A pair of the best triathlon sunglasses can make all the difference to your performance.
Not only do they have an über professional look, but eye protection against harsh glare will also help you squint less, which is proven to conserve precious energy.
And that's not all – they'll also protect you from wind, bugs and dirt flying through the air, and can even improve the clarity of your vision.
Scroll down to see our pick of the best triathlon sunglasses on the market right now or head to the bottom of the page to find out how we tested.
Best triathlon sunglasses
Koo Supernova
- £170 / $200
Weighing in at only 21g, the fact that these sunnies are extremely light and flexible are the first thing you notice when you push them on.
They did feel a little large/wide for this female tester and I preferred the more secure feel of the Sungods.
The arms could have done with being a little grippier, too, though again you get a choice of nose bridges.
Six different lens/frame combos are available and the green lenses supplied here are suited to sunny days and light cloud, which I felt performed well during a sunny test weekend.
On the flipside, they are expensive for eyewear that can’t be used on gloomier days. Range of vision was superb, though. HW
Verdict: Very light and flexible, but a little too large.
Score: 80%
Oakley Sutro
- £159 / $192
Using Oakley’s Prism Road lenses, the Sutros are designed to enhance colour, contrast and detail, which they did with aplomb, while the level of clarity and field of view is impressive.
Having said that, in darker conditions or dappled light, they can feel a little dark, though other lenses are available when purchasing.
The complete-frame design ensures durability but impacts ventilation a little during hard sessions. Comfort is good, with the nose bridge and arms providing a secure fit, but rubber grips on the arm tips would’ve been a welcomed addition.
The lofty 56.7mm-high lenses provide ample coverage but may feel a little too large for some. RS
Verdict: Robust sunnies with great clarity and coverage.
Score: 87%
Adidas Sport Shield
- £160
These sunglasses from Adidas feature Vario photochromic lenses that adapt to different light settings.
They performed admirably in most conditions, while additional lenses come as standard to help cover all eventualities, such as low light.
The lack of frame on the top helps with ventilation, while the adjustable nose pads and rubber arms ensure a comfortable, secure fit.
The lenses provide great clarity, but the top finishes slightly lower down than others, meaning coverage when in an aero position on the bike isn’t quite as good.
They’re not exactly discreet in our red colourway, while the price puts them among the most expensive on test. RS
Verdict: A solid option, but better wind coverage elsewhere.
Score: 82%
Sungod Velans TF
- £130 / $160
Choice and adaptability are key in this sleek design. That TF in the name stands for ‘top frame’ and cleverly the Velans are also available in FF (full frame, £150/$180), which gives you a removable bottom ‘jaw’.
These get my vote, though, as visibility was excellent with a good, clear range of vision and no misting.
They fit this female tester well (three nose bridges supplied) and didn’t feel too over-designed like some in the current sports-sunnies market.
The gold lenses supplied gave sharpness and clarity on a freak sunny March weekend, as well as in dappled light, though 12 lens tints and multiple frame colours are available.
Verdict: We love the range of options, plus they're light and comfy. HW
Score: 88%
Bollé Shifter
- £190 / $200
In my eyes, these are among the coolest-looking glasses on test and the simplest.
They’re fully framed but the depth of the lens means vision is uninhibited. The lens delivers a crisp definition. On test are Bolle’s Phantom Vermillon, an orange hue that works wonders on all but the brightest of days.
Like most on test, the lens features an anti-fog treatment, which is backed up by subtle but useful vents at the top and below each eye.
The ski-goggle design arcs around your temple, and clamps in place thanks to rubber grips on the nose and arms. Seven frames are available with different lens options. MB
Verdict: A relatively simple but effective pair of glasses.
Score: 86%
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Van Rysel Roadr 920
- £54.99 (UK only)
These sunglasses from Decathlon in-house brand Van Rysel are the cheapest on test, yet boast photochromatic performance like the Sungod, Koo and BBB options.
Before I get to lens performance, let’s talk about fit, which is really rather good.
The nose piece felt secure and worked with the rubber tips on the arms to ensure minimal movement when cycling and running, with zero pressure points becoming apparent, either.
