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A decent set of sunglasses is an essential part of any mountain biker\u2019s wardrobe, for a number of reasons. The most obvious is protection from bright sunlight to give you a clear view down the trail, with less glare, less squinting and less possibility of damage to your eyes from harmful UV rays.<\/p>\n
They also provide physical protection from flying trail debris, whether that be roost from another rider\u2019s back wheel, spray from puddles, bugs or errant tree branches.<\/p>\n
Obviously, the larger the lens, the more coverage it will offer against these dangers, but it\u2019s also important that they wrap around to give some side protection, cut out light from entering and prevent wind from making your eyes tear up.<\/p>\n
Of course, that coverage needs to be balanced with how they fit on your face \u2013 if the lens or frame contacts you, the glasses will fog up more easily and can become uncomfortable or move around on your face.<\/p>\n
Many riding glasses use a half-frame design, where the lens is only partially attached to the frame, This allows a greater and less obstructed field of vision, but it does mean the lens is more exposed to damage when not being worn.<\/p>\n
Depending on your facial features and head size, different frames might work better for some people than others. Although we try to point out which glasses work best for different people, it\u2019s hard to beat trying them on.<\/p>\n
Make sure they integrate well with your chosen helmet, too, and don\u2019t dig into your head or create other pressure points.<\/p>\n
Whatever anyone might claim, looks can also be important, but that\u2019s very much a personal choice and often there will be a selection of frame colours on offer for a model.<\/p>\n
More expensive glasses tend to have more features, such as easily interchangeable lenses plus adjustable fit of the nose piece and arms. The quality and clarity of the lenses will go up with price too. A better lens will have improved clarity and distort your vision less.<\/p>\n
Many high-end glasses now have light-sensitive photochromic lenses, which have a special coating that reacts to light. This means you can use a single lens for very bright days as well as more overcast ones, but even the best can take a bit of time to react, and cheaper ones can take even longer.<\/p>\n
Now you\u2019ve got the basics, here are the best sunglasses for mountain biking that we\u2019ve tested recently.<\/p>\n