Everyone loves a nice pair of sunnies. The cyclists have taken subsection to new levels with a strict set of rules on how to wear this most essential of fashion accessory. Sunglasses for cycling are good for two things. They protect your eyes and more importantly make you look cool outside. But it isn’t just about looking cool. They’re an essential piece of kit. When you’re riding, you have to blink and squint and the sun is very bright, the wind is getting in your eyes, and you feel bits of dust getting in your eyes too. Glasses are essential protection for one of the most valuable bits of your body, your eyes, and you can’t overestimate that at all.
Now there’s a dazzling array of sunglasses available on the market all with different features and all at varying price points to suit every budget. So I have rounded up a list of my favourite cheap glasses for cycling that you can purchase without breaking the bank.
1. CrazyFire Sports Sunglasses
- Five interchangeable lenses
- Multiple coated
- Lightweight and unbreakable
- Versatile
- Premium Materials
CrazyFire is a lightweight and unbreakable pair of glasses that offer UV protection and shatterproof flexible polycarbonate lenses. The lenses are durable and scratch-resistant. There is a durable and adjustable nose pad, which fits you best. The fit is even better with a spare-rimmed soft rubber pad. The frame is made of TR90, which is a polymer material with memory. This material is super lightweight and flexible.
These glasses come with five interchangeable lenses. All of them have UV400 protection coating. They block UVA and UVB rays 100%. They are good at resorting to true colours and they eliminate reflected light and scattered light, which makes the scenery clear and soft. The default lens is colourful, yellow is good for night cycling, blue is good for the beach, clear is for cloudy, and dark black can be used in during a sunny day. This black lens is also polarised.
These glasses come in a hardshell box, which carries all of your accessories. They also included a soft carry pouch, which makes it easy to carry your glasses and an included microfibre cloth for easy cleaning. Other accessories include a head harness and an elastic sport belt for multiple purposes.
What I like: The case that comes with the glasses is hard and practical, the lenses are hard and thick and do not look cheap, fit great even with a bike helmet.
What I don’t: Poor wind protection but you get what you pay for.
See the CrazyFire Sports Sunglasses
2. Sunwise Equinox
- Four different lens options
- Impact and water-resistant
- Made from polycarbonate
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Protective against UVA and UVB
Sunwise is a UK sports sunglasses brand that produces affordable sunglasses for cycling. They offer glasses in a wide range and styles and lens types suitable for cycling and other sports. Equinox Sports Sunglasses come in a few colour options like white, grey, blue, pink, and green. The side arms are rubberised temple grips in a contrasting colour. They have also rubberised the nose piece and it matches the grip.
These sunglasses come with four different sets of interchangeable lenses. It includes a clear lens, a low light, a medium light, and a strong light lens. All of these lenses provide high optical clarity. The spare lenses are easy to carry in a jersey pocket in case light levels change during a ride. You can easily change the lens and it clicks into place firmly.
Equinox glasses are not as large as some other glasses and they sometimes result in a bit of unfiltered light. But it is not super distracting. Also, they are comfortable to wear for extended rides and they also fit well over a winter cap. You can also wear them comfortably under a helmet.
What I like: Good optical quality, comfortable for long riding
What I don’t: Limited peripheral coverage, non-photochromatic lenses
3. Rudy Project Stratofly
- Adjustable nose pad
- Soft rubber temple ends
- ImpactX coating
- Quick Change System
- No fog formation
Italian company Rudy Project has been in the game for a long time and they wrap the faces of some legendary names over the years. The lenses have an ImpactX coating making them seriously strong what’s highly resistant to scratches and debris. They offer a soft and adjustable nose pad to provide an exceptional fit for almost any face shape. It allows you to adjust the height of the glasses and distance from the face to prevent fogging.
Stratofly is so light you will barely notice them when riding. They weigh around just 26g, which is a good balance of weight and optical quality. Also, you won’t have any issues with fogging when riding and the lens clarity is good. The lenses adapt light conditions i.e. they get darker when it’s bright and clear in dimmer conditions. The frames are also minimal and very lightweight but they grip your head tenaciously. The arms are rubberised-antibacterial to ensure the grip is maintained even when wet. If you are on a tight budget, go for the base model with a black frame. Also, the smoke lens comes cheaper than the fluoro/Photoclear versions.
What I like: Ergonomic fit, glasses don’t fog, adaptive to light conditions
What I don’t: Not the cheapest option.
See the Rudy Project Stratofly
4. VeloChampion Tornado
- 100% UV protection
- TR100 Lightweight frame
- Weigh only 29g
- Block peripheral light
- Come with a carry pouch and lens wipe
These are non-polarised, 8cm wide sunglasses that protect your eyes from dust and debris. They offer 100% protection against UV400 rays, which can cause wrinkles around the eyes. The frame is made of TR100 material that is very lightweight and it weighs just around 29g. The ends are soft and grippy and it fits you well. There’s no frame around the lens to block peripheral light.
VeloChampion Tornado glasses come with three lenses for different lighting conditions plus they offer great wind and glare protection when you are cycling. The black sunlight lens is designed to use on sunny days. It provides protection and reduces strains on your eyes, thus allowing you to see the road more clearly. You can use the yellow low light enhancing lens if the conditions are dusky and you need some protection against UV light at the same time. Finally, the clear tactical lens is intended to use for normal light days. This lens protects your eyes from dirt, rain, and debris. This lens also gives you a more focused and natural lighting environment.
