The Adidas Sport SP0108 sunglasses provide effective protection, good optics and a secure fit, but are let down slightly by a lack of premium feel or extras for the money. They also lack some of the cycling-specific design elements I would like to see at this price point.
> Buy now: Adidas Sport Sunglasses SP0108 for £120.60 from SelectSpecs
The SP0108s are part of Adidas’ push into serious performance eyewear, and at 39g they’re light enough for most activities without pushing boundaries. While not the sleekest full-frame design out there, they do feel robust and well made. Although Adidas lists these under ‘running’ on its website, its PR company describes them as “adidas’ newest cycling sunglasses” with a “top-frame ventilation system [that] prevents fogging on intense rides”.
The lens on test was the smoke colour, but I can’t tell you the exact opacity because, while this lens is available from a few different places, it isn’t available directly from Adidas; we’ve asked for more info, but until we hear more, details are scarce. Adidas does say: “Different lens colours are available for different sports’ needs”, and these include light blue and violet.
The lens was certainly good for full sun and still usable in mixed conditions. I took the glasses out in heavy overcast weather without any issues, although they would struggle in lower light conditions.
Optical clarity is decent across the whole lens, with no distortion noticeable anywhere. It’s not quite the razor-sharp clarity of top-tier rivals like the Roka Matador or Oakley Prizm lenses, but it performs well enough in fast-changing light and high-speed descents.
Largely, they perform well on the bike, although while not getting in the way, the top of the frame is clearly more visible than on other cycling-specific glasses I have – even my Oakley Racing Jackets, which are 20 years old, don’t show as much frame. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but does suggest these are not thoroughbred cycling glasses.
Peripheral vision is good, though the arms are fairly bulky and can occasionally be seen during a shoulder check.
Ventilation is okay, too. There are small cutouts near the top of the lens, which help, although fogging still occurred during long climbs in humid weather. Once moving again it cleared relatively quickly, and actually perform as I would expect from glasses at this price point.
The fit is fairly good, too, although again, not up there with premium cycling-specific glasses. The nosepiece is adjustable, and the arms use moulded plastic bumps to keep them in place. I didn’t think this would work well, but I didn’t experience any slipping, even on sweaty rides.
However, there is no set of alternative nose-pads included, and the arms are not adjustable like you’d find on other brands.
The quality of construction is decent enough, but when you compare these with the likes of Oakley, 100%, or Koo, the plastic feels much more brittle and ‘scratchy’ – more scratchy plastic than you would expect for a pair of glasses costing over £100.
You also cannot replace the lens, which means that if it gets scratched up, you need to buy a whole new pair; £130 is a lot to pay for accidentally putting your glasses and keys in the same jersey pocket at a cafe stop.
Value
That RRP of £130 puts these in the mid-to-upper range. That seems fair for the performance, but less so when you consider the inability to change the lens, and the feel of the plastic – and the lack of a hardshell case (though you do get a soft case).
BBB’s Valor Flux glasses, for example, which Ollie tried out earlier this summer, are £109.99 and come with changeable lenses and a premium hard case. They felt high quality, too.
Or the Rapha Reis Glasses that Hollis reviewed last year. Okay, they’re £30 more, but they’re lighter by 11g, have changeable lenses, and come with a premium hard case too.
Check out more options in our guide to the best cycling sunglasses.
Conclusion
Overall, the Adidas Sport SP0108s are a respectable choice if you want solid optics and a decent all-round performance. However, they seem a bit expensive for what you get – and for what you don’t.
> Buy now: Adidas Sport Sunglasses SP0108 for £120.60 from SelectSpecs
Verdict
Decent glasses but don’t offer as much as others in the same price band
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Adidas Sport Sunglasses SP0108
Size tested: One size
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Adidas says: “These adidas sport sunglasses are built for high performance. They have several sport lens treatments, including hydrophobic, oleophobic, anti-scratch and anti-dust. Different lens colours are available for different sports’ needs, and a robust ventilation system helps limit fogging.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Adidas lists these details:
Size: 142 mm; Temple: 130 mm
Weight: 98 g
Frame material: Injected; Lens material: Polycarbonate
Ventilation system in the front and temples to increase air-flow
Bold and stabilising temple construction
Adjustable temples and nose pads
Clip-in is available for optical option
Cylindrical mask for increased protection
The construction itself seems solid, the hinges feel reliable and everything holds together well.
They performed well. I didn’t notice any particular issues with any fogging and they offered good optical clarity and protection.
Lenses are not changeable, and the plastic used does not feel as durable as offerings from other brands, though all fine so far.
Not sure where Adidas got its 98g weight from; these were 39g on the road.cc Scales of Truth, which isn’t too bad.
They stay on the face well, but the choice of material for the arms and the nose-pad do not compare well with other options at this price point.
At this price point there are glasses that are better for cycling, and with more premium extras.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
They offer good clarity and protection, and barely fog up, but the view through the top of the glasses could be better when in a crouch.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
They barely seemed to fog.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The price.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Their RRP of £130 seems fair for the performance, but less so when you consider the inability to change the lens, and the feel of the plastic – and the lack of a hardshell case.
BBB’s Valor Flux glasses, for example, which Ollie tried out earlier this summer, are £109.99 and come with changeable lenses and a premium hard case. They felt high quality, too. Or the Rapha Reis Glasses that Hollis reviewed last year. Okay, they’re £30 more, but they’re lighter by 11g, have changeable lenses, and come with a premium hard case.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Not at this price.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? No
Use this box to explain your overall score
These are a decent pair of glasses but seem a bit overpriced for what they come with and the quality of the materials used.
About the tester
Age: 35 Height: 6 ft Weight:
I usually ride: CAAD13 My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed,
2 thoughts on “Adidas Sport Sunglasses SP0108”
“Adidas lists these details:
“Adidas lists these details:
Size: 142 mm; Temple: 130 mm
Weight: 98 g”
heavy hi
I must admit that I am
I must admit that I am puzzled as to why people spend these sums on glasses, mine are Bolle contours which have an anti-glare coating, are safety rated, weigh 21g and cost about 8 quid if you shop around.
I must try some expensive glasses at some point, maybe see if I can hire them the next time I rent a bike on hols.