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It's getting light now... spring is in full swing and the sun is doing its best. The 2025 summer season not only increases the anticipation of long bike rides and challenging trails, but also the need for adequate protection against the sun's rays.
Cycling sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory, but a decisive factor for safety and comfort on every ride. In our comprehensive test, we scrutinised eight state-of-the-art models that offer the latest technologies such as electronic self-tinting lenses, UV protection and aerodynamic design.
From urban commuter routes to adventurous mountain trails, we have tested which glasses are "ahead of the pack" in terms of comfort, clarity of vision and durability - we had to make a joke of it. Here is a compilation of our individual tests of the latest sunglasses and cycling glasses.
Evil Eye E-Sense Next - one of the fastest self-tinting glasses in the world
The Evil Eye E-Sense Next According to the manufacturer, the sunglasses automatically adjust electronically to changing light conditions in just 0.6 seconds. With this short reaction time, it is perhaps one of the fastest self-tinting sunglasses on the market.
The centrepiece of the glasses is the self-tinting lens with LST eVARiO technology, which is based on the combination of an LCD module and a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell supplies the LCD module with power and determines the degree of tinting based on the light intensity.
The tinting spectrum ranges from category 1 to 3, allowing use at any time of day and in all seasons. The fast response time of 0.6 seconds is a real improvement on the sluggishness of competitor models, which can take up to 30 seconds to change the tint.
- Price: 679 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 37.2 grammes
- Variants: 2 colour variants, 2 sizes L and S
BBB Valor bike goggles with Flux technology
BBB Cycling is adding the new Valor Flux sunglasses for this summer. The Flux lens technology uses filters in four colours to optimise contrast and make obstacles easier to see in specific conditions such as trail, gravel or road. At 30 grams, the Valor Flux is a fairly lightweight pair of sports glasses - comparable to the significantly more expensive Shimano S-Phyre.
With BBB's Flux lens technology, the lenses filter the light spectrum between red, green and blue wavelengths to optimise brightness and contrast. This should make obstacles such as roots, potholes or changes in terrain visible more quickly.
The tested BBB Valor Flux Red fits perfectly, no pinching or slipping bothered the tester. The nose pads are adjustable and, together with the rubberised temples, provide optimum support.
Flux technology will be used for both the new Valor and the new the existing Chester model - we already tested the predecessor model last year.
- Price: 129,99 Euro
- Frame material: Rilsan G850 (45 % bio-based nylon)
- Features: Rubberised temple grips, curved temple design, adjustable nose piece
- Weight: 30 grams (BIKE measurement)
Shimano S-Phyre 2 Ridescape GR - it doesn't get any greener than this
In 2025, Shimano will be equipping its Cycling eyewear collection (here we show the three models) with three different lens types, all based on Ridescape technology. We have already tested the S-Phyre 2 with special tinting for gravel bikes. It has a practical magnet system for quick lens changes, but this has its pitfalls.
The Shimano S-Phyre 2 The temples are thick enough and tighten the sunglasses firmly around the head. As is the bridge of the nose. The thick, comfortable nose pads fit well, but cannot be adjusted.
The main selling point of the Shimano S-Phyre 2 seemed to me to be the construction with magnets that hold the lenses to the frame. This works very securely at first; the lens locks into place immediately and almost by itself. However, it becomes difficult when changing the nose bridge.
- Price: 189,95 Euro >> available here
- Lightweight and impact-resistant polyamide (PA) glass.
- Scratch-resistant coating
- UV protection: UV-400
- Accessories: glasses case, microfibre pouch, extra-large nose pad
- Weight: 29 grams (BIKE measurement)
Rudy Project Astral X - more protection, more glasses, hardly any more weight
The Astral from Italian manufacturer Rudy Project is getting an update: the Astral X has larger lenses and therefore more protection against dirt and light - but the sunglasses only weigh a little more. The new cycling goggles are the enhanced version of the existing Model Astral from Rudy Project, which - like all of the manufacturer's other sunglasses - is 100% made in Veneto.
The Astral X retains the characteristic features such as lightness and stability, but introduces a larger lens: 55 x 147 mm for the Astral against 60 x 150 mm for the Astral X. The X also retains its lightness, the weight is still less than 30 g; according to the manufacturer, the Astral X now weighs 2 g more than its predecessor: 28 g.
- Material: Rilsan instead of petroleum-based plastic
- Weight: 28 g
- Lens size (manufacturer's specification): W 150 mm, H 60 mm, D 130 mm
- Price: 139,90 Euro >> available here
Naked Optics The Blade - sharp, robust and affordable
The Blade sunglasses from Naked Optic impresses with its stable fit, good ventilation and excellent tinting. But above all, the price of 75 euros is really sharp - because that is the programme of the Austrian manufacturer Naked Optics.
With The Blade sunglasses, the Austrians are launching sports glasses with a half-frame and interchangeable lenses specially developed for cyclists. The tint of the lenses on the version we tested (red, protection category 2) seems ideal for road riding in particular, as it offers high contrast on grey-black surfaces. However, in brown-green surroundings, such as on trails or in the forest, the tinting effect is less pronounced.
- Price: 74,99 Euro >> available here
- Dimensions: 145 x 59 mm
- Weight: 33.8 g
- Many replacement lenses available: 19.99 euros (clear / orange lenses) // 24.99 euros (other 5 colours)
3 sunglasses from Out of - one is self-tinting with high-tech
Three fresh sunglasses for bikes come from Italy. Out of is the name of the brand. The first has an electronic tint, the second is light as a feather and the third is simply a pretty chic pair of sunglasses.
Marc Strucken
Editor
