I'm normally a contact lens wearer but due to a sore eye (medical term) I have been reduced to wearing my glasses for the time being and thought I might get myself some specific cycling glasses. Being able to wear them with or without contact lenses would be an advantage as would swapable clear and tinted lenses. Any recommendations?
I went to my usual opticians who also cater for lots of runners, skiiers, cyclists etc. I prefer to do this rather than use some of the online sites as you can try on various frames and have all the measurements/adjustments noted (although i'm told some online retailers will send you sample frames to try. Can't remember what brand I went for (german or swiss something) but with prescription polarised lenses they make a huge difference in bright sunlight. You can get clear sports glasses that can have tinted lenses put over them. Optician had a machine that put light through reactive lenses to demonstrate how slow they are to change...don't believe the manufacturers hype, none of them clear in seconds. The only reactives I'd consider are ones with a 5% tint.
I really like my Adidas Evil Eyes but they weren't cheap...but they work well - I'm a glasses-only person but the removal of the prescription insert is a doddle. I'm personally not convinced about Oakleys - reckon they are overpriced and if they don't fit the shape of your face they look awful, plus the optical clarity isn't any better than other manufacturers - I'm sure they are good but there are just as good for less.
I don't think you'll find glasses you can swap between presription and non-pres lenses. I used to have some Adidas Eveil Eye glasses that had an insert with my prescription. That could be removed if I had my contacts in. I think others do this too (nike?). Have a look at [url= http://www.gosportsspex.co.uk ]GoSportsSpex[/url]
I don’t like riding in my proper glasses,
I use these cheapy ones with an insert:
[url] http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29492 [/url]
They were only a tenner, plus £20 to get the insert glazed, (bout a spare pair just in case…
Wouldn’t mind some adidas, and money no object I probably would get some Oakleys with prescription lenses…
Can’t say I’m a big fan of light reactive lenses. I tend to ride with the persimmon tint lenses 90% of the time anyway…
Only trouble I find with inserts is they can steam if you are stationary for a while, the old tricks work a bit (washing up liquid, motorbike visor anti misty stuff) but not forever, it’s not a problem when I’m actually rolling…
But yeah, inserts and interchangeable tinted lens are a good solution…
I got some M Frames 2nd hand off t'EBay and will get some lenses made up when I can afford it. Expensive but they are the best, you don't even notice you're wearing them.. just running with a new vented clear lens at the moment and I don't even notice them. I reckon you'd get a set of frames if you aren't picky about the lens for 15 - 30 pounds - I paid at the top end of that as I was impatient, and bought a new lens from CRC for £20 - I don't feel hard done by either. Good backup either, they've fixed my minutes before now when te kids snapped them.
Cookeaa - those glasses aren't available anymore - I think you posted that link before for me and I tried to get a set and was refunded by CR
🙁
Shame they looked perfect.
Adidas look good. What lenses do have for the evil eyes? Would I get away with an orange lens for low light and night riding or would i need a clear lens too?
I'd go clear myself, yellow/orange just doesn't seem to help my eyes.
I got a pair of oakley m-frames with a prescription lens 3 or so years ago, great but ****ing expensive £300+ if my memory serves...
I got a pair of Bolle bins with a prescription insert behind the lens. I've got proper bad eyesight so the insert are pretty thick but they still work a treat. Cost me about £160 and they have interhcangeable lenses and a bridge that means you can use them without the inserts as well.
I treated myself earlier this year for a pair of Oakley Half Jackets, prescription black iridum transition lenses, standard shape.
I find them great for riding, using as general sun glasses and for driving. Reaction times are very quick only down side is they don't darken in the car when driving, i think thats becasue of the UV filter in the windscreen.
Price tag was steep at £300. Additional presecription lenses without frames are £200 and non prescrition i think about £80.
If i was choosing again i would go for the XLJ lens shape, keep the wind out a bit more and would offer more protection along the bottom of the eye socket.
They only do mild prescription so best check if your presecription is possible. If using the high street optician make sure you get the person in the shop who knows the Oakley range. I bought through Jefrey Black opticians they were very helpful.
I have a pair of Rudy Poject Exceptions that can do just what you want. With the prescription in place the "sun glass" is attached like a clip-on, but rock solid. Used them in the Alps, no problem. If you want to use contacts you just move the "sun glass" to the inner frame. I've had mine two years and wear them almost solidly in the summer, and they are still going strong. Seem to be very well made compared to other stuff I've tried. The Impactx lenses seem near bomb proof too.
I use Adidas Evil Eye with insert. You can swap lenses very easy.
GhostRider - MemberI treated myself earlier this year for a pair of Oakley Half Jackets, prescription black iridum transition lenses, standard shape.
I find them great for riding, using as general sun glasses and for driving. Reaction times are very quick only down side is they don't darken in the car when driving, i think thats becasue of the UV filter in the windscreen.
Price tag was steep at £300. Additional presecription lenses without frames are £200 and non prescrition i think about £80.
If i was choosing again i would go for the XLJ lens shape, keep the wind out a bit more and would offer more protection along the bottom of the eye socket.
They only do mild prescription so best check if your presecription is possible. If using the high street optician make sure you get the person in the shop who knows the Oakley range. I bought through Jefrey Black opticians they were very helpful.
Half Jackets - check
Tranition lens - check
XLJ lens shape - check
Best "upgrade" I ever bought for my biking.
[url= http://uk.opticalexpress.com/docs/discount_voucher1.pdf ]£30 off at Optical Express[/url]
I have quite poor eyesight and currently use RP Exception. They work pretty well, and as said above the ImpactX lenses are very good - and with the flip up they were great on the Marmotte for the 70Kmh descent through the road tunnels heading down the valley after the Galibier.
Just over 2 years ago I crashed quite badly and they stopped me being injured any further (6 stitches round my left eye and a detached vitreous) - I was watching the road go past my left eye from about 15mms away. I am still using the same frames.
Alot of people here have previously spoken highly of Optilabs. Mine were a poor fit (its a website) but they do a big range of prescriptions and frames and lenses so wortha try. You may get on better than I did.