We’re always wearing eyewear when riding, especially at the first hint of sunshine, and also to prevent road debris from getting in your eye – if you wear contact lenses you’ll know where we’re coming from.

The main problem with wearing shades has always been picking the right tint. The weather is incredibly variable in the UK so it could be bright and sunny when you leave home, but a bit cloudier by lunchtime. Also, when you’re riding in the countryside you can be riding the open rides one minute, then the next diving through tree covered back lanes the next.

The new Transition range of eyewear from Oakley attempts to solve this problem though. Some of you will remember that Specialized actually launched their Adaptalite range two years ago, with the Chicane and the juicy Arc’s. The Oakley range though combines all the styling and features (indestructible lenses, massive range of tints and 100% UV protection) that Oakley have built their repuation on, with photochromic lenses. Put simply, the tint of the lenses adjusts the light intensity, darker when its bright and lighter when it’s darker. Currently only VR50 and Black Persimmon are available in six frame designs- Racing Jacket, Monster Dog, Crosshair, Bottlecap, Half Jacket and the Whisker.

We’ve got a pair of Half Jackets on test and pretty snazzy they look too. We’ll be testing them out over the next couple of weeks, we’ll report on how the lenses perform.

Visit Oakley.com for more on their vast range.