When you're soaring down the open road on your motorcycle, your sunglasses or goggles are a necessary piece of equipment. Motorcycle sunglasses and goggles let you see unimpeded by the elements, so you can enjoy the road the way it was meant to be.

The right motorcycle glasses or goggles give you comfort, durability, safety, and optical clarity. We know it can be confusing to know which is the best pair for you, and if you need a prescription, it's another battle entirely. Continue with us as we break down the guide to buying motorcycle sunglasses and goggles.


Motorcycle Sunglasses and Goggles Buyer's Guide

1. What to Look for in Motorcycle Sunglasses and Goggles
1.1. Frame Technology
1.2. Lens Technology
2. The Best Motorcycle Sunglasses and Goggle Brands
2.1. Wiley X
2.2. Oakley
2.3. Bobster
2.4. 7eye
3. FAQ
4. Prescription Motorcycle Sunglasses and Goggles Online at SportRx


What to Look for in Motorcycle Sunglasses and Goggles

You shouldn't have to sacrifice clear vision for a sport you love. Wearing contacts or your everyday glasses or sunglasses on your bike can let in dust or wind, and if you choose non-prescription gear, you won't be getting the most out of your time on the road. If you motorcycle frequently, there's no question, you should definitely get prescription motorcycle sunglasses or goggles—and we're here to help you narrow down the one that suits you best. Check out Eyeglass Tyler and SportRx Optician TJ in the video below to learn more, or read on.


Frame Technology

Let's kick it off with frame features. Each brand does it its own way, but there are a few key components to look out for.


Glasses vs. Goggles

You'll need to decide whether you want glasses or goggles, and the best way to determine this is the type of helmet you have. A full-face helmet typically requires glasses, as goggles can be too bulky to fit properly beneath a face shield. If you have an open face helmet, goggles have much more coverage to shield your eyes from wind and stay firmly in place.


Coverage

You'll also need to think about the coverage each frame provides. As open face helmets don't provide as much coverage, your goggles will need to be able to split the difference. This way, you'll get protection from wind, dust, or any other debris that could get in your eyes.


Durability

Motorcycle sunglasses and goggles are more than a cool accessory or a fashion statement—they need to be durable in case you take a nasty spill or if debris flies up and hits the lenses. Look for sturdy construction and a frame made out of nylon or an injection-molded plastic, which gives the goggles more durability than you'd find in standard sunglasses. Safety ratings (such as ANSI) are also a guarantee of a durable build.


Temples/Straps

Straight and slim temples fit best under a helmet—and when you get your sunglasses, test them under your helmet to see how comfortable the fit is. For long rides, you don't want your frames digging into the sides of your head. If you ordered goggles, check to see how the strap fits around the back and how easily you can remove them.


Foam

When glasses come with face foam, we look at several factors; removable and replaceable, as well as whether the foam is open cell or closed cell. Removable face foam is a great feature to have if your ride is short and hot or if you're looking for sunglasses you can wear both on and off the bike. You also want the foam to be easily replaceable since it's going to get pretty sweaty and dirty after a while even though the sunglasses or goggles might still be in great shape. Along with that, open-cell foam isn't as durable but is easier to replace, while closed-cell foam, despite holding up longer, can be difficult to replace.


Lens Technology

A good frame is only half the battle—you need good quality lenses to enhance your experience. With us, you can choose between the following lens corrections in addition to the options listed below.

  • Single Vision: Rx motorcycle sunglasses and goggles that only have one type of correction.
  • Bifocal: Lined bifocal riding sunglasses and goggles have a distance prescription on the top and a reading prescription on the bottom. SportRx sets the defined line especially low to make sure it does not interfere with your vision during your ride.
  • Progressive: Progressive sunglasses and goggles provide distance, intermediate, and reading correction all in one lens!

Impact Resistance

Your lenses need to be impact-resistant—avoid glass or plastic lenses as those can shatter easily. Instead, opt for polycarbonate or Trivex, both of which are shatterproof. You can also look for an ANSI certification, which means your motorcycle glasses or goggles meet safety standards.


