krazygl00

I've had a pair of Oakley Radar Ranges with brownish (I think they are the Iridium) lenses for almost 3 years now, and frankly they were getting a little dated when I bought them. I think I look like an angry NASCAR fan when I wear them. Just need a wife-beater-shirt and a mullet to complete the look.



So what is a decent set of glasses with a more updated look? What are the cool kids wearing? Note, I tend to prefer if the bottom edge of the lenses is frameless, I think it offers better visibility especially when the light starts to fade a little in the evening. Also, interchangeable lenses are not important to me; I keep a pair of clear glasses in my bag because I hate switching out lenses. Oh and finally, I'm not against paying for quality but I'm not shelling out some ridiculous amount, like $300, for an item I consider semi-disposable, or at least very prone to loss and breakage.

mpath

MajorMantra

Radars are still cool IMO. They have to be - I wear them. Although mine are the much sexier matt white/green iridium combination. I know a lot of riders have moved to Jawbones but I've never much liked the look of them. There's something vaguely middle-aged about them.

There are some cool Italian shades. Or what about Uvex. Or Rudy Project?

krazygl00

I so wish I could wear these! Really. But unfortunately they violate my requirement that the bottom of the lenses be frameless, and I have to stick to my principles. Damn!

ColinL

Oakley Fast Jacket XL.


This is totally not me, of course.

Actually I think that's the standard Fast Jacket. The XL has even more coverage. I like them, but I don't like that they have yet to release any accessory lenses.

mpath

Well the cool kids who are bikes are on fixies, Vespas, or at Starbucks. I saw Lance last week in Kona training with Chris Lieto, and he was wearing Jawbones. He's the coolest roadie I know.

adriano 

cool, send those my way then.

fly:yes/land:no

i got a pair of smith optics pivlock v90's a while back. i like them. i am not a cool kid.

KoNP

get a jump on style, i hear in the future these are going to be big

krazygl00

Yeah, I think I saw some Rudy Projects that I liked...I'll have to look into those. Is Uvex any good? I've seen their helmets and know those are good but hadn't heard anything about their glasses.

I like these too; now I've got some possibilities to consider.

I am not a cool kid either, but I'm hoping with the right glasses choice I can go down to the bike co-op and make some new cool fixie friends and maybe even meet a cool fixie chick. Maybe she'll have sleeve tats.

NWS Alpine

Uvex is great quality. They have been making great optics for a long time in many sports. They were founded on an optics company so that is their specialty. I used them exclusively for ski racing when I still raced. Look up the meaning of the name UVEX.

Inertianinja

I used to have the Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ...very good, but the lenses didn't really come low enough on my face.
I got a set of Oakley Split Jackets. These have the added feature of allowing you to cycle without peripheral vision. I don't wear them during races. So i'm kind of in the market too.

i'm surprised that nobody has done the requisite "i use $5 safety glasses from home depot and i'm smarter than everybody" post yet.

I saw a guy on a hybrid in central park with this:


Worth noting here - the Assos glasses.
Yes, they are expensive and very "fashiony". but, oddly enough, they got very good reviews, and they seem to be well-designed cycling. Good eye coverage, lighter at the bottom so you can see the road easily, etc. Not really my look, though.

krazygl00

I would wear these but seeing outside the human-visible electromagnetic spectrum might be distracting while riding.

Nagrom_

Not trying to thread jack but:

Does anybody know of a cycling frame that can accept prescription lenses higher than -8.00? That also don't break the bank?

I might me SOL.

Nachoman

I like the jawbones too. I don't own them, but probably my next purchase.

ColinL

the jawbones can have a vented lens, which is big at motorcycle speeds but I've never had a problem with wind pressure at cycling speeds.

the think I like about the fast jacket most is the coverage and lack of a lower frame. look at them side-by-side with jawbones in a store before you buy. (it's not like you get a discount anywhere, anyway. )

Street Pedaler

I've been wearing Jawbones for about a year and a half and, even though I'm not cool, I like them. The only two issues I have with them is that peripheral vision isn't so great and, if you're a sweater, like I am, they tend to 'fill up'. I love the vented lenses, though, if they actually do steam over, they clear really fast.

prankster

I thought the Radars are the latest line up from Oakley. They look okay but not as cool as Livestrong Jawbones. The yellow part of the frame looks menacing to me. The frame on the bottom section doesn't interfere the vision, IMO.

sherpakid

If you have a smaller face, the split jackets are a nice alternative to the jawbones - https://www.oakley.com/products/6483/23930

ColinL

got 2 things for you on that.

1. wear a headband, headsweat, skullcap, or anything similar. there is a little bit less ventilation but they keep a ton of sweat out of your eyes which is worth it. this time of year I'm 50/50 on a headsweat but come summertime 90-105 degree rides, I wear one every ride.

2. buy the oakley hydrophobic pen. https://www.oakley.com/products/6730/25107 a small demo should've come with your sunglasses. it works like magic but you have to reapply periodically, especially if you wash your lenses with soap.

krusty

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Oakleys you have. Frankly, I find that most of the so-called 'fashionable' sunglasses, when worn with a helmet, make you look like you should be holding onto a knotted rope with a bunch of other similarly-attired people.

sosojeffcc

I have the fast jackets with transition lenses. Best lenses ever.
https://www.oakley.com/products/6722/25060

RT

Don't really care what they look like as long as they keep nature out of my eyes. Hard to ride without them.

garciawork

I wear my prescription Polo's... totally not designed for cycling in any way, but the lenses are slightly aviator style, so they are big, and nothing is fuzzy.

Trailblazer3

+1 Fast Jacket. Love mine so far!