POC Elicit Toric Bike Sunglasses

The Poc Elicit Toric Bike Sunglasses are extremely light, stylish and they deliver a superb optical performance – but it’s hard to get away from the price, and their lack of adjustability may not suit everyone.

> Buy now: Poc Elicit Toric Bike Sunglasses for £250 from Poc

Poc’s Elicit Toric Bike Sunglasses sit right at the top of the Swedish brand’s performance range, and they’re aimed at riders who want the lightest weight and the highest clarity. I’ve tested plenty of cycling glasses over the years, and these are some of the most striking – and at just 24g they’re also among the lightest, which makes them comfortable for even the longest ride with little pressure put on the contact points.

Build and design

The Elicit Toric uses a frameless, single-piece lens attached to arms with a single clip on either side. It is the most minimal attachment I’ve ever seen on a pair of cycling glasses – but in spite of that they feel surprisingly sturdy. It works because the ends of the arms clip into holes on the lens, where there’s a clip that clicks into arm from the other side, which then holds it in place firmly.

The design prioritises clarity, with the toric shape offering a balance between horizontal and vertical curvature. That means a wide, uninterrupted view of the road ahead without any distortion or sense of tunnel vision. The design keeps fogging at bay, even during long climbs in humid weather. I didn’t have to clear them once, which isn’t something I can say for most other glasses I’ve tested recently.

Visually, they’re very modern. Poc has gone for a clean, floating look that feels futuristic. I like it, though I don’t think it will appeal to everyone – some might prefer a bit more frame or substance.

Still, for pure cycling use, the design makes sense, reminding me a little of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, with similar rounded edges and their silvery colour.

Lens performance

The Elicit has the Poc Clarity Road lens, which it developed with Carl Zeiss – and it’s the absolute highlight of these glasses. The colour contrast is excellent and the detail is great, which helps you when you’re picking your line on twisty descents or spotting potholes early.

They perform superbly in bright conditions, and even when the light dips when you’re riding under trees or beneath cloud cover, visibility remains solid.

I wore with them in both bright and overcast conditions and never felt the need to switch lenses. These do come with a spare lens for low-light use, but unless you’re heading out early or riding into dusk, you’ll rarely need it. Optical distortion is essentially non-existent across the lens, and the lens clarity is right up there with the very best I’ve experienced.

One thing that is noticeable is that while the clips for the arms don’t prevent you from seeing your periphery, they are more noticeable than other glasses. It doesn’t have an impact on the clarity or your field of vision, but it is worth noting.

Fit and comfort

Fit is good – simple, secure and consistent.

The nosepiece isn’t adjustable, which on the surface feels like a miss at this price, but the soft rubber grip does its job well and the design means there is flex in lens, so it moulds to your nose more than it would if it were a stiffer design. And it didn’t slip even when I was sweating heavily.

The arms are slim and flexible, with just enough tension to hold firm without getting annoying after a few hours in the saddle.

Poc clearly designed these for all-day use. I wore them for a few long rides, and they stayed comfortable throughout. There’s very little pressure around your temples or bridge of your nose, and the low weight really helps here. The lack of adjustability would be a problem in a more rigid pair of sunglasses, with the flex in the lens effectively moulding themselves to the shape of your face.

Value

At £250, the Poc Elicit Toric Bike Sunglasses are expensive. In fact, aside from tech-laden smart glasses, these are the dearest sunnies we’ve ever tested, even it’s only by a few quid. You’re paying for their exceptionally low weight, their optical clarity and premium feel, so I don’t feel that the price is unreasonable for what you’re getting.

They’re only £11 dearer than the £239 Project Turbolence Impact PH Sunglasses. These are a half-frame design, which does give them a bit more rigidity, but I don’t think the sweat band across the top will appeal to all.

Oakley’s Kato glasses are a very similar price at £245. They weigh 32g and, as with the Rudy glasses, I don’t think their look will prove popular with everyone, but they have a similar lens clarity and performance as the Poc Elicits.

For further options, at a wide variety of prices, check out our best cycling sunglasses buyer’s guide.

Conclusion

The Poc Elicit Toric Bike Sunglasses are a superb option if you’ve got the budget and value a super-low weight, clarity and comfort above everything else. They deliver outstanding optical performance, they’re extremely well vented and their stable fit makes them ideal for mont rides. I think the frameless design looks sharp and performs very well too. They lack adjustability, and the clips are in your peripheral vision, but I think the main downside is their off-putting price. But for pure performance and all-day comfort, these are without doubt among the best I’ve ever used.

> Buy now: Poc Elicit Toric Bike Sunglasses for £250 from Poc

Verdict

Fantastic glasses – light, comfy for day-long rides and unrivalled optics, but it’s hard to get away from that price

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