Cycling sunglasses serve many purposes. They protect your eyes from sun, wind, road splash and bugs, but they are also a stylish accessory. Yet, investing in cycling sunglasses specifically might not at first seem as critical as, say, having a good pair of cycling shoes. But once you ditch your Ray-Bans and put on some good sports glasses, there is no going back. Well, at least for most of us.
In this edition of Collective Favourites, we’re taking a look at the sunglasses that Escape Collective staff and you, our members, reach for. Spoiler: it turns out that a lot of us like a pair of Oakleys.
What makes a good pair of cycling sunglasses?
At the most basic level, you want your cycling sunglasses to do three things: be comfortable, enhance your vision, and cover your eyes from whatever might otherwise fly into them. The best cycling sunglasses won't leave angry marks on your nose or ears, slip down or worse – fall down when you tilt your head – and they cover enough but not too much.
But beyond that, preferences also come in. Some riders want a big wraparound shield with maximum face coverage. Others opt for a minimalist solution, with a smaller lens that sits higher on the nose and doesn't cover half the cheeks. And then there’s aesthetics, which might not be the priority, but let’s be honest, they matter.
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