Life In The Saddle

KOO's ALIBI sunglass caught my eye earlier this year. With their half-frame design, sturdy looking Grilamid arms, and ventilated lens for clarity of vision; they are an impressive pair of cycling sunglasses. When the brand announced the release of their new 'Galaxy' collection within the ALIBI range, I felt compelled to give them a try… The Super Blue MR colour is a cool and space-inspired option from the Italian brand, with a Category 3 protection high-performance cylindrical polycarbonate lens by Zeiss. The vision clarity is outstanding, and mounted up the glasses feel secure and comfortable thanks to their grippy arms and nose piece. KOO glasses that I have tried in the past have always had a quality feel about them, and the ALIBI is no different; these glasses look the part and allow you to keep riding on or off-road in comfort and with great clarity of vision. >> Shop the KOO ALIBI Galaxy collection here Disclaimer: KOO provided a pair of KOO ALIBI GALAXY ...

Cycling sunglasses are unfortunately considered by many to be ‘disposable items’ – in that a pair will last a couple of years before they get broken, damaged, and likely discarded. The Italian brand Vinco is reinventing sports eyewear through minimalist design and renewable material innovation; producing cycling sunglasses that are sustainable to make, and should last a lifetime… Sustainable Materials Vinco frames are manufactured from Lignatura™ – a proprietary renewable material that replaces fossil-fuel-based plastics used in most cycling sunglasses. Lignatura™ is a carbon-neutral ultra-resilient bio-resin, derived from a by-product of paper production. Lignatura™ consists of 98% bio-based content from Fir and Beech wood fibres; the raw materials are PEFC-certified from forests in Finland, using controlled reforestation practices. Flax, Jute and Sisal fibres are combined with the wood fibres to achieve strong and durable frames. In addition, all the packaging used for Vinco...

I am a strong advocate of wearing protective glasses year-round when cycling; in the winter they shield your eyes from wind, road spray, and grit; then, on sunnier days they protect your retinas from UV rays as well. To account for low light levels and night riding in winter months, a pair of adaptable photochromic sunglasses is the perfect solution when considering the best sunglasses for cycling... the Koo Supernova sunglasses are the best photochromic option I have found to date. The limited edition Koo Supernova Strade Bianche Edition sunglasses are subtly branded with the name of the iconic Italian Spring Classic race, while the design and functionality is the same superb lightweight set-up found in the standard Supernova glasses from Koo. The Supernova glasses are ultralight at just 22 grams per pair; they use a frameless single lens that is shatter-proof and anti-reflective, while providing 100 percent UV protection. The photochromic lens quickly adapts to the riding light...

There is no question that Koo make some of the best cycling sunglasses on the market today; the sister company to the well-known Italian helmet company Kask has been pioneering cycling eyewear design for the last ten years, and here I look at one of their latest models, the DEMOS... The Koo Demos are one of the leading models within the Koo line-up; they features a Zeiss Polycarbonate lens for optimum visual clarity, an innovative single-lens frame design for superb panoramic vision, four ventilation ports integrated into the lens to minimise the risk of fogging, and anti-slip MEGOL elastomer temple inserts for grip and comfort in all riding conditions. I have become a real fan of large lens design sunglasses for cycling – they offer greater protection from UV rays, dust and spray; as well as maximising your field of vision without impairment. The Koo Demos are one of the best designed big lens cycling sunglasses I have used. The Demos feel like a quality pair of glasses the moment you...

The Isle of Wight is sometimes hyped for being the sunniest place in Britain; that seems like a good excuse for a new pair of cycling sunglasses… The Airas sunglasses from UK brand SunGod caught my eye a while back and I have been lusting after a pair ever since. This month, I ordered a pair of the Airas ZF (frameless) glasses in a classy mirror blue lens and white frame combination. They have not failed to impress. SunGod made their name in the casual sunglasses market, but after moving into the performance eyewear marketplace in the last few years they have been quick to make their mark. The Airas are one of three models within the Pace Series by SunGod; the Pace models share the same ultramodern lens technology, as well as a super adjustable fit, 100 percent UV protection, and a lifetime guarantee. The SunGod Airas begin with the robust and comfortable 'frame' – consisting of the arms and nosepiece only (hence the frameless name). The impact resistant polycarbonate frame com...

