Gear

Eight of the best cycling sunglasses for less than £50

Cycling eyewear that won't break the bank

While it might be a rare thing at times in Britain, the arrival of summer sun means digging out your cycling sunglasses alongside your favourite bib shorts and short sleeved jersey.

In fact, ‘sunglasses’ aren’t just for when it’s sunny either – it’s why many cycling-specific sunglasses come with interchangeable lenses; dark or mirrored for riding in bright sunshine, yellow for when it’s overcast and clear for when it’s raining or dark. It means you can protect your eyes, whatever the weather.

– See the light: the importance of cycling eyewear, whatever the weather –

There’s plenty of choice out there and, as with most cycling kit, there are plenty of top-end options, too. If you want the Oakley Jawbreakers favoured by Mark Cavendish (among other pro cyclists) then prices start at a cool £170.

But that’s not to say all cycling sunglasses are going to break the bank – in fact, shop around and there are many great options for less than £50. We’ve dug out eight of the best – all with interchangeable lenses – so check them out below.

dhb Pro Triple Lens Sunglasses (£29.99)

These are the top-of-the-range sunglasses from dhb and the Pro Triple Lens Sunglasses have you covered for all conditions.

For £29.99, you get clear, smoke and orange lenses, all coming with a hydrophobic coating to repel sweat and water, and paired with a strong but lightweight frame, with a removable nose piece and rubber grippers on the arms.

Website: Wiggle

Madison Misson Sunglasses (£44.99)

Madison’s Mission sunglasses come with high-end optics by Carl Zeiss Vision, which they say offer the ‘highest standard in optical clarity and UV protection’.

Carl Zeiss Vision’s Ri-Pel technology helps keep dirt, water and sweat off the lens, with is also impact and scratch resistant. Though the sunglasses have an interchangeable lens, it will cost you an extra £25 to get the full lens pack (with gloss black, amber, and clear lenses).

Website: Madison

Northwave Tour Pro Sunglasses (£44.99)

Part of Northwave’s Performance line, which promises high quality at an affordable price, the Tour Pro Sunglasses come with three polycarbonate lenses to keep you covered year-round.

Again, the lenses have been treated to repel water and Northwave say the axis of the lens is off-centre, aligned with the focal point of your eye ‘so your eyes won’t get tired during use’.

Website: Northwave

Endura Guppy Sunglasses (£44.99)

Available with the black frame featured here, or in lime green or white, the Endura Guppy sunglasses are another interchangeable option, with hydrophobic, anti-fog lenses in clear, dark and orange. In fact, the clear lens, most likely to be worn in the rain, has a ‘super hydrophobic’ to repel more water.

The TR90 frame has been sculpted for a race fit, and also comes with rubber touch temple tips and a vented nose bridge.

Website: Endura

BBB Impulse Team Sport Sunglasses (£39.95)

BBB’s lightweight Impulse Team Sport sunglasses feature Multi Layer Coated (MLC) lenses, which apparently means there’s a nine-layer coating to offer brightness and contrast ‘for the sharpest view under any circumstances’.

Otherwise you get interchangeable lenses and a half-rim frame in a wrap-around design (designed to offer extended coverage and improved peripheral vision).

Website: BBB

Polaris Viper Sunglasses (£34.99)

Polaris’ Viper road cycling sunglasses have arms designed to be particularly flexible and the nose piece is adjustable, all in the name of improving the fit.

The Vipers come with two interchangeable lenses (clear and smoke UK) and have a wrap-around fit, ensuring you get plenty for your £34.99.

Website: Polaris

FWE Rayet Sunglasses (£29.99)

FWE is the in-house clothing, parts and accessories brand of Evans Cycles and the Rayet sunglasses come in at £29.99 with a set of three interchangeable lenses, all with anti-fog and hydrophobic coatings.

You get clear, yellow and grey lenses for a variety of conditions, while the glasses also have an adjustable nose piece and rubber arm grippers to keep things comfortable and secure.

Website: Evans Cycles

Salice 843 RW Sunglasses (£39.95)

Finally, the Salice 843 RW sunglasses come with a multi-layer mirror coating to cut glare and increase contrast when the sun is shining.

The lens also have a UV400 rating, ensuring protection against 100 per cent of UV A, B and C rays, and the side arms have rubber inserts for extra grip. Plus you get an interchangeable lens for low light conditions.

Website: Salice