Are Cycling Glasses Necessary?

The short answer is no. Cycling glasses or sunglasses aren't a necessity. But, they are highly recommended by almost everyone.

It isn't a legal requirement to wear cycling glasses, much like wearing helmets, but would you really risk not wearing a helmet? Therefore, we wouldn't say cycling glasses are a necessity.

Yet, much like a helmet, cycling sunglasses provide a lot of protection. Not just from the sun and its UV rays but from debris and wind. Most of us love to cycle in better, brighter weather. This is usually when the suns UV rays are stronger and more prevalent. The ideal time to be wearing sunglasses.

But, many cyclists don't wear sunglasses when cycling just for UV protection and to squint a bit less. In fact, they're worn mainly to stop the debris and wind, like we mentioned above. So much so, that manufacturers design the lenses out of strong materials, add a hard coating on top of that and make sure that they're shatterproof. Plus, the shape usually wraps and curves to help with aerodynamics too.

Let's put this into context. You're hurtling down a hill and enjoying the rest it allows your legs. Without wearing eyewear the wind rushes to your face like you're stood on the seafront on a windy day. Your eyes' natural reaction is to squint and to stream with water like you've just finished watching an incredibly sad film. Not so bad if you're stood on the seafront, but a lot worse when you're hurtling down that hill on a bike and a car is trying its best to overtake you.

What's more is that bugs, trees and stones exist when you're cycling in the real world, something that a Peleton or a spin class doesn't warn you about. Just think when you're driving at high speeds for a while, get out of your car and you see the number of dead bugs on the front, not the mention the few stones that flung up and hit your windscreen, wearing a pair of cycling sunglasses helps stop that by acting as your own windscreen.

As we say, they aren't a necessity, but it is a lot easier to wear a pair than to stop regularly to clear your vision and start cycling again.

Why do Cyclists wear Sunglasses?

 Cyclists wear sunglasses to cut out glare, see the road ahead and also protect their eyes from debris and wind.

As we mentioned above, cycling can throw up some challenges for the eye to deal with when it comes to wind and bugs.

Yet, one of the main reasons is the visual benefits that come with wearing sunglasses when cycling. The sun always provides challenges when outdoors, but especially when riding. You may have already experienced the glare from the road or the ever-changing lighting conditions as you pedal along. Sunglasses have technologies included to try and combat the changing lighting conditions.

You may just think of sunglasses as making the world a little darker for you to see easier. But in fact, they do much more than that. The sun has a wonderful way of removing a lot of colour and contrast. That is why on a sunny day a lot of things look a faded bright white colour.

However, cycling eyewear does dull down the world to make it easier to see, but all while enhancing natural colours and improving contrast. This in real-world terms means, you can see what you're about to ride over/into a lot easier and all in good time.

This could be as simple as some uneven and broken road to a tree root in an unpathed area. All-terrain you'd be better off avoiding, or adjusting yourself for. And that is why cyclists wear sunglasses. 

Are Polarised Sunglasses Good for Cycling?

Yes! Polarized sunglasses are great for cycling. The lens removes glare to make the eye feel more comfortable for longer and helps you see objects and obstacles well in advance rather than them creeping up on you or dazzling you.

Polarized lenses remove glare. This is the bright, harsh and uncomfortable light you see on bright and sunny days. When you're exposed to glare for too long your eyes get uncomfortable and in some cases painful. In many cases, this turns into headaches.

As you can imagine, two things you really don't want to be experiencing while on a long ride!

The main time we would say to avoid polarized lenses would be in darker conditions. If you are regularly riding in dark conditions polarized lenses could be more of a hindrance than a help. This is because they won't allow enough light in and, well, you'll really struggle to see anything at all.

Another time that polarized lenses might not be great are if you are using an LCD screen. Polarized lenses often make LCD screens look blank or a fun rainbow look. Much like what oil and water look like when mixed. This is due to the technology in the lens. Sometimes this is fine when looking at the screen at certain angles. Yet, the angle created when affixed to the handlebars, usually aren't a good one for polarized lenses.

What to Look For in Cycling Sunglasses 

Here's what we think you should look for in cycling sunglasses:

• UVA and UVB Protection: Protects your eyes from UV rays. Mainly stopping eye health issues like glaucoma and cataracts. This is important in all sunglasses, but especially when cycling when you're not really going to be shade hopping like you can when relaxing in the sun.
• Wrap Style: Wrap styles are perfect for sports, especially cycling. This helps fully protect the eye from the sun. As you're constantly on the move, the sun will seemingly change position. Therefore, you need to make sure the sun isn't peering in from the side of your lenses. Secondly, it fully protects the eye from bugs, debris and wind. Allowing you to keep your vision clear and concentrate on what is ahead.
• Comfortable fit: This is probably obvious, but it is so important. The more you build up your cycling, the further you are going to be able to and want to go. With that comes more time spent on your bike. This is when a bad fit becomes more apparent, and there is nothing worse than thinking you have to spend even more money on replacing some kit you thought was ok the first time around. Items that are designed to be as lightweight as possible are great to look at here.
• Rubberized elements: Rubber or similar material the brand uses to ensure the product stays put on the face are a good idea to look for. This keeps the eyewear aligned on your face. Which, one is great for the optical experience, but mainly to stop them from slipping. There is nothing more annoying than having to keep pushing up your eyewear when your nose gets slightly sweaty. Especially when you're on a bike and you just want to concentrate on cycling. A really good technical feature for this comes from Oakley with their Unobtainium material. This actually gets grippier when wet from sweat or any watery liquid. In fact, it was created as a handlebar material first then repurposed into eyewear later down the line.
• Ventilation or Anti-Fog: Having ventilation really helps when you're cycling. On hot days you'll produce so much heat you might be mistaken for the Human Torch once you build up enough speed. On cooler days you'll be steaming so much you'll look like a portable sauna. The fogging off your face will condense on the lenses of your sunglasses. Therefore, you'll have a disturbing view due to the "fogging". Having ventilation will allow in cool air which will cool down your face and also it will absorb the moisture more and quicker. This prevents the fogging more. Much like opening your window when your windows start to "huff" up while you're driving. Alternatively, Anti-Fog technology keeps this from happening at a slightly lower cost. Although, not all are 100% effective. We would suggest a pair with strong ventilation or a mixture of both.

Trying on Cycling Sunglasses

When you're trying on cycling sunglasses, remember to wear your helmet at the same time. Many people fall into the trap of just putting on sunglasses like they would in an airport or a shop. These may feel really comfortable when trying them on and you might fall in love with a pair too because of this fit. But be warned, you could be in for a surprise.

We suggest wearing your helmet because when you're cycling, you're wearing your helmet. Your helmet sits just above your ears. Your sunglasses? They also go just above your ears. So, if you try on the sunglasses while wearing the helmet, any collision between the two, or any irritation caused by them both being a little incompatible is done early doors. This then doesn't come as a surprise when you're on your long ride into the sunset.

Many helmets these days have features to help them play nicely with the arms of sunglasses. This allows you to choose a range of sunglasses. But, now the eyewear industry is starting to play nice too. Some pairs, like many from Oakley, have adjustable arms. These shorten and lengthen to allow that perfect fit between the helmet and the eyewear.