Sunglasses - Polarized yay or nay for cycling?
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: N. California
Posts: 158
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL6, Santa Cruz Tallboy 27.5+
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 37 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
6 Posts
To Polarize or not?
I have prescription Oakley Flak 2.0 XL in both Road Prizum & polarized Shallow Water versions (and extra clear lenses for night riding).
IMO Road Prizums do not cut glare off water to see fish, and my polarized do not provide road surface definition as well as the Roads.
Either are very comfortable for long periods in bright light. My vision in lower light, (overcast), is better with the Road Prizms.
I like to both fly fish and ride. So if I had to choose only one they’d be polarized. And if I didn’t require prescription lenses I would buy inexpensive polycarbonate safety glasses to ride & fish. YMMV
IMO Road Prizums do not cut glare off water to see fish, and my polarized do not provide road surface definition as well as the Roads.
Either are very comfortable for long periods in bright light. My vision in lower light, (overcast), is better with the Road Prizms.
I like to both fly fish and ride. So if I had to choose only one they’d be polarized. And if I didn’t require prescription lenses I would buy inexpensive polycarbonate safety glasses to ride & fish. YMMV
#52
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Columbus
Posts: 61
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just have transitions lenses in my glasses, so polarized is kind of out of the question. However, I've never felt like I needed polarized sunglasses while riding. While fishing, on the other hand, I've had polarized slip-on sunglasses for my glasses which helped me see under the water.
Last edited by buck1973; 02-21-19 at 05:43 AM. Reason: spelling
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
85 Posts
I used cheap to mid priced polarized sunglasses for years but quit using them for the reason mentioned in the quote. I just got tired of not being able to see the data on the computer. Normally, I wear transition prescription glasses. I was at a bike shop and saw a pair of Tifosi photochromatic sunglasses, bought them and haven't looked back. This was about 5-6 years ago. I live on the west coast of Florida so there is plenty of water to look at during some of my rides (fortunately, no snow) and have not really seen the need for having polarized glasses. Plus, I can wear the same glasses in any type of lighting condition.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#54
Senior Member
I like the photchromatic option too. Nice just being able to wear them instead of trying to secure them somewhere.
#55
Senior Member
I like Oakley PRIZM road for situational awareness ; I think they're non-polarized .
Also like thier Photochroma 's for the natural rendition with some sun protection .
And I'm looking for another alternative to add to those .
Also like thier Photochroma 's for the natural rendition with some sun protection .
And I'm looking for another alternative to add to those .
#56
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,790
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3590 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times
in
1,935 Posts
I prefer polarized lenses when I'm riding, but then I don't need to look at any LCD screens while I'm riding, either.
#57
Senior Member
Likes For Jarrettsin:
Likes For 2manybikes:
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 592
Bikes: 1984 Fuji Club, Suntour ARX; 2013 Lynskey Peloton, mostly 105 with Ultegra rear derailleur, Enve 2.0 fork; 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c, full Deore with TRP dual piston mech disk brakes
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 324 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
71 Posts
I'm a firm believer that you don't gain much if anything going to a pair of sunglasses that cost more than $125, and you can find really nice ones starting at around $70. Of course if you're cycling you NEEEEEEEEEEEED to be wearing $350 sunglasses otherwise you will be snubbed by the bike crowd and treated like you're a clown on a bike.
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 330
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 57 Times
in
40 Posts
Not much, you have glare whether your driving or riding or snow skiing or fishing etc, knowing that, polarized glasses reduce that glare therefore reduce eye strain.
I'm a firm believer that you don't gain much if anything going to a pair of sunglasses that cost more than $125, and you can find really nice ones starting at around $70. Of course if you're cycling you NEEEEEEEEEEEED to be wearing $350 sunglasses otherwise you will be snubbed by the bike crowd and treated like you're a clown on a bike.
I'm a firm believer that you don't gain much if anything going to a pair of sunglasses that cost more than $125, and you can find really nice ones starting at around $70. Of course if you're cycling you NEEEEEEEEEEEED to be wearing $350 sunglasses otherwise you will be snubbed by the bike crowd and treated like you're a clown on a bike.
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,083
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3376 Post(s)
Liked 5,522 Times
in
2,862 Posts
I have always avoided polarized glasses for that reason.
But I have one polarized pair (Ray-Ban Aviators), only because I found them along a bike path one day.
I carry them on the (motor)bike to wear at rest stops when I take off the helmet (which has built in sun visor).
It is really annoying looking at my iPhone, because they make the screen purple when oriented one way, then green after a 90-degree rotation.
But I have one polarized pair (Ray-Ban Aviators), only because I found them along a bike path one day.
I carry them on the (motor)bike to wear at rest stops when I take off the helmet (which has built in sun visor).
It is really annoying looking at my iPhone, because they make the screen purple when oriented one way, then green after a 90-degree rotation.
