I'll try to reply to questions as best I can, but the people who really know their stuff - and remember they are cyclists so know what we want - are the folks at Extreme Eyewear. Simon (the optician one) is a little slow to reply to emails because he's so busy, but in my experience his advice is accurate and not just sales based.
I got a pair from Simon 3 years ago, shipped to Spain. Work perfectly, and his customer service was world class. Not cheap but there is a lot of work in there and you'll look after them. Very highly recommended.
As a cyclist with Dry Eyes and a strong prescription, I could only find one eye company that helps with reducing/removing wind and stops your eyes drying out. They must also look sporty and support my prescription. I use Wiley X - Boss ⬅️. This is an American company and these glasses are aimed at motorcyclists, but ideal for cyclists with dry eye problems. They have a removable wind resistant gasket around the frame. You can buy them as an accessory if you need. They also have a removable elasticated strap that goes around the back of your head which you can tighten to pull the glasses closer to your face. These glasses are the only ones I can wear, especially in the winter. I’ve used Rudy project rydon in the past but they are not wind proof. I hope this helps with cyclists that have dry eyes. I did the whole process online and was really easy. They send you out a number of frames to try. I ended up using RXsport online.
I got a pair from extreme eye about 2 years ago. Completely brilliant service and has transformed my riding . I’m also a varifocals wearer . Yes expensive but worth it 😁👍🏼
I purchased a pair of varifocal sunglasses from Extreme eyewear earlier this year for cycling. Worried about the cost but really pleased with the resulting glasses. Excellent service and would recommend the company without hesitation.
I've been after some prescription varifocal cycling glasses for a while now but always put off my the styles with inserts, they look better with a snorkle than a cycling helmet. I've just done a quick price check on these and with the extra varifocal cost, I'd be looking at around the £400 mark. Now the problem is, I'm due a checkup and I normally walk away having paid around that for a varifocal and single vision pair due to a slight change in prescription, factor that change into these then the life span is approx 2 years and then I may need to change the prescription again. It gets very expensive. An advantage with the insert type, is a new insert when your perscription changes, but having worn glasses for years I just wouldn't be able to cope with the limited size of the lens. If these could be re-glazed then that could be a future saving.
I've only worn glasses for the last ten years, starting with occasional reading glasses and now moving to varifocals full time. I find the cost of prescription glasses to be astonishingly high. I've always used an optician because, while more expensive, they get the prescription spot on. In my experience, these guys are cheaper than the opticians I've used in the past and just as accurate. It might be worth emailing them your dilemma and see if they can come up with some kind of cheaper variation.
I get the hesitation in the opening comments, however hats off for a considered review warts and all. Luckily I only need reading glasses, however if my eyesight changes I’ll consider a pair of these
That's how I started Mark - my distance vision is fine, but I couldn't read the numbers on the Garmin unless I had just two a page, and navigation was dreadful. Distance vision is still fine, so I could ride without them, but for riding and indeed every day life, my normal varifocals are useful.
Make sure they are insured. My first pair were damaged in an accident. My second pair have started to break down on the inside - coating of some description looked to have gone. (Oakleys by the way). Hoping for Oakley to replace under warranty but see this will happen again so thinking about Bolle inserts on their Liughtshifter - at least I can just replace a standard lense (and their phantom lenses are a cut above anything Oakley make).
I have a pair of Specsavers skiing glasses model Osiris, which have slightly curved lenses. I have had the same model three times and had them reglazed several times. They are reactions lenses and I have used them for everything; skiing, windsurfing, sailing, kitesurfing, hillwalking, kayaking and now mountain biking. They have been brilliant, but I don't know what I'll do if i cant get anymore. My other difficulty is that I have a very small face so very limited choice in specs altogether let alone sports glasses.
I use "regular" glasses for cycling. Varifocal and photo chromatic. But I find that when riding, my head is tilted slightly down, and I end up looking through the top section of the lens, near the frame, which makes my vision slightly blurred. I once tried some Aviator style big sunglasses (in single vision, not varifocal), and got the optician to shift the "centre vision line" of the lens up about 10 to 15 mm. This did improve far distance vision, but I then couldn't see my bike computer. So I ended up back with the regular glasses I had before the Aviator's.