The lens shape isn’t too dissimilar to the Sungods, though there is a noticeable dip at the the top of the lens on each side. As a result, I did experience some wind and sunshine breaking in behind.
The lens itself offers reasonable clarity and good field of vision, but doesn’t quite perform to the same standard as the other photochromatic lenses in very bright conditions.
They also don’t feel as premium, but I'm pleased to see they come with both a hard case and soft pouch. RS
Verdict: A fine price for photochromatic, but lacks the finesse of pricier models.
Score: 80%
Alba Optics Stratos
- £145.89 / $179.68
Handmade in Italy and a featherlight weight of 30g are two instant appeals of the Stratos, the latter due to the pair lacking a main frame.
That gave me concerns over durability, especially in the chaos of transition come race day, but they come close to the Roka in their near-invisible run prowess.
In terms of adjustability, there’s no replacement nose piece (you can opt for an ‘Asian Fit’ nose pad when purchasing), but the arms have four different length options, a neat feature for added grip on the run.
There’s an interchangeable lens but no spares are provided. MB
Verdict: Great arms and low weight, but better lenses on test.
Score: 70%
Roka GP-1X
- £230 / $250
The GP-1X stay true to the brand’s multisport roots, feeling as close to a tri-specific pair of eyewear as you could get.
That’s due to the lack of a top frame for unobstructed visuals on the aerobars or drops, and reduces the weight to just 27g.
Four different nose pieces help with finding a secure fit, I had no fogging issues and the large HC Fusion lens performs in a variety of light conditions.
For that £200 outlay, however, you’d expect a second lens and I'd happily trade the fancy outer box they arrived in if it went towards a clear lens being provided. MB
Verdict: Quality pair for bike and run, but lacking spares.
Score: 79%
Sungod Vulcans FF
- £160 / $190
The Vulcans come in two modes: the TF (top frame, £140/$170) and the FF (full frame, £160/$190) here, which sees the frame extending under the lenses for added durability.
That move does see the weight increase by 5g to a test-topping 37g, but it still wasn’t an issue on the run. Unlike Sungod’s debut Pacebreakers, the Vulcans provide a huge amount of facial coverage without a noticeable gap.
But it’s the lens that really excels here, offering versatility and fog-free riding in a variety of changeable conditions. You don’t receive a spare lens, but the custom options are extensive. MB
Verdict: Durable and secure, but no spare lens.
Score: 87%
Scicon Sports Aerowing
- £125 / $170
The large shield design of the 33g Aerowing is on-trend, giving both wide facial coverage and an obstructed view on the hoods (part of the top frame creeps into the vision on the tri-bars, though).
Adjustability is best in class, with the nose pieces offering horizontal and vertical movement; the arms can be bent and reinforced to secure the desired level of grip and flexibility; and a series of venting channels prevent fogging.
We didn’t feel fully confident swapping out the lenses for the included clear pair, though – not ideal when the outlay is £125/$170. MB
Verdict: Great pair but there's a knack to swapping the lens.
Score: 89%
Tifosi Alliant Interchangeable
- £69.99 / $69.95
The second-cheapest pair here punch above their fiscal weight and wrap comfortably around the face.
They come with two lenses for lighter and darker conditions that, while not providing the definition and clarity of its higher-end competition, is pretty good.
Vents at the top and bottom increase airflow to prevent fogging, yet the slightly narrow lens means the base vents are too noticeable. The nose bridge is also too big and adds interference.
Yet construction is solid and the rubber ear pieces provide stability. From experience, the Grilamid TR-90 frame material will last a few seasons. MB
Verdict: A strong pair of eyewear for the price.
Score: 80%
Oakley Flight Jacket
- £194 (outgoing model)
The Oakley Flights follow a similar design to the brand's Jawbreaker model, though they lose the top part of the frame and feature a chunkier finish.
They also provide Oakley’s ever-impressive Prizm lenses, offered in Prizm Road, Prizm Low Light or Prizm Trail. Prizm Road works wonders at increasing the contrast of vision and making colours sing while riding or running.
