Cycling glasses: Sports glasses with prescription - 10 models in the test

"Good vision!", Carina Freytag-Hafen wishes us as we leave her shop, Optik Marx in Munich-Schwabing - carrying her Evil Eye Trace Pro cycling sports glasses with varifocal lenses. We had another pair of sports glasses fitted by Walter Drum at Optik Messbacher, another experienced sports optician from Munich: The Flak 2.0 from Oakley in the XL version. In addition to the Oakley Plazma or Radar EV models, the half-frame glasses with separate lenses are ideal for optical correction. This much in advance: these visual aids are not made quickly and cheaply. The Evil Eye costs 830 euros including ground lenses, while the Oakley glasses cost 850 euros. But "good vision" on the bike is also fundamentally important at the crucial moment when it comes to being able to clearly read numbers or map views on the bike computer or to recognise what is happening around you on the cycle path from the corner of your eye. Carina Freytag-Hafen, a sports optician in Munich, also confirms this:

Good vision also means safety on the bike!

Short & sweet

Poor eyesight can spoil the fun of cycling. Everyday glasses or contact lenses can help, but they also have disadvantages. Inexpensive sports glasses with a sharpened field of vision or adhesive lenses can be a personalised option - only for long-sighted people. Optical clips correct well, but the field of vision is often small and the lenses fog up easily; the appearance of sports glasses with only a slight tint also takes some getting used to. Direct-lens models are relatively expensive, but offer the best optical properties, provide good protection and are not conspicuous.

Glasses or contact lenses?

Everyday glasses are usually not an option for cycling. Their small, almost vertical lenses, which are usually not tinted, provide little protection from the wind, flying insects and the sun. The corner of the eye does not meet the ground glass, so this area remains blurred. The glasses also slip easily on a sweaty nose and head. Many cyclists get on well with contact lenses and sunglasses - but they also know that the system can reach its limits if sweat constantly runs into the eyes or rain and splash water wash out the lenses.

To ensure that you can continue to enjoy your favourite sport without restrictions, it's worth visiting a sports optician. "Even cyclists who wear glasses often don't realise that prescription cycling glasses are available," marvels Walter Drum, himself an active racing cyclist. The demand is constantly increasing, because in an ageing society, presbyopia is also on the rise - with the effect that the lens of the eye can no longer focus so well at close range. We notice this at the latest when our arms are too short to bring the mobile phone display into focus.

Walter Drum, sports optician in Munich: Most cyclists don't even realise that direct glazing is also possible for sports glasses.

More and more offers for sports glasses with prescription

The good news is that more and more manufacturers are responding to this development. The selection of cycling goggles for direct glazing is growing, as is the range of models to which optical clips can at least be attached - in other words, goggles in goggles. Siols cycling goggles are particularly suitable for optical clips with a very large correction range. According to our research, nine manufacturers now offer direct glazing (see below); many opticians also fit sports glasses from other brands with ground lenses that do not offer this option themselves. Qualified sports opticians can be found via the Zentralverband der Augenoptiker (ZVA) or via the website of the Kuratorium Gutes Sehen e.V.. And: It is also worth asking at eyewear discounters such as Fielmann or Apollo-Optik.

Technically, the correction of sports glasses is more demanding than that of everyday glasses. "Due to the slightly inclined lenses or discs and the tilted head position on the bike, the corrective cut must be adjusted accordingly," explains Walter Drum. This is why not all sports eyewear models and tints are suitable for grinding in the prescription; and even with sports eyewear that is actually suitable, the options are limited, with more than six dioptres rarely being possible. Generally, glasses with a full frame and two separate lenses, self-tinting lenses and selected single-lens models are suitable for correction. The trendy shield models are poorly suited for direct glazing if their lens does not fit tightly enough around the head. With a varifocal model, i.e. a corrected cut that enables sharp vision at both near and far distances, the lens must be large enough for the transition area between these two zones.

A lot to consider when customising

Measuring the eyes for sports glasses requires more effort than for everyday glasses due to the large lenses and their strong curvature (the base curve). The biggest difference is that the corrective cut must be adapted to the tilted position of the head on the bike and allow a sharp image right into the corner of the eye. Other important parameters are the interpupillary distance and the height: this refers to the level at which the eyes look through the glasses in the cycling position - which depends on the individual fit of the glasses. In our examples, the consultation and measurement each took a good hour, with a delivery time of five working days for the Evil Eye and ten for the Oakley. The varifocals from Evil Eye were corrected for a slight visual impairment at close range between +0.25 and +0.75 dioptres with a cylinder of -0.75. The first impression: the sports glasses do not differ externally from the standard model without correction. In the case of severe defective vision, this can be recognised by the fact that the lenses become very thick towards the edge because more material is needed to correct more severe defective vision.

