OAKLEY ENCODER

£210 Performance sunglasses worn by Flora Duffy…

The eagle-eyed among y0u may have seen the Encoder sunglasses before. That’s because Flora Duffy’s been sporting them in a number of her races this season. Ours came with the Prizm Trail Torch lenses, which is good for this time of year because they boost browns, reds and greens – ideal for autumn colours and when hitting the trails. With 35% light transmission, they work well in a range of lighting conditions, too, including dappled light when riding between hedgerows or under trees. A ‘road’ tint is also available if you tend to stick to the roads with your run and bike training, which will brighten whites and enhance yellows, greens and reds.

Clarity is excellent, they’re comfortable to wear and hardly moved during testing. Vitally, they’re also comfortable, even when worn with a helmet or hat. Coverage is top notch, protecting our eyes from wind, dust or other debris, while ventilation proved effective, too. The extended wrap offers an impressive field of vision, but the large nose piece is a blotch on the record here, proving a bit of an obstruction when looking anywhere other than straight on. The raised lip at the top of the lenses is also noticeable, which is not something you tend to experience on other frameless options, though it does mean they remain rigid. It doesn’t impact field of vision much, though, even when in an aero position. One thing you can’t ignore, however, is the price. At £210, you need to really like these sunglasses, as there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that do a fine job, too. RS oakley.com

82 %

VERDICT So many positives, but price and nose bridge need considering.