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review

Bolle 6th Sense Cycling Sunglasses

8
£149.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Super-lightweight glasses which basically come in kit form, with excellent field of vision and lens clarity
Weight: 
28g

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Aerodynamic fairings on a pair of sunglasses? Yep, the Bollé 6th Sense are about as pro as you can get, especially with our test set being in AG2R La Mondiale colours. It isn't all about gimmicks, though, as these glasses are seriously good.

The big lens of the 6th Sense has a retro look to it, harking back to visors of the Nineties, but as far as technology goes they are bang up to date.

The frame is practically non-existent, which is something I like. There is nothing worse than crouching down in the drops or doing a quick shoulder check to find that there is a piece of plastic in your line of sight. The 6th Sense offer a massive field of vision without you even moving your head.

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The 6th Sense are basically a set of components clipped to the lens: arms, nosepiece, top clip and aero fairings all detach with a simple twist. You can buy additional lenses to go with your frame, varying shades and even photochromic ones. The AG2R versions here come with 'neutral grey with a blue violet mirror for bright conditions'.

>> Check out our guide to the best cycling sunglasses here

Those fairings clip onto the arms to create a streamlined helmet/glasses combo, plus they stop air or sunlight coming in through the side – almost like blinkers on a racehorse – yet they are far enough back to not restrict vision.

While we are on the subject of the lens, there are a couple of coatings to take a look at. Its Hydrophobic/Olephobic treatment basically repels water and oil, making it bead off the lens. It works well too, preventing water marks and even sweat and fingerprint marks. Well, they're still there, but just a lot less smeary than some with lenses, something you really notice when you ride into low sun typical of this time of year.

The lens also comes with an anti-fog coating on the inside to stop it misting up in humid conditions, and there are vents near each arm, which help keep air circulating so you don't get any visibility issues. The only problem you might have is if you suffer from hayfever – the breeze can really whip in once you pick up speed and you can feel it blowing over your eyes.

>> Too expensive? Check out our guide to the best cheap sunglasses here

As far as fit goes, you certainly don't get any issues with slippage when the going gets a little bit sweaty. Both the nosegrip and temple grips are made of a hydrophilic polymer designed to absorb moisture; on a particularly hot day things can get overwhelmed, but they do continue to grip your face without any irritation.

The nosepad is adjustable too. You either squeeze or expand the grip and it stays put.

Overall, at 28g they are unbelievably light and you barely know you are wearing them. The arms apply enough pressure to keep a grip even when you're looking down, without being uncomfortable, the nose grip the same. They do feel a little flimsy in your hand in comparison to some – my Oakley Radars or the RH+ ones I tested a while back, anyway – but in practice I never felt I had to be careful with them.

Sunglasses have always been a fashion item and that can drive prices just as much as the technology, but while the Bollé are expensive, they are quite reasonably priced against the opposition.

Verdict

Super-lightweight glasses which basically come in kit form, with excellent field of vision and lens clarity

road.cc test report

Make and model: Bolle 6th Sense Cycling Sunglasses

Size tested: Colour: AG2R Shiny Blue-Brown/Blue Violet oleo AF, Size: Medium/Large Fit

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?

We've got the pro team AG2R La Mondiale version of the Bolle 6th Sense glasses, so it's safe to say they are aimed at the top end of the market. Seriously light with excellent clarity means they feel exactly how I'd expect a pair of sunglasses costing £150.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

*Nylon frame

*Thermagrip Ear Grips

*Adjustable Nose Pads

*Trivex Lens Material

*Oleophobic/Hydrophobic Lens Coatings

*Anti-Fog Lens Treatment

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Put together well, with plenty of screws used rather than just push fit.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Great fit, excellent clarity and field of vision. Low weight means you barely know you are wearing them.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

They feel more flimsy than my Oakley Radars, though that doesn't mean they won't stand up to longterm use.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

28g!!!!

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

No pressure points anywhere and the adjustable nose pads allow for a custom fit.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

I like sunglasses so I'd probably spend more than most, but I reckon the cost is comparable to the competition.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Great sunglasses in terms of fit, lens clarity and field of vision, but hayfever sufferers might not get on with the lens vents.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The light weight.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The blue and brown colour combination, others are available though.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

The light weight, cool looks and aero additions mean the 6th Sense are pretty well up there in the fashion stakes, plus that is all backed up with a really good lens. The clarity and field of vision allowed by the curved shape means they are some of the best glasses I've used for multiple riding disciplines. The only thing that lets them down is a slightly flimsy feel.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: Kinesis T2  My best bike is: Mason Definition

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: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

 

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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9 comments

Avatar
poppa | 9 years ago
0 likes

I use bolle glasses, but usually the <£10 clear ones on eBay. Great if you have a tendency to lose them.

Avatar
Flying Scot | 9 years ago
0 likes

They look great, but Bolle do great specs for a tenner.

We used to use Bolle at work, they do prescription in most of their sport and industrial ranges.

If I spend big money on bins, I usually break them!

Avatar
Alan Williams | 9 years ago
0 likes

How did they perform in bright sunshine?

Avatar
Alan Williams | 9 years ago
0 likes

How did they perform in bright sunshine?

Avatar
seven | 9 years ago
0 likes

Seriously you guys, in reviews like this you need to make mention of whether or not prescription inserts are available.

Avatar
oceandweller replied to seven | 9 years ago
0 likes
seven wrote:

Seriously you guys, in reviews like this you need to make mention of whether or not prescription inserts are available.

+1. This is a real issue for many riders (well, me, to name but one), but it's often quite hard to find out if prescription inserts are available. I even raised the point (at a bike show) with one UK importer of a well known brand, who told me yes, prescription inserts were available for some of their models but they didn't bother advertising them because nobody ever asked for them. Chickens & eggs...

Avatar
stuke replied to seven | 9 years ago
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seven wrote:

Seriously you guys, in reviews like this you need to make mention of whether or not prescription inserts are available.

Sorry about that, as a non-glasses wearer it was a bit of an oversight. Prescription versions are available but they are expensive at £299.99 with a lead time of 2-3 weeks

Avatar
seven replied to stuke | 9 years ago
0 likes
stuke wrote:
seven wrote:

Seriously you guys, in reviews like this you need to make mention of whether or not prescription inserts are available.

Sorry about that, as a non-glasses wearer it was a bit of an oversight. Prescription versions are available but they are expensive at £299.99 with a lead time of 2-3 weeks

Cheers.

Looking at the various options on the prescription ones, it seems the prices only start at £300. Ouch.

Avatar
stuke replied to seven | 9 years ago
0 likes
seven wrote:

Seriously you guys, in reviews like this you need to make mention of whether or not prescription inserts are available.

Sorry about that, as a non-glasses wearer it was a bit of an oversight. Prescription versions are available but they are expensive at £299.99 with a lead time of 2-3 weeks

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