Those of us who ride know that mountain biking isn’t a sport, it’s a bunch of sports, some of which that have very little in common with the others. Compare downhill racing to all-mountain riding, cross country to freeride, dirt jumping versus trials. They all require very different equipment, skills, terrain and mindset. Collectively they also present a huge range of challenges when it comes to designing suitable eyewear.

At Ryders we see these challenges as opportunities. The shatterproof, optically correct lenses found in all of our eyewear provide the perfect protection against everything from sticks and stones to UV rays. Couple the lenses with frames that carefully take into account the airflow, fit, weight, comfort and style needs of mountain bikers and you’ve got a collection of high-performance eyewear.

Since the sport of mountain biking has been fragmented into so many specialized variations, it’s impossible to say with integrity that one pair of sunglasses is better for mountain biking than another. When you factor in the differences between disciplines, locations, trail and weather conditions and combine those variables with the vast range of different face shapes and sizes as well as different helmet designs you’ll quickly realize that determining whether a certain pair of glasses is good for you while doing your type of mountain biking is completely subjective. Here are some key considerations that you should take into account when looking for the perfect fitting pair of mountain bike shades:

FITTING SUNGLASSES FOR MTB

AIRFLOW — your glasses should have lots of breathing room, but not so much that you get dirt in your eyes
When trying on a pair of glasses, many people will consider the pair a good option if they’re comfortable and fairly snug fitting. For mountain bikers it’s critically important to bring airflow into that equation. If a pair of glasses fits snugly with not much space for ventilation, in many conditions you will have fogging problems, or at least heat problems. It’s always best to find glasses that provide enough space to clear the humid air from the backside of the lenses while still providing sufficient coverage and protection. Please take your helmet into account when determining whether the glasses will have enough breathing room. Some face shapes create an airflow nightmare. In these cases, adjustable nose pads may allow you to position the glasses further from your face—just look for a frame that includes this feature.

LENS COVERAGE — find a big enough lens that you’re adequately protected from dirt and debris
Though airflow is of critical importance, so is lens coverage. You’re wearing glasses to protect against dirt, debris and sunlight so you should make sure that the lens is big enough that it’s going to block those things effectively. Look for a big lens with sufficient airflow but not so much airflow that the wind brings the dirt and debris in with it.

COMFORT — you want to forget you’re wearing them
Are they comfy? Now that you have your helmet on, are they still comfy? Some people like the customizing options such as adjustable nose pads that are included on some frames.

VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMISSION — location, light conditions, weather, and duration of your run should all be considered before selecting the appropriate lenses
This is simply how light or dark a lens is. All of our lenses are shatterproof and block 100% of the UV they encounter, so you can pick a lens shade without concern of compromised protection. Please consider where you will be riding. Are you primarily in the forest, the alpine, grassy foothills? Are you in and out of different terrain and weather conditions? Do you ride at night? If you’re likely to encounter a mixed bag of light conditions, or if you head out no matter what the weather, you might be best to consider a Photochromic pair that adjusts to the light conditions automatically. If you want a couple of different colour options, perhaps an Interchangeable pair will serve you best.

HELMET COMPATIBILITY — make sure they work with your helmet
Once your wearing your helmet, try to find a pair of glasses that won’t give you interference. Straps and other retention devices are things to work around. Airflow is also affected once your helmet is on, so try to make sure that your glasses have adequate breathing room when worn with a helmet.