Cycling sunglasses are not only used to protect a rider against sunlight and glare. They are also useful for impact protection against insects, debris, wind and rain.
Hence lens material needs to be impact resistant to debris.
Good lenses are made of polycarbonate material which is a soft resin that can absorb high impacts.
So what do all the different lenses mean?
Different lenses offer various advantages in differing conditions.
Clear lens – Are used for dark and foggy times when hazard protection is needed, but light is premium.
Yellow lens – Are for overcast days where more contrast and definition is needed.
Orange lens – Are most useful for darker, cloudy weather. Orange lenses add definition and relax the eye.
Smoke grey lens – Are best for bright and sunny conditions. They add definition and relax the eye.
Blue mirror lens – Are most beneficial in sunny conditions. Mirror lenses reduce glare.
Full or Half rims?
Most frames either have full or half rims. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages. Full frame rims offer more safety protection to the face. However, some people find the full rim to be irritating and the lense is more likely to fog up when you are stationary. Half frames typically allow for more vision given there is less hindrances of the rim. However, in an accident there is an increased risk of cutting your face. These style lense tend not to fog as much and the air dissipates more quickly when on the move.
But always remember it is very hard to ride without sight, so protect your eyes.
