Non Prescription Sunglasses
#27
first question is, imo: Do you have any specific "special" conditions you frequent, that would benefit from various sunglasses features?
A few decades back, i used to be out in the sunshine several days per week doing various activities. Often around water, so glare could be extreme. Occasionally in windy/dusty conditions. Occasionally in alpine/snow conditions where the lighting needs can be different. I felt some of these features to be of benefit:
A few decades back, i used to be out in the sunshine several days per week doing various activities. Often around water, so glare could be extreme. Occasionally in windy/dusty conditions. Occasionally in alpine/snow conditions where the lighting needs can be different. I felt some of these features to be of benefit:
- 100% uva/uvb protection -- a #1 feature for me, irrespective of any other nicety
- increased contrast -- depending on activity (ie, snow visibility, when snow skiing, or roadway/impediment visiblity when cycling)
- polarized lenses -- for clarity, reduced eye strain
- anti-glare coatings -- for clarity, reduced eye strain
- wrap-around frame/lens -- to help keep the worst of dust/grit out
- "transitions" brightness changing -- useful, but not vital, though can allow for one pair to be used both indoors and out
- easily-replaced lenses -- useful if doing many activities in very bright sunlight, then various other activities in overcast, less-bright conditions, allowing me to simply swap-in the "other" set for the day
#28
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I prefer a brand that makes a full reader lens instead of the too small panel at the bottom of the lens. It makes it easier to read the items I have attached to the stem without having to tilt my head back so far.
#29
I’ve been wearing Oakley Juliets since the late 90’s. They are not bad looking, extremely durable (they’re made of titanium), and there are lots of lens options. They are also a good investment, a used pair now sells for about double what they were when they were new.
For myself, I like polarized lenses. They limit, or eliminate road glare and glare on your windshield when driving. The only negative is that they make it hard to see HUD displays (if your car has one), and certain phone and video screens can be made harder to see. Oddly, I find that they seem brighten the screen on my Wahoo Element Roam cycling computer.
I don’t prefer any particular lens color, except when skiing, where certain lens colors can make it hard to see variations in the snow.
For myself, I like polarized lenses. They limit, or eliminate road glare and glare on your windshield when driving. The only negative is that they make it hard to see HUD displays (if your car has one), and certain phone and video screens can be made harder to see. Oddly, I find that they seem brighten the screen on my Wahoo Element Roam cycling computer.
I don’t prefer any particular lens color, except when skiing, where certain lens colors can make it hard to see variations in the snow.
#30
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Oakley lenses are the best, but the thickness of many Oakley frames partially obscure forward vision when riding in a lower, aero position. I prefer the lightweight oversize frameless POC Elicit when road riding. They have Carl Zeiss lenses which have excellent clarity with enhanced contrast.
#31
don't try this at home.
I don't require readers. For close up viewing, I have a pair of reading glasses.
I would like a pair that blocks the glare and provides protection from wind and such things as blown sand. I am thinking of ones that get dark because they would be usable if it becomes cloudy. I don't know how well they work however. I would think that gray would be the best color.
I would like a pair that blocks the glare and provides protection from wind and such things as blown sand. I am thinking of ones that get dark because they would be usable if it becomes cloudy. I don't know how well they work however. I would think that gray would be the best color.
My Rudy Project glasses have interchangeable lenses, and I have a clip-in prescription insert behind the lens.
The old photochromic lens from many years ago was okay, but the newer ones (probably 5 years old by now) are astonishing. I have ones that go from slightly tinted to very dark, suitable for sunny noon riding and very usable after sunset. Their website says 9% light transmission (very dark) to 74% transmission. They take maybe 30 seconds to go dark, but minutes to lighten up, not quite fast enough to walk into a dark store and have them be all the way lightened.
Looking at the lenses, they still appear dark on cloudy days, but that's fine. When wearing them, I don't notice anything looking "dark". It needs quite low light to get toward the clear mode.
Expensive, but nice. I used to swap to clear for night rides, yellow for dark, gloomy thick clouds days, and photochromic. The photochromic stay on most all the time now.
