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review

Bollé Shifter glasses

8
£149.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Great visibility and fit but you can get the same properties for less money
Weight: 
32g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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With fashion dictating that cycling shades are returning to the ski goggle type size of the 90s, the Bollé Shifter glasses are bang on trend, but they aren't form over function thanks to excellent visibility and sharp optics.

  • Pros: Light, no frame parts hamper vision
  • Cons: Design isn't for the shy or retiring...

The main thing I like about the Shifters is that even though they are a fully framed pair of glasses, not one part of it gets in the way of your eyesight.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy these online here

The lens wraps further round the side of your eye than most glasses with a frame, which means that when glancing over your shoulder or looking left or right you have full visibility. You can see the frame but it's positioned just far enough out of your line of sight.

Bollé Shifter glasses 3.jpg

It's the same in the middle too. The Shifters are quite tall, so you have quite an expanse of lens above the nose-piece so when looking straight ahead, again, there is nothing to distract or get in the way.

At 32g, they're 'barely there'; you hardly know you're wearing them, and thanks to the rubber grips on the inside of the arms and the nose-piece they stay put without feeling tight or compressive, even when wearing them for hours.

Being quite wide at the front, the arms offer plenty of room for passing over helmet straps before they arc back in to sit above your ears.

The lens has an anti-fog treatment and they also have vents at the top centre plus below each eye, which also helps to keep things clear.

Bollé Shifter glasses 2.jpg

Seven different coloured frames are available, with different lens colour options depending on the type of weather you want them for riding in. On test is Shiny Clear Blue with a Phantom Vermillon Gun lens, which I find ideal for riding in anything but the brightest of sunshine. The orange tint brightens up the dullest of days and the optics are very crisp.

At £149 the Bollés aren't the cheapest on the market, especially when you look at what something like the Ekoi Perso Evo 9 glasses offer for just over £85.

> Buyer's Guide: 10 of the cheapest cycling glasses

> Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best cycling glasses

Mind you, the 100% Speedcrsft SL glasses don't seem to offer a whole lot more for their £179.99, so it does show how fickle the marketplace can be.

On the whole I really like the shape and fit of the Shifters, and if you have the cash then you won't be disappointed.

Verdict

Great visibility and fit but you can get the same properties for less money

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Bollé Shifter glasses

Size tested: L

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?

Bolle says, "Inspired from the famous Bolle Chronoshield models, the Shifter is packed with simple yet progressive features to enjoy the ride. Curved temples, vented lens and Phantom lenses have made the Shifter the natural choice of team AG24 La Mondiale."

Very good glasses that offer great vision and impressive optics.

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

From Bolle:

Anti-fog treatment

Oleophobic treatment

nxt Phantom lens

Available in prescription

Rubber on nose pad

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

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

They offer plenty of protection from the elements and are lightweight and comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Excellent range of visibility.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Pricier than some very good competition.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The price of sunglasses varies a huge amount, and I'd say the Shifters aren't overpriced but for this money I'd probably be expecting a bit more adjustment and customisation.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? It depends, there are plenty of other cheaper options out there.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

A really good pair of glasses that deliver across the board but pricier than some that deliver the same outcome.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 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

With 20 years of road cycling and over 150,000 miles in his legs it's safe to say Stu is happiest when on the bike whatever the weather. Since writing his first review for road.cc back in 2009 he has also had a career in engineering including 3D-CAD design and product development, so has a real passion for all of the latest technology coming through in the industry but is also a sucker for a classic steel frame, skinny tyres, rim brakes and a damn good paintjob.
His fascination with gravel bikes is getting out of control too!

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