Retro sunglasses put to the test - are fashion glasses suitable for cycling? 12 glasses in the test

There are good reasons to ride with standard summer glasses. But can civilian goggles stand up to specialised cycling goggles? It's a duel in several disciplines. When it comes to sun protection, there is little to be said against the fashion glasses. Darkening is divided into five filter categories (which are usually labelled on the frame). For Central European summers, category 2, which absorbs 57 to 82 per cent of the light and can therefore also be worn in overcast conditions, is generally sufficient. However, almost all sunglasses on the market belong to category 3, which filters out up to 92 per cent of the light. This is good for the beach, snow and high mountains. But for changeable weather, forest passages or even tunnels, it is very dark.

In addition, polarised lenses are common, especially in the higher price range (in our selection of Oakley, Persol, Smith and Ray Ban, but also in the low-priced BBB). Occasionally, cycling glasses also use such polarising filters, which absorb glare reflections from horizontal, non-metallic surfaces. Water is such a dazzling mirror. The polarising filter may therefore be useful for anglers, paddlers and sailors, but the disadvantages outweigh the advantages for cyclists: a soaking wet, potentially slippery serpentine does not shine, it just appears dark. In addition, only very few polarising filters allow you to read displays such as those commonly found on smartphones, GPS devices and bike computers. Here, the invisible filter grids of the glasses and display overlap to form a blotchy black colour.

After the close tie in the lens comparison, the technical duel between cycling and fashion eyewear shifts to the frame. Some more expensive fashion glasses (in our selection those from Rapha, Ray Ban and Persol) come with acetate frames. This less elastic material is widely used for prescription glasses. Unlike conventional plastic materials for cycling glasses, acetate can be moulded and adjusted when heated. This can be interesting for the fit of the temples, but other sports and fashion eyewear counter this with bendable metal parts in the temples or with elastic material tension. Only a few fashion goggles have rubber pads on the nose or temples to ensure that the goggles stay in place in sweat and on bumpy roads. Our test riders realised that the rubber pads make sense. Only if the goggles and skull fit together perfectly will it work without them.

The duel between the two types of goggles ultimately comes down to the problem of mechanical eye protection. Only lenses with good coverage keep out draughts, dirt and insects. The decisive trick, with which the original Oakley already convinced its users, is the combination of lens size and a curvature that fits the skull.

Line underneath: Is there such a thing as "one-size-fits-all glasses"? Can fashion glasses also function as fully-fledged cycling glasses? The chance of perfect function is higher with specially designed sports glasses. As with Adidas & Co, they can also be more civilised. But in principle, stylish fashion glasses also work if the skull and glasses, area of use and sense of style fit.

The glasses in the test

Adidas Eyewear Evolver

Rating: Good
Filter: Cat. 3, plastic, red-brown
Fit: Head and nose bridge medium to wide

The full size and contrast-enhancing tint of the lenses, the adjustable, rubberised nose pad and the non-slip temple tips are classic sports eyewear details. The Adidas Evolver is more of a pair of sports glasses in civilian camouflage than a pair of sporty fashion glasses. The black frame is far enough away from the viewing point so as not to be distracting.

BBB Cycling Town

Rating: Medium
Filter: Cat. 3, grey-red plastic, polarising filter
Fit: Medium-wide head, medium to wide nose

The cheapest goggles in the comparison come with a polarising filter and a usable, rather dark tint. Despite their moderate curvature, they sit relatively close to the skull and are therefore usable. Deductions in the bike rating for the somewhat slippery material and the polarising filter, which makes the mobile phone and sat nav almost illegible.

Carrera 1001/S

Rating: Good
Filter: Cat. 3, grey gradient
Fit: Wide nose, medium to wide head

Carrera's classic was a typical "ski instructor goggle" many years ago. The original design from the late 70s is still available and can also convince cyclists with the right skull shape. No rubber pads, but relatively high frame tension. An eye-catcher for rather wide faces - if only for cosmetic reasons >>e.g.at Lensbest.

