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Not really sure if cyclists wore sunglasses prior to the 80s to ride their bikes. Rarely do you see the old schoolers in shades going up the Alps. Even if they did, it was not for performance. But in 1984, Oakley sent Greg LeMond a pre-production sample of something called the Factory Pilot Eyeshade. That year he wore them for the Tour. In ‘86, he won the Tour wearing them and by 1987 most of the boys in the peloton had a pair. It really did not take much for performance eyewear to become a thing. If we can say that an American winning the TDF is not much.
The Eyeshade silhouette is still the reference point. Every shield sunglass made for cycling can trace its shape back to that design from 1984. A lot has changed since then. The lens coatings, the materials, the ventilation systems. But the main idea, the idea of a wide-coverage wraparound shield sitting close to the face for protection, has not really changed because they kinda got it right the first time.
I will be honest. When I started cycling I thought large glasses were ridiculous. Large glasses were always that stereotypical style move that would get made fun of. On top of that, Geraint Thomas was super dope with those white shades, so obviously since I did not know any better, I copped the Oakley Racing Jackets. But as with every sport, the more serious you get about it the more you lean into the why behind the gear. You start riding longer. You ride in heat. Your glasses fog. You get something in your eye on a descent. You start to understand why the big shield exists and then one day you are buying exactly the thing you used to make fun of.
This list is seven pairs built on that idea. Performance first. Lens quality, coverage, fit under a helmet, how they look overall. If they look good off the bike too, that is a bonus.
Oakley MUZM Eyeshade — Cool Grey / Prizm Low Light
A direct descendant of the frame LeMond wore in 1984. Same huge shield silhouette, same DNA. The only thing that really changed is the materials and the lens technology. These are engineered for overcast and low-light riding. Will you wear them often? Maybe not. Depends how you ride and where you live. Will you look good wearing them? For sure. Cool grey O Matter frame, Prizm Low Light lens, Unobtainium nosepads for grip in wet conditions. The colourway is subtle in the best of ways. The only thing overpowering on this frame is its size. It is a BIGBOI. Limited edition, so hurry up if you want a pair.
Oakley Mathieu Van Der Poel Signature Series Sutro Lite Sweep
Obviously these were going on the list. MVDP is beautiful. So are his shades. A lot of wins in these so they deserve to make the list if they look this good. The gold splatter frame makes them stylistically different from everything else here. The Prizm 24K lens makes them Oakleys. The Sutro Lite Sweep is a strong race silhouette. Wide coverage, low profile on the face, the sweep lens shape borrowed from the original Eyeshade. MVDP's initials etched in the lens. If you are a fan, this is a good purchase.
Scicon Aerostorm — Multimirror Silver
Italian brand, engineered in Italy. Tadej has been wearing Scicon his entire career. Most importantly? I have been wearing these exact frames for a while now. That's the only endorsement you need. The Aerostorm is their flagship road sunglass. The Space Toric Vision (which takes a minute or two to get used to) lens sits on the Monolith Optics Monoblock frame, which in English means the frame and lens are one integrated piece rather than two parts assembled together. I rode 2000+ km in these, they don't fog. 32 grams and some solid color choices.
MAAP Halo Sunglasses — Galaxy
MAAP making sunglasses was a natural progression of things. They definitely didn't disappoint with these. Frameless shield built for the road. High-contrast silver mirror lens with a purple base, hydrophobic and anti-fog treatments, interchangeable lens included in the box. 21.8 grams and a wraparound fit with interchangeable nose bridges for dialling the fit properly. MAAP rarely misses.
Alba Optics Delta BLU GLS
Another Italian brand, handmade in Italy. The Delta shape takes inspo from 80s and 90s cycling eyewear and you can feel that immediately. The crystal blue TR90 frame pops and adds a good bit of colour to any fit. They weigh 26 grams, but the VZUM lens is the detail worth knowing. Alba Optics' own ventilated lens system, designed specifically to prevent fogging on long efforts in any type of conditions. There are six lens options and all of them are interchangeable but in my opinion, the BLU GLS is the one to get. Alba Optics isn't the most talked about brand in cycling but that's what makes them cool. IYKYK type deal.
100% Hypercraft SQ — Matte Black Smoke
These might just be the most affordable pair on this list. These might also be the ones that protect your eyes from the sun the most. The smoke lens lets in 15% of light. There are air vents at the top and bottom. Minimal and clean. Nothing extra. UltraCarbon frame and rimless construction. These go very well with the all black bike trend that's hitting the peloton right now.
District Vision Kohei Aero Blade Ti — Oxblood / D+ Blue Mirror
You might have to remortgage the house for these but they are definitely a vibe. Made in Japan. District Vision is technically a running brand (they are) out of New York and Tokyo. We are including these because the lens shape is drawn directly from 1980s speed cycling heritage and the construction is unlike anything else on this list. We are also including these because we highly doubt anyone will be wearing these on the bike. Real niche things. Aerospace grade titanium frame throughout, custom anodized titanium hardware, six base rimless blade silhouette. D+ Blue Mirror lens at 10.63% light transmission with anti-reflective and oleophobic coating on the interior. It repels oils. 28 grams. The Oxblood colourway is a deep reddish brown anodized titanium that is unlike anything else in this category. If the budget is there, cop these and wear them on the bike, while running, for coffee.
If these shades don't do it for you, feel free to hit me up via email or DM and I'll be more than happy to help you find something more specific.
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