Red racer: Rudy Project Astral Sphere in the test
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Cross-country, gravel, road - the new Astral Sphere already shows visually what it is designed for. Its frameless windscreen is designed to offer unrestricted vision when racing. Thanks to its strongly curved and aerodynamic shape, it is designed to optimally enclose the head and provide particularly good protection from the wind.
As with the BBB Valor PH, the frame of the Rudy Project is also made from the bio-based plastic Rilsan. The Italians were one of the first manufacturers to use this sustainable material. Although the ImpactX lens covers tint levels 1 to 3, its initial tint is relatively light, which means that it should still offer sufficient visibility even in low light.
Scope of delivery of the Rudy Project Astral Sphere
The scope of delivery of the Astral Sphere is straightforward: there is only a glasses bag for storage, that's it. On the other hand, the pleasantly rubberised and nicely rounded nosepieces are very easy to adjust. The temple tips, on the other hand, are fixed and could do with a little more tension - a small disadvantage of the frameless design.
Minimal weight, clear view
Similar to the Julbo Intensity, the Rudy Project gives you the feeling of holding a breath of nothing in your hand - even if the Astral Sphere is slightly heavier than the Julbo at a good 25 grams. The Italian fits ultra-light on the nose and surrounds the face very tightly and almost perfectly. Draughts hardly stand a chance of getting through. Only the temple tips could provide a little more support.
Thanks to its frameless design, the Rudy Project offers the best view in all directions, with no frame edge to disturb your view of the road.
The strongly curved windscreen and the aerodynamic wings on the side are also noticeable in terms of wind protection. In addition, the Astral Sphere sits very close to the face and provides excellent protection from draughts even at full speed. Unfortunately, the Rudy Project lens could be a little better protected against fogging. The close fit and the not ultimately effective anti-fog coating cause the Astral Sphere to tarnish slightly.
The Rudy Project lens was also not fully convincing in the laboratory test. Although it still delivers acceptable tinting values, the brightening in particular should be a little quicker.
Info & price of the Rudy Project Astral Sphere
- Price: 179,90 Euro >> available here
- Made in: Italy
- Weight: 25,6 g
- Width / temple length: 138 / 135 mm
- Nose bridge width / lens height: 17 / 55 mm
- Adjustability: Nose clip
- Filter colour / filter class: red-violet / 1 - 3
- Light transmission measured: 71 - 13 %
- Fit: for narrow to medium-wide faces; variable nose bridge
- Equipment / special features: Microfibre bag; replacement nose bridge
Evaluation & conclusion
- Self-tinting (40 %): Grade: 2.4
- Visibility & protection (25 %): Grade: 1.8
- Fit & comfort (25 %): Grade: 1.8
- Equipment (10 %): Grade: 3.5
- Overall grade: 2.2
Super all-round visibility and high wearing comfort are the strengths of the Rudy. The tinting speed is still ok.
With its very pronounced curve, the lightweight Rudy Project sits extremely close to the face. Wind has no chance here. This makes the sleek Italian model particularly suitable for race-orientated riders. The frameless design offers the best all-round visibility. Good adjustability on the nose clip but only moderate anti-fog protection. Still sufficiently good tinting speed.
