When it comes to mountain biking, having the right gear can make all the difference in your comfort, performance, and safety out on the trails. One important piece of gear that is often overlooked are sunglasses. While you may be tempted to just throw on any old pair of shades, there are some important differences between regular sunglasses and cycling sunglasses that are designed specifically with biking in mind. Keep reading to learn more about how cycling sunglasses are engineered for riding and why they are worth the investment for dedicated mountain bikers.
Lens Quality and Clarity
One of the biggest differences between regular sunglasses and cycling sunglasses has to do with the lenses. Cycling sunglasses use high quality lenses that are designed specifically to provide excellent optical clarity and performance while riding.
The lenses in cycling sunglasses are made from impact-resistant polycarbonate or trivex materials. This makes them extremely durable yet featherlight. The curvature of the lenses is also optimized to wrap around the face and provide an unobstructed field of vision, free from distortion. This is crucial when you’re riding technical trails and need to spot obstacles and changes in terrain quickly.
Additionally, cycling sunglass lenses are treated with anti-reflective and anti-fog coatings to reduce glare and prevent them from fogging up. With regular sunglasses, you may experience issues with fogging, haze, and glare under different lighting conditions. This can seriously inhibit visibility and be dangerous when mountain biking.
Optimized Coverage and Fit
Another way that cycling sunglasses differ from typical shades is in their coverage and fit. Good cycling sunglasses are designed to wrap all the way around your face and temples. This not only provides excellent protection from debris, dust, insects, and other elements while riding, but it also blocks out peripheral glare and sunlight.
Regular sunglasses with straight arms may let in light and reflections from the sides that can be distracting and compromise your vision. Properly fitted cycling sunglasses sit close to the face and have lenses large enough to optimize coverage and sight lines. Features like adjustable nose pads and temple arms help you dial in the perfect customized fit.
A snug yet comfortable fit is also important so that the sunglasses don’t shake loose over rough terrain. Decent quality cycling sunglasses will feel secure but not tight. This ensures they stay put without slipping or creating pressure points.
Durability
With all the bumps, vibrations, crashes, and scrapes that come with mountain biking, durability is key when choosing cycling sunglasses. They are built to withstand a lot more abuse than regular shades.
From the lenses to the frames, cycling sunglasses are made from impact-resistant materials that can handle some crashes and falls. The polycarbonate lenses don’t crack or shatter easily like cheaper plastic lenses. The frames are also flexible and designed to bend slightly but snap back into shape.
Little rubberized temple tips provide extra grip and shock absorption as well. Cycling sunglasses don’t pop off your face easily over rough terrain. This saves you from losing your shades at inopportune times and having to interrupt your ride to backtrack and find them.
Grip and Stability
Staying firmly in place is an important advantage of cycling sunglasses versus regular styles. They are designed to grip the head securely, even when things get bumpy or sweaty.
Some models have tacky rubber on the nose and temple pieces to increase friction. Others may have adjustable rubber nose pads that prevent slippage. There are also straps, cords, or other retention systems to customize the fit.
These features ensure your cycling sunglasses stay on so you can maintain clear vision instead of having your sunglasses constantly bouncing around when you hit rugged sections. Stable sunglasses equal safer riding.
Interchangeable Lenses
One cool feature of some cycling sunglasses is that they come with interchangeable lenses. This allows you to swap out lenses based on the lighting conditions for optimal visibility.
Many models include a dark lens and a light rose or yellow tint for lower light riding. Being able to change out the lenses means you don’t have to ride with sunglasses that are too dark on overcast days or not dark enough in bright, direct sun. Simply swap out the lenses before you head out on the trails. This is especially great when you want night mountain biking glasses but don’t want to buy a separate pair.
Interchangeable lenses also allow you to easily replace a damaged lens without needing to replace the entire sunglasses frame. This saves you money in the long run while allowing customization.
Helmet Compatibility
Unlike regular sunglasses that may fit awkwardly with bike helmets, cycling sunglasses are designed with helmets in mind. The arms and ear pieces are configured so that they integrate comfortably with popular bike helmet designs. This ensures a stable fit and no gaps where sunlight can sneak in.
Cycling sunglasses maintain their position whether you’re wearing a half-shell trail helmet or full-face downhill helmet. The frames are compact and unobtrusive as well. You don’t have to worry about them interfering with the peripheral vision and eye openings of your helmet.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is another priority feature of quality cycling sunglasses. The frame design allows for ample airflow to prevent fogging and keep you cool. Vents in the frame circulate air behind the lenses while preventing debris from getting in.
There are models with vents specifically designed to integrate with popular bike helmets as well. This channeled flow of air keeps you comfortable for long days in the saddle. It also means you avoid issues with foggy lenses on big climbs or sweaty rides.
In summary, while it may seem like any old sunglasses should work fine for mountain biking, cycling sunglasses have a number of invaluable advantages. They maximize optical clarity, provide superior coverage and fit, excel in durability and grip, allow lens interchangeability, integrate with helmets, and promote proper ventilation. Investing in a pair of quality cycling sunglasses designed for the rigors and demands of mountain biking is worth it. They provide optimized protection, comfort, and performance on the trails.
If money is a little tight, it’s much better to buy a pair of cheap cycling glasses than wear regular sunglasses. There are many pairs under $40 that are amazing and much safer for your eyes.