Oakley Latch Beta

Rating: Medium
Filter: Cat. 3, polarising filter, dark brown
Fit: medium skull, medium to wide nose

With the Latch, sports eyewear pioneer Oakley delivers glasses with the aura of the beach, ice-cream parlour and flip-flops. The gold-mirrored lenses are very dark, but at least the polarising filter allows a better view of the mobile phone display than others. In contrast to the non-slip rubberised contact points of the cycling goggles, the features here are kept simple - despite the high price. There is also a risk of draughts at the sides.

Persol 3 Lenses

Rating: Poor
Filter: Cat. 2-3, glass, rosé tint photochromatic
Fit: for strong nose bridges, rather wide heads

The Italian brand Persol stands for high-quality, rather classic sunglasses. The frame of the eccentric "3 lenses" is made of easily adjustable acetate, the pleasant brown-rose tinted lenses are self-tinting and, thanks to their size, do a good job of keeping out draughts. They get a "thumbs down" for dynamic sports due to their glass lenses. They are visually impressive, but critical from a safety point of view and make the glasses heavy, which impairs their fit.

POC Aspire AVIP

Rating: Good
Filter: Cat. 2, plastic, grey-red
Fit: Face and nose medium to wide

The eye-catching POC model falls into the same category as the Adidas goggles: it is a fashionably camouflaged pair of sports goggles. Adjustable rubber nose pads and lightly rubberised inside temples as well as good wind protection speak in their favour. The filter is not excessively dark and pleasantly tinted, and the surface allows water to roll off easily. Only the price is comparatively high.

Rapha City-Round-Glasses

Rating: Poor
Filter: Cat. 3, plastic, yellowish brown
Fit: narrow to medium-wide face and nose.

The Rapha "City Round" convinces as stylish and high-quality sunglasses, but less so as cycling glasses. Fine workmanship and a classic acetate frame as well as relatively dark, pleasantly tinted lenses make them shine at the ice cream parlour, but for the vast majority of cyclists, the lens size and frame shape are likely to offer too little protection. There is a draught all round. Therefore not a bike recommendation.

Ray Ban Wayfarer Classic II

Rating: Good
Filter: Cat. 3, plastic, grey-green
Fit: Face and nose narrow to medium wide

These classic sunglasses perform better than expected on the bike. The lens and frame shape provide relatively good protection against draughts and the grey-green tint has a pleasantly neutral colour effect. In addition, the acetate frame allows the frame to be adjusted to the ears and skull by the optician. Worth a try for retro fans.

Rudy Project Spinair 58

Rating: Medium
Filter: Cat. 3, plastic, grey-brown
Fit: Rather wide face, nose pad variable

With the Spinair, Rudy Project is precisely targeting the niche of civilian goggles suitable for sports. The moderately curved frame and angular lenses with a grey gradient tint are almost suitable for suits, while the rubberised, adjustable contact points are ideal for sports use. However, the wind protection is not quite as effective as with Adidas and others due to the slight curvature of the frame and the distance to the forehead. This is the only reason why we cannot give it a clear recommendation.

Scott Sports Tune

Rating: Good
Filter: Cat. 1, plastic, colour orange-brown
Fit: Face and nose medium to wide

Scott's angular "Tune" also covers wider faces well with its large lenses. The dark frame does not restrict the field of vision. Their relatively light-coloured, contrast-enhancing tint makes them versatile. Despite the grippy temple tips, they are only moderately secure on narrower heads. Good wheel function combined with a striking look.

Smith Rebound

Rating: Medium
Filter: Cat. 3, plastic, brown, polarised
Fit: Face narrow to medium, nose medium to wide

With its strong curvature and sturdy temples, the Smith epitomises the principle of "versatile outdoor eyewear". They fit firmly and securely. Because they fit snugly, even the medium-sized lenses offer good protection. However, the very dark tint and the polarising filter on the lenses indicate that they are ideal for water sports. Others are better at racing bikes in changing light.

Uvex IgI 36 CV daily

Rating: Good
Filter: Cat. 3, plastic, brownish colour
Fit: for medium to wide heads & noses

In terms of shape and size, the Uvex is similar to the Scott and Adidas models. This means that they are also basically suitable for cycling in terms of wind protection. The only irritating aspect is the filter tint. Even after a long period of getting used to them, the colours still appear strangely bright and have a yellow-greenish tint. The effect is more pleasant when the sky is overcast. The temples should have a better grip to hold them securely on the head.