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With the best cycling glasses marketplace dominated by well established brands like Oakley and Smith Optics, SunGod is a relative newcomer having arrived on the scene in 2013, but it has quickly gained traction by offering premium-feeling sunglasses and ski goggles at a more accessible price. You\u2019ll find them perched on the noses of pro athletes including the youngest person to run the length of the UK, and Team Ineos Grenadiers.<\/p>\n
Fitting into neither pro athlete category, I\u2019ve been testing the Airas on regular rides on roads, tracks and trails throughout winter around Bristol and South Wales. Conditions have ranged from dense fog to bright, low winter sun \u2013 the kind of riding where sunglasses often bounce between your helmet and on your face with rapidly changing conditions, making it quick to get a clear sense of the comfort, coverage and lens performance of the Airas. Ultimately, I was blown away by the performance of the Airas in all weather, making wearing sunglasses a joy not a hassle.<\/p>\n
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Weight:<\/strong> 27g\/0.95oz
Price:<\/strong> \u00a3200\/$250
Colours:<\/strong> Matte black
Lenses:<\/strong> Photochromic, green, gold, black, blue, red<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDesign and Aesthetics<\/h2>\n
After a particularly close-call with a thorn and corneal abrasions from riding gritty trails, I tend to ride with glasses year-round. When I\u2019ve rocked up to group mountain bike rides with my clear lenses, I\u2019ve been told I look a bit like I\u2019m on my way to the lab to run tests. So I was excited to try the SunGod Airas with their 8KO Iris photochromic lenses, which promised to adapt to fast changing light, eliminating the need for multiple pairs.<\/p>\n
At 27g, these are relatively lightweight (though you can shave five or six grams with something like the Oakley EVZero Blades, if you\u2019re really picky. With several nose padding options, they sat comfortably on my face with no pinching or slipping. The coverage is substantial, and I found no wind or sunlight getting in around the nosepiece or from the top of the glasses, which I sometimes find with other pairs like my Smith Optics Ruckus sunglasses.<\/p>\n
Aesthetically these are a slick-looking pair of glasses with extensive customisation options when it comes to lens type, colour and accessories. As standard with each pair, you\u2019ll find four different sizes of nosepieces, and a full-frame add-on which is simple enough to attach and provides extra stability. Riders with smaller faces like myself might find they look a little ski-goggle like, but the coverage is of course beneficial. The lenses of the Airas are interchangeable, but they already do the work of going from clear to tinted for you. That being said, if you already own the non-photochromic pair, you could update to the 8KO Iris photochromic lenses.<\/p>\n
SunGod\u2019s screwless pop-lock hinges mean the arms pop off rather than snapping under pressure, and the lenses are scratch-resistant with triple-layer protection.<\/p>\n
If you do find yourself accidentally squashing or scratching a pair, SunGod commits to repairing or replacing their glasses free of charge thanks to its Lifetime Guarantee, which includes accidental damage from drops, falls or sitting on them (\u2018intentional misuse\u2019 and scratches on the lens are not covered). It\u2019s also worth pointing out here that, as well as its ethos of keeping gear in play rather than throwing it away, SunGod pay close attention to sustainability with 100% recycled plastic frames and packaging. It is also a B Corp, a member of 1% For the Planet, and it claims that every product is carbon neutral.<\/p>\n