But what muffles those bright notes is the unique nose vent that, when flipped, lifts the glasses slightly away from the face to improve venting.
Sadly the execution is poor as the bridge becomes uncomfy, especially when on the run. MB
Verdict: A pricey let-down from the optic legends.
Score: 72%
Tifosi Davos
- £69.99 / $69.95
The Davos from Tifosi glasses appear to represent great value. They’re a budget-friendly model and come with a hard storage case, a soft cleaning bag and three interchangeable lenses – one clear lens, one light-enhancing lens and one slightly mirrored smoke lens.
Switching between them requires a bit of brute force to begin with but gets easier as you perfect the knack and the frame develops some give.
Yet the frame is more of an issue when you’re wearing them, as it’s visible whichever way you look. It’s not obstructive but, certainly in this colour, it’s hard to ignore.
The bigger problem is the frame’s insecurity – the glasses constantly slide forwards and, with even the slightest tilt of your head, you can see over the brow.
The vented lenses are also breezy, which may help prevent sweat getting in your eyes, but also makes your eyes more prone to watering. So not such great value, after all. MB
Verdict: Some handy extras and a relatively cheap price, but lacking a secure fit.
Score: 66%
Julbo Aerospeed
- £142.50
Designed with triathletes in mind, these Aerospeed glasses sport the brand’s Reactiv lenses. In theory, this means they adapt to various light conditions.
In practice, they deal with changeable conditions very well, particularly in dappled light, but on the brightest of sunny days they aren’t quite as effective at blocking light as the likes of Oakley with their darker lenses.
Elsewhere, field of vision is unhindered and clarity is good, striking the balance between decent coverage without looking massive when on.
They’re comfortable to wear and the adjustable nose pads are a nice touch, but the arms didn’t fit quite as securely as we’d like. MB
Verdict: Light and great field of vision, but not the most secure.
Score: 84%
How we tested
All of the sunglasses featured here have been tested by 220's expert gear reviewers, which includes editor Helen Webster, former features editor (and now editor of Cycling Plus) Matt Baird and content editor Rob Slade.
Between the three of them they have over 35 years of experience testing kit.
When rating the best triathlon sunglasses, we considered fit, comfort, performance in bright light, versatility in different lighting conditions, field of vision, clarity, value, protection against wind and airborne debris, plus the lenses ability to avoid fogging up.
If we rate a product with a score of 90% or more, it means we are mightily impressed and it's hard to find fault. Anything scoring between 80-89% is also incredibly impressive and among the best on the market.
A score of 70-79% means the product is worth considering, as it does some stuff well, but it will also have a couple of flaws. Anything below 70% is likely to have one or two major issues, or a series of smaller ones, so consider if they bother you before thinking about buying.
What to look for in the best triathlon sunglasses
When shopping for a new pair of sunnies, go for one with a high UVA rating to protect your corneas from sun damage, even if you just race in the UK.
Like some of the glasses here, many brands will supply multiple interchangeable lenses, so you can adapt the choices depending on variable lighting conditions.
This versatility is useful when cloudy days call for a lighter lens or if a sun-drenched course requires a darker pair to provide adequate clarity.
Recent years have seen the introduction of the photochromatic lens, which becomes darker when exposed to high UV rays. Changing out these lenses can be a precarious task, however, so a durable frame is essential.
While this type of eyewear summons references to obscure ’80s pop bands, the visor-style, wraparound lens shape does offer the best performance advantage as it optimises the field of vision and coverage.
On this note, options without a top frame can be useful if you plan to be riding on your clip-on aerobars or a triathlon bike, as otherwise it can impede vision.
A sturdy frame that sits close to the eyes is also desirable to help with windchill on the ride, while incorporated vents and an anti-fog coating are lifesavers when huffing and puffing through T2 onto the run.
Finally, to reduce the chance of your sunglasses bouncing on the fly ensure you have a snug fit on the nose bridge and silicon grippers along the arms, which will also help improve comfort.
Don't need options just for multisport? Take a look at our list of the best running sunglasses for more options.