They
#32
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I have polarized sunglasses, and for cycling, they cause more problems than they solve. Half the time I can't read my GPS without tilting my head to the side to "de-polarize" its surface. They do cut glare in certain places, but not enough that you will miss having polarization. It's a game-changer for fisherman, but not cyclists.
Get something that fits tightly to your face, so it keep more wind out of your eyes. I have a set of Wynd glasses from Amazon that I like for this. Only problem with them is that they completely block peripheral vision, so if you don't have a good mirror, they're bad news. The Wynd glasses I have have yellow lenses, so they don't dim down sunlight much, but it somehow makes the sunlight easier on the eyes. Then, when it gets dark, they seem to make things look brighter.
Get something that fits tightly to your face, so it keep more wind out of your eyes. I have a set of Wynd glasses from Amazon that I like for this. Only problem with them is that they completely block peripheral vision, so if you don't have a good mirror, they're bad news. The Wynd glasses I have have yellow lenses, so they don't dim down sunlight much, but it somehow makes the sunlight easier on the eyes. Then, when it gets dark, they seem to make things look brighter.
#33
Full Member
Another vote here for the Oakley M-Frame. They've been my dad's go-to favorite anything outdoors for decades now. I used them for a long time as well until I switched to the Oakley Fives-squared, but that was only because they fit better in a motorcycle helmet. A bicycle helmet doesn't enclose the face on the sides so the sections near the temples where they stick out a bit isn't an issue when biking.
My dad has been in a similar boat as the OP for the entire time I've been alive, that is he can see fine when doing daily activities but needs reading glasses for up close. So, he just carries reading glasses for when he needs them. When on the bike, he can manage without so he leaves them at home.
They're available in both folding and non-folding frames. The rubber on the sides and nose piece prevent it from sliding around. They wrap around pretty far and don't distort near the edges. Lenses are easy to swap and many different colors and shades are made, polarized and non-polarized. I find moderately dark polarized works just fine for me. The polarizing does obscure a small corner on my cycling computer but nothing I pay much mind to, it's not a GPS so all I'm missing out on is the tenths of a MPH for my speed and I can even kind of read that.
This is all, of course, if you're not someone who tends to lose or break their glasses. Oakley's are not cheap.
My dad has been in a similar boat as the OP for the entire time I've been alive, that is he can see fine when doing daily activities but needs reading glasses for up close. So, he just carries reading glasses for when he needs them. When on the bike, he can manage without so he leaves them at home.
They're available in both folding and non-folding frames. The rubber on the sides and nose piece prevent it from sliding around. They wrap around pretty far and don't distort near the edges. Lenses are easy to swap and many different colors and shades are made, polarized and non-polarized. I find moderately dark polarized works just fine for me. The polarizing does obscure a small corner on my cycling computer but nothing I pay much mind to, it's not a GPS so all I'm missing out on is the tenths of a MPH for my speed and I can even kind of read that.
This is all, of course, if you're not someone who tends to lose or break their glasses. Oakley's are not cheap.
#34
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If you ride in variable light conditions - clouds, sun, gray - dark - I would highly recommend photochromic lenses. No switching lenses back and forth based on light conditions - a lens that does all well. I have two pair and love them.
Congrats on your corrected vision. Good stuff.
Congrats on your corrected vision. Good stuff.
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#35
Senior Member
I am close to my cataract surgery date (first eye June 6th). I decided to go with Tifosi Crit Fototec Photochromic Sunglasses at least for a try out. I tend to ride early starting out even before daybreak many days (trail riding) so photochromic make sense. I ordered from REI and they will come this week so I'll have time to return then before I need them if they don't fit or otherwise seem okay. I used the 25% off coupon. So they were already fairly inexpensive, but even more reasonable with the coupon. I have high hopes for them based in part on recommendations from folks here.
#36
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For med/lg face shapes, photochromic (15-45% trxm), lightweight, wrap-around, polarized (optional). Uncertain if they'll do RX/prescription in that specific model, else I might well consider them the next time I'm doing eyewear. Thankfully, I don't yet need eyewear for indoors or reading, though for outdoors, driving and general distance they seem a good option.
https://tifosioptics.com/products/cr...41024966066315
#37
Senior Member
For me, the most important consideration is that the glasses do not curve against my face in order to expose the back of the lens to air flow. This keeps them from fogging up. Probably there are other ways to accomplish this, but aviator-type glasses work for me. Zenni provides them inexpensively.