Lens Tints

There are several base lens tints to consider, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Clear tints are best for night riding or in heavily shadowed areas, plus you won't need to take off your sunglasses or goggles when going indoors. But if you're riding in bright sunlight, you're going to find yourself squinting.

Also consider yellow lenses for night riding, as they enhance detail and contrast in low light environments.

Meanwhile, grey lenses offer true to color perception to minimize distortions. These tints work best in bright, direct sunlight and are great for everyday wear. The downside is less contrast, so if you're expecting a rough ride, it might be harder to spot obstacles in the road.

Brown and rose lenses offer that increased contrast you'll need to enhance your depth perception and perform at your peak, plus they have the advantage of working in most types of weather. On the other hand, if the sun is particularly bright, you might still be squinting.


Transitions

Transitions adapt to changing lighting conditions by darkening their tint as seen below. Wear these indoors and out, both day and night. If you're expecting a lot of long rides or like to take your glasses straight from the bike into work, Transitions are definitely worth it. We give a brief rundown of each type below, or you can check out our blog on Transitions here to get the most information.

transition motorcycle sunglass lenses

Transitions Signature

The traditional Transitions lens, the Signature is completely clear indoors and at night, and turns a medium tint outdoors. While this fulfills the needs of most everyday glasses-wearers, the medium tint is probably not dark enough for athletes.


Transitions XTRActive

Our top pick for motorcycling (or any outdoor activity), the XTRActive goes from virtually clear indoors to completely dark in the sun, becoming a true sunglass. It's the fastest and darkest of the Transitions, able to handle any lighting condition. You'll only need one pair of glasses to cover every function, so put these on and ride through the day and into the night!


Transitions Vantage

The Transitions Vantage goes from virtually clear to a medium tint outdoors, but what sets it apart from the Signature and XTRActive is that it becomes polarized when it darkens.


Transitions Drivewear

The Drivewear lens is optimized for driving, changing from a lighter, olive-green tint to a dark brown one. Unlike the other Transitions, it changes both color and tint to protect against any type of sunlight. It's also fully polarized.


Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses are great for blocking glare from shiny surfaces such as water or other vehicles, but can have a negative effect on depth perception and make it harder to read digital displays. If you like to ride on the freeway, by the ocean, or around other people, consider a polarized lens to improve your vision. Likewise, if you like to ride on dirt or at night, a polarized lens is unnecessary. You can learn more about polarized lenses by checking out our blog on that here.


Mirrored Lenses

Mirrored lenses are a great option both for looking cool and improving vision on sunny days. By reflecting light away from the lens, you're able to see better in bright conditions, plus from the outside they appear as one-way mirrors for a cool aesthetic choice. However, you can't get mirrored lenses with Transitions XTRActive if you were eyeing that option.


Lens Coatings

sunglass lens coatings


Anti-Fog Coating

An anti-fog coating on the inside of the lens helps to minimize fogging, which can be handy if you tend to sweat a lot or frequently ride in cold weather. Because this coating can't be applied with AR, however, we suggest focusing on a better fit and good ventilation instead of relying solely on that coating.


Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating

An AR coating is commonly used on eyeglasses to make them look almost invisible and to deflect unwanted light. On motorcycle sunglasses and goggles, AR has the added benefit of reducing glare from headlights and roads.


Hydrophobic Coating

A hydrophobic coating is usually used on the front end of the lens to repel water. This makes your sunglasses or goggles great for riding in the rain.


Oleophobic Coating

Like hydrophobic coatings, an oleophobic coating is usually included by the manufacturer. Oleophobic coatings are helpful to have since they repel things like dust and oil. They also reduce smudging from fingerprints.


The Best Motorcycle Sunglasses and Goggle Brands

We've picked the top 4 brands for motorcycle sunglasses and goggles, and one frame from each to get you started. We also have a list of the best motorcycle sunglasses and goggles if you want to know all your options.


