equivalent branded frame. Mountain bikers will love the Scorch sunglasses, pictured below, while more conservative cyclists may prefer Sprint, also seen below. Both sunglasses are available from just £154/$246 and can be shipped worldwide.
Best Prescription Glasses for Sports
The best eyewear for cyclists needing vision correction is almost certainly a pair of in-frame prescription sunglasses. Those with the money may prefer an expensive branded option from Oakley or Rudy Project while riders on a budget may want to consider buying directly from an optical manufacturer for wrap around style without the high price tag.
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You may also be interested in Sports Sunglasses for Cycling and Mountain Biking and Best Value Cycling Sunglasses for Women.
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