Have you been looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses for that new rugged gravel bike you bought? Never fear, we can set you up with the perfect pair of gravel cycling sunglasses for those long adventures, bike-packing trips, and all the shorter rides in between.
If you’re an avid cyclist new to the gravel scene, or a seasoned master of the all-road cycling category, you probably know that cycling is more than just a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. It’s often the thing that gets you out of bed before the crack of dawn so that you can see the sunrise cresting a distant ridge from behind your handlebars. Having the right lenses, and frames for these spectacular moments will allow you to appreciate them fully. With that in mind, let’s talk about what you want out of a pair of gravel shades.
Table of Contents
1. What to Look For
1.1. Frames
1.2. Lenses
2. The Best Gravel Sunglasses of 2019
What to Look For
If you spend a lot of time outdoors than you know how a long day in the sun can wear on your eyes. Any activity that stirs up dust, gravel, or other irritants can make living out your adventurist's lifestyle less enjoyable. That's why having durable, protective, frames and lenses with the right tint, is an important decision. Your frames need to be up the task of tackling anything you might traverse. Your lenses need to keep your eyes properly shaded from the sun while offering perfect vision on rutted out dirt roads. Don't get left in the dust because of lousy gravel cycling sunglasses. Read on to hear about frame and lens tech and to hear our top picks for 2019.
Frames
Imagine that you’re riding through Muir Country. High Sierra peaks rise up from the valley floor to meet the sky. Your day has been perfect except for one thing. Your frames have been digging into your temples for hours. You don’t want your best option to be taking your glasses off.
The ideal set of sunglasses for gravel cycling will have 3 main features. A grippy nose-piece and temples in order to hold on to your face over the course of a long day while remaining comfortable. Lightweight material is often overlooked but important for those extra long days on the trails and roads through the back-country. Finally, you want wrap-around coverage. Don’t put your eyes at risk while flying through conifer lined single track or loose gravel roads. You want to feel embraced by the nature around you, not like it’s attacking from all angles.
Lenses
Some roads and trails will take you winding through the trees while others may stretch for miles under wide open skies. Where we ride here in San Diego, some of the best gravel rolls through arid desert valleys and chaparral hills that offer little shelter from the sun. The beauty of traveling by gravel, is all of the places you can ride. You have limitless opportunity to explore further with this amazing machine.
With the opportunity to roam comes a necessity for adequate lenses. You will be riding in all types of light situations so a good all-around lens might be your best bet. However, if you consistently ride in shady low light, a brighter lens might be a better choice. If you live somewhere with a lot of exposed roads in bright sun, a darker pigmented lens may be the optimal choice. You'll also want something that provides a good contrast in order to see road and trail lines better. The good news is that we have lenses for whatever environment you may be in.
The Best Gravel Sunglasses of 2019
Gravel is all about the experience. Style, is totally up to you and should reflect your inner cool. We've given you the features you should look for in your new shades, now here's a list of some of our favorite frames for grinding gravel .
Oakley Sutro
Oakley Sutro in Matte Black with PRIZM Road
The Sutro is pretty cool. Okay, it's really cool. Maybe you've seen Egan Bernal rocking these in the Tour de France this year and thought, "WHAT ARE THOSE?". Well, these rad shades not only look great, but check off everything we want from a capable pair of gravel cycling sunglasses. These ultra light weight, grippy, wrap-around frames come with Oakley's patented Prizm lens technology. It's safe to say that you will be irritant free, comfy, and looking sharp as the fiercest shale covered road!
Oakley Radar EV Path
Oakley Radar EV Path in Matte Black with PRIZM Trail Torch
Looking for that classic Oakley look that people know and love? Here's the Radar EV Path. You really can't go wrong with these frames. Whether you are out on the open road, bombing a fire-road, or attacking some flowing single-track in the drops, these frames will give you optimal coverage, contrast, and comfort. You will look at home in any peloton, trail, or dirt road to the middle of nowhere while sporting these rad shades.
100% Speedcraft
100% Speedcraft in Soft Tact Quicksand with Smoke Lenses
If you are a cycling fan than you've probably seen Peter Sagan rocking these sunglasses. If you follow Sagan you'll also know that he's a fan of taking it off road when he's not doing wheelies through the Alps. Because he is such a talented all road rider, it would only stand to reason that he would wear sunglasses that handle all conditions equally well. 100%'s HiPER lens tech does this well, offering a high contrast wrap lens in these tacky, comfortable sunglasses. In Sagan we trust, and so should you!
Smith Attack Max
Smith Attack Max in Matte black reactor with Chromapop Red Mirror + Chromapop Contrast Rose Lenses
Get the Best Prescription Gravel Cycling Sunglasses of 2019 at SportRx
Need prescription gravel cycling sunglasses? Done. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. An answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, Contact Us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build your prescription gravel cycling sunglasses.
Ditch risky online shopping with the See Better Guarantee. Try your sunglasses for 45 days. If you’re not satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get your pair of prescription gravel cycling sunglasses at SportRx today!