Sports glasses with prescription - unusual at first

On the other hand, the first view on the trial bike ride was unusual. It seemed as if head and eye movements no longer fitted together properly. If the head tilted towards the bike computer in the usual way with new glasses, the display remained blurred - the result of "ingrained" movement patterns that all spectacle wearers report when wearing varifocals for the first time. You just have to get out of the habit of tilting your head, because now you can see through the lower, corrected area of the glasses. Optician Freytag-Hafen pointed out to us at the handover that it would take some time for the eyes and brain to get used to the new vision. Test wearer Alisa Rathke reports a similar experience - with the opposite sign - about her first experiences with the Oakley Flak 2.0 corrected for distance vision.

Long-term experience

The two editorial colleagues Jörg Wenzel and Jörg Spaniol gave up trying out contact lenses and optical clips years ago and invested in direct glazed cycling glasses. As a result, they have already gained a lot of experience. Jörg Wenzel's tip: "Cycling glasses with progressive lenses are often set to a distance of 60 centimetres. However, this can be too much for a sporty sitting position on the bike. I get on better with the usual distance for varifocals of 30 to 40 centimetres."

Jörg Spaniol reports that the transition zone of his varifocals irritated him greatly at first. He also recommends being very critical of the optician's measurements and advice and, if in doubt, asking more questions. "You can't get used to glasses that don't fit your eyesight perfectly, and you shouldn't try. Under certain circumstances, the only option is to exchange them."

Both sports spectacle wearers have one more tip in common: for corrected road cycling spectacles, you should not choose a tint that is too dark; this makes them more versatile and provides better vision in all seasons.

Armin Herb, MYBIKE editor: I've been wearing prescription cycling glasses for more than 20 years. I get on best with glasses with varifocal lenses. Their tint adapts to the respective daylight and can therefore be used all year round.

Favourable alternatives to prescription cycling glasses

In the short term

If you are a long-sighted person who can no longer see the computer or smartphone display clearly, there are inexpensive options in the form of cycling glasses with a reading zone or flexible lenses that can be glued into your own sports glasses. Experts recommend both options as a temporary or replacement solution. Due to the suboptimal optical quality and the fact that the correction is not precisely adapted to the individual's visual impairment, for example in the case of unequal visual impairment in the left and right eye, they sometimes take a critical view of the long-term use of such visual aids.

Cycling sports glasses with cut or clip - 10 brands

1st Adidas

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: Not specified
• Delivery time: 4 to 5 working days
• Models: SP models, all ACTV models
• Filters, tints: not specified
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -5.5 to +4.5 / 4.00 / 4 to 8
• Advantages: Many models, favourable for single vision lenses, correction range, optical clips
• Disadvantages: No information on website, no information on filters, small dioptre range
• Conclusion: Many Adidas models are suitable for ground lenses, optical clips are available from 190 euros; freely accessible information on the website is scarce, but there is a large dealer network. Numerous models can also be glazed for other sports.

2. bollé

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: not specified / 322 Euro
• Delivery time: 10 working days
• Models: Almost all models
• Filters, tints: All tints from cat. 1 to 4
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -8.00 to +6.00 / 4.00 / up to 8
• Advantages: Many models, all filters and tints, large correction range
• Disadvantages: -
• Conclusion: Very wide range of models suitable for corrective lenses, all filter variants and tints are also possible. Informative website (keyword "glazing programme"), the cut is adapted depending on the focus of use for sport or everyday life.

3rd Evil Eye

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: 549 Euro / 829 Euro
• Delivery time: 10 working days
• Models: All models except Shield glasses
• Filters, tints: All filters from "Space"
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -6.00 to +6.00 / 4.00 / up to 8
• Advantages: Many models, few restrictions on filters, production in Austria, various frame sizes
• Disadvantages: -
• Conclusion: Evil Eye offers many options for optical correction, including direct glazing, optical clips and so-called adapter glazing, which also allows the correction of trendy Shield glasses; information on this can be found on the website.

4 Gloryfy

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: 418 Euro / not specified
• Delivery time: 10 to 14 working days
• Models: Six "G" models
• Filters, tints: 15 shades
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -4.00 to +3.00 / 2.00 / up to 8
• Advantages: Many tints including self-tinting filters possible, large dealer network
• Disadvantages: Unclear website, model selection not transparent
• Conclusion: The Austrian brand is known for its flexible and robust spectacles. Wide range of models, but relatively narrow correction range for mild to moderate visual defects. Information and selection hardly possible via the website. Relatively large dealer network.

