Photochromatic Cycling Glasses

Cycling sunglasses are regulated by quality standards that establish 5 sun filter categories:

• Category 0. From clear, to very clear lenses, for night routes or very cloudy conditions.

• Category 1. Suitable for moderately cloudy days or shaded environments. Also suitable for night cycling.

• Category 2. Suitable for winter conditions and for mountain biking in forest areas all year round.

• Category 3. Recommended for bright sunlight conditions. Essential for road cycling glasses on bright days and also for MTB and Gravel cycling glasses in sunny countries most of the year.

• Category 4. For extremely bright sunlight. Not suitable for driving and not recommended for cycling.

The lenses sports eyewear, whatever the type and including clear lenses, should offer protection against UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation to avoid irreparable damage to your eyesight. Choose the CE quality label and avoid unregulated retailers.

The main difference between photochromic cycling sunglasses is the range of sun filter categories they cover.

In the more affordable price ranges, photochromic lenses usually cover 2 sun filter categories. Higher quality lenses cover up to 3 categories and very few cycling lenses go up to 4 categories.

Depending on the initial category they start from, photochromic sports glasses will be more or less suitable for different light conditions, geographical areas or types of cycling.

Let's look at the most frequent ranges of photochromic cycling glasses:

• Ranging from categories 1 to 2.

  Suitable for all types of winter cycling and for photochromic MTB cycling glasses in forest areas all year round. But they fall short for summer use, in bright, sunlight conditions, like those found in Spain, for example.

• Ranging from categories 2 to 3.

  Perfect in sunny conditions for MTB or Gravel cycling, in lightly wooded or very varied areas. Suitable for long hours of daylight and clear skies, their use on darker days is limited and they are incompatible with night-time use.

• Ranging from categories 1 to 3.

  The most frequent range in quality models that covers the needs of most cyclists, since category 1 can be used for night cycling, and category 3 covers the most extreme sunlight conditions usually encountered when cycling. This range can be found both in photochromic MTB goggles and photochromic road cycling goggles.

• Ranging from categories 0 to 3.

  Even more versatile, starting with the clear lens, which is perfect for night cycling. But this 0-3 photochromic range is not as common with most brands as the 1-3 range.

Polarised lenses eliminate reflection from shiny surfaces and prevent eye fatigue from glare, but they are not recommended for cycling for two reasons:

• They can obscure the presence of hazardous elements such as patches of ice, puddles, oil or cracks on the road surface.

• They can make it difficult to read screens on your devices.

Photochromic lenses are a favourite for most of the year because of their versatility and comfort. But there are some considerations to keep in mind.

• Darkening or lightening is not instantaneous. Depending on the quality of the lens, the reaction time varies quite a bit, but the best models take around 8 seconds to darken completely and considerably longer to lighten. Do not expect miracles when entering a tunnel or suddenly entering a dark forest, and the reaction time has to be taken into account.

• They do not darken indoors or inside cars, because their filter is activated by UV rays that are filtered by windows. This can cause the eye to receive high luminosity if the lens does not darken, which makes them unsuitable for driving or using in artificial light free of UV radiation.

• The filter loses properties over time and their duration has a limited number of cycles. However, with proper care, they will perform for many years. It is highly recommendable to keep them in an opaque cover when not in use.

For these reasons, non-photochromic glasses are sometimes a better option for certain conditions, especially the higher quality models with advanced technologies, such as Oakley's Prizm lenses, which greatly improve the perception of the terrain, as well as protecting your eyes. They are also better for routes in very bright sunlight or in areas where there is little or no variation in light intensity, as they are able toprovide a higher level of protection than most photochromic lenses.

In short, don't rule out using non-photochromic lenses and interchanging them according to light intensity. And even consider using a combination of photochromic and non-photochromic lenses in the same model of glasses, as this option is also now available.

At Mammoth we have chosen a wide range of brands so that we can offer all types of cycling glasses and goggles with the best value for money in each category.

We highlight Oakley photochromic cycling glasses, as Oakley is the undisputed leading brand, thanks to their high quality lenses, made with the most advanced optical technology in the sector, and also because of their unique frames and designs, with emblematic models such as the Oakley Jawbreaker or the more recent Oakley Sutro.

Shimano photochromic cycling glasses also have a long tradition, with best-selling models such as the Equinox and S-Phire, which you can see at Mammoth, as well as other optical products by Shimano.

Spiuk photochromic cycling glasses are an interesting alternative and this Spanish brand offers excellent value for money throughout the Spiuk catalogue.

You can also find photochromic cycling glasses from Eassun, 100%, Scott, Poc, Pit Viper, Endura and more than 20 other brands of cycling eyewear.

If you would like to buy photochromic cycling glasses, we have hundreds of models. Unisex glasses, photochromic cycling glasses for men and also specific models of photochromic cycling glasses for women. Of course, at the best prices, including economical photochromic cycling glasses and photochromic cycling glasses in our outlet.