Best triathlon sunglasses reviewed in 2024
The best triathlon sunglasses will divert blazing sun, blustery wind, bugs and more from your vision on the bike and run. Here are our top picks
Glasses
Smith Optics Performance glasses
Sport-specific models include the Pivlock series, offering riders a frameless design for riding on the drops
Review: Oakley Radarlock Path sunglasses
Ultra-quick lens swaps added to top-quality clarity and comfort – a boon for everyone who rides and runs in variable conditions
Catlike D’Lux R009
Catlike is most synonymous with stylish helmets but their performance eyewear also graces the faces of the pro peloton, including the Movistar team. The D’Lux is the top model in the range and they’re a lightweight but durable plastic-framed affair with interchangeable lenses and an adjustable nose bridge. They’re free from innovation or anything that […]
Foster Grant Ironman Empower
Normally the M-Dot endorsement means an exorbitant price tag, but with these glasses from Foster Grant coming in as the cheapest on test, do they buck the trend and deliver a must-have bargain? For £26, they’re not at all bad. The dark polarised lenses do a good job of reducing glare and provide a high […]
JetBlack Xforce
Jetblack declare that they’re “proudly an Australian company” on their packaging. And, as the second Aussie offering on test and at the highly competitive budget end of the market, they’ve nailed it. The opaque plastic frames won’t win any fashion awards but they’re far from ugly and have a certain retro cool factor about them. […]
Northwave Devil
A respected cycling brand, smoked and clear lenses, hard carrying case and soft pouch, all for well under £40? There has to be a catch. Well, even if the bright blue colour we had on test isn’t to your taste, there are more understated white and black frame options available, so you should be able […]
Madison D’Arcs Quad
Brand-conscious posers should look away now. Like the Bloc Stealths, you’re not going to don the Madison D’Arcs as a fashion statement. But the fashionistas would be missing out as you can’t fault what Madison has thrown into the package. To kick things off you get four lenses: clear, dark, rose-coloured and a persimmon light-enhancing […]
Bloc Stealth
If you can overlook the slightly clumsy 1980s feel to their styling, the Blocs offer great value for money (our tester owned a pair at the beginning of his triathlon career and they served him well). For £45 you get the three must-have lenses and a soft carrying pouch-come-lens cleaner. The only thing that’s missing […]
Ryders Treviso
Rather than the Trevisos having changeable lenses, Ryders have opted for photochromatic lenses. These become darker as the sunlight gets brighter and then, as if by magic, lighten up as the sky clouds over. In all conditions, the lenses provide 100% UV protection. The system worked reasonably well, but in lower light conditions we’d still […]
720 Armour YoYo
Coming in some extremely stylish packaging – including a denim-covered hard case – the Australian YoYos opened their account well. Along with the lightweight and minimalist frame, you get the three key lenses (dark, yellow light enhancing and clear). Slipping them on, the fit is excellent but immediately the small lens size raised concerns. Although […]
Adidas Evil Eye Halfrim
The oversized lenses and neon green and black styling won’t be to everyone’s taste but the Evil Eyes will certainly get you noticed. They come with dark lenses and light-enhancing orange ones, with both giving 100% UV protection (you can also add to your lens choice from the extensive Adidas range, including prescription options). The […]
Oakley Fast Jacket
With sponsored athletes including Chrissie Wellington, Miranda Carfrae, Javier Gomez and Craig Alexander, Oakley should know what triathletes want in a pair of shades. The Fast Jackets certainly look the part, combining mean and moody styling with plenty of functional features. For your considerable cash outlay you get polished black ‘Iridium’ lenses for bright days […]
Tag Heuer Squadra
Top-end Swiss brand Tag Heuer label the Squadra as ‘avant-garde eyewear’ and the look is certainly cool, contemporary and minimalist. From the frameless one-piece lens to the flexible arms, they ooze quality. They’re incredibly lightweight but probably not as light as your wallet will be after buying them. Sure, you get a hard case and […]
Oakley Split Jacket
These are essentially a slightly less aggressive version of Oakley’s Jawbone glasses. They share the same Switchlock system for swapping lenses and roughly the same design, but are a little smaller and softer around the edges.It gives them a vaguely more feminine feel – although they’re not billed as women’s glasses and are just slightly […]
Oakley Jawbone
The greatest innovations are almost always the simplest. And so it is with the Switchlock system in Oakley’s new Jawbone glasses. While hardly an ordeal, wrestling lenses into stiff clips in sturdy frames isn’t the easiest of tasks. But with Switchlock it allows you to swap lenses quickly without having to manhandle them into place. […]
Bloc Scorpion X30
The Scorpion is a new design from Bloc and incorporates harder-edged sculpturing for a streamlined look; perhaps a bit large for women’s faces but ideal for chaps’. They’re ideal for tri training or racing; super-light yet grippy, you’ll hardly notice they’re there. They don’t move an inch, even when you’re head-down, stretching your hamstrings. But […]
Tifosi Ventoux
There are several sets of glasses here with the benefit of interchangeable lenses to cater for all conditions. That’s all very well as long as the changes can be done easily, but the fact is that switching from dark to light or vice versa with the Ventoux is a bit of a wrestling match. We […]
Spiuk Ventix
The Ventix have a similar classic bike appeal to the Brikos, but without the compromise, and better ventilation to keep them fog-free on a run. The upper frame closely skims the face, with the hinges set slightly back to minimise any peripheral interference. Unlike many similar frames there’s no obstruction during aero riding, nor is […]
Briko Nitrospeed
Describe a set of ‘classic’ cycling glasses and you’d probably come close to describing this set from Briko. The Nitrospeeds are extremely lightweight, with unobstructed peripheral vision from the minimal frame, which also permits good ventilation without too much eye-watering even at high speeds. They grab on tightly with their rubberised side arms and bridge, […]
Rudy Project Rydon
The Rydons utilise an optical hinge and metallic arms to provide a very solid-feeling frame. The long rubber earpieces are comfortable and can be easily manipulated to customise the fit. The Rydons also benefit from being compatible with Rudy Project’s Rx insert system, enabling the use of their removable frame with prescription lenses. This works […]
Giro Havik
The Haviks may not be the sexiest glasses but they do provide a strong and functional bike-specific option. They fit tightly and securely onto your head and face, providing complete coverage on the bike on even the most bone-shaking of surfaces. The lens extends upwards to the point where you can’t see the frame and […]
Polaris Bronx
The Bronx come with three lens options, including a detachable frame for those wishing to add a prescription. There’s also a head-strap that helps keep the glasses in place during more intense runs. Without the strap, these glasses didn’t feel as secure as some of the others, but they never fell off. The three lenses […]
Adidas Evil Eye
Adidas market the Evil Eye in their bike-specific range, but when on a ride you feel rather unprotected due to the narrow frame design. This is most obvious when riding on drops or in the aero position: you end up looking over the top of the glasses or at the top of the frame. However, […]