5th Julbo

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: 299 Euro / not specified
• Delivery time: 7 working days
• Models: Ultimate, Rush, Aero series models
• Filters, tints: Reactiv and Spectron filters; 13 basic shades
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -6.00 to +4.00 / 3.00 / up to 8
• Advantages: Large selection of models, many filters and tints, also optic clips for many models
• Disadvantages: -
• Conclusion: Informative website; the selection of models, filters and tints from the French company is wide-ranging; optical clips are also available for many models, such as those used by the far-sighted professional cyclist David Gaudu from Groupama-FDJ.

6. oakley

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: 190 Euro / 490 Euro
• Delivery time: 10 working days
• Models: Flak 2.0, Plazma, Radar EV, other models on request
• Filters, tints: Dependent on counselling
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: Not specified
• Advantages: Years of experience in glazing spectacles, many partner opticians
• Disadvantages: Long delivery time
• Conclusion: The selection of models and filters is large, but requires precise consultation with the partner optician. This means that highly customised solutions are possible, which is why Oakley does not provide any general information on the correction range.

7th Rudy

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: Not specified
• Delivery time: 7 to 10 working days
• Models: 8 models
• Filters, tints: Photochromic, polarised filters, 6 tints
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -5.00 to +4.00 / 3.00 / up to 8
• Advantages: Lots of experience, large selection of models, filters and tints, very informative website
• Disadvantages: -
• Conclusion: A speciality of Rudy Project are the models with "Direct Clip" plus "Flip up", where the tinted lens can be folded upwards out of the field of vision. The huge stock of spare parts, including parts for older models, is easy to service.

8th Swisseye

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: Not specified
• Delivery time: 20 working days
• Models: 16 models
• Filters, tints: Standard tints, photochromic
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -3.00 to +3.00 / n.a. / up to 8
• Advantages: Large selection of models, filters and tints, clear information on the website, optic clips also possible
• Disadvantages: Limited dioptre range, long delivery time
• Conclusion: A wide range of spectacle models and filters, optical clips are available as well as Nylor glazing (half-frame frame with thread fixation of the lenses); the free hotline for an initial consultation is service-friendly.

9th Uvex

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: 269 Euro / 499 Euro
• Delivery time: 7 to 10 working days
• Models: RXd 4000 to 4006
• Filters, tints: Colourvision, Polarvision, Variomatik, Cat. 1 to Cat. 3
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -5.00 to +5.00 / 3.00 / up to 8
• Advantages: Many filter and tint variants, large correction range, optics clips
• Disadvantages: Only the full-frame models in the RXd range are suitable for glazing
• Conclusion: The range of directly glazable sports eyewear is clear and limited to full-frame models; there are hardly any restrictions on filters and tints, and optical clips are available for five other models.

10. siols

• Price single vision / progressive lenses: Not specified
• Delivery time: Not specified
• Models: Aero-Cycling
• Filters, tints: 7 Filters and tints
• Dioptre range / cylinder / curve: -15.00 to +15.00 / n/a A. / n. A.
• Advantages: Many filter and tint options, clever fixation of the clip, even severe ametropia can be corrected
• Disadvantages: Small variety of models
• Conclusion: Modular system consisting of sports glasses and an innovative optical clip in two sizes, which also sits behind the lens but is attached to the frame from the front and snaps firmly into place. The ground lenses for the clip are produced by partner opticians.

A small encyclopaedia about seeing

Presbyopia (presbyopia)

Presbyopia (presbyopia, presbyopia) is caused by the ageing of the lens of the eye. It becomes noticeable from around the age of 45. As with actual long-sightedness, those affected have problems reading at a normal reading distance.

Astigmatism

Refers to the curvature of the cornea; this leads to an abnormal refraction of light rays, so that point-shaped objects do not appear as dots on the retina, but are rod-shaped and blurred.

Dioptres (DPT value)

The dioptre value indicates how much the refractive power of the eye deviates from the norm and how strong spectacle lenses or contact lenses need to be to correct the visual impairment. Long-sighted people have positive (+) values, short-sighted people have negative (-) values. From dioptre values of +/-1.00, a permanent visual aid is recommended.

Curve

Refers to the curvature of spectacle lenses with numerical values between 1 and 10. The more defective vision a pair of spectacles has to correct, the lower the maximum possible curve.

Short-sightedness (myopia)

Short-sighted people recognise close objects or people without any problems, but see distant objects indistinctly and blurred. This is because the eyeball is too long, the refractive power of the lens is too high or both. As a result, the incoming rays of light are not focussed on the retina, but in front of it. The result is a blurred image.

Farsightedness (hyperopia)

Farsighted people recognise distant objects or people well, but see close objects indistinctly and blurred. This is because the eyeball is too short, the refractive power of the lens is too low or both. As a result, the incoming rays of light are only focussed into a sharp image behind the retina. Young people in particular can usually compensate for the visual impairment through accommodation (changing the refractive power through conscious muscle contraction).

Cylinder

The cylinder is a value, measured in dioptres, which compensates for the effects of astigmatism.