I'm not expert, but it sounds to me like the centre of the lens is in the wrong position for cycling, which of course is different to everyday life. That's why I rated these people - they're coming from a strong cycling background. I have the same situation in reverse while working at a computer. I need to tilt my head up to see the screen through the base of the lens, which is not good!
As an Optician myself I found this interesting... sporty glasses are limited due to rx because wrapped glasses cause many optical problems over certain powers regardless of the PD accuracy. High plus and minus are problamatic. As someone who dispenses Oakleys and such others they do compensate rx as the frame wraps but only up to a certain point and are also limited by PD. Inserts are an option but not always great to see through like you said. Myself I have a high minus which excludes any sporty wraps styles but I just made cool cycling glasses with a slightly oversized frame that has a cycling look and the wind doesn't bother me at all. Glasses with a flatter front curve area that holds the lens while back of the frame wraps more offer another options for higher rxs but not so cool a look depending on your taste. Sorry to ramble lol Cool vid....cheers 🤙
I just got fitted for a pair of Flak 2.0 in the U.S. (same as Simon's) and learned that Oakley can fit up to approximately -5.0 diopter total power prescriptions into that frame. Pretty amazing conidering the Flak's high 8.75 base curve. But a high prescription will result in very thick lenses on either the bottom or side edges depending on one's prescription. To minimize lens thickness, Oakley's optics lab can "generate" an aspheric "digital" lens for customers (analogous to CNC manufacturing). But in the U.S. the customer must go to an Oakley store that has an in-house licensed optician who will use a computerized system to measure both the PD and the optical height relative to the frames being purchased to establish the pupil's centers (when the frame is being worn). If the order must be done online (in other words, without an optical height measurement) then Oakley will not be able to optimize lens thickness. Moral of the story in the U.S. is for high prescriptions, have an Oakley optician make the necessary measurements for high wrap frames. Luxxotica (which owns both Oakley and the U.S. LensCrafters stores) uses their Accufit computerized system to do this.
@@terraXR Thank you for posting this. I was going to buy some Flaks with docs in a couple of weeks. There are two Oakley stores in my city. I’m going to call them tomorrow!
@@roybenavides5609 Glad you found this helpful. I love my Flaks for mountain biking and many other sports. FYI .. usually only the large Oakley stores have in-house opticians. But Oakley's retail sales people are excellent and will refer you to their nearest optician.
Hmmm 🤔 I'm just about to buy yet another pair of prescription sunnies for cycling and these looks promising but do you prefer these to your flip-up ones which work well when going into dimly lit areas from bright sunshine?
Honestly, I barely notice the tint when In move indoors, even at dusk. In the Kintyre Way video, on the first night you can see I'm wearing some cheap reading glasses - that was the only time I wore them because they were an outdated prescription and I couldn't see a thing. the rest of the time, including the trip back, I wore those Oakleys with that tint. Liz has always worn glasses and for years told me 'photo reactive is rubbish'. I've convinced her otherwise. If you're unsure, I think you can get photoreactive without tint - they might be what you need? I've found Simon (optician one) very helpful, albeit a little slow to reply to emails, and as a cyclist, he knows what we need.
I just read that photocromatic lenses lose their ability to change colors after about three years. How have your experiences with your glasses from this video been over the last three years and specifically recently?
Off-topic but some say that wearing the arms under your helmet straps leads to headaches. I seem to remember Peter Sagan saying this but what does he know about cycling?
Good point - I know of someone whose eye was damaged because her glasses couldn’t fly off when she crashed. The problem comes when wearing a cap that covers the ears (or just sits in them) to keep them warm. The glasses have to go under the cap so under the straps. I can’t see a way around it.
I'll try to reply to questions as best I can, but the people who really know their stuff - and remember they are cyclists so know what we want - are the folks at Extreme Eyewear. Simon (the optician one) is a little slow to reply to emails because he's so busy, but in my experience his advice is accurate and not just sales based.
I got a pair from Simon 3 years ago, shipped to Spain. Work perfectly, and his customer service was world class. Not cheap but there is a lot of work in there and you'll look after them. Very highly recommended.