Smith make exceptional bicycle helmets and cycling sunglasses. I have used their accessories for many of my past trans-continental bikepacking tours, because they are exceedingly comfortable and built to offer the highest level of protection. The Smith Trace MIPS Helmet and Smith Optics Attack Max Sunglasses are new releases from the Italian brand. They have fast become my go-to choice—offering the highest level of performance, comfort, design, and protection. Review – Smith Trace MIPS Bicycle Helmet The new Smith Trace MIPS Helmet builds on the strengths of my favourite Smith Overtake Helmet; with subtle design tweaks to supply added comfort and flair. Like the Overtake, the Trace helmet uses Smith's signature Koroyd technology. This honeycomb polymer structure material is built into the shell of the helmet; its superb impact resistance has allowed Smith to reduce the overall weight of the helmet by minimising the volume of the helmet's shell material, yet still offeri...

I have become an avid fan of the Smith brand over the last five years; their products are exceptional in quality level and comfort, as well as being some of the best value cycling helmets and sunglasses on the market today. Review ­– Smith Persist Cycling Helmet The new Smith Persist Cycling Helmet is a fitting example of the innovation and development that the Smith brand puts into its products. Despite it being one of the lower priced helmets within the Smith helmets range, it holds some of the most developed comfort and protection technologies seen in the world, as well as some of the best styling. The classically shaped and smoothly contoured helmet features a multitude of vents that suck air through the helmet and deliver an impressive cooling effect for those sweltering summer days. A comfortable adjustable chin strap keeps the helmet in place, and inside the antibacterial padding offers good comfort and moisture wicking capabilities. The outstanding thing with the Smith Persist...

Cycling sunglasses do a lot more than just protect your eyes from glare and UV rays; they are also a vital barrier against wind, grit, and overhanging trail surroundings. The Julbo Fury sunglasses are a lightweight set of all-weather riding glasses, which will protect your eyes even in the toughest off-road conditions. I have been testing the Army Green coloured Julbo Fury glasses for the last few weeks and have been highly impressed both by their styling and function. This model comes equipped with a Cat. 1 polycarbonate lens; designed to offer continued clear vision even in poor light conditions—perfect for those late evening and early morning rides. The wide cylindrical one-piece lens sits suspended within a robust but flexible frame; offering impressive ventilation to reduce fogging, as well as a superb level of coverage and protection. The frame is fitted with a flexible shock-absorbing grip insert on the bridge of the nose, as well as Grip Tech arms that hold the glasses firmly i...

The Isle of Wight is sometimes hyped for being the sunniest place in Britain; at least that means that even in the depths of winter I can find a good excuse for a new pair of riding sunglasses… The Vulcans from UK brand SunGod caught my eye a while back, and I have been lusting after a pair ever since. This month, I took the plunge and ordered a pair of the Vulcans TF (half frame) glasses in a classy blue and black colour scheme. They have not failed to impress me… SunGod made their name in the casual sunglasses market, but after moving into the performance eyewear marketplace in the last few years they have been quick to make their mark. The Vulcans are one of two models within the Pace Series by SunGod; the other model is the slightly larger and more angular lens Velans. Both the Pace models share the same ultramodern lens technology, as well as a super adjustable fit, 100 percent UV protection, and a lifetime guarantee. The SunGod Vulcans begin with the robust and comfortable frame....

Retro cool. That is the best way to describe the all-new Airwave Ulladulla sunglasses from UK brand Nomad Eyewear. With a frame made from 100% recycled plastic, and a fully polarised P8K™ lens; these are an affordable, protective, and stylish set of cycling glasses. Nomad Eyewear have been making casual sunglasses for many years, but this recent foray into performance cycling eyewear is an exciting development. The brand has some impressive credentials and ideas; with all their glasses being carbon neutral, 100% UVA/UVB protective, and built to last with screwless hinges. The Airwave glasses are designed to perform. They weigh a tiny 29-grams, feature a secure fitting rubber nose piece, and offer optional interchangeable lenses for different light conditions. As a complete package they are a set of glasses that you could comfortably use for riding all year round. Sat comfortably and securely on your nose, the Nomad Airwave offers impressive coverage, as well as a distinctive ret...

As the darkness creeps in, a pair of cycling glasses with photochromic or light enhancing lenses is a real must; providing valuable protection from grit and spray, but not darkening or impairing your vision. The Smith Optics Ruckus glasses are an exceptional quality option from the Italian brand, featuring both lens options — for all riding conditions. Cycling glasses do a lot more than just shield your eyes from the sun's glare — they also protect your eyes from wind, dirt, insects, and road/trail debris; making them an invaluable year-round accessory. For mountain biking in shaded forests, and when road cycling in low light conditions, you want either photochromic reactive lenses or amber tinted light-enhancing lenses. The Smith Optics Ruckus Sunglasses are pitched as mountain biking sunglasses, but I have also found them to be a fantastic choice for road and gravel riding in all light conditions. They come with a photochromic reactive ChromoPop lens, and a high clarity ambe...