Serious outdoor cycle enthusiasts can be broadly split into two categories: road cyclists and mountain bikers. Both groups will need to kitted out in the right gear, and what is great for the roadies will not be so good for the rough terrain riders. Cycling glasses are a must have item for both though, but for each these will be constructed quite differently.

You might be wondering why anybody riding their bike would even need a pair of cycle glasses. There is a number of reasons: as sunglasses to protect the rider’s eyes from intense light, and of course allow him to see the road safely. Even if they are not the dark lenses of cycling sun glasses, they will undoubtedly still have a coating to shield the eyes from ultraviolet rays from the sun; these rays are ever-present even when the weather is overcast. There is also the not inconsiderable risk from being bombarded with all manner of junk from the road surface and vehicles as they overtake cyclists, and numerous flying insects, all of which can easily strike the eyes and cause immediate injury, or cause a loss of concentration followed by the possibility of a crash.

For BMX racers and mountain bikers, junk from passing vehicles will not be a problem, but all the other hazards still apply, as well as the potential for mud to splash into the eyes, temporarily blinding the rider; the nature of many bike trails means a sudden loss of vision can be very dangerous. There is the added risk – and often expectation – of crashes, and wearing eye protection is a wise move when there are branches and twigs and all manner of other sharp objects waiting for a chance to puncture an eyeball.

The rugged terrain usually navigated by mountain bikers means they need to wear higher levels of protection. This can include elbow and knee padding, and normally a full face crash helmet. For the BMXer, normal cycling glasses will not fit the bill as they are too easily knocked off when landing jumps or getting thrown off their bikes. For these riders, cycling goggles are the must have item to keep vision clear in a range of lighting conditions, and also to protect the eyes from lurking danger. Cycle goggles are attached with a strap which wraps around the head, and can be comfortably worn with helmets. They will not fall off so easily.

So it is imperative that you pick the best cycling glasses for the style of riding that you compete in. If you have defective vision, there is a massive range of prescription cycling eyewear that can correct your sight as well as doing their job as bike glasses; there are now even specialized prescription cycle goggles available from some manufacturers, so there is no longer any excuse not to look after your sight, the same way you undoubtedly want to protect your head from injuries using a helmet.

As is the case for road cycling glasses, when you go looking for a good pair of goggles, pick ones that are shatterproof, have a comfortable fit around your face, and have lenses that are the right color for the light levels you intend to compete in. Finally, good cycling goggles will allow you to have a high level of peripheral vision so you can anticipate obstacles from the sides as well as from the front. Stick to these features and you should be good to go.