It is safe to say that my eyes are sensitive to bright lights. Without this setup, I find myself squinting and eventually getting a migraine — not a fun way to end a day of riding. So the challenge is to find the best motorcycle sunglasses that protect my eyes, fit inside my helmet, and look good enough to wear when I get off the bike. After all, who wants to carry around two pairs of sunglasses when they ride? Not me. So isn’t it time you stopped squinting and started seeing better?
Best Motorcycle Sunglasses Reviews & Recommendations
Bobster Capone Sunglasses
Specs
- Frame Style: Wayfarer
- Lens Color: Smoke
- Safety Rating: ANSI Z80.3 CE
Pros
- Anti-fog lenses
- 100% UV protection
- Includes a microfiber pouch
- RX ready
Cons
- No side coverage
- Might not fit helmets with small face opening
These super dark sunglasses have a smoked-out finish on the polycarbonate lenses. They have classic styling that makes them cool enough to wear when you are not on the bike. A neat microfiber lens cleaner comes with the sunglasses to keep them safe when you are not wearing them. It isn’t just good looks with these lenses, though; they meet ANSI Z80.3 CE safety standards and are 100 percent UV protective. The anti-fog coating keeps the lenses clear so you can always see. What makes them stand out is that they are perception lens ready, so you do not have to sacrifice style just because you wear glasses.
One drawback of these sunglasses is that they lack side protection or foam backing. Unfortunately, this leaves your eyes exposed to wind and airborne debris.
Cycle Clear Zx1 Motorcycle Glasses Goggles
Specs
- Frame Style: Rectangle
- Lens Color: Brown
- Safety Rating: ANSI Certified
Pros
- Bifocal lenses
- Lens Strength: +3.00
- UV400 protection
- Includes a hard case
Cons
- Bulky arms
- No foam
Our next set of motorcycle riding glasses is the Cycle Clear ZX1 Motorcycle Glasses Goggles. These motorcycle glasses have a goggle shaping so that is perfect for anytime riding. There is also a built in strap with a buckle-based adjuster so that you can achieve a comfortable fit when you’re riding. Also to ensure a snug fit, these glasses also have a very flexible construction that can be bent and stretched slightly. Airflow in these is also provided by several vents. These vents allow air into the viewing area at a controlled rate so that you will experience minimal fogging. In addition to this, these glasses also greatly reduce the amount of light coming into your eyes, ensuring a great ride without worrying about sun dangerously obscuring your vision. Also, when it comes to the foam fitting, for many riders there will be no gap at all, meaning that detritus and excess wind won’t bother the eyes.
Harley-Davidson Tat Skull Gasket Sunglasses
Specs
- Frame Style: Wrap-around rectangle
- Lens Color: Smoke gray
- Safety Rating: ANSI Z87
Pros
- Removable foam seals
- Classic skull emblem
- Silver flash coating
- Patented facial cavity seals
Cons
- Fits medium to large heads
- Solid frame blocking peripheral view
Sure, these are Harley sunglasses, but they don’t look like typical Harley gear. The only giveaway is a subtle skull detail on the side. You could wear these even if you don’t ride a Harley. They have a solid plastic frame and polycarbonate lens that meet ANSI Z87 safety standards. Patented facial cavity seals eliminate gaps around your eyes for complete protection. What makes these sunglasses stand out is that the seals are removable. You can lock them in place while riding and then take them off when you get to your destination.
Unfortunately, you need a big head to wear these, as they are sized for medium to large heads sizes. These will be too big to be comfortable if your head is on the smaller side. The large solid frame can also block your peripheral view.
Epoch Eyewear Foam Black Sunglasses
Specs
- Frame Style: Sport
- Lens Color: Red
- Safety Rating: ANSI Z87.1
Pros
- 100 percent UVA/UVB protection
- Foam-backed
- Anti-fog coating
- Wide field of vision
Cons
- Red can distort colors
- Temple tips can slip
Not everyone wants dark, smoked-out lenses, and that is where these sunglasses come in. They have red shatterproof polycarbonate lenses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection and plenty of peripheral vision. These durable frames meet ANSI Z87.1 safety standards. What I like about these sunglasses is the cushioned foam lining, making the glasses super soft against your face. The red lenses will make everything seem sharper, and you’ll have clearer vision when looking at objects at a distance. The low-profile design of these sunglasses makes them universally compatible with helmets.
