Ok, please forgive the pun within the headline, typically you need to need to reap the benefits of an open purpose. In my quest to not solely discover the perfect biking glasses, but additionally the perfect low cost biking glasses, I got here throughout this package deal from UK model Victory Chimp. I’m detest to name it a single pair of biking glasses, as a result of as I’ll go into, the Vega Evo is a number of pairs in a single. Usually, shoppers count on to get extra as they pay extra, however within the case of extra premium biking glasses you typically truly get much less. Modern lenses have grow to be so good that one lens can cowl all of the situations {that a} separate pair of lenses may – normally a solar lens, and an orange excessive distinction possibility. Moreover, I’m seeing fewer and fewer glasses that embody a transparent lens for after-dark driving.
Happily the Vega Evo steps in, at the very least for these of you residing within the UK. Not solely do you get a solar lens, however a photochromic one (one which adjustments from clear to darkish when uncovered to daylight), a transparent one, and a polarised one. On prime of this you additionally get an insert into which prescription lenses may be positioned, making the Vega a powerful contender for the perfect prescription biking glasses too.
Having a great deal of lenses is nice, however not in the event that they’re garbage. I don’t assume the Vega is an ideal pair of biking glasses by any means, however having had (at a guess at this level as a result of I’ve genuinely misplaced rely) round 60 pairs of sun shades come throughout my bows, I’m but to discover a pair that gives the identical worth as these.
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Design and aesthetics
The Victory Chimp Vega strikes the same pose to a number of large identify biking glasses. It most intently resembles the POC Aspire, a set of glasses I actually like, however extra rectangular and with extra ‘regular’, slender arms. It shares the identical pseudo-frameless design, with the lens sitting inside the body on the edges and the nostril, and in entrance of the lenses on the forehead and the underside edge. The lens, whichever one you go for, is unvented, and whereas the POC Aspire has a little bit of separation between body and lens to help airflow, issues are fairly tight right here so you’ll be able to consider these as wholly unvented.
Swapping out the various lenses, by the way, is somewhat straightforward. There aren’t any Rube Goldberg-esque mechanisms as could also be discovered on Oakleys of the previous, you’ve simply obtained to type of push it out. The frames are somewhat versatile with out the lens, and they also come out very simply, and placing a special set in is a matter of a second or two’s work, plus a couple of extra to wipe off the fingerprints.
The arms are actually somewhat lengthy, particularly for my small head, and the hinges don’t interact with as a lot of a satisfying snap as dearer choices, however additionally they don’t really feel floppy or poorly made. The inside and underside of the tops of the arms are rubberised, nevertheless it’s a special rubber in comparison with the cheesy nosepiece, providing much less grip.
Despite coming with a veritable smorgasbord of lenses, there is just one nosepiece included, and when you’ve got a slender nostril bridge as I do it might be a contact too huge.
The arms do not wrap an important deal, and whereas visually they’re much like the POC Aspire, they are not as huge. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Performance
For the value, these carry out valiantly. I’d be mendacity if I mentioned they honestly combine it with extra premium choices as a result of they don’t, however functionally they tick all of the required bins. The massive lens gives an honest area of view, however just like the POC Aspire you might be typically aware that you just’re trying via a lens somewhat than having that ‘overlook you’re sporting them’ expertise.
The lens sits fairly removed from the face, which does imply that regardless of them being unvented, they don’t tend to fog up. Enough airflow will get in behind to flush out any cussed, humid pockets. At the other finish of the spectrum, they do a stable job of maintaining the wind out of your eyeballs on quick descents.
The foremost solar lens, which is my most popular one for day-to-day use, does a fairly good job of maintaining the solar out. It’s the one one of many bunch that has a reflective coating on the skin, a silvery one on this case, and even in very harsh daylight, it copes effectively. It has a barely blue base tint although, in opposition to the present acquired knowledge of pairing an orange or rose base tint with a mirror coating in an effort to improve low mild distinction, and that is borne out while you head into shade.
That being mentioned, for the value, it’s completely good and should you’re repeatedly driving in changeable climate, or in evening and day, then the photochromic lens covers this base effectively. It reacts fairly swiftly (30 seconds or so) to get from clear to its darkest, and once more there’s a blue base tint, so it performs equally however offers with actually vibrant solar rather less effectively due to the shortage of a mirror.
Polarised lenses aren’t for me. I don’t see any actual profit for cyclists, and so they also can make it laborious to identify standing water and typically make it laborious to see your laptop or telephone at sure angles, however should you’re fishing then grand, you’ll be able to take it with you. Even the clear lens is healthier than most, sporting UV safety, so if you find yourself stunned by daylight your eyes are nonetheless protected.
I didn’t discover them probably the most safe on my slender nostril and small head – actually a great take a look at for any shades. The nostril was grippy however too huge, and no substitute pad was included. The arms, not bolstered by a stiff body, solely gripped gently, and I had to ensure they have been contacting pores and skin, and never my hair, or they’d slip down my face.
The foremost lens has a blueish tint, which is completely high quality for driving within the solar, nevertheless it does wrestle when the distinction lowers. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Value
It’s laborious for me to say something apart from these are superb worth. You get extra to your cash than the rest I’ve come throughout, and whereas they aren’t essentially going to problem the likes of Oakley, for £50 or in order that they’re about nearly as good as a starter set of biking glasses can get.
Verdict
If you reside within the UK, and you’ve got within the area of fifty quid to spend on a pair of biking glasses, then that is in all probability what you ought to be spending your cash on. All bases are coated due to an enormous array of lenses, corrective imaginative and prescient wants are taken into consideration, and also you even get an honest laborious case. My solely caveat is that they aren’t too safe on both small heads or slender noses.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design and aesthetics
Look extra premium than the price would counsel, and whereas the end is not that prime finish the design is effectively thought out
8/10
Field of imaginative and prescient
As the lens sits farther from the face, the frames sit within the eyeline greater than others
7/10
Lens efficiency
The blue tint would not enhance distinction drastically in low mild, however they carry out effectively in vibrant solar. The different lens choices are additionally good.
8/10
Comfort and retention
Slightly floppy, so no good for small heads and slender noses. Arms slightly slender.
7/10
Value for cash
I can not consider a set of biking glasses the place you get extra for much less.
