The Uvex Pace Stage V glasses aim to deliver on all fronts, boasting an advanced photochromic lens with Uvex’s Variomatic technology, anti-fogging capabilities via its Supravision coating and robust UV protection. They stack up in real-world use, particularly in the unpredictable conditions you often get when riding in Britain. Their price does put them at the upper end of things, though.
> Buy now: Uvex Pace Stage V for £122.99 from Bike Inn
For more options, check out our best cycling sunglasses buyer’s guide.
Unboxing
Out of the box, the Uvex Pace Stage V glasses come with a soft cloth bag. The cloth bag doubles as a lens cleaner, which is a thoughtful addition, but the lack of a hard case is disappointing given the price point. Many competitors, such as Oakley and Rudy Project, include a hard case as standard, which provides better protection during travel or storage.
Build quality
The Uvex Pace Stage V glasses feel solid and well-engineered. The single-piece lens is securely mounted within the frame, with no play or creaking during handling. The frame’s robust construction inspires confidence, and the materials used appear durable enough to withstand regular use. Despite the glasses’ wide coverage, they are surprisingly light, making them comfortable for extended rides.
The adjustable nose piece is another standout feature. It’s easy to tweak for a snug, custom fit, and it remained comfortable over long rides without causing pressure points or indentations. The arms of the glasses are well-proportioned, offering a secure fit even on my larger-than-average head (59 cm circumference) and providing reliable grip when stowing the glasses on a helmet.
Lens
This is where the Uvex Pace Stage V glasses truly shine. Featuring Uvex’s variomatic technology, the large photochromic lens adjusts its tint quickly and seamlessly to match changing light conditions.
The lens covers from category 3 to category 1, which equates to a light transmission of 16-71%.
During testing, the transition was almost imperceptible, taking just a few seconds to adapt to brighter or darker environments. This makes them ideal for any riding where conditions can shift rapidly.
The lens also provides 100% protection against UVA, UVB, and UVC rays up to 400 nano metres, ensuring your eyes are fully shielded from harmful solar radiation. This level of protection is on a par with premium competitors and adds to the their appeal.
Uvex’s Supravision coating offers mist-free vision, which is especially noticeable in cold or humid conditions. Unlike some other glasses, where fogging can become a nuisance on steep climbs or during stops, these maintained clarity even at low speeds. In comparison to other brands which use vent holes, the anti-fog performance of the Uvex Pace Stage V glasses was superior, making them a dependable choice for challenging rides.
Riding experience
In use, the Uvex Pace Stage V glasses delivered on their promises. The wide face coverage provided excellent wind protection, which was a relief during cooler rides. As a contact lens wearer, I particularly appreciated this feature, as it prevented the irritation often caused by cold air hitting the eyes.
The glasses fit comfortably under a variety of helmets, including the Met Manta, Kask Utopia, and Limar Air Atlas. Despite their wide coverage, there were no issues with the lens rubbing against my cheeks or interfering with helmet fit. The adjustable nose piece and secure arms ensured that the glasses stayed in place, even on rough off-road trails.
The photochromic lens performed excellently during rides in variable light conditions. When navigating bridleways around Bath, the lens adapted quickly to changes in light as I moved in and out of tree cover. This seamless adjustment allowed me to focus on the ride without needing to remove or adjust the glasses. Additionally, the anti-fog coating proved invaluable on steep climbs, where I often found myself labouring at slow speeds. The lens remained clear throughout, outperforming other models I’ve tested in similar conditions.
All these things help to make the Uvex Pace Stage V glasses a well-rounded choice if you’re seeking high-performance eyewear that can handle a wide variety of lighting conditions. While they may not be the most budget-friendly option, their advanced lens technology and robust build quality make them a worthwhile investment if you’re looking for high-quality sunnies.
Value
At £165, the Uvex Pace Stage V glasses sit at the higher end of the market.
The 100% Hypercraft 100 with a photochromic lens is a slightly cheaper option at £149.99, while more budget-friendly options such as the Magicshine Rouleur glasses offer similar functionality at a significantly lower price, costing just £59.99.
On the other hand, they are priced below premium models like the £189.99 Rudy Project Tralyx.
Conclusion
The Uvex Pace Stage V glasses excel in providing a premium riding experience. Their fast-reacting photochromic lens, excellent anti-fog performance, and robust UV protection make them a standout choice. The wide face coverage and adjustable nose piece ensure a comfortable and secure fit, while the stylish design adds a touch of sophistication. The limited colour options and the surprising lack of a hard case – they can’t be that expensive to make – are slight drawbacks. And that price puts them up directly against some of the biggest names in the premium eyewear market.
Verdict
Top choice for changeable conditions, with a great build quality, a high spec and a performance that justifies the price
> Buy now: Uvex Pace Stage V for £122.99 from Bike Inn
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Uvex Pace Stage V
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?
UVEX’s website says:
“Product type: sports glasses
Gender: Unisex
Application area: running/jogging, racing bike”
They’re comfortable, mist-free and the lens adaptability makes them useful in a variety of conditions.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
UVEX’s website says:
uvex variomatic®
Smooth transition: photochromic lens adapts automatically to prevailing light conditions
Quick tinting: from light to dark in just seconds
Flexible protection: category 0-4 depending on light conditions
uvex supravision®
Mist free: up to 200% better demisting compared to the standard
Reliable clarity: mist-free lenses for twice as long as the standard
Sun protection: 100% UVA, UVB, UVC protection up to 400 nano metres
Feel well made and had no issues with the arms loosening over the few weeks of testing.
They were comfortable and proved extremely secure both on and off-road. Optical quality is impressive, and the photochromic lens reacts very quickly to changing light conditions, whether subtle or extreme.
The lens was subjected to the usual UK winter road grime and mud but survived without any damage, and the coatings seem very resistant to finger marks, rain and the like. No reason to believe they won’t last with basic care.
The 30g weight is comparable to other glasses at this sort of price.
Adjustable nose piece was comfortable and secure.
While they do come in under the price of eyewear from some of the big-name optics brands – for example, Oakley’s Jawbreakers are a salty 240 quid – you can find high-quality options for a good deal less.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Overall I’ve been very impressed with these glasses. The photochromic lens is great for changeable riding conditions and the anti-misting technology is one of the best I’ve encountered, offering unimpeded riding vision.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The mist-free and adaptive lens was a joy to ride with, meaning there was no need to remove the glasses at any point during a ride.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Having a hard case would be better for storage protection.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
With an RRP of £165 these are premium glasses, and though the optical performance is stellar, they are undercut by the like of the 100% Hypercraft Gloss Black Photochromic Lens (£149.99) and more significantly so by the fantastic Magicshine Rouleur Colour Photochromic Sunglasses (£59.99).
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 overall score
Excellent quality glasses that offer an unimpeded riding experience, particularly through changeable UK riding conditions – though they are beaten on value by the competition.
About the tester
Age: 33 Height: 190cm Weight: 94kg
I usually ride: Santa Cruz Stigmata My best bike is: Factor One Disc
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, touring, club rides, general fitness riding, Gravel, Track and Zwifting