The red color can distort some colors, making it hard to distinguish some of the objects in front of you. The temple tips on the arms can also slip around on your head.
Oakley Holbrook Sunglasses And Accessories Bundle
Specs
- Frame Style: Classic
- Lens Color: Eight color options
- Safety Rating: ANSI Z87.1
Pros
- HDO Technology
- XYZ Optics
- Three-point fit
- 100 percent protection against UVA, UVB, UVC rays, and blue light
Cons
- Open sides
- Expensive
These sunglasses are perfect for someone who doesn’t want to look like they are wearing another piece of motorcycle gear. They have classic wayfarer styling and eight mirrored lens designs that give you that cool guy image. They have the basic features you’d expect, including 100 percent UVA, UVB, UVC protection, and an ANSI Z87.1 safety rating. What makes them stand out are the additional features. HDO Technology reduces glare and distortion to reduce eye fatigue and better visual accuracy. In addition, XYZ Optics gives you better peripheral vision, making it safer to see on the sides while riding.
Unfortunately, that cool styling means you sacrifice some protection. The open sides, top, and bottom leaves your eyes exposed to wind and debris. They are also expensive, which can be a problem for someone on a budget or who breaks their sunglasses often.
Prescription Motorcycle Eyewear Lenses
Now prescription motorcycle glasses have been available for years. But one development that Icicles® lab accomplished years ago is the ability cleanly cut quality curved lenses inside of wraparound-style biker glasses.
And it wasn’t long ago when there simply wasn’t the technology to cut rounded wrap-style motorcycle riding sunglass’ lenses. What you would often get back then, and what you still get today from a lot motorcycle eyewear manufacturers, is warping. And by “warping” we mean that looking through different areas of the lenses what you see looks warped.
Now this usually happened at the outer edges of your wraparound glasses. And when you received prescription biker sunglasses / glasses that had warping they were trash.
Obviously prescription motorcycle glasses that make it so you temporarily can’t see what’s around you just won’t work. In addition even slightly warped lenses in your riding glasses isn’t an option even if you were just walking around. And this is because the warping eventually causes a headache or can make you feel seasick.
But with Icicles technology we can cut you the best quality lenses that always give you the clarity that need. And we are talking about getting you the clarity you need no matter what area of the glasses / sunglasses you are looking through.
Progressive Motorcycle Riding Glasses’ Lenses
So what are progressive lenses? Well, first they are a type of prescription lens. But progressive lenses can have up to three prescriptions in one pair of glasses/sunglasses.
First you can view objects far away just like you can with a “traditional”/”regular” prescription lens. Then second with progressive lenses you can also see clearly from a mid-range distance. And this glasses or sunglasses distance is approximately from your eyes to the motorcycle gauges when you are sitting on your bike. Then of course the third prescription would be the lens for close-up viewing (just like reading glasses). Progressive lenses are sometimes called multifocal lenses.
So why aren’t progressive lenses just called trifocals? Well with the technological advances there aren’t the lines that you can see in the lenses that use older technology. An advantage here is that when you are wearing progressive motorcycle glasses/sunglasses is that people can’t see the seams between the different lens areas.
Polarized & Non-polarized Lenses In Motorcycle Sunglasses
So what’s the difference between polarized and non-polarized lenses? First, in simple terms, the difference is that polarized lenses have a special thin coating that reduces reflection and glare. And reducing the glare is important when you’re riding your motorcycle.
Now in more technical terms, a polarized lens contains a chemical filter that absorbs horizontal light waves. In addition at the same time, this type of lens allows vertical waves (direct light) to pass through. And by removing the horizontal light waves polarized lenses eliminate glare.