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#38
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Recently purchased a pair of Siroko Photochromatic cycling glasses and can’t be happier with the product and the price (which is a fraction of the designer labels). Since I have dry eye issues, these provide excellent protection, UVA/B blocking and look kinda cool.
Edit: Forgot to mention good optics. Also added prescription inserts for $8. Did have to Dremel the frame a tiny bit to get the inserts to latch. - They should have figured that one out.
Edit: Forgot to mention good optics. Also added prescription inserts for $8. Did have to Dremel the frame a tiny bit to get the inserts to latch. - They should have figured that one out.
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Last edited by rsbob; 05-19-24 at 09:56 AM.
#39
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After my cataract sugery I went with a uva/uvb pair. I think that is important. I also wear wrap around. My doctor recommended them. I use Nike, but any decent quality will do.
I have been tempted to get photo chromatic, but so far I have gray and amber. The amber gets used the most as it works well in different light. I did get some Egrodyne Skullerz in a UV clear for darker situations. Photo chromatic would probably eliminate multiple pairs.
As for readers, my surgery was done over 5 years ago so I’m guessing things have improved. I have a bit of mono vision where I can see at about 12”/15” better with my right eye, but my left is better at 4’/6’. Both are fine for distance.
I wear readers when the contrast is not good enough, or I would just rather use them. But for a lot of things, I don’t need them. As an example this is being posted on my 4.7” iPhone without readers.
John
I have been tempted to get photo chromatic, but so far I have gray and amber. The amber gets used the most as it works well in different light. I did get some Egrodyne Skullerz in a UV clear for darker situations. Photo chromatic would probably eliminate multiple pairs.
As for readers, my surgery was done over 5 years ago so I’m guessing things have improved. I have a bit of mono vision where I can see at about 12”/15” better with my right eye, but my left is better at 4’/6’. Both are fine for distance.
I wear readers when the contrast is not good enough, or I would just rather use them. But for a lot of things, I don’t need them. As an example this is being posted on my 4.7” iPhone without readers.
John
#40
Junior Member
I use nice polarized glasses for driving but changing light was more important to me on the bike so, I went with a cheap pair of photochromics just to see how I'd like them. They work really well, and they change when I'm in shade to almost clear so I don't even know I am wearing them, and they get really dark in the sun. A year later and they are still scratch free, a good 25 bucks spent.
#41
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I like the polarized, yellow-brown lens wrap-arounds from Walgreens.
You don't need anything if you don't need a prescription.
You don't need anything if you don't need a prescription.
#42
Senior Member
My Tifosi glasses arrived. I might have misunderstood REI's descriptions. At the time I ordered they showed two Crit models that were photochromic and two that were polarized. At least that is how I read it. Now they seem to show just two models that are both photochromic and polarized. When mine came they appear to be both polarized and photochromic (15%/45% transmission). I can't really try them out until after my cataract surgery and the first eye is still two weeks off, but the fit seems nice. I have high hopes for them.
#43
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For me, polarized, preferably with brown or darker amber color. The colors are due to fishing. Transition lenses do not get dark enough, even less when not in direct sunlight, like when driving. They also do not cut glare like polarized lenses.
My eyes are very light sensitive. Even with good sunglasses, I need a brimmed hat when in direct, full sunlight.
My eyes are very light sensitive. Even with good sunglasses, I need a brimmed hat when in direct, full sunlight.
#44
Senior Member
For me, polarized, preferably with brown or darker amber color. The colors are due to fishing. Transition lenses do not get dark enough, even less when not in direct sunlight, like when driving. They also do not cut glare like polarized lenses.
My eyes are very light sensitive. Even with good sunglasses, I need a brimmed hat when in direct, full sunlight.
My eyes are very light sensitive. Even with good sunglasses, I need a brimmed hat when in direct, full sunlight.
You mention that transitions don't cut glare like polarized lenses, but they can be both polarized and photochromic. My hope is that my phototec polarized glasses will fill that niche. Time will tell how they work out for me.
