Rudy Project Defender ImpactX Photochromic 2 Black

The Rudy Project Defenders are an impressive pair of glasses, with the photochromic lens especially impressive in changeable conditions. They provide great protection, but the price will put some off.

• Pros: Comfortable, lightweight, impressive photochromic lens
• Cons: Expensive

One of the challenges I always find during the spring/early summer is that when you start off on a ride it can be dark and dank, but by the time you're halfway round it's bright sunshine. You can take off arm warmers and remove gloves, but your glasses are another story as you are left with two options – ride with your eyes streaming or get blinded.

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Photochromic lenses have become increasingly popular in recent years, but can suffer by being slow to change. With the Rudy Project Defenders, changes happen rapidly enough that you don't instantly feel plunged into darkness, but equally don't leave you feeling like you're staring directly at the sun.

They go from essentially non-prescription clear lenses to dark black, and adjust to every light between, meaning you can always maintain a clear view of what's on the road in front of you. They also have impressive clarity and strong peripheral vision, despite being full frame glasses.

In addition to allowing you to see effectively in all conditions, the glasses also offer strong impact protection. I know this from a stone that flicked up and left no mark on the lens (unfortunately it did on my forehead). Given that 30 per cent of the reason for wearing glasses is this kind of protection, it's a sign of a good pair of glasses. For those curious about the other 70 per cent: in the Hill household at least, 30 per cent is UV protection and 40 per cent is to look cool.

Rudy Project makes a version of the Defender frame in graphene, for £259, which it claims is 'lighter than carbon but stiffer than diamond'. The glasses on test are the grilamid version not graphene, but are certainly robust despite the relatively thin frame.

They sit on the head well thanks to grippy arms and buffers on the nose, meaning that even on particularly sweaty rides I found they stayed exactly where they should. The glasses also provide effective defence against misting thanks to the Powerflow Ventilation System, which consists of 12 vents that sit within the frame and two that sit between the frame and the lens. The only time I ever found them steaming up was when I was stopped at traffic lights, and even then they cleared very quickly once I got going again.

In additional to protection and comfort the glasses are also fairly lightweight, coming in on the road.cc Scales of Truth at 34g. This is slightly heavier than some at a similar price, such as the 100% Speedcraft SL glasses, which are 32g and £13 cheaper. The Smith Attack Sunglasses are 4g lighter but £3 more expensive. However, when you're talking in single figures you wouldn't really notice much of a difference.

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The one thing there's no getting around is the price: at £191.99 rrp they're expensive. However, there is no doubt that these these are top-of-the-line cycling glasses, up there with the best I have used.

Overall I really liked these glasses. I have used several photochromic glasses in the past and these are easily the best. Many will baulk at the price, but there is no doubt about their quality.

Verdict

Very impressive photochromic glasses, quick to change and offering strong protection