When you’ve browsed my information to the greatest biking glasses currently, watched any biking on TV, and even simply been on any semi-serious group trip you would be forgiven for pondering all biking glasses at the moment are completely huge. Most manufacturers’ top-end fashions are reflective monoliths that may dwarf smaller faces – see the Spatz Protect and POC Devour for examples on the excessive finish of the size, however even the often-seen Oakley Sutro is massive by comparability.
Not catering to smaller our bodies (by which I imply ladies, let’s be clear) is an business pattern that continues to frustrate, however right here a minimum of I’ve discovered a superb set of biking glasses that can work brilliantly on smaller faces, and for individuals who merely don’t need a large mirrored wall on their face.
I’ve been utilizing the EVZero Blades for some time now, with each a Prizm Highway lens and the Prizm Sapphire you may see right here. They’re not excellent, however they will combine it with the most effective light-weight choices.
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The smaller type of the Oakley EVZero Blades makes them ultimate for smaller riders.(Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Regardless of their smaller dimension, the sector of view is sensible because of a heavy wrap. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The arms are very skinny, making these the lightest pair I’ve ever examined. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Design and aesthetics
Of all of the glasses I’ve examined, which is effectively over 50 – I’ve stopped counting at this level – the Oakley EVZero Blades are the lightest at 21.6g. It’s a matter of lower than a gram or two between them and different light-weight choices just like the 100% Hypercraft and the POC Elicit. They’re lighter, simply, than the insane $400 titanium version POC Elicits, however these are a money-no-object proof of idea greater than a practical proposition.
In any case, they’re essentially the most feathery, because of each a smaller type issue and an absence of frames; a characteristic shared with the Hypercraft and the Elicit. My favorite biking glasses, the Oakley Encoder, are additionally frameless, however use a thicker lens and extra chunky arms which provides a couple of grams.
The shape issue is comparable in some ways to the POC Propel, however not fairly so excessive; gently curved lenses with a heavy wrap and a low peak. Just like the Hypercraft, the EVZero Blades depend on a pair of skinny pair of arms connected solely on the temples. Additionally just like the Hypercraft, and the Elicit, the shortage of a full body or a lens stiffening fold like on the Encoder or Oakley Kato, means they don’t grip the perimeters of your head with fairly the identical tenacity as even a half-frame set would.
You’re additionally fated to decide on a single lens; there’s no choice to swap, both if you’d like a change of aesthetic or if you wish to slap a transparent lens in. My recommendation is to go for the Prizm Highway lens if you happen to worth optical efficiency, however there’s no denying that the high-shine blue of the Prizm Sapphire appears cool, you’ll simply sacrifice a little bit of low mild efficiency.
It’s additionally value noting that, from a security standpoint, Oakley lenses are impact-rated, a declare not matched by its opponents. It’s a small element, however particularly if you happen to’re driving on gravel the place the chance of a stone to the face is maybe barely larger, it’s one thing to remember.
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The arm grippers do effectively, however because the lens is comparatively versatile they do not grip with the tenacity of framed choices. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Right here you may see the wrap is much more pronounced than on some fashions. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Efficiency
I’ve very a lot loved utilizing the EVZero Blades. They’re maybe somewhat small for my tastes – I’m within the massive glasses camp – however the wrap and the very fact they sit near your eyes means there may be truly no actual drop within the visual field. The lenses are, as is principally common throughout the Oakley vary, distinctive. Completely distortion-free, clear, and within the Prizm Highway guise they’re all you can ever want from a one-lens-only set. It stays the benchmark towards which I choose all different lenses.
The frameless nature additionally signifies that there isn’t something ever actually sitting in your eyeline. This, mixed with the actually low weight, means you actually can successfully neglect you’re carrying them till they sometimes shift misplaced.
Extra closely wrapped, nearer becoming lenses are typically somewhat extra fog-prone in my expertise, particularly in chilly climate. I’ve examined these virtually completely in heat climate, primarily as they solely include a solar lens. If fogging ever turns into a problem because the 12 months progresses and will get colder I’ll replace this to replicate, however offered you’re nonetheless transferring I believe it gained’t hassle you.
In addition to being higher for smaller faces, the shorter lens (within the vertical airplane) means there’s principally no threat of the lenses ever fouling on the brim of your helmet. The lengthy slender arms will maybe begin sitting on helmet rear cradles, and there’s no adjustment to switch this which is at all times a slight bugbear. This lack of adjustment, mixed with the frameless building, means retention isn’t the most effective. It’s on a par with the opposite lightweights I’ve examined however is barely worse than the Elicits because of narrower arm grippers primarily.
The lightness actually provides to creating the EVZero Blades a really comfy pair of glasses, and the arms by no means bit in. If something it was in all probability the other, feeling somewhat free. The Elicits are maybe somewhat extra comfy, however they do have an enormous lens too.
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(Picture credit score: Will Jones)
(Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Worth
The EVZero Blades have been a part of the lineup of Oakley biking glasses for fairly a couple of years now, and as such they don’t command almost the identical premium as newer fashions. They’ll simply are available in at an identical value to mid-range choices from the likes of SunGod and, having used these I do know the place I’d be spending my cash, and it rhymes with ‘soak knee’.
The added worth of smaller glasses like these, in a lot the identical approach as one thing just like the perennial Oakley Radars, is that they appear far regular when doing non-cycling actions. I don’t suppose they’ll ever be regular for going to the outlets, however when mountain climbing, working and many others you’ll look extra the half, which undoubtedly make them higher worth.
Verdict
A superb pair of biking glasses. Light-weight, with sensible optics and a multisport aesthetic that’ll attraction to those that don’t need a wall of glass. The shortage of adjustment and lack of ability to swap lenses is a downside, however with the best lens, you have to be nice. For the value they far outshine many within the mid-range, too, in optical phrases a minimum of.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Ranking
Design and aesthetics
Good trying and small type issue work effectively
8/10
Visual field
For a smaller lens it is distinctive, and because it’s frameless it is roughly completely uninterrupted.
10/10
Lens efficiency
The Prizm lenses are the benchmark for others to match, and whereas I primarily used the Sapphire it will get docked factors for not having a transparent choice.
8/10
Consolation and retention
Extraordinarily comfy, however the versatile lens means they do not maintain your face in addition to many others.
7/10
Worth for cash
Contemplating they’re the value of mid vary choices, the worth is superb in my view – barely lessened by solely having one lens.
