Briko Endure 5.0 sunglasses

Cycling shades aren't just for when the suns out and thanks to a range of spare lenses the Briko Enduro 5.0 glasses should see plenty of year round use.

Open up the hardshell case and you'll find a lightweight frame made from Grilamid polymer which is incredibly flexible in all directions which should pay dividends when you inevitably sit on them or, like me, drop them before accidently riding over them.

Looking down on the Briko's you realise how curved they are, they have a much larger radius on the arms than most only really touching the head right at the end where the rubber grippers are attached. This does give plenty of clearance for helmet straps though with such a small contact point they don't feel as secure in use as my usual faves, Oakley's Radar.

The arms themselves are attached to the rim with screws which is a nice touch as a lot of sports glasses tend to just use moulded dimples for an interference fit.

There are five lenses included in the pack, two of which are UV category 3 for those properly sunny days. One is the mirrored finish letting through 17% of light and the blue/purple allows 11% of light through. Both of these work well in bright sunlight offering brilliant clarity though none of the lenses are polarized.

For duller days or night riding the other three lenses provide plenty of options. The green category 2 (30%) lens is a good all rounder making it ideal for changeable conditions plus there is a red version for rainy days allowing 80% of light transfer. Clear is the last option.

Changing from one lens to the next takes about thirty seconds once you've had a bit of practice as its only a matter of pushing the nose bridge down a bit to allow the lens to fall out. Insert the new lens into the grooves under the frame and snap it into place on the nose bridge, job done.

Each lens has ventilation slots around the outer edge and coupled with anti-fog treatment they never steam up even in wet and humid conditions. It does allow the breeze to pass through pretty close to your eye though so for hayfever sufferers it can be irritating, quite literally.

One hundred and twenty pounds is a fair price for a decent pair of sunglasses especially when you get a good choice of lenses which allow you to use them 365 days of the year.

Overall the customisation is the main reason for buying the Briko's as you're always going to have a lens for the conditions. They fit pretty well even though they don't feel as secure as some other glasses and that would be my biggest concern. You wouldn't want to risk putting these on your helmet or cap when riding as they won't still be there when you finish.

Verdict

All weather glasses with great optics though a flimsy feel and drafty lenses knock them down a star