See the section at 1:50 here:
#63
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
Hi
So I'm in the market for a new pair of sunglasses. In the past I have ridden with everything form $8.00 glasses from 7-11 to most recently my $150.00 polarized Bolles which I stepped on. I was at one of the LBS today looking at glasses. I mentioned that I like them polarized and the sales person said that polarized are actually dangerious for cycling due to the fact they block glare which could potentially make a cyclist miss water, ice, etc... on the road.
I have never heard of this before but I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were? I will always used polarized while driving but now I wonder if I need another pair for cycling.
Discuss.
Rob
So I'm in the market for a new pair of sunglasses. In the past I have ridden with everything form $8.00 glasses from 7-11 to most recently my $150.00 polarized Bolles which I stepped on. I was at one of the LBS today looking at glasses. I mentioned that I like them polarized and the sales person said that polarized are actually dangerious for cycling due to the fact they block glare which could potentially make a cyclist miss water, ice, etc... on the road.
I have never heard of this before but I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were? I will always used polarized while driving but now I wonder if I need another pair for cycling.
Discuss.
Rob
#64
Senior Member
+1 for high quality polarized. Cheap ones may not do the job. They protect your eyes from UV rays hitting your eyes from the road glare. Not quite as bad as UV reflected off of water but still bad. Wearing non-polarized sunglasses is worse than wearing no sunglasses at all.
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,906
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,932 Times
in
2,557 Posts
As one who always wears glasses - all glasses have limitations. Sunglasses are no different. Different types of glasses have different limitations. Polarized ones often eliminate information from reflected light. Non-polarized, even dark sunglasses can have issues with reflections being too bright and making the less bright scenes harder to see.
I like polarized sunglasses for cycling though if I rode more in potentially icy conditions, I might get a pair that weren't for winter use. (But - a lot of ice cannot be seen even with regular glasses. Ride prudently or accept the occasional slide-out.) For sailboat racing on San Francisco Bay, I hated polarized. I couldn't see the light reflected on the water surface; ie the information about the wind and current right there. Instead I could count the fish. Not very useful. Replaced them with very expensive prescription Vaurnets, the lenses with the mirror gradient top and bottom. Super sailboat racing glasses! I could spend hours with the sun in the frame controlling the spinnaker with the reflection off the water also blocked and still be able to look down into the cabin and see. But on a bicycle? That gradient simply didn't work. Almost dangerous.
I like polarized sunglasses for cycling though if I rode more in potentially icy conditions, I might get a pair that weren't for winter use. (But - a lot of ice cannot be seen even with regular glasses. Ride prudently or accept the occasional slide-out.) For sailboat racing on San Francisco Bay, I hated polarized. I couldn't see the light reflected on the water surface; ie the information about the wind and current right there. Instead I could count the fish. Not very useful. Replaced them with very expensive prescription Vaurnets, the lenses with the mirror gradient top and bottom. Super sailboat racing glasses! I could spend hours with the sun in the frame controlling the spinnaker with the reflection off the water also blocked and still be able to look down into the cabin and see. But on a bicycle? That gradient simply didn't work. Almost dangerous.
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 490
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 252 Post(s)
Liked 67 Times
in
48 Posts
I mentioned that I like them polarized and the sales person said that polarized are actually dangerious for cycling due to the fact they block glare which could potentially make a cyclist miss water, ice, etc... on the road.
I remember watching TDF on TV and after some rider fell off his bike, he got up and was frantically looking around and it turned up, he was looking for glasses he dropped in the fall. The commentators said, he looked for them because they cost five hundred dollars (or some such amount, no idea if they made the amount up but the guy sure acted as if they were expensive). Probably paid from his pocket, not the stock glasses issued as part of team supplies. I don't really know if pro racers in TDF get glasses from sponsors or team issued, or what.
I have un-tinted prescription glasses and so ride with them, really only time I ever needed sunglasses was when I visited Boulder, Co. Not sure because it was in fall and sun was brighter in the dry air, I couldn't even walk around outside without them, never mind riding a bike. But that's not talking about polarized glasses.
Maybe those who ride on those roads where you are susceptible to see fata morgana effect, it warrants using polarized glasses, right?
Last edited by vane171; 06-22-21 at 11:14 AM.
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,906
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,932 Times
in
2,557 Posts
That's what one would think as first reaction. Perhaps the salesman (that subsumes women as well as men) heard of a law suite brought about by a cyclist, maybe was even instructed by the shop power that be to warn people who ask for polarized glasses as a liability precaution. Or the clerk just read that somewhere and being too honest for the good of the business, can't help mentioning it to people who ask...