Note that the darker the color lenses the higher levels of polarization you can get.
Which Lenses Are The Best For You?
Now is it better to have a pair of sunglasses/glasses with polarized or non-polarized lenses? And the answer really is that it depends on what you want from your next pair of biker glasses/sunglasses.
For instance, here are some of the benefits of having biker sunglasses/glasses with polarized lenses. They reduce reflection, eliminate glare, improve contrast and clarity, improve the perception of colors, reduce eye strain, and improve visual comfort.
In addition, having polarized lenses in your riding glasses’ gives you 100% protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Plus a polarized lens helps to protect you from the shorter wave blue light rays.
Next, here’s some info about non-polarized lenses. First, they do offer 100% protection from harmful UVA and UVB Rays from the sun while reducing short-wave blue light. Next, some of the drawbacks include that some riders do not like the filtering. And polarized lenses cost a little more.
Photochromic Motorcycle Glasses Lenses
Photochromic lenses are frequently referred to as transition lenses. Note that “Transitions” is actually a brand name. But the brand name has become almost synonymous with the term photochromic lens. And yes both transition motorcycle sunglasses and transition prescription motorcycle glasses are also very popular. Actually, these are one of the most popular lenses’ options riders choose for their biker glasses today.
Next, these lenses’ tint changes in darkness based on the amount of direct sunlight. These lenses can change from clear to dark or vice versa in less than 60 seconds.
Also, photochromic lenses are nearly clear indoors and in the dark. Then as the lenses are exposed to sunlight they darken. Notably, sometimes these lenses are called “light-adaptive lenses” or “variable tint lenses.”
Finally, transition lenses are perfect for both riding your motorcycle during the day and night. And there are some huge benefits if you get transition motorcycle glasses/sunglasses.
One benefit is that you only need to carry one pair of riding glasses. Most likely you know that carrying a second pair of motorcycle sunglasses is inconvenient at best. In addition, you aren’t spending as much money if you just purchase one pair of transition motorcycle glasses.
Polycarbonate Vs Non-polycarbonate Riding Lenses
Why should you get polycarbonate lenses in your motorcycle sunglasses/glasses? For starters, polycarbonate lenses are significantly stronger than lenses made of other materials. And when you are looking for the best motorcycle eyewear the more impact-resistant lenses you can get the better.
Next because a motorcycle rider’s safety is paramount all Icicles motorcycle glasses have 2 mil thick polycarbonate lenses. In addition, our lenses are ballistic tested under high-velocity circumstances. Another reason why polycarbonate lenses are different than traditional glasses is that they are more flexible.
And Icicles quality lenses offer shatterproof protection from damaging conditions. Plus our lenses won’t splinter on impact, which is another huge safety advantage for bikers.
Finally, our polycarbonate lenses meet or exceed ANSI’s (American National Standards Institute) standards for impact resistance and shatterproof protection.
Mirrored Lenses In Sunglasses
First, as you know mirrored sunglasses have a reflective coating on the outside of the lenses. It is often referred to as “mirror coating” or “flash coating”. Also, mirrored glasses are basically one-way mirrors so other people can’t see where you are looking at.
Next, the mirror coating on glasses decreases the amount of light passing through a tinted lens by a further up to 50%. So for a biker, this can be of significant value. And this is especially true when you are in the saddle for hours at a time in the sun.
The simplest version of a mirror coating is a single layer of a deposited thin film of a suitable metal. And usually, this is done by an ion beam deposition, sputter deposition, or vapor deposition. Importantly, the color of the mirror coating is independent of the color of the tint of the lenses.
Benefits Of Biker Glasses With Lens Coatings
How important is quality lens coating on motorcycle eyewear? For instance, the high-tech coating on our motorcycle sunglass/glasses lens gives bikers some huge benefits: better optical clarity with zero distortion, reduced peripheral light and glare, greater depth perception, and 100% protection from harmful UVA, UVB, and short wave blue light rays.
