Cheap Prescription Sunglasses for Cyclists

How to Buy Discount Cycling Prescription Sports Sunglasses

Oct 6, 2009

Prescription sunglasses for cycling can be expensive, especially top brand styles with in-frame lenses. Here's how to find cheaper options, both functional and stylish.

Wrap around sunglasses are the favored style for most sports eyewear including cycling as they protect eyes from the elements coming in from any direction; rain, sun, wind and dust. Both practical and stylish, key brands like Oakley, Rudy Project, Bloc and Adidas offer a huge range of eyewear for all types of sports and many designs are available with prescription in-frame lenses.

Unfortunately, the cost of prescription lenses for wrap around sunglasses is high, typically over $350, partly as many designs have mirrored finishes and also as most top brand sunglasses are made from toughened polycarbonates with special finishes to repel smears and smudges.

Whilst some riders choose to wear disposable contact lenses with their sports sunglasses, many find contact lenses uncomfortable, especially if they only put them in for occasional rides. Thankfully, there are some cheaper options for both short-sighted and long-sighted cyclists.

Prescription Inserts for Cycling Sunglasses

Manufacturers now offer clip-in lenses, which fit neatly inside wrap around sunglasses and these are much cheaper than in-frame prescription lenses. The disadvantages are poorer peripheral vision, which could be critical for some riders, and the potential reduction in product lifespan due to frequent removal of the inserts for cleaning.

It is worth remembering that many in-frame lenses are made by glazing a section of the lens with the appropriate prescription rather than applying the relevant prescription power to the entire lens, thereby offering no advantages in peripheral vision over prescription inserts.

Cheap Prescription Sunglasses for Cycling

A cheaper alternative to expensive branded sunglasses is to buy direct from an eyewear manufacturer, specializing in sports prescription sunglasses. Companies like UK based Optilabs offer a large range of mountain bike and road specific sunglasses suitable for riders needing vision correction and those just wanting stylish eyewear at a great price.

Typical prices are up to half the price of an equivalent branded wrap around frame and the vast choice on offer includes bifocal, polarized, photochromic and mirror finish options. Choose from styles like the Canyon, Scorch or Rapide as featured below and pay less than $240 a pair.

Cheap Branded Cycling Prescription Sunglasses

Adidas are one of the best brands for affordable prescription eyewear. Their popular Evil Eye glasses are only available with prescription inserts but with prices from around $270, they represent good value for money versus more expensive offerings from Rudy Project or Oakley.

Affordable Cycling Sunglasses with Prescription Lenses or Inserts

In-frame lenses offer the best aesthetics and are more practical for sports like cycling but costs are high. Brand junkies should look to value for money brands offering prescription inserts like Adidas or consider buying non-branded in-frame lenses from an optical laboratory; just be sure to choose a style that is both practical and stylish.

The copyright of the article Cheap Prescription Sunglasses for Cyclists in Bicycle Gear is owned by Helen Smeaton. Permission to republish Cheap Prescription Sunglasses for Cyclists in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.