I’ve tried kind of all the most effective biking glasses available on the market at this level. Winter is clearly a little bit of a downtime for biking glasses testing, and I have a tendency to only chuck a set of clear lenses into one thing and go from there. The 100% S3 is normally my go-to, however just lately I’ve been testing the Shield from Spatz and it’s definitely given extra meals for thought for winter testing.
The Shield is Spatz’s first foray into the world of biking glasses, and the model hasn’t half-arsed it. They are large and durable, however in contrast to most premium glasses that normally both include only a clear lens or no spare in any respect, these include a photochromic choice to complement the primary solar lens.
Usually, photochromics don’t do it for me; I discover they’ll’t react quick sufficient to speedy mild adjustments, and in precise daylight, they’ll’t match a devoted solar lens. Testing the Shield although they actually got here into their very own on overcast days, making them a main possibility for spring and autumn rides.
Image 1 of 3
Design and aesthetics
The protect is up there with the most important of all of the biking glasses I’ve examined. It’s not fairly as large because the POC Devour, but it surely ain’t far off. The frames, out there solely in clear gray, are chunky and angular, and the hinges too are a load thicker than anything. It’s not a lot the peak that makes them look massive, however the width too. The POC Aspire is an excellent large set of glasses, however the Shield is a full centimetre wider. Such is the width that the arms need to kink inwards by 1cm on both arm to scale back the width on the head.
The important lens provides up a blue base tint with a pink iridescent outer coating to scale back the sunshine transmission, however within the field, you additionally get a photochromic lens. This has a slight purple tint to it, which in actually low mild is paying homage to my blue-light blocking studying glasses, and makes issues really feel hotter, in distinction to the blue forged of the primary lens. You may buy a blue lens, a transparent lens, and a prescription lens insert must you want imaginative and prescient correction.
Both lenses are vented, with a decently sized cutout at every nook, and whereas the forehead of the body is thick, rising barely to the center, the centre has a cutout in it which I presume is to encourage venting ought to the body sit flush in opposition to the brim of your helmet.
The arm grippers are respectable sufficient, although not probably the most cheesy. The arms hug the top effectively although, and haven’t got ear hooks as is turning into the usual. The nosepiece will be swapped, and two sizes can be found out of the field. As will grow to be related later the nosepiece itself can also be deeper than most.
So, mega massive lens, respectable aesthetics, spares within the field. All trying good thus far, and straight out of the trendy biking glasses playbook. Are they any good whereas driving although?
Image 1 of 4
Performance
The important lens is okay. It’s adequate in full solar and performs OK in low mild but it surely’s definitely not going to hassle the large gamers just like the POC Clarity lenses or the Oakley Prizm vary for efficiency. The photochromic lens although is great, and from my viewpoint, you must in all probability consider these as a photochromic set of glasses. Swapping the lens, by the way, is straightforward sufficient. The sturdy frames don’t make it probably the most straightforward, however the lenses do exactly come out. One factor to concentrate on is should you’re pushing the glasses again up your face or into your helmet vents it’s greatest to push the frames as you possibly can pop one facet of the lens out should you push it.
The photochromic lens nonetheless is great. The purple hue does go some approach to making issues really feel a bit hotter, however greater than that it appears to extend the distinction a contact, one thing that’s usually missing in ‘plain’ photochromics. In low mild, this can be a profit. The lenses go surprisingly darkish even below heavy clouds, however I solely actually observed this trying again at photos; on the time I really assumed they have been basically nonetheless clear.
The dimension of the Shield glasses does lend them effectively to winter use – extra protection means much less rain hitting your face. What the images don’t present you is that they really sit noticeably additional out of your face than most different biking glasses, and so there may be vital airflow in behind them. It’s not fairly sufficient to grow to be bothersome like it’s with the Oakley Kato, but it surely does imply they resist fogging very effectively.
It’s really feels akin to viewing the world via a windscreen. The little further distance means you do really feel you’re looking via a pane, somewhat than merely trying, however as ever with the qualms I’ve with respectable glasses it’s solely actually after I think about it.
I don’t have a large head, however I did usually discover the Shield began to foul on the forehead of my helmet. I couldn’t really put on them in any respect with the Trek Ballista, so if you’re a small-headed particular person then I’d recommend these aren’t for you. This brow-bouncing, coupled with the very fact the nosepiece isn’t that squishy, meant I felt some discomfort on the bridge of the nostril after reasonable driving instances.
The photochromic lens has a purple-blue coating which helps improve the distinction in overcast situations. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Value
In the context of recent biking glasses, the RRP of the Spatz Shield (£164.99 or approx. $207) could be very affordable. It’s in regards to the excessive finish of mid-range, and for that, you get so much within the field, and construct high quality that’s among the many highest available on the market.
Given the flexibility provided by the combo of the solar lens and an honest photochromic, you’re principally lined for each eventuality, so I do assume these signify respectable worth.
The important lens is okay, however the photochromic possibility is absolutely the star of the present. (Image credit score: Will Jones)
Verdict
If you need a photochromic set of biking glasses then these are about pretty much as good as you’ll doubtless discover. They aren’t pretty much as good within the solar as others, and the dimensions really begins to convey some drawbacks, however as a primary foray, they’re wonderful, notably in winter.
I’ve stopped wanting recommending them as the most effective biking glasses for winter as I tended to succeed in for my 100% S3 with a transparent lens, which sat nearer to my eyes felt extra protecting, and was extra snug too, but it surely was an in depth run factor.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design and aesthetics
Good trying, effectively thought of vents, however no actual color choice
9/10
Field of imaginative and prescient
They’re so massive you may barely discover the chunky frames
10/10
Lens efficiency
The important lens is a bit lacklustre, however the photochromic possibility makes up for it by being wonderful
8/10
Comfort and retention
They held on effectively sufficient however the nostril was a bit uncomfy
7/10
Value for cash
You’ll be lined for all mild situations, and with the wonderful construct high quality these are a superb purchase