As a cyclist with Dry Eyes and a strong prescription, I could only find one eye company that helps with reducing/removing wind and stops your eyes drying out. They must also look sporty and support my prescription.
I use Wiley X - Boss ⬅️. This is an American company and these glasses are aimed at motorcyclists, but ideal for cyclists with dry eye problems.
They have a removable wind resistant gasket around the frame. You can buy them as an accessory if you need. They also have a removable elasticated strap that goes around the back of your head which you can tighten to pull the glasses closer to your face.
These glasses are the only ones I can wear, especially in the winter. I’ve used Rudy project rydon in the past but they are not wind proof.
I hope this helps with cyclists that have dry eyes.
I did the whole process online and was really easy. They send you out a number of frames to try. I ended up using RXsport online.
Thanks for that - I'm sure some will find it helpful
I bought my prescription Oakleys from these guys last year. Excellent service and around 45% less expensive from local national opticians.
I got a pair from extreme eye about 2 years ago. Completely brilliant service and has transformed my riding . I’m also a varifocals wearer . Yes expensive but worth it 😁👍🏼
Great to hear Nic
I purchased a pair of varifocal sunglasses from Extreme eyewear earlier this year for cycling. Worried about the cost but really pleased with the resulting glasses. Excellent service and would recommend the company without hesitation.
Good to hear Geoff
I've been after some prescription varifocal cycling glasses for a while now but always put off my the styles with inserts, they look better with a snorkle than a cycling helmet. I've just done a quick price check on these and with the extra varifocal cost, I'd be looking at around the £400 mark. Now the problem is, I'm due a checkup and I normally walk away having paid around that for a varifocal and single vision pair due to a slight change in prescription, factor that change into these then the life span is approx 2 years and then I may need to change the prescription again. It gets very expensive. An advantage with the insert type, is a new insert when your perscription changes, but having worn glasses for years I just wouldn't be able to cope with the limited size of the lens. If these could be re-glazed then that could be a future saving.
I've only worn glasses for the last ten years, starting with occasional reading glasses and now moving to varifocals full time. I find the cost of prescription glasses to be astonishingly high. I've always used an optician because, while more expensive, they get the prescription spot on. In my experience, these guys are cheaper than the opticians I've used in the past and just as accurate. It might be worth emailing them your dilemma and see if they can come up with some kind of cheaper variation.
I get the hesitation in the opening comments, however hats off for a considered review warts and all. Luckily I only need reading glasses, however if my eyesight changes I’ll consider a pair of these
That's how I started Mark - my distance vision is fine, but I couldn't read the numbers on the Garmin unless I had just two a page, and navigation was dreadful. Distance vision is still fine, so I could ride without them, but for riding and indeed every day life, my normal varifocals are useful.
Make sure they are insured. My first pair were damaged in an accident. My second pair have started to break down on the inside - coating of some description looked to have gone. (Oakleys by the way). Hoping for Oakley to replace under warranty but see this will happen again so thinking about Bolle inserts on their Liughtshifter - at least I can just replace a standard lense (and their phantom lenses are a cut above anything Oakley make).
Thank you Michael - I’ve never thought to insure any of my glasses! Worth knowing 🤓
Thanks
Thank you Paul
I have a pair of Specsavers skiing glasses model Osiris, which have slightly curved lenses. I have had the same model three times and had them reglazed several times. They are reactions lenses and I have used them for everything; skiing, windsurfing, sailing, kitesurfing, hillwalking, kayaking and now mountain biking. They have been brilliant, but I don't know what I'll do if i cant get anymore. My other difficulty is that I have a very small face so very limited choice in specs altogether let alone sports glasses.
These look fantastic! I’ll have to check if I can purchase some from the US and have them shipped over. Cheers!!
I use "regular" glasses for cycling. Varifocal and photo chromatic.
But I find that when riding, my head is tilted slightly down, and I end up looking through the top section of the lens, near the frame, which makes my vision slightly blurred.
I once tried some Aviator style big sunglasses (in single vision, not varifocal), and got the optician to shift the "centre vision line" of the lens up about 10 to 15 mm.
