We pick out the best budget sunglasses on the market that show you don't have to break the bank to get a quality model
Cycling sunglasses can be eye-wateringly expensive, with the price of top-end only ever increasing. The good news is that entry-level sunnies have seen massive improvements in recent years, now able to offer most of the performance that more expensive models deliver but, crucially, at a much more palatable price.
Which is good news for everyone who rides regularly, as cycling sunglasses do much more than simply shading your eyes. They also act as a shield against road debris, rain and errant insects.
As such, cyclists often wear sunglasses all year round - especially as the low sun in winter often meaning that sunlight directly into the eyes can be bigger a problem than the more general brightness of the summer.
And, of course the very best cycling glasses will not only keep your vision clear, your eyes free from debris - but will make you look cool to boot.
Best overall
Lightweight, full frame design with a quality lens that works in varying light conditions and never fogged up. Our top overall pick.
The large frameless lens of the Van Rysel Cat 3 920 is on-trend, with the glasses feeling both light and secure on the head. They also look great and fit securely on the face.
Another Tifosi model to make this list is the Jet Sport. Its compact frame makes it ideal for smaller faces and there are lots of colours to choose from. We also found it to be very lightweight as well.
The Gabbro II sunglasses were the best pair on this list by some margin, outperforming many models that cost significantly more. They were robust, light and had a stylish frame design. On the bike they didn’t fog up and, quite honestly, I forgot I had them on most of the time.
They look great on a variety of face shapes and the lens size means they’re a good choice for a diverse number of head sizes. From a purely fashionable perspective, I received more compliments on these glasses than the others in this list put together. If they can make my face look good, they must be doing something right!
Our expert review:
Recently, I've been impressed with Decathlon’s cycling offerings, so my expectations for these glasses were set quite high. Out of the box they felt light but solid and looked sporty yet had a flattering shape to them. The glasses have a wrap-around, protective feel to them and, once you put them on, they feel as if you’re not wearing anything on your face at all.
The lens has a red-ish tint to them and resisted fogging well. The design looks good with a range of different helmet options, as well as feeling reassuringly robust. On descents, some wind did manage to find its way over the top of the lenses in a few cases. This lead to a little tearing up, and the subsequent reduction in vision. It wasn’t a major problem, merely an imperfection in an otherwise excellent product.
For more casual rides or perhaps a bikepacking or touring trip, you might want a pair of sunglasses that are a little more relaxed in style. The Tifosi Swick are just that.
Looking equally at home off the bike as on - as well as on the golf course, or a host of other leisure activities - the style is versatile but still with performance benefits. The larger, square lens shape provides good protection against debris as well as providing a decent field of vision - and they're designed to be scratch resistant too. Equally the Grilamid TR-90 frames are created to be light and durable, with a hydrophilic rubber nosepiece aimed at fit and comfort for longer days in, and out, of the saddle.
While we're yet to put these shades to the test, we've worn and reviewed plenty pairs of Tifosi glasses in the past and have always been impressed with the lens quality and overall comfort, especially given the competitive price point.
Our expert review:
Typically photochromic lenses that adapt to changing light conditions aren't found on cheaper cycling sunglasses. The Windbreaker from Magicshine however are one of the more affordable models that are offered with this adaptable lens - making them a great choice if you're looking for single pair of sunglasses that will work in a wide range of weather conditions and across different seasons.
The wraparound, 'frameless' style is aimed at offering both protection and clarity; the Windbreaker lens also features vents designed to prevent fogging. Other details include an adjustable nosepiece and anti-slip temple 'tips' - given that security is real issue for cyclists, both these features should help keep the glasses in place when riding. The claimed weight of 29g is competitive with similar looking models from other brands.
The trend for very large lenses in the cycling world shows little sign of slowing down. But they're not for everyone. Fortunately if you're looking for a budget pair of sporty sunglasses that have a more 'traditional' look there are still plenty of options - and we like the Jet Sport from Tifosi.
It's a compact half-frame design that's well-suited for smaller faces. The lens still offers up plenty of coverage and is matched to a Grilamid TR-90 frame that's created to be both light and durable - the Jet Sport weigh a claimed 26g.
The factors that go into a good pair of sunglasses are relatively simple - if you forget you’re wearing them, they’re doing a great job. Your field of view should be the same as if you didn’t have any, they should be light enough that you don’t notice the weight when moving your head around and they should fit well enough such that bumps don’t cause them to be dislodged from their position.
This is a lot to ask from a pair of cheaper frames but sunglass tech has come on significantly and there are some really solid, low price options. We tested these glasses by simply riding with each pair for a couple of weeks! A simple test but, in this instance, the most effective because using them on the road and in every day life gave us an idea on factors like visibility, light, durability, strength, fit and so on.
‘Cheap’ means different things to different people and cycling sunglasses can range from a single-figure spend up easily into three. From this, it’s clear that you don’t need to break the bank when looking for a good pair of glasses.
The Endura and Van Rysel sunglasses we tested were just as good as many pairs that cost twice as much. As usual, Tifosi have a number of pairs of high quality glasses that will also do the trick! The cheap eyewear market is crowded and there are some really good options on the table - but beware, it's not all gold!
