Most of the large gamers on the planet of the very best biking glasses have a mannequin or two which can be perennials. Other types come and go as tendencies change, however a number of core fashions stay. Oakley has the Radar and latterly the Sutro, 100% has the S3, and POC has the Aspire. It’s the archetype of the model’s sun shades providing, and whereas it wasn’t essentially the pioneer of the form (that accolade goes to the slightly dated-looking ‘Do’ mannequin from again within the Garmin Sharp days) it’s remained fashionable for years amongst the professionals of EF Pro Cycling and amateurs alike, particularly those that need to look just a little extra fashion-forward.
Aesthetics are vital relating to sun shades; they’re very very like the very best biking socks on this regard. But seems aren’t all the pieces, and so they need to carry out too. While POC has a number of fashions in my information, these are the model’s greatest providing for generalists. Why must you choose these when there are such a lot of choices on the market? Well, I’m not going to inform you all the pieces within the intro, so get scrollin’.
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Design and aesthetics
Big, natural curves are what defines the POC design language and that’s precisely what you’re getting right here. The Aspire is technically a full-frame pair of sun shades, however the best way the replaceable lens (clear not included) suits into the body occludes the central part on the higher and decrease, making it seem to be the lens is held in stress between the 2 sides.
The lens itself is extensive. It’s not as extensive because the Spatz Shield that I not too long ago reviewed, however its width is exacerbated, visually no less than, by a comparatively flat profile. The precise lens dimension is analogous in width to the closely wrapped POC Propel, however the Aspire has a really modest wrap, and the perimeters of the lens sit fairly far out of your face.
The arms are comparatively distinctive. Most biking glasses both include hooked arms that purpose to hook behind your ears or, extra generally, flat, curved arms that purpose to hug the edges of your head tightly. The Aspire, due to the truth that the sting of the lens is so removed from the face, does issues just a little in a different way. The rear two-thirds of the arms are bendable, so you’ll be able to mould them to your required match. In my case, with my tiny head, it means solely the very ends of the arms are actually in touch with my cranium.
The arms are comparatively chunky too, by fashionable requirements. If you examine them to one thing on the different excessive just like the 100% Hypercraft you’ll see what I imply. This, mixed with the moldable metallic core of the arms makes for a barely heavier bundle than most – at 40.6g they’re one of many heaviest, although nonetheless lighter than the big Spatz Shield and the equally big POC Devour.
While there are not any vents by the lens, there are a number of gaps between the lens and the body – one throughout the forehead and two on the base, one below every eye. They aren’t big, however any venting is useful, venting often makes extra of a distinction when the lens is closely wrapped and people are usually extra fog-prone.
There are not any vents within the lens itself, however there are some properly designed gaps between the lens and the body. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Performance
The very first thing to notice is that you simply’re going to know you’re sporting them. Some superlight fashions just like the POC Elicit have such a feathery high quality that you simply genuinely can neglect you’re sporting them, however that’s not the case right here. While they’re just a little weighty, they maintain that weight properly; the moldable arms do a terrific job of gripping the pinnacle, and the nosepiece, whereas not almost as cheesy as these discovered on Oakley biking glasses, holds on properly. This is bolstered by the full-frame design, which is at all times safer (with the notable exception of the Oakley Encoder).
Because the lens sits farther from the face you will have an identical feeling as you get with the Spatz Shield; that you simply’re trying by one thing. It’s a fairly refined distinction, however with closely wrapped lenses they sit so shut that your eyes can by no means actually give attention to the lens itself, whereas right here you do get the slight feeling of watching the world by a window.
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The frames are going to be in your eyeline, however they aren’t distracting, no less than not on this tortoiseshell choice. When driving the lowers particularly are hardly ever seen as you are inclined to look by the higher portion of the lens. If you journey a brilliant aggressive place then these is probably not the very best for you, however I by no means actually discovered the uppers to occlude something. As you may think with such a large lens, the peripheral imaginative and prescient can also be glorious.
POC’s Clarity lenses, its higher tier optics to rival Oakley’s Prizm vary and the 100% HiPER choices, are glorious. They take the type of the tried and trusted ‘excessive distinction base color with a mirror coating’ and the outcomes are superb. They’re higher than the 100% HiPER, however nonetheless not fairly pretty much as good because the Oakley Prizm Road. They are mirrored although, and let’s all be sincere right here, that’s an vital aesthetic level of their favour.
All in all, I had only a few points with the Aspire. They stayed put, have been actually comfortable, they seemed good, they blocked the wind out very properly certainly, and importantly they’ve a sure look that units them other than the vast majority of the choices on the market for the time being. They even did a terrific job of blocking the solar’s rays, too, although you’d hope so in a premium pair of sun shades.
Aesthetics are vital, and these are among the greatest trying glasses available on the market for my part. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Value
Like many premium biking glasses these days you solely get one lens, however very like the Prizm Road choices the Clarity lenses are respectable sufficient for use in comparatively low mild. The lens swap is straightforward, although a POC branded clear lens is £90, so I’d depend that out and simply slot them into your helmet when the solar goes down.
As they’re an older mannequin the worth has come down rather a lot. I’ve seen locations promoting them for below £100, which makes them a steal, however even on the £160ish mark they characterize respectable worth. The development is superb, the lens high quality is great, and also you’re going to look good.
I’ve had these on take a look at now for properly over a yr and a half and so they’ve turn into a pair I attain for very commonly. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Verdict
If you’re after one thing with a visible bundle just a little totally different than your membership mates then these are a terrific choice. They’ve obtained that EF ‘cool bike crew’ cachet, they’ve glorious lenses, and they’re much more sturdy than some glasses I’ve examined. If you’ve obtained a small head they might swamp you just a little, however in contrast to some massive glasses they aren’t so tall, so that they’re far much less prone to foul on the forehead of your helmet.
In brief, they’re among the greatest trying biking glasses available on the market, with efficiency to match.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design and aesthetics
One of the very best trying available on the market that is stood the take a look at of time, with respectable design notes too
10/10
Field of imaginative and prescient
Wide sure, however not so tall as some, and the complete body does characteristic within the area of view
8/10
Lens efficiency
Up there with the very best, although does not have the efficiency of Prizm in very low mild
8/10
Comfort and retention
The weight makes them rather less comfortable than light-weight choices, however they keep put very properly
8/10
Value for cash
As they’re just a little older now they’re competatively priced
