Lightweight, wraparound photochromatic glasses that provide crystal clear vision, but small-headed riders might need to look elsewhere
Along with a helmet, the only other piece of cycling kit I insist on wearing is eye protection. Even in the unpredictable northern hemisphere, where winter months see more darkness than light, wearing the best sunglasses year-round is vital to keeping my eyes safe.
To that end, one of the best technological advancements in cycling history is the development of photochromatic lenses, which allow light and dark riding with the same pair of glasses.
So when a pair of Rudy Project Spinshield Air cycling sunglasses promises swift lens adaptation and a light and secure fit suitable for multiple sports, could they signal the end of needing multi-lens and multiple-sport sunglasses?
Hannah is our longest-serving tech writer, having been a professional journalist in-house at Cycling Weekly for over 14 years. In that time she has tested eyewear and protection from all the major brands, multiple times. Hannah has also tested protective equipment in the professional ranks as a successful road and track racer, competing in UCI sanctioned competition in China, Pakistan and New Zealand.
The heart of any eye protection is the lens. Rudy Project has decided to invest in their brand-exclusive polycarbonate ImpactX.
According to Rudy Project, this lens is ideal for sporting use due to its semi-rigid and impact-resistant structure. This allows for a degree of flex in the lens, making it less vulnerable to the stresses and strains of sports use.
The ImpactX lens also promises to seamlessly adapt to changes in light. When paired with their polarized Polar 3FX, it eliminates reflections while providing complete UV protection. Rudy Project also states that the ImpactX lens offers incredibly high clarity compared to any other polycarbonate equivalent due to its minimal chromatic dispersion, surface reflection, and 'rainbow effect.’
It's a bold claim for a non-Zeiss lens, which most of the best cycling sunglasses use.
Regarding the photochromatic feature, Rudy Project indicates that with the lens colorway that I tested (Laserpurple), I should expect 48% light transmission when inactive. For instance, while riding in low light conditions, the lens will let in about half of the available light, but only 8% in the brightest conditions, when the lenses are fully active.
Rudy Project also states that another benefit of the ImpactX lens is that polycarbonate is thinner and lighter than its plastic equivalent (CR-39) lenses.
This, along with the Nylon frame, has enabled the SpinShield Air's wraparound half-frame design to be incredibly lightweight. My test pair weighed just 25 grams on the scales.
Putting this in the context of most top cycling sunglasses, that makes these lighter by about six grams. Oakley Encoders for example weigh 31 grams. We're dealing with very small numbers here, but that's 25% lighter.
Our current favourite photochromic sunglasses, the Oakley EV Zero Blades, weigh 29 grams. The Spinshield Air's are still 4g lighter than those.
Six grams, equivalent to a teaspoon of sugar, isn't substantial but plays a significant role when sports glasses need to withstand the demands of intense movement.
They're certainly lightweight and if you combine that with Rudy Project's claims of a comfortable and stable fit—thanks to their grippy and interchangeable nose pad, temple tip pads, and what they call face-hugging geometry— that makes the SpinShield Air a strong contender for multiple sports.
The biggest win for some athletes could be the integration of the Spinshield Air sunglasses with prescription lenses and inserts. The Optical Dock provides versatility through a clip-in solution, offering incredible options for riders who need a quick and easy way to find sports glasses that not only ensure clear vision but also deliver the benefits of sun, wind, and overall eye protection.
The Rudy Project Spinshield Air sunglasses with the asian fit nose piece
As with any industry, trends come and go, but unfortunately for me, the oversized cycling glasses are a fashion I've been wanting to fade quicker than others.
As I wrote five years ago when reviewing the Tifosi Crit sunglasses (which are still my go-to pair to this day), "When it comes to eyewear, I'm an awkward customer. I'm a fully grown adult with a child's size head."
This means that the Rudy Project Spinshield Air sunglasses were already at a disadvantage when I tested a pair. Despite their large square size, I was surprised by how light they were. I replaced the standard nose piece with the 'Asian fit' version, which ensured that they didn't rest on my cheeks. While they didn't interfere with my helmet, the arms would need remoulding to fit around my ears. They also made me feel self-conscious about looking like I was wearing a pair of VR goggles, but I completely forgot I was wearing them while riding at a steady pace.
Regardless of the bike riding position I assumed, I remained completely unaware of the frame and was solely immersed in a sea of high-definition images. The visual clarity was particularly striking when riding through densely wooded areas. I was not only oblivious to the graduated polarizing of the lenses in both active and inactive modes, but I also observed that I could still discern a considerable level of trail detail.
The arms of the Rudy Project Spinshield Air sunglasses would need to be remoulded to cup my ear
However, I also noticed that when more dynamic movements were introduced to my riding, the glasses were simply too large for my face to remain absolutely secure. The Spinshield Airs certainly wouldn't be suitable for me during any vigorous activities like running or racket sports, contrary to what the marketing suggests they could handle.
Testing these glasses in colder weather usually means I expect some fogging when at a standstill, but the Spinshield Air somehow managed to remain consistently clear. This did not sacrifice wind protection, as testing in winter often results in streaming eyes when riding at speed, and I must admit that I was completely unaware of this occurring.
As a premium-brand glass option, with genuine multi-sport potential, these have exceptional optics and really helpful integrations for prescription lenses. Weight is also best in class which is particularly impressive given their sheer size and good coverage. Whilst I’ve mentioned that they’re not fitted very close to my face they do deliver undeniably strong performance when it comes to fogging – I didn’t experience any difficulties at all.
The price is however very high in what is an increasingly competitive segment, where exceptional optics, lightweight and comfort are the price of entry. My relatively humble but high-performing Tifosi Crit glasses deliver many of the benefits and much of the quality on display here, but cost a seventh of the price. That can't be ignored.
However, if you’re happy to pay a brand premium and want to try an alternative to Oakley’s offerings, the Rudy Project Spinshield Air's are right up there in performance terms, and don’t want for anything extra.
