Although some cyclists choose to wear their everyday prescription glasses on the bike, they’re far from ideal for the speeds that we’re whizzing down on descents, or in sunny conditions. When you need prescription lenses to correct your vision but also want the protection of dedicated cycling glasses, prescription cycling glasses are a great option.
Cycling glasses are designed specifically for the demands of the sport and with or without prescription, they come with a range of lens technologies and tints.
Sports-specific sunglasses “are built with impact resistance, UV coverage, and a secure fit in mind,” says Filippo Pasqualino, a dispensing optometrist at RxSport – one of the UK’s leading prescription sports opticians. “You’ll get grippy ear socks and temples, ensuring the glasses stay in place, even on long rides.”
All of the above applies to prescription cycling eyewear but in addition to performance, fit and looks, you’ll have some additional prescription considerations to take into account. Wearing prescription cycling glasses is not your only option when it comes to having the perfect vision on your bike, either.
To help you decide what might be the best option for your optical needs, we’ve looked at the key cycling prescription glass options, their pros and cons and the alternatives.
Types of prescription cycling glass lenses
Prescription cycling glasses fall into the broader umbrella category of “Rx” sports glasses, which are designed specifically for people who require vision correction, all the while maintaining the benefits that regular sports sunglasses offer. The very thing that makes sports and cycling glasses special: snug fit, wrap-around, curved lenses for peripheral vision and protection, scratch and impact-resistant materials and tints to shade the eyes from the sun, are also the very aspects that make them a little harder to make for prescription needs than your regular pair of specs.
There are a lot of options to choose from, though, but because of this wide array of options choosing the right pair can also seem a little daunting – that’s why we’ve spoken to experts to find out what your options are and what you should consider before buying a pair.
There are four main types of prescription cycling lenses to choose from: direct glaze, prescription inserts, prescription implants, and flip-up glasses. Each of these offers unique benefits, but they all come with some limitations in comfort and how they might fit your prescription needs, too. High prescriptions and conditions such as astigmatism might narrow your lens options, but newer technologies mean you’re not doomed to ride with thick, clunky lens inserts that fog up all the time.
Direct glaze cycling lenses
Starting with direct glaze cycling glasses – these are the ones that RxSport’s Pasqualino says are the most popular among their customers, though your local optician might have a varying view on this. As with regular prescription eyewear, direct glaze cycling glasses have the prescription incorporated directly into the lens, meaning they look pretty sleek. (Direct glaze, incidentally, actually refers to the process of inserting the finished lenses into the frame rather than the lens manufacturing itself.)
Very few of us have the same vision in both eyes and that is why direct glaze lenses are not available for larger, one-piece “shield” style lenses.
Direct glaze glasses provide the clearest and widest field of view, as there is no insert to obstruct vision or fog up, and because the full lens has the optics, no matter what way you look you will get the same correction to your sight.
These types of Rx glasses also tend to be lighter and more comfortable to wear than ones with prescription inserts, making them more comfortable over longer-distance rides.
“Direct glaze options are the purist’s solution, meaning there is no cosmetic compromise. They are also easier to clean, have less chance of fogging and offer the widest field of view.”
With a host of positives, direct glaze glasses are also the most expensive option, and they come with limitations for very strong prescriptions because of the lens thickness and in some cases, the curvature, which becomes an acute issue with “full-wrap” and other aggressively curved styles.
“The bigger the lens gets and the more curved it gets the thicker it gets,” states Pasqualino. That creates two potential issues: higher weight, and more distortion outside the centre of your vision.
Prescription inserts
Prescription inserts are also called “indirect glaze” lenses – these are prescription lenses that clip into the back of a standard pair of cycling glasses, with the Rx insert behind the existing tinted lens. Inserts are often a cheaper option and offer the benefit of being able to swap to a new pair of glasses (with the same attachment style), or change out the outer tinted lens for different conditions. They can also accommodate higher prescriptions and eye conditions such as astigmatism better than direct glaze glasses.
Most independent opticians Escape spoke with said these are their most popular option, and many of your local opticians will likely be able to fit new lenses for these inserts, while they might not be able to do so with direct glaze or implant options.
Because of their removable nature, these are a great option if you already have a favourite pair of cycling glasses and you perhaps alternate between using contact lenses and glasses. With the insert, changing the prescription is a little cheaper as you only need to replace the insert lenses, and if you happen to scratch the outer lens of your sunglasses, you can only change that without paying extra for the prescription.