What I like: Great for starters, easy to interchange lenses, good value for the price, super lightweight as you can’t even notice that you’re wearing something
What I don’t: Feels a bit flimsy, and the bridge is not adjustable
5. X-TIGER Polarised Sports
- Flexible resin lens
- TR90 Frame
- Soft rubber nose pad
- Weigh only 19.2g
- Easy to change the frame feet
These sunglasses have a very lightweight design and they weigh around just 19.2g. This makes these glasses best suited for activities such as cycling. They are effective against UV and offer good anti-glaze protection. There is an additional inner frame that can be glazed with your prescription lenses and clipped to the inside of the glasses. The lenses are made of high-quality polycarbonate. These lenses are also polarised and they provide good protection against UV400.
X-TIGER glasses come with three interchangeable lenses in the hard shell box, which makes them easy to carry. The flexible resin lenses are high quality, protective, and do a good job of protecting your eyes from dust, dirt, debris, and pesky insects. You have a range of 9 colours of lenses to choose from. You can easily swap lenses to meet your needs.
The frame is TR90 and it is super flexible. Not only this frame is stylish but it is also avant-garde sports. You also get an extra pair of black frame feet and these frame feet can be changed easily. You just press the frame foot in the direction of the lens. There is a soft rubber nose pad, which feels comfortable while wearing your glasses.
What I like: Very affordable price, lightweight, smartly designed
What I don’t: A little information on how to change the lenses.
6. Uvex SGL 204
See the X-TIGER Polarised Sports
- Soft nose pads
- Adjustable soft earpieces
- Litemirror effect lens
- 100% UVA, UVB and UVC protection
- Weigh only 23g
Uvex SGL 204 is cheap cycling sunglasses that deliver great performance and safety. The glasses are made of high-tech materials meaning that the wearer will experience the highest levels of comfort. The distinct close fit and the unrivalled lens technology offer an ultimate fit and excellent field of vision for the wearer. Since the lenses are coated with Uvex SupraVision Extreme, they are scratch resistant and have a permanent anti-fog.
Uvex glasses have a soft nose pad for a customized fit and a soft grip on the inside of the sidearm. They are lightweight and weigh just around 23g. They are so lightweight that you forget that you are wearing something. You can wear these glasses where you need protection from high air, humidity, and long-lasting condensation exposure. There is an adjustable nose pad that is soft and provides pressure-free comfort.
Although these are safety glasses, they work fine for cycling. You can also wear them with a cycling pollution mask. However, they fog up super-fast at traffic lights. If you want a decent pair of cycling sunglasses and don’t want to spend a lot of money, Uvex SGL 204 glasses can be a good option.
What I like: Make a solid impression, hold well on the face even with jerky movements
What I don’t: Scratch quickly, the glass is quite susceptible to stains
7. DUCO Polarized Sports
- Five interchangeable lenses
- Lightweight design
- High-quality polycarbonate material
- 100% UV protection
- Lifetime breakage warranty
DUCO Polarized Sports Sunglasses have a lightweight design and they are built for cycling, motorcycling, driving, and even running. The lens and the frame are durable polycarbonates that will last a long time. These lenses provide 100% UV protection. They come with five shatterproof interchangeable lenses and the main lens is polarized against strong sunlight. You can use the polarized grey lens in strong sunlight and then use the other four lenses for different environmental conditions.
DUCO sunglasses come with a lifetime breakage warranty on the frame and lens. Also, they give a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you are not happy with the product. These glasses are great at reducing the glare from surfaces like water, snow, and glass while you are riding.
As I mentioned earlier, they come with five different lenses so you can use the right lens for the right condition. The main grey lens is polarised and it is suitable for a strong sunlight reflection environment. The light blue lens is a 400-anti-UV lens. It filters the blue light, which is reflected by seawater. The Revo colourful HD lens is personalized that has a high-density Revo coating, which keeps the original colours. The yellow lens can be used in the evening and night and finally the transparent lens prevents your eyes from dust and other undefined objects.
What I like: Comes in a sturdy case, comfortable to wear, lightweight
What I don’t: Feels very plastic, and changing between lenses is hard
8. ZILLERATE Polarised Sports
- Protects your eyes
- Lightweight & comfortable
- Superior quality
- Amazing accessories
- Super-versatile
ZILLERATE Polarised Sports are lightweight and comfortable glasses made with durable TR90 material. The lenses are polycarbonate that is super light, flexible and impact resistant. The glasses feature rubber-padded arms that sit perfectly on your face and will not fall off during physical activity. The design is so light that you will almost forget you are wearing something.
These glasses feature TAC polarized lenses, which protect your eyes by filtering out dazzling glare and providing crystal-clear vision. These lenses block UVA, UVB and blue light which is harmful and can damage your eyesight.
ZILLERATE sunglasses are super versatile and they are perfect for many outdoor activities like cycling, driving, fishing, etc. They can also be used by both men and women. ZILLERATE glasses come with all essential accessories. It includes a hardshell case that can clip to your rucksack or belt, a retainer strap to attach to the arms of your glasses, a microfiber cloth for cleaning, a polarized card for testing, and a discount code for your next ZILLERATE purchase.
What I like: Stylish, great value, super versatile, comes with a great-looking case
What I don’t: Look a little flimsy but if you are using them for cycling, they are tough enough.
See the ZILLERATE Polarised Sports
Conclusion
Cycling glasses come in a variety of different types of styles, colours and price tags. Before purchasing a pair of sunglasses you need to keep some things in mind. The first thing to look for is the fit and type of coverage the lens gets for you. So you want to have a frame that is going to give you good coverage from up top. The next thing you want to consider is how much grip is on the frame. Look for a nose pad that’s going to have a lot of rubberized grip material and also on the temple. Also, look for lightweight glasses. You don’t want something so heavy that they are going to be hurting you or sliding off. Most glasses that are intended for sports are going to have all the right types of nylon frames.