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Sports cycling glasses - which one to choose?
Carefully selected cycling glasses have a great impact on the safety and comfort of driving. Therefore, it is worth getting acquainted with the models popular on the market, as well as their technical parameters, which should be taken into account at the time of purchase.
Nowadays, you have to focus on something much more than just a streamlined shape and comfort. Driving safety and the efficiency of the model in changing driving conditions are also important. Which glasses to choose, regardless of whether we ride occasionally or are active cyclists?
Driving comfort and safety
Carefully selected cycling glasses should not limit the user's field of vision, so they will not adversely affect driving safety. If during it we use glasses and do not feel their presence on the face, it will be the perfect choice. This effect can be achieved by individually adjusting the shape and size of the glasses to the needs of the cyclist. Unrestricted visibility is essential, so it should be one of the main criteria when buying glasses.
Glasses as protection while driving
Of course, glasses are also an important part of protecting the cyclist while riding. First of all, they should be a good protection against: dust, rain, gusts of wind, pebbles, insects or UV radiation. While cycling, we are exposed to various types of external factors, and good quality cycling glasses will protect us against them and directly affect our comfort.
What are cycling glasses made of?
When choosing sports glasses, it is very important to check what the model is made of. While cycling, users are exposed to various situations, including possible falls. Poor quality glasses made of plastic, glass, or metal can pose additional risks. When damaged, individual elements can get into the eye and cause serious injuries, and in extreme cases can also lead to blindness. Therefore, renowned manufacturers of sports glasses have been betting on durable and proven polycarbonate for some time. This material is characterized by high resistance to mechanical damage and operation, and also reduces the risk of injury while driving.
Flexibility of the frame on selected models of Alpina glasses
What else to pay attention to?
The purchase decision may also be influenced by replaceable accessories that are included with the glasses. Among them we find e.g. temples and noses. These rubber elements are exposed to exploitation and destruction in direct contact with wet and dirty skin, so it is worth replacing them after some time. If the manufacturer takes care of it and adds replaceable accessories to the set, it will be an additional advantage. Another important element of the design of cycling glasses are the ventilation holes. Their task is to improve air circulation and minimize or completely eliminate the phenomenon of evaporation of glasses while driving. It is also of great importance for the comfort and safety of the cyclist.
Basic types of cycling glasses
Currently, there are several basic types of glasses used while cycling on the market. These are primarily:
- regular glasses with fixed lenses;
- photochromic glasses;
- polarized glasses;
- glasses with interchangeable lenses.
Each of these models has slightly different specifics and functionalities, so it is worth getting acquainted with their characteristics before buying. A good analysis will help you make an accurate assessment and choose glasses that will guarantee safety and comfort of driving for years.
Glasses with fixed lenses - characteristics
This is a traditional and simple solution in which the glasses are equipped with fixed lenses. Cyclists can choose from models with glasses: sun tinted, yellow and white. The optimal choice then becomes the purchase of a pair of glasses for all weather conditions and matching them immediately before setting off on the route. This may result in additional costs for the buyer. This type of glasses is not universal, but it will successfully meet the expectations of beginners and undemanding users.
Glasses with photochromatic lenses
This is an innovative solution that is designed for driving in changing lighting conditions, e.g. when exploring areas, where you alternate between a shady forest and an open, sunny glade. Chromatic lenses darken when exposed to sunlight and brighten when the cyclist enters a shaded place. The lens darkens and brightens automatically, depending on the intensity of UV radiation, the higher it is, the darker the lens becomes.
These glasses are a good choice for people who like dynamic driving, depending on the model and the degree of initial lens tinting, they work well during long journeys in sunny places. Then they provide the highest protection. Their indisputable advantage is that they save valuable time and do not require users to change lenses or glasses when the insolation changes. During their use, there may also be a temporary deterioration in the quality of vision when the glasses darken or brighten, usually the lenses react with a delay of several dozen seconds.
Glasses with interchangeable lenses
As the name suggests, these are models that have replaceable lenses in the set. Thanks to this, you can change the lenses during the ride depending on the weather conditions. Most often, the set includes lenses intended for driving in the sun, yellow and white. For the convenience of cyclists, manufacturers create various glass replacement systems, including classic pressing or magnets. It seems to be the optimal choice for demanding and active cyclists who care about safety and high riding comfort. A small downside may be the need to manually change the lenses, which requires stopping and losing the pace of driving.
Polarized glasses
Cycling glasses with an additional polarization layer remain an interesting option. Polarization is the enrichment of the lens with the ability to block reflected and direct glare. This is done while maintaining the natural colors of the surroundings, so cyclists still have good vision. Polarized glasses are recommended primarily to people who have very sensitive eyes and want to minimize the negative effects of the phenomenon of glare.
Which glasses to choose?
The final choice of cycling glasses is an individual matter. Before buying, it is worth getting acquainted with the exact technical specification of a given model, as well as its intended use. Glasses should be maximally suited to our individual needs, including driving style and places we visit. If necessary, you can put on glasses with corrective lenses. An alternative to popular sports glasses can be professional cycling goggles, which also provide excellent driving conditions and an unlimited field of view. In case of any doubts, it is worth consulting the purchase with specialists.