A Guide to Cycling Sunglasses: Features, Fitting & Lenses

Finding the right pair of cycling sunglasses and selecting the correct lens can be a difficult task. Key to keeping you safe on roads and trails, they need to block harmful UV rays, grit, wind and rain while keeping your vision clear. Add to this fitting your face shape, budget and eyesight needs, all while looking good doing it and this task gets even trickier.

Our goal with APE Optics is to make this job simple. Built around an interchangeable lens system we include everything you need for complete protection, comfort and clarity in all conditions in one pack, rather than having to choose one option or deal with complex and expensive add-ons. Stylish, full-featured and pro-level eyewear without the price tag.

This guide details important factors to consider when selecting a pair of cycling sunglasses. It outlines the features and fitment of our cycling sunglasses range alongside the differences in each included lens to ensure you pick the right option whatever the activity or weather.

Frame Sizing
Finding the correct size frame is key to ensuring glasses stay where they need to be during activity, fit your helmet vents when not in use and offer a full field of vision. No eyewear will do a good job if they aren’t proportional to the shape and size of your face or fit comfortably on your nose and ears.

We offer two frame and lens size options to fit all faces. Our standard frame will suit most men’s faces, while a new smaller version is now available for narrower faces, women and children. An adjustable nose pad on all models fits a broad range of face shapes.

Compare Frame Sizes

Dimensions

Suitable for

A.P.E. Optics Vega Evo Sunglasses (Matte Black w/ Jet Fuel Mirror Lens)

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A.P.E. Optics Vega Evo Sunglasses Black (Smaller Face/Women/Kids Size)

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W140mm x H65mm X D140mm

W135mm x H55mm X D125mm

Most men's face shapes

Narrow faces, women and children

UV protection
Sunglasses protect the eyes from harmful UV rays. There are three types, UVA, UVB and UVC, present under sunny and overcast skies. It’s important your lens provides “full-spectrum UV protection” rather than the outdated claim of “UV protection” which may only cover UVA rays.

All APE Optics lenses offer full-spectrum UV protection tested to international standards: CE UV400 / ISO 12312-2 (EU), ANSI Z80.3 (US) and AS/NZS 1067 (AUS/NZ).

VLT% and Lens Categories for Cycling
VLT (Visible Light Transmission) is the percentage of light that passes through a lens. The lower the VLT%, the darker the lens and the more light it blocks. Lower VLT is key in reducing glare. Lenses are grouped into five categories (Cat 0–4) with 4 being unsafe for general cycling use and reserved for the intense light of high altitude sports.

All APE Optics sunglasses include three lenses covering Cat 0-3 and all riding conditions. A photochromic lens is also available, adapting to conditions from Cat 0-3 in one everyday lens.

What lens is right for you?

Cat 3

Cat 0

Cat 1

Cat 0-3

16% light transmission

11% light transmission

100% light transmission

67% light transmission

5-70% light transmission

Full spectrum UV protection

Medium to bright sun. Enhanced contrast, clarity and reduced glare with added style and colour.

Bright, high-glare conditions. Cuts glare near water or on wet roads.

Overcast, dull days, dawn/dusk, dense woodland trails. Impact protection for off-road and night riding with no loss of vision.

Dull days or winter riding. Enhanced contrast and clarity in low-light. Also gives the world a nice warm glow in the depths of winter.

One lens for all conditions. Automatically adapts to the light for clarity and safety whatever the weather.

Yes

Optional extra. Only £9.

Optional extra. Only £18.

Lens coatings and treatments
Mirrored coatings reduce glare, provide more clarity and reduce eye strain in bright or extreme sunlight.
Available in full, gradient or multilayer options, multilayer coatings reduce the maximum amount of glare, improve visual comfort and offer the best colour contrasts.

APE Optics use a multilayer mirror coating on all our base frames to provide superior clarity and contrast. This is overlaid with a scratch resistant coating and hydrophobic treatment to repel water, dirt and oils, keeping your lenses in prime condition.

Prescription lenses
Not all cycling sunglasses are compatible with prescription lens. If you require glasses day-to-day, you need to ensure you can carry that through to the bike.

All our cycling sunglasses come with a free prescription insert included, constructed from the same strong, durable material as our frames. You simply take this insert to your opticians for fitting with your prescription. All high street and online opticians can take care of this for you.

A.P.E. Optics Vega Evo Cycling Sunglasses (Matte White w/ Silver Lens)

Included with every pair of APE Optics Vega Evo Sunglasses

Mirror lens
Polarised lens
Clear lens
Prescription insert
Protective hard case
Soft pouch
Microfibre cleaning cloth.

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What The Cycling Press Is Saying

“At this price, it's hard to ask for anything more than this. Looks sharp, feels solid, and fits well. A tonne of lenses covering every condition”
Cyclingnews, Best Overall Cycling Sunglasses 2025 & 2026
“In terms of value, there’s little that rivals the APE Optics sunnies. A banging pair of shades”
Cyclist Magazine, Best Budget Cycling Sunglasses 2026
“A tonne of bang for your buck. An RX insert, clear lens, a wipe and a microfibre bag all within the asking price.”
road.cc

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Polarised lenses
The sun produces random light waves that travel in one plane only and polarised lenses stop them, reducing glare. This is done through a special filter that blocks horizontal light waves while letting vertical ones pass through. Polarised lenses are great for riding outdoors at high-altitudes or near large bodies of water since light reflects off of it, creating glare.

We included a polarised lens with all models, improving the view, contrast and clarity by eliminating the glare caused by horizontal light waves that occur when reflected off of water. We use an embedded filter in the lens as opposed to an exterior coating that can wear off with time.

Polarised Lens Comparison

Without polarised lens

With polarised lens

Field of vision
Your field of vision directly impacts how you interact with your surroundings. The broader the field of vision, the less blind spots you have, the more you can see and react to hazards on the road or trails.

Our Vega Evo model features a high-extending, wrap-around shield maximising field of vision for the rider in any position.

Lens and frame construction materials
Cycling sunglasses frames and lenses need made from durable and lightweight materials that can withstand the rigours of daily use as well as the impact of a crash, while remaining comfortable for the wearer.

APE Optics frames are constructed from TR90, an ultra-lightweight, highly flexible thermoplastic renowned for its durability and impact resistance over traditional acetate. We use premium polycarbonate lenses for these same reasons. Both frame and lens together weigh less than 30g and are high impact tested to ANSI Z80.3:2018 standard.

Lifetime Crash Replacement
We’ve built our sunglasses to last, but we know accidents can happen. Like all our clothing ranges, we offer a Lifetime Crash Replacement Scheme, providing a deep discount on replacement frames and lenses for anything damaged beyond repair in a crash.

Photochromic lenses
If you’re looking for a do-it-all lens, a photochromic lens is as close as you’ll get. Indoors they appear clear, but once outside, the lens darkens in response to the amount of ambient light.

You can avoid the need to switch lenses as you ride since they adapt automatically to the current light conditions. While all APE Optics packs include a mirror, polarised and clear lens to cover all conditions, we offer a photochromic option for a small additional cost for the convenience of one lens for all uses.