Drakonchik

What's more your $$$ buy anti-glare and hardness coatings, chemical resistance, hydrophobic coatings, anti-static properties, photochromatic properties, grandient and bi-gradient lenses, high-quality polarizations, higher ABBE (clarity) values, higher strength (ImpactX/Trivex) and on and on.

adamhenry

Maybe some of these guys have been looking through craptastic plastic long enough that their eyes don't see the difference any more.

mprelaw

It's the same in every gear thread, almost. Someone asks about shorts or bibs, someone will say that it's a waste of money and he or she rides in cut-off jeans and a T-shirt. Shoes? Someone will chime in that he averages 30+ mph in sneakers on platform pedals. You name the cycling-specific gear, and within a half dozen posts, someone will show up claiming that he's smarter than trend followers and laughs all the way to the bank.

Welcome to Bike Forums.

Drakonchik

Also bicycle repairs . . . . someone will chime in saying they don't need expensive tools and proper replacement parts, they used bubble-gum and a paperclip to make a "good-enough" repair etc.

Elduderino2412

I've found i can usually get glasses in the $40 dollar range that i liked just as much as the Oakley's i lost. Not to say i judge people for wearing Oakley's. If you have extra money to spend, more power to you.

JakiChan

I went with Rudy Project recently. I was tired of my prescription Oakleys breaking. I'm pretty happy with them and would recommend them especially for cycling.

NaBlade

I like my Rudy Project Rydon, with prescription inserts. I have 2 pairs of lenses for it - one polarized dark for sunny days and the other is transition/clear for those long rides that might end up in the dark. I just switch the lenses to suit my needs.

My son swears by his Tifosi.

Both of our glasses have superior ventilation. Any foggy residue that built up after stopping clears up the few seconds after rolling again.

aztimm

+1.

Since the OP is also running, he'd also want something that works for that. I don't see too many runners wearing crazy cycling glasses, which I personally think look silly.

I've worn Nike Tailwind for years (at least 6), through 3 marathons, 2 half marathons, a 10k, a metric century, and a 70 mile tour, plus all the training that goes into them. Since they only have a top frame, they are extremely lightweight, they don't fog, and they're pretty easy to keep clean.

With running, you really want to make sure your sunglasses won't bounce. I've worn others before I settled on the Tailwind, and every single pair bounced to some extent.

Every once in a while Amazon has a decent sale on them for around $50. The last time I stocked up, and I've been watching on a regular basis. The normal price is around $100.

eippo1

I loved my Flak jackets up until I lost them. They are way more resistant to scratches than anything else. What doesn't even make a nick on the Oakleys will gauge a Tifosi lens. I have 2 pairs of Tifosi sunglasses that are both photochromatic. I use the polarized for driving, but hate it for cycling and have another photochrome that I use for mtn biking. What I don't like about the Tifosi's are the poor lens durability and lack of any sort of wetness control for the lens. They suck in the rain compared to Oakley or Rudy Project which are both fine in rain. I've used many sunglasses and use them for all kinds of protection and not just for sun. Hence if they don't work well in the rain, they won't be bought by me again.

My favorite cycling glasses for max eye coverage are Rudy Project Tayos (used by Jan Ullrich), but they are long out of production. I also have a pair of RP Graals that I use for tooling around, but they don't have great wind coverage. The RP lenses are top notch, though and very similar to the Oakleys.

I will say, however, my next pair of sunglasses will be Oakley Fast Jackets. Very similar to Flak Jackets, but easier to change the lens and the lens comes down a bit more to block the wind better.

dynikus

I'll definitely look into the Nike glasses. Do you know if they come with polarized lenses? I've heard some people prefer to ride without polarization so it's easier to tell if the ground ahead is wet or not, but I personally can't stand glare.
I decided to order a pair of jimarti jm44 triad glasses with changeable lenses. One polarized smoke which I'll use for road riding, 1 brown for hiking, and 1 blue mirror for... uhh.. what are blue lenses for exactly? haha
I figured since I'm going camping next week I should order a pair and hopefully get them in time so that I'm not stuck camping without any kind of glasses. if they suck I'll just return them and try the next pair.
I did get the chance to check out rudy project glasses today (unfortunately most retailers are far, but I did find one optometrist that carried a very small variety of them) and they were phenomenal. I tried on the rudy project syluro, which are sadly discontinued, and they were some of the most comfortable glasses I've ever worn, although slightly heavy feeling at 32 grams vs rydon, swifty, and flak jackets at 25 and under. So I'm gonna try to find a place that has some with the clear impactx lenses hopefully on closeout. if not, I'll likely head out to a bike shop that carries rydons or swiftys.

