Oakley or Rudy Project Photochromic Glasses

Ka12

Hi,

I am looking to get a pair of glasses for cycling and am looking at either a pair of Oakleys or Rudy Project glasses with Photochromic lenses, has anyone any experiences of these glasses/lenses and would they recommend one over the other? Are there other brands of glasses I should be looking at?

Not too worried on price as they will be a special 30th birthday present from my husband...

Thanks
Sarah

Monkeypump

You should try on the styles you're considering buying - some may or may not fit/suit your head shape.

Personally I'd recommend Oakley as a brand (quality kit and great customer service), others will say £7 safety specs are all you need.

Try some, make sure you're happy they'll be fit for purpose, then splash out and enjoy!

moonshine

i have two pairs of Oakley Transitions -
one prescription (Rx) clear to black and one non-prescription Vr50 to black. - They are perfect cycling lenses but they won't work in a car as they need UV to activate.
viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12838187&p=17463423#p17463423

gabriel959

I love my Salice 006. They are amazing but probably suited for larger heads, like mine!

http://www.ioptix.co.uk/product/salice/salice-006

They also do the Salice 004

ajb72

I've seen both in action. Despite being an Oakley devotee, I would have to say the Rudy Project photochromic is by far and away the better lens in terms of the range of shades / light transmission it manages. I've tried Oakley transitions and was really disappointed - they never seemed to get light enough to really work on dull and dingy days. I've stuck to fire red iridium now, unless it so gloomy I'll opt for yellow lenses.

My regular cycling chum has a set of Rudy Project Rydon glasses with the photochromic lens and they are very impressive, ranging from very dark to almost clear. I'm gutted really, I love my Jawbones but would like his lenses! You'll need to try on the various glasses you are considering though as the style might not suit you. The Rudy Projects I've tried didn't do it for me, a bit 1990's! I preferred the bling of the Oakleys!

Hoopdriver

I've got the Rudy Project Rydons with the photochromic lenses and like them a lot. The trouble with asking a which one of these type question is that yo will find very few if any who have had both of the products yo name and can make a straigh comparison.

As I say, I've git the Rudy Project and have been very pleased with their perfrmance and comfort

flasher

Hoopdriver wrote:

I've got the Rudy Project Rydons with the photochromic lenses and like them a lot.

Me too, from completely clear to very dark, and the fit is very adjustable. Not as 'groovy' as Oakleys though

Ka12

Thanks for all the replies, I am undecided - I do like the look of some of the Oakleys but also like the photochromic lenses in the rydons - guess I will just carry on looking round

northpole

I've gone for years wearing just my normal glasses on the bike.
Recently got a pair of prescription jawbones with emerald transitions.
They don't look particularly green when inactive however, having used them on a couple of long rides and in bright sunlight and dull rainy conditions I have been amazed at the level of eye comfort provided - both for shading and preventing teary eyes on cold descents!
It will be noted that I didn't start from a particularly strong base, but the emerald lenses do provide great shading and peripheral vision.

Peter

nferrar

I have Radars and Rydons but only the Rydons have photochromic lens. I started off with Radars but at the time they didn't sell the transitions lens separately so I ended up getting the Rudy's just for the photochromic lens (figuring I wouldn't like them as much but I wouldn't want a photochromic lens much anyway). Turns out I actually prefer them over the Radars, they are more comfy to wear with the helmets I have (Spesh s-works and LAS Victory Supreme), would prefer a slightly bigger (deeper) lens though so it would sit closer to my cheek bone. In terms of clarity they seem as good as the Radars and don't have any fogging problems (at least not whilst moving).

ShutUpLegs

Another Oakley fan here, but the performance and looks of the Rudy Project Rydons with the photochromic lenses is AWESOME

gloomyandy

Hi,
Just in case anyone is interested in a lower cost option, I have a pair of Power Race glasses (in my case the Stealth model, £39 from Planet-X), which have the photochromic lens and I've been very pleased with them. When I first got them I wasn't that convinced as the lens did not seem to be very dark. However having used them now for a few weeks I've found that they actually adjust really well and always seem to provide a good comfort level of light, you really don't notice them after a while... No idea how they compare to the Oakley or Rudy Project models, but given how often I seem to manage to lose glasses for me these are a better option!

Andy

sopworth

I have a pair of RP and can't fault them. I have had them about 6 months and have them on what ever the weather. I bought the clear lens and they react perfectly to the conditions. Personally, I don't find Oakleys really nice looking (well not the Jawbones), but I do know many people who swear by Oakley and are very happy with them.
For me, the RP are a perfect fit, light as a feather and I don't even know I am wearing them. I use them to run in as well.
Best £115 i've spent on cycling kit.

bouncyboy

Oakleys all the way...I love my Radars, but you do need to try them on...

Ka12

Thank you for all the comments, I went and tried some glasses on and have bought a pair of Rudy Project Rydons with the photochromic lenses. They feel so light and comfortable, can't wait for some time to get out on the bike now

I did try some Oakleys on but they didn't really suit me, bit wide on the face and blingy!

ajb72

Ka12 wrote:

Thank you for all the comments, I went and tried some glasses on and have bought a pair of Rudy Project Rydons with the photochromic lenses. They feel so light and comfortable, can't wait for some time to get out on the bike now

I did try some Oakleys on but they didn't really suit me, bit wide on the face and blingy!

Given your requirement I think you chose wisely! Definitely the best transition style lens I have seen.

Ka12

Had my first ride out using the Rydons today and they are fantastic, only realised how sunny it was when I got home and took off the glasses - the lenses gone quite dark. Really comfortable to wear, easy to forget you are actually wearing glasses. Would highly recommend them