Lenses for broken canopy riding?

Given that I’ve lived near Oakridge for 8 years, I feel like should be the one answering instead of asking, but my recently and steadily aging eyes have gotten a lot more sensitive to glare the last few years.

So my main problem is midday in a mostly forested trail with broken canopy areas where you have the trail running from dark shadows into bright direct sun patches and back. Trying to maintain flow speeds in these conditions is obviously damn hard and dangerous. I’ve been using cheap (Scott) clear lens goggles year-round for sustained descents for years, but they do nothing for glare reduction in the sunlit pockets. Photochromic doesn’t make sense because you could be in a dark area but the trail ahead of you could have a bright sun patch and you wouldn’t be able to see what’s coming.

I’ve been thinking that a polarizing filter lens with about 40% ish (+/- 10?) VLT lens with some kind of base tint and contrast boost to help better see trail details and overhanging branches would be the best solution for some level of glare reduction when coming up to the sun patches. The Rudy Project website claims that polarizing filters reduce depth perception on trail - is that true? Also may not be an issue if 90% of the trail is inside the canopy and the broken canopy glare patches are the challenge.

My friend said to check out Lab Austere Max Vent Caramel flash lens, which is 40% and no polarizing filter, but I’m not sure if the base tint is what’s best for deep forests? I read Carlh’s review where he said the Caramel lens didn’t have as much trail contrast as the HD Cobalt. I think Lab Austere may have a sale going right now so I’m hoping to get some decent advice ASAP!

I have had good experiences using both Smith Chromapop Low Light Amber and Oakley's Prizm pink lens in those conditions. The Smith amber seems a bit better on sunny days and the Oakley pink on overcast days. I've been eyeing a pair of Coast Optics goggles with their pink lens to complement my Smith goggles (amber).

I have same issue with seeing in shadows these days. I have been using the Smith attack mtb mag for couple years now. Went all in and have a few lenses. 48% Rose for San Diego riding, 65% low light amber for northern rockies or 89% clear for really low light. Also have 20-85% photochromic, which don't get very dark when in shadow of helmet visor. I grabbed those this Saturday for ride starting at 530am that was overcast with mist thinking it was the clear lenses. I didn't notice not having the clear lenses until sitting in direct sun post ride and took them off. So they are also good in low light or mixed.They work well for back country skiing too. STP has really gone downhill, but still have good price on sun glasses sometimes:https://www.sierra.com/smith-attack-...sses~d~9811%2F

No Input on the Lab Austere products, but Marshall will take care of you.

I use Oakley Prizm Trail in situations like this and they seem to work well. A little bright in full-all day sun but a good compromise when you're in and out.
I'm not sure that polarized is helpful as there isn't much glare while mountain biking - no road surface, water, etc.

I've got some photchromic things from 100% that work pretty well. Not because they change quickly between the light and dark spots, but because they kinda find an "average" tint that works ok in both situations.

Personally, I've never found the color of the tint of my riding glasses to make a huge difference for me (as opposed to ski goggles, where I'm very picky about my tints). For riding, all that really matters is how light or dark the tint is.

Love the smith chromapop rose for these conditions, but broke my last pair and need to replace. I also have some Oakley Pink low-lights when it's a bit darker overall. I have trail prizm's but don't love them, find they are too dark in the east coast woods, but use them on the road/gravel.

Clear for me. Needing prescriptions kinda forced my hand there but Ive found it works best in forest shadow situations, and obviously in low light. Doesnt really bother me in full sun but I do like a functional visor on my helmet.

On the moto I have pretty fine success with a rose color, seems to dim the sun enough, but also brighten the darks.

I ride with Smith Wildcats Chromopop Rose, almost all the time.

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I have a hudge collection of tinted and transition prescription glasses. &nbsp; The recently available Transition Gen S is perfect for the forested riding I do in OR and NorCal. &nbsp; Many tints...I use Rose. &nbsp; Doesn&#39;t get dark, just medium dark. &nbsp;And gets super clear in the evening. &nbsp;Only issue is that sports oriented prescription glasses companies like SportRX are too clueless to offer these lenses in a large wraparound frame suitable for mtb. &nbsp;However glassesusa.com recently allowed you to put these lenses in Oakley Holbrook frames, and finally I have a pair of prescription glasses perfect for 95% of my riding. &nbsp;<br />
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I just noticed that Zenni has added a wider variety of sports/cycling frames that DO NOT require inserts.They will do anything from classic lenses, to mirror finish, to polarized, to transitions. Here&#39;s one of the new frames that looks to be the widest most wraparound option:

https://www.zennioptical.com/p/halfr...91131/99113121

With transitions it is $153 before any sales/discounts. Can get basic RX lenses for $65.