“If you want to change the front [non-prescription] lens, then you can buy extra lenses and you can swap and change just that. That works out cheaper because the prescription part isn’t changing,” says Pasqualino.
On the downside, inserts can make glasses feel heavier, potentially causing them to slip down your nose or create uncomfortable pressure, and they may create distracting reflections due to the double-lens design. The inserts also fit closer to your face, which may be bothersome – and those of us with longer lashes might find the insert comes so close to the eye that your lashes brush the lens. Inserts are also much more likely to fog up than the other lens options.
Another caveat to the inserts is that each glasses manufacturer has their own insert, meaning they are far from a one-size-fits-all situation. With most brands, one insert style may fit many of their glasses models though.
If you ride with mountain bike goggles, there are also inserts for those. These are mostly universal, meaning that one size fits all.
Hybrid lens
Rudy Project is a brand that offers a hybrid of the two options above: insert and direct glaze. The brand’s Optical Dock system is a system where the prescription lens is mounted in a solid plastic structure that clips into a compatible frame. This allows for a much thicker lens than would be possible with a direct glaze with the weight and fit advantages of a single lens.
These lenses are likely your best bet if you have a high prescription but prefer to not get inserts.
Prescription implant lenses
Prescription implant lenses are the newest kid in the block – a compromise between direct glaze and inserts, designed for people with strong prescriptions who can’t get the correction they need from either of the other two options. These are also an option to get your favourite shield-style glasses with a prescription.
There are two basic approaches: a single shield with cutouts where integrated corrected implant sections are fused to the lens, and frames with a cutout on each side of the nosepiece, which will take left and right-specific snap-in prescription lenses. Both approaches blend the prescription lens better into the wider lens and if you are a fan of single-lens sunglasses, it still gives you the option for a tailored left-and-right eye prescription. But unlike in the direct glaze, the implant only places your prescription on part of the lens, which means that if you look to the edges and perhaps are in a very low position, you may have uncorrected vision.
“This enables you to get the same shield designs worn by pro riders, but without any insert. In short, two sections are removed from a shield, and then these sections are reglazed with prescription lenses,” Pasqualino says.
Not all brands do implant lenses, but you can find many options from for example Oakley, Bollé and Evil Eye. If you like a frameless design, then the implant is a great choice.
Flip-up sunglasses
Flip-up sunglasses are also an option, though the options in this segment are more casual-style than performance-oriented wrap-around glasses. Flip-up glasses are basically normal prescription glasses with a separate, tinted outer lens that can be, as the name suggests, flipped up and down as needed. While these are convenient, they share some of the same disadvantages as inserts, such as added weight and potential reflections and fogging from the two lenses.
The main advantage of the flip-up is the immediacy of the coverage from the sun. The tinted lens works instantaneously, like a switch, while photochromic protection has a reaction time that is not immediate.
Contact lenses
With changing eyesight, getting prescription cycling glasses might become an expensive endeavour – or you might not like the look of prescription cycling glasses – and this is where contact lenses come in. The benefit of contact lenses is vision correction that lets you keep using non-prescription cycling glasses. No need to think about inserts, implants, or any of the options; simply get the pair you like the most.
It’s also easier and in short term, cheaper, to change your contact lens prescription to match your changing eyesight rather than buy a replacement lens for your cycling glasses.
It might sound like the perfect solution, but not all prescriptions work with contact lenses (and not all people tolerate contacts equally, in particular if you suffer from dry eye conditions). In addition, contact lenses can also be tricky in situations where you get dirt or debris in your eye, and are perhaps unable to remove and replace the contact lenses hygienically. The same goes for bikepacking trips where hand-washing facilities might be limited.
Choosing the right prescription cycling glasses
In addition to choosing the lens you like and need for your prescription, there are additional factors to take on account: the frame shape, lens tint and coating.
Frame options
The frame shape of the prescription cycling glasses plays a big part in how well your glasses fit your head and your optics needs. Your riding discipline plays a big role in deciding the frame. Full-frame glasses are generally more robust, while half-frames are lighter and sleeker.
“First, we would want to know about which sort of cyclist you are. A pure road racer is going to need something very different from a downhill MTB rider. A lot of this comes down to the overall shape you go for – shields vs full frames vs semi-rimless dual-lens designs,” Pasqualino says. “This then needs to be combined with your particular visual requirements, as certain prescriptions are better suited to particular designs.”