BTW, you mention driving with transitions lenses. One problem with that is that behind glass they tend to not change when UV is blocked by the glass windshield. They came out with solutions that do change when in the car. I have no experience with them though.
#45
Senior Member
I ran across my old prescription sunglasses from a number of prescriptions ago. They were fairly expensive sunglasses (Project Rudy Horus). I don't think I can buy lenses from the original manufacturer any more. It seems like a shame to not put new non prescription lenses in the nice frames after my cataract surgery. Does anyone have experience with any of the companies making/selling lenses for a variety of glasses? The Sunglass Fix for one seems to sell lenses for my Horus frame. Not sure if there are others offering replacement lenses.
Does anyone have experience with these lense companies? Is the optical quality and fit good? Or should I just figure the old prescription Project Rudys are now no longer of any use?
Does anyone have experience with these lense companies? Is the optical quality and fit good? Or should I just figure the old prescription Project Rudys are now no longer of any use?
Last edited by staehpj1; 06-02-24 at 08:17 AM.
#46
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I ran across my old prescription sunglasses from a number of prescriptions ago. They were fairly expensive sunglasses (Project Rudy Horus). I don't think I can buy lenses from the original manufacturer any more. It seems like a shame to not put new non prescription lenses in the nice frames after my cataract surgery. Does anyone have experience with any of the companies making/selling lenses for a variety of glasses?
Often, I've taken my old frames back to them (which were discontinued years ago). Each time, they've been able to make the next set of Rx lenses for them. I'm uncertain what, exactly, a shop needs to have behind the scenes in order to correctly measure/make lenses for old frames. Can't imagine they and the lens cutters aren't working off a master database of some sort. If they can make them for long-discontinued frames, very possibly they can make them for other makers' frames as well. Worth checking.
#47
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lots of criteria when selecting eye wear.I've worn Oakly's,Smiths,rayBan but the best bang for the buck are Natives.1 example-$80.Optically-Correct Lenses
https://www.nativeyewear.com/en-us/s...6-764824014949 clearance section; https://www.nativeyewear.com/en-us/sunglasses/clearance
https://www.nativeyewear.com/en-us/s...6-764824014949 clearance section; https://www.nativeyewear.com/en-us/sunglasses/clearance
Last edited by '02 nrs; 06-02-24 at 08:58 AM.
#48
Senior Member
First question is, IMO: do you have any specific "special" conditions you frequent, that would benefit from various sunglasses features?
A few decades back, I used to be out in the sunshine several days per week doing various activities. Often around water, so glare could be extreme. Occasionally in windy/dusty conditions. Occasionally in alpine/snow conditions where the lighting needs can be different. I felt some of these features to be of benefit:
A few decades back, I used to be out in the sunshine several days per week doing various activities. Often around water, so glare could be extreme. Occasionally in windy/dusty conditions. Occasionally in alpine/snow conditions where the lighting needs can be different. I felt some of these features to be of benefit:
- Polarized lenses -- for clarity, reduced eye strain
#49
Senior Member
I ran across my old prescription sunglasses from a number of prescriptions ago. They were fairly expensive sunglasses (Project Rudy Horus). I don't think I can buy lenses from the original manufacturer any more. It seems like a shame to not put new non prescription lenses in the nice frames after my cataract surgery. Does anyone have experience with any of the companies making/selling lenses for a variety of glasses? The Sunglass Fix for one seems to sell lenses for my Horus frame. Not sure if there are others offering replacement lenses.
Does anyone have experience with these lense companies? Is the optical quality and fit good? Or should I just figure the old prescription Project Rudys are now no longer of any use?
Does anyone have experience with these lense companies? Is the optical quality and fit good? Or should I just figure the old prescription Project Rudys are now no longer of any use?
#50
Senior Member
My original question remains unanswered though. Are the lenses from The Sunglass Fix or a similar place that sells premade lenses for a variety of name brand glasses decent lenses and worth the price? BTW, I see Revant Optics doesen't sell the lenses for my frame as a standard item, but will custom cut lenses for it if I send them the old frame.