If you ride frequently or for any distance, you know the importance of having decent eyewear. Sunglasses help make you more comfortable by reducing brightness and glare on sunny days. But even when it's not bright daylight, you still want glasses to protect from junk flying up and to keep your eyeballs from drying out. And good glasses will help you even in low-light conditions.
We had a chance to check out Oakley's Radarlock sunglasses recently. Oakleys are a favorite among cyclists, including some of the biggest names in the pro peloton - Mark Cavendish, Cadel Evans and Lance Armstrong. In the Radarlock line, Oakley features a whole rainbow of lenses (over a dozen to choose from) with colors and tints suitable for any light conditions combined with a simple switch mechanism for changing out those lenses quickly.
In our testing, we found the Radarlock to be durable, lightweight and comfortable. I'm sure you've experienced glasses that slip down your nose or feel loose around the temples or -- most problematic for a cyclist -- get slippery with perspiration. The Radarlock glasses fit nice and snug without pinching or feeling uncomfortable and stayed in just the right position.
Additionally, the optical quality was the best I've experienced. Vision through the Radarlock was always clear and sharp and distortion free, and particularly on the brightest days the glasses remained free of the secondary glare that seems to plague other sunglasses.
Finally, the sleek lightweight design was what I liked best. My biggest complaint about Oakley's Jawbone glasses was both the look and feel of the bulky bottom half of the frames. The Radarlock glasses accomplish the same lens interchangeability without the weight and complexity.
Other features:
- multiple interchangeable nose pads for a precise fit
- terrific optical clarity and impact protection
- multiple lens finish options, including mirror and polarized
- Comes with a nice protective case, cleaning cloth, and second set of lenses
So are these glasses for you? At a price tag of $220-300 depending on source and lens options, this isn't your typical $10 pair from the gas station. Don't buy them if you're always losing sunglasses or stepping on them or leaving them behind at your friend's house or the gym. But if you absolutely want the best quality, high-end eyewear you can get for cycling and don't mind paying a premium for it, you're not going to go wrong with the Oakley Radarlock.
Related Links:
- Oakley Radarlock sunglasses - compare prices
- Oakley Jawbone sunglasses reviewed
- Tifosi Eyewear review
- Ryders Eyewear review
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