Beyond the frame, you should also make sure the size of the frame fits you well and that the rubber temples and nose grips keep your glasses secure on your face, even when you’re sweating. This is especially important with prescription cycling glasses that need to stay put for proper optical alignment for vision correction.
You need to also make sure whatever frame style you choose works with your helmet. You don’t want the frame hitting against the brow of the helmet, but also not leaving an awkward gap.
“‘Is it going to be comfortable with my helmet?’ It’s really worth testing. Especially if you invest a few hundred Pounds in a pair of prescription glasses, you want to make sure the fit with the helmet is good,” Pasqualino emphasises.
And of course, beyond function, the frame design needs to also please your eye – and work together with your chosen lens tint – because you are more likely to wear a pair you like the look of.
Lens tints and coatings
Choosing the correct lens tint is crucial for optimising your vision in different light conditions. Rose and amber tints can enhance vision in overcast conditions, while clear lenses are best for low light. The brighter the conditions, the darker the tint you will need. This is called visible light transmission, usually expressed as a percentage of how much light gets through; the lower the figure, the darker the lens. Grey tints are a good all-around option, offering natural contrast and true colour perception.
According to Pasqualino, photochromic lenses (also called variomatic by some brands) are the most popular option when it comes to prescription lenses. If you cycle in an area with changeable weather conditions, photochromic or light-reactive lenses change from light to dark and back again, depending on the level of UV light, eliminating the need to change lenses. Again, these changes take time; photochromic lenses may take at least 30 seconds to fully darken, and far longer – several minutes – to lighten back up.
Lens tint also affects how visible your prescription lens is – unless you have direct glaze lenses. The darker the tint, the less likely it is that your optical inserts will show through the lens.
Lens tints are not only about aesthetics, but they are often made discipline-specific and are constantly evolving. Most brands have their own names for the tint technologies, and it’s worth paying attention to what they offer to your favourite type of riding – some might enhance forest trails better, and others work best on tarmac roads.
“Oakley Prizm lens technology has been a real game changer in fine-tuning tints to offer greater contrast in specific environments,” Pasqualino explains. “Tints such as Prizm Trail enhance browns and reds making greens pop so riders can spot transitions between dirt in different light conditions, whereas Prizm Road is designed for the grey and black of the road surface, making it easier to spot bumps in the road and those slippy manhole covers.”
Prescription lenses can also have different coatings for preventing scratches, fogging or reflections; these again depend on the brand and lens so check what options are available for the style that you like.
Prescription considerations
If you have a particularly high prescription, your choice of prescription cycling eyewear may be more limited. By browsing online Rx retailers you can have an idea of options; the websites often have a preset tool in their search so that once you’ve put in your prescription, you will then be presented with only the options that work with your prescription.
If you know your prescription is on the stronger side, the best approach is to contact an optician, as they can advise you on which brands can cater to higher prescription strengths, as well as which lenses are best suited for your specific requirements. In particular for inserts, varying types of lens materials may be available; more expensive ones are typically lighter and thinner and may help fit a prescription that would be too thick or heavy in a cheaper lens technology.
But there are some issues that even premium lens technologies won’t fully overcome. “With higher prescriptions such as -10.00, wrapped options are not going to work so well and inserts would be tricky as they sit closer to the eye and would still have some wrap to them,” Pasqualino explains. Success may rely on picking the right frames as well.
Pasqualino says the hybrid Rudy Project Rydon Slim pair with an Optical Dock can work well with higher prescriptions, as the lens sits in a position similar to a regular pair of glasses and the lens is flatter rather than wrapped. And as mentioned before, even if one brand doesn’t do high-enough prescription lenses, another might do.
“If you’ve got somebody’s got a minus four [of nearsightedness], for example, we can get them a Bollé frame, but you might not do that with an Oakley pair,” Pasqualino says. “Generally, going for a full rim will help because it hides that edge thickness because sports frames are quite thick compared to your regular glasses.”
Varifocal, or progressive lenses – lenses that help you see both near and far – are also available for cycling glasses. These provide a continuous vision for all distances in a single lens and if that sounds too good to be true, for a while it was. Varifocal lenses are more complex to make, and that’s why they’ve taken time to make their way into the cycling prescription market.
“Varifocals need to be set very precisely. As such, we didn’t offer these for the first 10 years of our operation, as we refused to do it until we were 100% confident in the end result,” Pasqualino admits.