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Originally Posted by frorider

I have a hudge collection of tinted and transition prescription glasses. The recently available Transition Gen S is perfect for the forested riding I do in OR and NorCal. Many tints...I use Rose. Doesn&#39;t get dark, just medium dark. And gets super clear in the evening. Only issue is that sports oriented prescription glasses companies like SportRX are too clueless to offer these lenses in a large wraparound frame suitable for mtb. However glassesusa.com recently allowed you to put these lenses in Oakley Holbrook frames, and finally I have a pair of prescription glasses perfect for 95% of my riding.

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I needed up with something from Smith&#39;s &quot;tactical&quot; line. They&#39;re sweet but no tint options and I don&#39;t have access to pro pricing anymore so that would be an expensive option for a new pair.

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Originally Posted by singlesline

I just noticed that Zenni has added a wider variety of sports/cycling frames that DO NOT require inserts.They will do anything from classic lenses, to mirror finish, to polarized, to transitions. Here&#39;s one of the new frames that looks to be the widest most wraparound option: https://www.zennioptical.com/p/halfr...91131/99113121 With transitions it is $153 before any sales/discounts. Can get basic RX lenses for $65.

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That&#39;s a great price. Looking into getting my eyes fixed this summer but if I don&#39;t I&#39;ll be looking there for a new pair.

The smith photochromic lense clear to gray is what I use for nearly everyday for riding up in the PNW. I don't think about it and am perfectly happy.

https://youtu.be/QePcj9BplMQ?si=GLbc3ThsHyMRZgBK

Zenni was one of the first discount Rx brands. I have a few pairs. Quite a few competitors now like Kits that have Rx glasses polarized or transition tint for $85 out the door. Great to see Zenni now has a better selection of cycling specific wraparounds. The higher price of 150 bucks for these https://www.zennioptical.com/p/plast.../10101/1010121 makes sense since wraparounds require a high index polycarbonate. Tifosi is a brand that has made Rx wraparounds for a while. I paid $85 for a pair recently but they only had the standard Transition lenses that IME stay too dark for riding in coastal or other denser forests.

Glad to see the zenni has good offerings. I have had exceptionally good experiences with Zenni, as long as I get the measurements right for pupil distance. I even had good success being refunded for a pair of glasses when I learned that I did not like bifocals.

On a whim bought some of the new Tifiosi Moab w/ the blue-ish photochromatic lenses. Few rides this week in the woods and they worked well, light enough in the trees cover. Sizing is a bit smaller and better for my face than my Oakley Sutro's also fit nicely in my helmet which is a must for me while climbing in muggy summer east coast conditions. They were running a 25% off sale so far cheaper than replacing with expensive Smiths.

I got cataract surgery late last fall. The doc asked in a follow-up appt how I was doing.

I told him everything was so much brighter now but I was still having a hard time skiing from sunny conditions into shadows - took about two seconds for my pupils to dilate and I was kinda blind during that period.

His solution - ski slower

I said No.

Ive struggled with the same issue over the years. Recently, I've been wearing Smith amber lenses, which are harsh in the direct sun, but my eyes adjust easier under the canopy. I've been meaning to try the photochromatic lenses, but the prices keep going up.

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Originally Posted by supermodel159

Ive struggled with the same issue over the years. Recently, I've been wearing Smith amber lenses, which are harsh in the direct sun, but my eyes adjust easier under the canopy. I've been meaning to try the photochromatic lenses, but the prices keep going up.

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I switched to Smith photochromatic a year or two ago, and while I like them really well out in the open I struggle with them in the trees. The changing lens does pretty well when it goes from sunny to cloudy, but I think the overall lens color is too “gray” for me when I’m under the canopy, I want something thatll show contrast better. Gonna order some amber lenses for the Smiths I have to try this out.

^^ Good to know. Thanks.

For the past couple of years I’ve been using prescription Oakley Prizm Trail Torch lens and found I like them for mixed riding more than I thought I would. They handle full sun decently and I can still see in the darker areas. I also have a pair of photo chromatic prescription lens by a company called Revant. They work well but I find I use them for rides that are going to end under lights. They do take a couple of minutes to adjust when going into the dark, but are quick when you break out into the sun. The trail torch are much more useful, no waiting for lens to change and the tint helps see in the darker areas.