Bigger is better

Oversize sunnies used to be the musthave accessory. And they still are

Sunglasses are an essential piece of a cyclist’s ensemble, but over the years some wannabe trendsetting models thankfully failed to stand the test of time. Oakley’s Overthetops spring to mind, as do many of Mario Cipollini’s Briko glasses from the 1990s.

One trend that has stuck around, though, originates from the earliest days of protective eyewear in cycling, and that is the trend for oversize sunglasses. A hundred years ago riders such as Octave Lapize and Phillipe Thys favoured large, ex-military flying goggles made from glass and leather, while Fausto Coppi sported Ray-ban’s Aviator models in the 1950s.

By the 1980s Oakley was on the scene, and before long Greg Lemond was using the brand’s iconic Eyeshades. If the trend for big sunglasses wasn’t set in stone before, it certainly was then.

The current crop of oversize designs is ostensibly the best selection we riders have had the good fortune to choose from, but why is the concept so popular?

Field of vision is one advantage. Big lenses push their frames beyond the extremities of the rider’s peripheral sight, creating an unrestricted view of the road. Protection is another: shield-like lenses more effectively block UV rays, wind and even bugs from reaching the rider’s eyes. The latest polycarbonate materials mean this size can be achieved with virtually no weight penalty too, so add all that up and there’s little disadvantage to going big.

Here’s our pick of the super-size shades currently on offer. For stockists, see p136.