It’s much lighter than most, providing a bright contrast along with the protection on offer. That’s because the ‘plasma’ lens used here is designed to reduce the amount of blue light entering the eye, resulting in a much bolder contrast between colours. Lens removal involves twisting the arms downwards and unhooking a C-shaped section from an anchor in the arms. Robert Smith / Immediate Media The most important part of any pair of the best cycling glasses is their lenses, as the tint of the lenses will dictate what conditions you can wear them in. The Snapper IIs wouldn’t look out of place arriving at the office on a commuter bike or in the midst of a sportive, so they’re perfect if you are looking for something with more versatile styling. On the road, these glasses work very well. The soft tips on the arms are metal-cored so you can bend them a little to fit and keep them in place, and the nosepiece is adjustable too.

Category 3: These lenses provide a high level of protection from visible and UV light allowing only 20 per cent of visible light to penetrate. This is important for long summer rides on the bike. On the bike, the close fit and grippy frame work well at both shielding you from the wind and staying in place. What you do get, however, is an excellent-quality shield lens held in place with a clever system; the brow piece rotates 90 degrees, angle the arms at 45 degrees and then simply pop out the lens to clean or replace. It’s a smart system that works well. The second lens should have a yellow tinge, which will be great for brightening things up when riding in overcast conditions, making it easier to spot rough road surfaces in flat light. And finally they should come with a clear lens that is there for when you're riding after dark. The frame of the glasses is made of the robust Grilamid TR90 polyamide and is suitable for daily intensive use. The tough and durable material ensures many years of use. The UV400 lenses offer excellent protection against UV radiation and help your eyes even on those really sunny days. The anti-fog coating preventS the lenses from fogging up.

AGU Bold Sunglasses Anti Fog UV400 Lens

Peripheral coverage to the sides and bottom of the lenses is important, as glare that creeps in here can be distracting. You also want to make sure that the frames are, as much as possible, out of your field of vision as they can obscure obstacles - hence the current trend to larger and larger lenses. Frameless designs are useful in this respect. What are the best cycling glasses for riding in the rain?

The frame is nicely rigid around the lens, and the rear of the arms is supple, as is the non-adjustable nosepiece. The other big standout feature with the Code Breakers is that they are compatible with RX prescription inserts, so riders who wear glasses don’t have to fork out premium prices to get good-looking riding shades. In group riding or cycling in public, peripheral vision is especially important. It also allows enough air circulation while preventing fogging on the lenses. The main lens is a CAT3 mirrored lens and a second, CAT1 amber lens is included for lower-light conditions. The final lens is a CAT0 clear lens for night riding or poor conditions. The Ominicrons offer great shield lens coverage, clean styling and dimensions to suit smaller faces. A good-value pair of glasses with three lenses for all conditions and year-round eye protection.Away from the aerodynamics, the Propels provide an absolutely outstanding view of the road. The massive lens allows a huge uninterrupted field and the Clarity lens really does what it's named to do. As the Propel has such good close coverage then they do tend to fog so they're not ideal for moist days or sweaty riders. You can adjust the fit of the Propels though, with a choice of three nose bridges and sliding arms - something that isn't seen on many cycling glasses. Another important area to look at to ensure the frame fits properly is the nosepiece. Most cycling glasses have adjustable rubber nosepieces that can be shaped depending on the dimensions of your nose. That's crucial, as you don't want the glasses slipping down your face if the nosepiece is too wide, or sitting too high and falling off completely if it's too narrow. The arms’ non-slip rubberised tips and pronounced hooks, similar to traditional glasses, give a very secure fit. Another trend is complete frame customisation. It's an option that Ekoi and Oakley offer, among others. How we test