ChrisM2097

I've never had any cycling-specific sunglasses, so I can't recommend any, but I use these when I ride, and have absolutely no complaints:

https://www.amazon.com/Suncloud-Impul...ncloud+impulse

soccerpig70

oakley jawbones. Caught them on sale about a year ago and am happy with them. I also have a pair of arnettes but i feel like a cyclops because of the way they wrap around. These are back ups in case something happens to the oakleys.

david58

Don't know about polarization, but glare has not been an issue for me. I am a tightwad and spending on these was tough, but I consider them a good purchase. Wish they were more ventilated, but I sweat like crazy and just take em off and stow em when I climb.

LeeRoySD

I just had the opportunity to try side by side the Oakleys Flak and Fast Jacket, Jawbones, Spy Alphas, and Rudy Project Rydons. I thought that the Rydons were hands down the most solidly built and had the best design as well as better fit and finish. I order a pair with transitions Rx Lenses. I am expecting to be very pleased with them by most of the reviews I have read.

black_box 

You probably had the scattante race model, that's what I have (also bought about 2 years ago). I started with polarized lenses and would not recommend them if you're going in and out of shadows, i.e. tree cover. The photochromatic lenses are really great for this. I also avoid frames that obstruct peripheral vision.

--edit- the only problem i've had with the scattante glasses was on a ride through fog/mist. The water droplets noticably reduced vision and wouldnt clean up much when I wiped them. Not sure what the issue was but I don't usually ride in that weather.

fuel0707

I'm a fan of the Rudy Project glasses. I've been using a Rydon for the past three years and am really happy with it. The frame has never given me any problems and I really like the lenses. I have a blue lens that really works great in all sorts of light. I also like the cut of the lenses - they give me a nice, wide field of view.

I'll also add that after disappointment with a few pairs of Oakleys and Maui Jims, I just picked up a Rudy Project Noyz to use for flying. I got tired of the Oakleys losing lenses at inopportune times and the Maui Jims busted at the frame hinge.

If you order directly from Rudy Project, you can often get a package deal when you buy a set of glasses that can include an extra set of glasses, spare lenses, gear bags, jersey, etc. But even with that offer, the glasses themselves are quality products worth the price in my opinion.

dynikus

Yeah, I saw that promotion they were having and it peaked my interest. I've had my helmet for about 2 years, and I accidentally left it out in the sun for about a month before so I was thinking about getting a new one. The only problem though is they don't offer any polarized lenses with the buy 1 get 1 free promo.

@black_box - do you happen to have a pic of the scattante race model glasses? I remember what mine looked like.

jesspal

My father gets me Oakley's at cost, he is an optician. He hates Oakley's product quality, but says the styles are very cool. Looking cool is all that matters.

aham23

Oakleyvault.com

I have 3 sets of Jawbones and enjoy them. Later.

dynikus

Finally picked a pair of glasses
I went out to an oakley vault store today and tried on a pair I had never heard of before, oakley bottle rockets. They fit me just about perfectly. They were $160 in store, but I was able to snatch a pair up for $122 w/ free shipping on amazon.

Savagewolf

I used to ride with fishing sunglasses I would pick up from Wal-Mart for $10 or so. After my last trip to Iraq, I spent some extra money and bought myself some Oakley Livestrong glasses and absolutely love them. They are the most comfortable glasses I've ever worn.

SCochiller

I hate wearing shades. Always have. They make my eyeballs sweat.

black_box 

pic 1
pic 2
But they get pretty dark in sunlight: pic 3

supafast213

Has anyone used the Spy Optics Screw? I'm interested

dynikus

yup, those were them. I remember the red lines on the arms. Man I wish they still sold them, those were great glasses.