This did improve far distance vision, but I then couldn't see my bike computer.
So I ended up back with the regular glasses I had before the Aviator's.
I'm not expert, but it sounds to me like the centre of the lens is in the wrong position for cycling, which of course is different to everyday life. That's why I rated these people - they're coming from a strong cycling background. I have the same situation in reverse while working at a computer. I need to tilt my head up to see the screen through the base of the lens, which is not good!
hello, what are the values of your diopters? how thick are the lenses on the edges?
Not much / reading glass level
Thanks for this.
My pleasure Sophie
As an Optician myself I found this interesting... sporty glasses are limited due to rx because wrapped glasses cause many optical problems over certain powers regardless of the PD accuracy. High plus and minus are problamatic. As someone who dispenses Oakleys and such others they do compensate rx as the frame wraps but only up to a certain point and are also limited by PD. Inserts are an option but not always great to see through like you said. Myself I have a high minus which excludes any sporty wraps styles but I just made cool cycling glasses with a slightly oversized frame that has a cycling look and the wind doesn't bother me at all. Glasses with a flatter front curve area that holds the lens while back of the frame wraps more offer another options for higher rxs but not so cool a look depending on your taste. Sorry to ramble lol
Cool vid....cheers 🤙
That's fascinating, thanks for sharing
I just got fitted for a pair of Flak 2.0 in the U.S. (same as Simon's) and learned that Oakley can fit up to approximately -5.0 diopter total power prescriptions into that frame. Pretty amazing conidering the Flak's high 8.75 base curve. But a high prescription will result in very thick lenses on either the bottom or side edges depending on one's prescription. To minimize lens thickness, Oakley's optics lab can "generate" an aspheric "digital" lens for customers (analogous to CNC manufacturing). But in the U.S. the customer must go to an Oakley store that has an in-house licensed optician who will use a computerized system to measure both the PD and the optical height relative to the frames being purchased to establish the pupil's centers (when the frame is being worn). If the order must be done online (in other words, without an optical height measurement) then Oakley will not be able to optimize lens thickness. Moral of the story in the U.S. is for high prescriptions, have an Oakley optician make the necessary measurements for high wrap frames. Luxxotica (which owns both Oakley and the U.S. LensCrafters stores) uses their Accufit computerized system to do this.
@@terraXR Thank you for posting this. I was going to buy some Flaks with docs in a couple of weeks. There are two Oakley stores in my city. I’m going to call them tomorrow!
@@roybenavides5609 Glad you found this helpful. I love my Flaks for mountain biking and many other sports. FYI .. usually only the large Oakley stores have in-house opticians. But Oakley's retail sales people are excellent and will refer you to their nearest optician.
Hmmm 🤔
I'm just about to buy yet another pair of prescription sunnies for cycling and these looks promising but do you prefer these to your flip-up ones which work well when going into dimly lit areas from bright sunshine?
Honestly, I barely notice the tint when In move indoors, even at dusk. In the Kintyre Way video, on the first night you can see I'm wearing some cheap reading glasses - that was the only time I wore them because they were an outdated prescription and I couldn't see a thing. the rest of the time, including the trip back, I wore those Oakleys with that tint.
Liz has always worn glasses and for years told me 'photo reactive is rubbish'. I've convinced her otherwise.
If you're unsure, I think you can get photoreactive without tint - they might be what you need? I've found Simon (optician one) very helpful, albeit a little slow to reply to emails, and as a cyclist, he knows what we need.
I just read that photocromatic lenses lose their ability to change colors after about three years. How have your experiences with your glasses from this video been over the last three years and specifically recently?
Mine seem fine - not noticed any difference.
Off-topic but some say that wearing the arms under your helmet straps leads to headaches. I seem to remember Peter Sagan saying this but what does he know about cycling?
Good point - I know of someone whose eye was damaged because her glasses couldn’t fly off when she crashed.
The problem comes when wearing a cap that covers the ears (or just sits in them) to keep them warm. The glasses have to go under the cap so under the straps. I can’t see a way around it.
It does for me but if not worn like that they don't fit.
Pretty cool. I hope they last.
I hope I don't loose them!
I use retired Airsoft shooting glasses