Wiley X

Wiley X motorcycle sunglasses and goggles offer a wide variety of fits, shapes, and sizes. All their products are ANSI-certified, built tough enough to take anywhere. If you've got a stronger prescription, Wiley X is great for that too—they offer wrap lenses that don't cause optical distortion.

Shop All Wiley X Motorcycle Sunglasses & Goggles


Wiley X Gravity

A winner of our 2018 REXY Awards, the Wiley X Gravity is the go-to motorcycle sunglass. Not only does it offer 100% UVA/UVB protection and distortion-free lens clarity, it's ANSI-certified to Z87.1-2010 High Velocity and High Mass Impact standards, meaning nothing is getting through these. Other enticing features include its durable nylon frame, grips on the nose and temples, and a removable foam gasket for full comfort and customization.

Wiley X Gravity

Wiley X Gravity in Matte Black

Shop Wiley X Gravity


Oakley

Oakley sunglasses are all jam-packed with technology to offer you the clearest vision. While they don't come with foam inserts, they do offer great coverage. They also strike a nice balance between "sporty" and "lifestyle" if you want shades that can work for both.

Shop All Oakley Motorcycle Sunglasses & Goggles


Oakley Shocktube SI Ballistic

Despite not having the same gasket as other brands on this list, the Oakley Shocktube makes up for it with a slight lip on the inner lenses to provide good coverage and wrap regardless. Get these with Oakley PRIZM Road lenses to unlock your full potential. As a bonus, these are ballistic-certified, meaning they also clear ANSI safety standards.

Oakley SI Shocktube

Oakley Shocktube in Polished Black with PRIZM Black

Shop Oakley Shocktube SI Ballistic


Bobster

Bobster eyewear is the current product of choice for motorcyclists, since it's designed for extreme activities and built to be durable and functional. Their motorcycle sunglasses and goggles are the best value play and they also sell a lot of top-quality riding goggles.

Shop All Bobster Motorcycle Sunglasses & Goggles


Bobster Cruiser

The Bobster Cruiser provides unmatched eye protection to make your cruising as smooth as possible. It features dual ventilation slits plus an anti-fog coating, and combined with the open cell foam, the airflow of these goggles can't be beat. You also get 100% UV protection from the polycarbonate lenses—there is truly nothing the Bobster Cruiser doesn't provide.

Bobster Cruiser Prescription Motorcycle Goggles

Bobster Cruiser in Black

Shop Bobster Cruiser


7eye

Named for their lens technology that enhances the 7 colors of the rainbow, 7eye is historically a front-runner for top quality motorcycling sunglasses.

Shop All 7eye Motorcycle Sunglasses & Goggles


7eye Panhead

The 7eye Panhead features an orbital and ventilated seal on the inner frame that allows for better peripheral vision. Bendable temple arms and the removable and replaceable AirShield gives these motorcycle sunglasses full customization and an easy transition from practical motorcycle sunglasses to sporty lifestyle sunglasses.

7eye panhead prescription

7eye Panhead in Matte Black & Sharpview Grey

Shop 7eye Panhead


FAQ—Didn't Find What You're Looking for?

What are the best motorcycle sunglasses for a small head?

Suggestions for a really small fit are the Oakley Turbine XS and Wiley X Rogue with an adjustable strap. Check out our entire collection of small fitting motorcycle sunglasses.


What are the best motorcycle sunglasses for a big head?

Suggestions for larger fitting motorcycle sunglasses are the Wiley X SG-1 and Bobster Sport & Street. Check out our entire collection of large fitting motorcycle sunglasses.


What should I do for motorcycle sunglasses and goggles for night?

For night riding sunglasses and goggles, you should get Transitions lenses, plain clear lenses, or lenses with a slight yellow tint depending on your preferences.


Prescription Motorcycle Sunglasses and Goggles Online at SportRx

Need prescription motorcycle sunglasses or goggles? 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 motorcycle sunglasses or goggles.

Ditch risky online shopping with the See Better Guarantee. Try your sunglasses or goggles 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 motorcycle sunglasses or goggles at SportRx today!

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