I remember watching TDF on TV and after some rider fell off his bike, he got up and was frantically looking around and it turned up, he was looking for the glasses he dropped in the fall. The commentators said, he looked for them because they cost five hundred dollars (or some such amount, no idea if they made the amount up but the guy sure acted as if they were expensive). Probably paid from his pocket, not the stock glasses issued as part of team supplies. I don't really know if pro racers in TDF get glasses from sponsors or team issued, or what.
I remember watching TDF on TV and after some rider fell off his bike, he got up and was frantically looking around and it turned up, he was looking for the glasses he dropped in the fall. The commentators said, he looked for them because they cost five hundred dollars (or some such amount, no idea if they made the amount up but the guy sure acted as if they were expensive). Probably paid from his pocket, not the stock glasses issued as part of team supplies. I don't really know if pro racers in TDF get glasses from sponsors or team issued, or what.
Just re-thought the post I am answering to - if he dropped them, that suggests they were stylishly tucked into his helmet, not on his face. Those guys don't need their sunglasses to see, just to make their lives better.
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 490
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 252 Post(s)
Liked 67 Times
in
48 Posts
OK, I didn't think of that, of prescription glasses that is. However, don't these guys wear contact lenses if they need vision correction?
Not sure that glasses wouldn't fall off wherever you got them, that fall was quite a fall, into a ditch over the bars (so called 'catching a tiger' jump) is my vague recall of it.
There is quite legitimate glasses use, like in my case, in around August/September time, the region I ride my bike in is partly a farming land and you get those small flies around that get everywhere including your eyes (where they cause itch). I ride in light cotton shorts and these flies get caught on them and get squashed in cloth folds and it is a mess, much better to ride dressed in black during those times. If you ride close to 200km in a pro race that takes you through all kinds of land, I can see why you might need those glasses that are almost like goggles to protect against flies and such like. And high in mountains against too bright light. I doubt you really need polarizing function as much as you need for those two factors I mention here.
Not sure that glasses wouldn't fall off wherever you got them, that fall was quite a fall, into a ditch over the bars (so called 'catching a tiger' jump) is my vague recall of it.
There is quite legitimate glasses use, like in my case, in around August/September time, the region I ride my bike in is partly a farming land and you get those small flies around that get everywhere including your eyes (where they cause itch). I ride in light cotton shorts and these flies get caught on them and get squashed in cloth folds and it is a mess, much better to ride dressed in black during those times. If you ride close to 200km in a pro race that takes you through all kinds of land, I can see why you might need those glasses that are almost like goggles to protect against flies and such like. And high in mountains against too bright light. I doubt you really need polarizing function as much as you need for those two factors I mention here.
Last edited by vane171; 06-22-21 at 12:20 PM.
#69
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,111
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3432 Post(s)
Liked 3,567 Times
in
1,793 Posts
+1 for high quality polarized. Cheap ones may not do the job. They protect your eyes from UV rays hitting your eyes from the road glare. Not quite as bad as UV reflected off of water but still bad. Wearing non-polarized sunglasses is worse than wearing no sunglasses at all.
1. Is the UV filtration rate higher with polarized lenses? I doubt it.
2. All UV-rated lenses protect from UV rays.
3. No, wearing non-polarized sunglasses is not worse than wearing no sunglasses. That's just silly--and potentially dangerous--advice.
#70
Senior Member
Really?
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,395
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,979 Times
in
1,920 Posts
sucks that all the rather effective polarized shades are framed. I wouldn't mind a frameless pair to replace the cheapies frameless 1s now.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
#72
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,111
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3432 Post(s)
Liked 3,567 Times
in
1,793 Posts
Well big woop, all polycarbonate lenses block 100% of UV.
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,857
Bikes: Road bike, Hybrid, Gravel, Drop bar SS, hard tail MTB
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1218 Post(s)
Liked 298 Times
in
214 Posts
My Serfas brand Portal sunglasses with the brown polarized lens are hands down the best glasses I've ever owned.
Unfortunately Serfs glasses are a thing if the past, and I've a few scratches now.
So in the market, For new glasses. perfect Brown polarized are hard to find.
Imo worse than no glasses, are glasses that catch the sun from behind your head.
I am also spoiled with the Serfs portals, at driving directly into a setting sun. No visor need on bike helmet, motorcycle helmet, or in a car.
If I only knew then what I know now, I would have bought a dozen pair.
Unfortunately Serfs glasses are a thing if the past, and I've a few scratches now.
So in the market, For new glasses. perfect Brown polarized are hard to find.
Imo worse than no glasses, are glasses that catch the sun from behind your head.
I am also spoiled with the Serfs portals, at driving directly into a setting sun. No visor need on bike helmet, motorcycle helmet, or in a car.
If I only knew then what I know now, I would have bought a dozen pair.
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
I wanted polarized lenses when I bought my new cycling glasses. Oakley Radar's. Instead I settled on the Oakley Prizm lens. The lens is supposed to be designed for road riding. I can't tell the difference from my other Oakley glasses TBH. But whatever. They look good.