Glasses take on an added significance in winter.
While their purpose in summer is limited almost entirely to shading the eyes, winter conditions broaden their scope.
Heavy weather and filthy roads place an additional emphasis on protecting the eyes, while a lens that brightens gloomy conditions can be a real boon.
We called in two sets of glasses with interchangeable lenses for test this month: Carrera’s C-TF01B, and the Bloc Shadow.
Let’s start with Bloc’s offering, a simple two-piece design supplied with three, wraparound lenses in dark, clear, and yellow.
The frame was an impressively simple device: a narrow strip of plastic that appeared to ‘flow’ in a unbroken line from the temple guides to the brow, elegantly concealing the hinge.
We found the frame lightweight and comfortable. The temple guides were sufficiently springy to attach firmly and remain in place over helmet straps, and the nose piece was unobtrusive, if lacking any adjustment.
Each of the three lenses, formed from a single piece of plastic, snapped positively into the slender frame. Bloc claim 100 per cent UV protection for each.
We found the lens quality adequate, rather than exceptional.
Visibility was good from each, with the yellow (Citrus) proving the pick of the bunch, making the most of available light to increase visibility. The clear lens fulfilled its limited remit of protecting the eyes from airborne debris.
The dark lens (Vermillion) was neither flesh nor fish: not especially effective at diminishing glare, and offering only adequate visibility on days that started bright and became suddenly overcast.
We liked the shape of the lenses, whose wrap-around profile protected peripheral vision as well as frontal assaults.
They remained clear while pedaling, but fogged quickly when stationery for even short periods.
To summarise, we found the Bloc Shadow lightweight, comfortable, and easy to use. The lenses were nicely shaped, stylish and protective, but, with the exception of the Citrus offering, which brightened our outlook to an impressive degree, were no more than functional.
The Bloc Shadow glasses are available with black or white frames, and with three lenses. They cost £49.99.
Check back soon for a review of the Carrera’s C-TF01B.