Though you might at first think you don’t need to read much when out cycling, varifocals can be hugely beneficial when reading your cycling computer screen and more importantly, the cafe menu.
“For cyclists, when you’re on the drops or even at an upright position, varifocal gives you that extra magnification to see the Garmin again. These are the big ones for the older riders that cycle and on the Sunday ride they want to see the menu in the coffee shop – but they don’t want to take their reading glasses out,” Pasqualino explains.
When he says older riders, remember that your short-distance vision often starts to deteriorate once you hit 40, so you don’t need to be that old to need varifocals.
Where do I buy cycling prescription glasses?
Sports prescription glasses are a relatively niche product, which means that many smaller, independent opticians don’t necessarily stock them at all. For this article, I contacted a few of my local independent shops and though they can offer sports prescription glasses, none of them had them on show in their brick-and-mortar stores.
“The demand for them is so low, that we would usually order them in from a specialist when someone asks for them,” Lorna from Pinder Eyecare in Glasgow said. Most of their sports glasses are for football or swimming, both of which will not use inserts but rather rely on direct glaze lenses.
When you’re ready to buy your prescription cycling glasses, it’s wise to choose a reputable retailer, whether online or on the high street, that offers advice on your lens options and a good range of products. Online stores can be slightly cheaper – and often offer a wide selection of brands, including Oakley, Rudy Project, Smith, and Bollé.
Even if they don’t stock them, many high-street opticians still offer prescription cycling glasses, although their ranges may be more limited – and they might use a third party to get the prescription sports glasses ordered for you. If you’re unsure about the best type of prescription cycling glasses for your needs, specialist retailers often offer online access to an optician who can talk you through the options.
Major brands such as Oakley, Rudy Project, Tifosi and Bolle sell their prescription cycling glasses directly from their website. Some Rx-glass online retailers also have a physical showroom where you can browse the options and chat with experts in person.
When ordering online, you’ll need a current prescription, though these rules vary across countries so check with the provider to ensure your prescription is valid. In the UK, it needs to be from the last two years, while in the US rules vary by state (your prescription, which an optometrist is required to provide, should have an expiration date on it).
The prescription has to entail all the necessary data for your prescription lenses. This includes sphere (SPD), cylinder (CYL), axis and pupillary distance (PD). Sphere is, in essence the amount of farsighted or nearsighted-ness, CYL indicates level of astigmatism, and the AXIS determines the direction of the astigmatism (in degrees from 1 to 180). PD is the distance between the pupils, which is essential for properly aligning the prescription lens to your eye.
How much do prescription cycling glasses cost?
Whichever lens option you go for, prescription cycling glasses are almost always more expensive than their non-prescription counterparts. Prices typically range from £150/ US$190 to well over £400/ US$520, and the wait times can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the lens you go for.
For example, Oakley lists its Radar EV Path non-prescription glasses starting at £181/ US$181 (prices vary depending on markets). When you get them with Oakley’s own prescription grey polarized implants, the price jumps to £461 /US$501. You can certainly find cheaper options by changing lens type or simply switching brands. Smith Optics’ direct glaze prescription sunglasses start around US$200, for instance, and retailers such as Decathlon also offer prescription glass inserts (which you have to get glazed, or inserted, at an optician) for less than £60. Your lens option, prescription and frame choice all affect the price, and these also differ between brands.
When it comes to quality, though, the difference between respected manufacturers such as Rudy Project and Oakley and something off a non-specialist website is stark. When you buy a reputable brand, you have a much higher chance of getting high-quality optics regardless of your prescription.
Considering the price you’re paying for these glasses, it’s definitely worth taking your time in deciding what feels comfortable. For this, Pasqualino stresses the importance of home trials. RxSport, like most of the other online retailers, offers a home trial service where you can try up to three frames at home for a week to make sure they fit comfortably and securely.
Have regular eye checks
On a final note, it’s worth remembering that your prescription changes, and having regular eye checks is crucial to track those changes and your general eye health.
If you already have a pair of prescription cycling glasses, you should pay attention to updating the lens as your prescription changes. You can order replacement lenses rather than buying a whole new pair of glasses, and you can also order additional lenses in different tints to suit different riding conditions.
Thank you to all of the Escape Members who submitted pictures of their Rx glasses in Discord – you were a huge help. If you’re not a member yet, it’s worth it even if you just want to ask fellow riders for their experiences with specific lens and frame styles!
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