The Adidas Kentro Sport Sunglasses are said to be suitable for cycling, running and just looking cool. They’re comfortable, durable and well-designed, but the blue lenses aren’t great for UK roads.
The most eye-catching element of the Kentro SPort glasses is the colour, an unshakeably royal blue that stands out among legions of black cycling sunnies. The design is almost perfect: they buck the trend for oversized, tall glasses and go with a wider, squared-off shape that transforms even the doughiest of faces into a sculpted work of art.
They’re light enough to feel unnoticeable when worn, and an adjustable nosepad adapts to a variety of schnozzles. They also fit just about any face, and the fact that my fashion-victim 12-year-old has had his eyes on them since they arrived suggests that Adidas has completely nailed the design here.
Performance
On the bike they feel weightless and unobtrusive, and the wraparound design never intrudes into your field of view. They stay put even when sweating your way up hills, and the ventilation ensures there’s no steaming up.
However, the biggest issue is in the transition between bright daylight and darker tree cover – stretches of road that also carry the Brucie bonus of drip-induced potholes. A lot of this is down to the blue tint. While striking, the Category 3 shade can also make it hard to see obstacles in darker areas.
If you’re climbing mountains or traversing open desert on a sunny day, this blue shade is perfect, and it can reduce eye fatigue. But there’s a certain paucity of both mountains and deserts in the UK, and for more general on- and off-road cycling, the similarly bold orange colourway might be a better choice.
I tested their robustness by chucking them out of the window of a moving car (this is also how I assess crockery) and they survived with no scars or blemishes. They also come in a thickly padded pouch to prevent scratches when they’re not in use.
Value
Cycling sunglasses are a tricky beast in terms of pricing, and I’ve always shied away from spending too much on something that I’ll inevitably lose. While I’m utterly in love with the design and comfort of the Adidas Sport Kentro, their £130 price tag is steep for glasses without interchangeable or light-adaptive lenses.
The closest we’ve seen recently have been the Scicon Sports Aeroshade 2.0 Titanium glasses, which come in a similarly fetching blue tint, but also boast interchangeable lenses so you can switch to a Category 1 lens depending on conditions. They were £192 when reviewed, but you can pick them up for around £130 now.
While Adidas’ option doesn’t include photochromic lenses, plenty of other models do. I particularly liked Decathlon’s Van Rysel Taaien glasses (£89.99) for their adaptability, but their oversized design isn’t suited to all faces.
The Koo Nebula (£170) are similarly photochromic, with a frameless design that will never get in the way, but that is a higher price tag.
Conclusion
These are great sunglasses — superbly designed and styled, with light weight and a comfortable design that ensures they’re almost unnoticeable in use. The problem is that the blue shade is just the wrong colour for most UK cycling. If you like the design, I’d say the orange colourway would be the one to go for.
Test Report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
Created for athletes who push through limits with determination, Kentro SP0123 features a full‑rim construction that delivers exceptional rigidity, impact resistance, and long‑term durability. The angular shield design maximizes protection and deliver a strong sporty look. Enhanced ventilation on both the temples and the upper front ensures optimal airflow, helping to reduce fogging and maintain clarity during high‑intensity efforts.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
Regular fit
Blue Mirror CAT. 3 lenses. Ideal for bright light and road, water and snow conditions.
Frame material: Injected. Lens material: Polycarbonate
Full rim frame designed to have a durable structure, with a wide lateral view to offer a broader field of vision
Adjustable temples and nose pads
Rubber end-tips and temples designed with no-slip contact points to offer best grip and stability
Size: 137 mm. Bridge: -. Temple: 125 mm
Product colour: Blue / Dawn Blue / Dawn Blue
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:
Pricier than most and lacks the versatility of interchangeable or photochromic lenses.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product?
Yes – in orange
Would you recommend the product to a friend?
Yes – if they live in a desert
Use this box to explain your overall score
Almost everything about these glasses is perfect – they’re just not ideal for UK roads.
About the tester
Age: 46Height: 193cmWeight: 88kg
I usually ride: Tritao GroontMy best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 yearsI ride: Every dayI would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: Road racing, Gravel riding, Indoor riding, Indoor racing, Bikepacking, Commuting, Audax, Fitness riding, Leisure riding
