SunGod GTs with 8KO Iris Photochromic lens

The SunGod GTs With 8 KO Iris Photochromic Lens sunglasses deliver excellent clarity and lenses that adapt quickly to changing light conditions. They have a wide field of vision, the sunnies are comfortable and they remain securely in place when you’re cycling. However, they are expensive, and at this price I’d at least expect a hard case to be included along with the microfibre bag.

> Buy now: SunGod GTs With 8 KO Iris Photochromic Lens for £200 from SunGod

SunGod says that its GTs sunnies were made with Grand Tours in mind. While most of us won’t be riding a Grand Tour any time soon, I know a lot of people who ride audax events much longer than any professional bike race.

Lens

This model comes with SunGod’s top-end 8KO IRIS photochromic lens, which quickly adjusts to changing light conditions. SunGod makes these GTs glasses with a choice of seven different lenses, costing from £140 for a clear lens to £200 for the two photochromic options.

I did most of my testing in autumnal conditions, with the sort of overcast and sunny intervals that are ideal for testing photochromic lenses. Their lenses performed exceptionally well, with superb clarity, and I never felt the need to remove them when riding into darker areas, which is often necessary with non-photochromic lenses.

I’ve tested other top-end glasses from the big-name brand over the last few years, and the lens clarity of these was on par with any of those.

When the low winter sun appeared, they performed adequately, though this isn’t really their strength.

The lenses themselves provide a wide field of vision. The large frame may be visible in the periphery of your vision, but this did not affect clarity or confidence on the road.

I had no real issues with lenses fogging up under normal riding conditions. The only time it happened was after a hard climb, followed by a stop to fix a mechanical on a damp morning.

These don’t come with a spare clear lens, though you can buy them from SunGod. Though as with the glasses, the lenses aren’t exactly cheap either, ranging from £50 for the standard lens to £110 for the photochromic lens.

That said, if you do go down that route, changing lenses is at least quick and easy, taking no more than 30 seconds per lens.

Fit and integration

I found the fit good, and this is helped by the SunGods coming with three different nose pieces so you can dial the fit to the shape of your face. And as with the lenses, swapping these was also quick and easy.

I’ve tested the sunglasses with a few different helmets, and the integration with all of them was seamless. As a contact lens wearer, I don’t like getting wind in my eyes, and these did a good job of reducing airflow, albeit not completely.

The GTs’s rubberised arms help them to stay securely in place. I did find this made putting them into helmet vents a little tricky, but as they adapt well to changing light, I rarely needed to remove them except for cafe stops.

The glasses are fairly light at 34g and feel comfortable. I’ve worn them on multiple rides of over four hours and have had no issues with irritation on my nose or temples.

Looks

Geraint Thomas had an influence on the design when Ineos switched from Oakley to SunGod a few seasons back. There are subtle nods to him and to Wales in the detailing, and you can even opt for his signature white frame with the red logo if you want to match his look.

You can also design your own glasses.

SunGod lets you choose your own frame, lens, logo and the colour of its ‘earsocks’. This is a cool feature that lets you design a pair exactly how you want.

While these are designed for cycling, SunGod also recommends them for running, hiking and other outdoor sports. I found them comfortable for running, and they adapted well to changes in light while I was running through the woods. It also says they’re suitable for winter sports, though I’m not sure I’ve enough confidence in my snowboarding skills to put that claim to the test.

As with most of today’s cycling sunnies, these are probably best suited to cycling and other sports, and I’d prefer less sporty glasses for casual use.

Extras

These come only with a microfibre bag, which feels a little disappointing for a £200 pair of sunglasses. It’ll cost you an extra tenner to buy a case from SunGod, though there’s a fair chance you may have an old case lying around at home.

SunGod offers 30-day returns, but only on standard models – custom builds are non-returnable, which is fair enough. However, it does offer a generous lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects or accidental damage, which is excellent news if you are clumsy or have an unfortunate tumble.

Finally, SunGod is a certified B Corp, which means the company takes pride in its sustainability, using recycled materials in the frames and lenses.

Value

At £200, these are at the upper end of the price scale of the glasses we’ve tested. But the excellent lenses, good looks and customisation options do a good job of justifying that high price.

Stu rated the Oakley Katos as some of the best sunglasses he’s ever worn – and he reviews a lot of sunnies. These are even more expensive than when we tested them and are now a hefty £271.

Highly rated and coming in at similar price to the SunGods are the photochromatic Rudy Project Tralyx glasses, which cost £189.99.

If you’re on a tighter budget, you might consider the Galibier GrandTour Optics – excellent sunnies that cost just £56.

For more options, check out our best cycling sunglasses buyer’s guide.

Conclusion

The SunGod GTs are very good, the lenses are excellent, the warranty gives peace of mind that they’ll last a long time – and I think they look great. And I appreciate SunGod’s B Corp credentials too. About the only downside is the lack of a hard case, which I’d expect on a pair of premium glasses coming in at £200.

> Buy now: SunGod GTs With 8 KO Iris Photochromic Lens for £200 from SunGod

Verdict

Excellent lenses, stylish and customisable and a great warranty – though I’d like a hard case at this price

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